Fergus Falls alderman enters race for mayor

By Lauren Radomski (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Ben Schierer

Like many young people, Fergus Falls native Ben Schierer left to see the world after high school.

For seven to eight years after graduation, Schierer, now 34, traveled with Walt Disney’s World on Ice, working as a carpenter and stage manager as the tour visited countries including Australia and China.

But what makes Schierer unique, at least in part, is that he always knew he’d return to his hometown.

“I always told people that those are nice places to visit,” he said of his travels, “but this is home.”

Now, after four years representing the fourth ward on the Fergus Falls city council, Schierer is embarking on his next endeavor: a run for mayor.

The mayor serves as the face of a community and has the responsibility of expanding local government’s base, Schierer said.

“He sets the tone for the government and has the ability to bring people into the process,” Schierer said. “It’s the people that can bring Fergus Falls forward.”

And that involvement in government shouldn’t be limited to the retired, he said. Whereas members of previous generations balanced their work and family lives with political activity, Schierer says he sees in his age group a tendency to omit the latter.

Signs indicate that trend may be fading locally. Case in point: Half of the current city council members are in their 30s, Schierer said.

Schierer knows what it’s like to balance a busy life. He works as a real estate appraiser for Schierer Appraisals, his father’s business, and he and his wife, Tessa, have children ages 4, 3, and 1 with a fourth on the way. As a sidenote: Schierer and Tessa were in the same kindergarten year at McKinley Elementary but in different sessions. They would meet in the fifth grade.

Fellow councilman Greg Stumbo has known Schierer since 2000 and says his friend’s interest in the past influences his vision for the future.

“I just think he has a real appreciation for the history of Fergus Falls,” Stumbo said. “He’s seen a number of different places but he’s maintained that appreciation for the community.”

Schierer said he made his decision to run for mayor after Russ Anderson told him he would not seek re-election in the fall. While he says his position as a councilman has been one of his most rewarding roles, “at the same time I feel there’s a lot more to be done.”

Job creation and expansion of the tax base is an aim, Schierer said. In the months before the election, he says he plans to share his ideas with as many people as possible.

“I might not have the money that other candidates have, but I’m going to outwork them,” he said.