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Leland sees Fergus Falls at a critical juncture in time
Mayoral race
Published Monday, October 20, 2008
Hal Leland
Hal Leland was a graduate student at the University of North Dakota when he first visited Fergus Falls.
“It was...famous for being one of the most beautiful small cities in the region,” Leland said recently, “and it still is.”
That visit alone was enough to make Leland and his wife, Donna Mae, want to return — and they did. A native of Mayville, N.D., Leland taught school in Buffalo, N.D., and completed his master’s degree before taking a job as a guidance counselor and assistant principal at Fergus Falls High School in the early 1960s. He would go on to spend most of his career at what’s now MSCTC-Fergus Falls, first as a counselor and later as vice president of student services. Leland retired in 2002, the same year he was elected to the city council.
At a time when the city is at a “critical juncture” in terms of its development, Leland says Fergus Falls needs a full-time mayor — and he’s the person for the job.
“We have to come up with a plan for growth, with a plan for economic development as a community,” he said. “And I don’t think we have that right now and I’d like to lead the charge.”
A high priority should be attracting young families to the community, Leland said. To do that, the city needs to both create jobs and fill existing positions that have long been vacant.
When it comes to the city budget, Leland says long-range planning is key to controlling the tax rate. Fergus Falls staff began working with Ehlers and Associates Inc. this summer to develop a 10-year financial outlook to guide council members in their decision-making.
“That is something that we’re going to look harder at than ever before,” Leland said.
The long-term outlook will help the council maintain essentials like public safety and street maintenance while planning for special projects that also deserve attention, Leland said.
“We have a lot of assets in this community that are in need of upgrades, repair and preservation,” he said, including City Hall, Pebble Beach — “We’ve let that deteriorate way too long” — and Lake Alice.
Leland has had several leadership roles in addition to a spot on the city council. He held a position on the board of directors for the West Otter Tail County Fair, and spent 18 years dealing with the fair’s budget and coordinating exhibitors. Leland has also sat on the boards of Lakes Country Service Cooperative, Fergus Falls Community Education and Access Television. During his time with MSCTC, he joined state college faculty in lobbying for better education funding, and more recently, has met with leadership from other communities in conjunction with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.
Leland also served as acting mayor in 2004.
Hal and Donna Mae Leland have three adult children, all of whom attended the community college.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by RodgerHeaton (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
www.RodgerHeaton.com - 4th Ward City Council
Posted by ANonnyMoose (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, Mr. Heaton, how about waiting for your own Journal feature instead of riding on the coattails of this one? The topic of the article is Hal Leland's candidacy, not yours.
Posted by RodgerHeaton (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When Hal Leland wins office, I look forward to working with him on these issues discussed in this "feature". It seems as though both of us similarly believe that Fergus Falls health is dependent on its capacity to develop (i.e. well paying careers, youthful workforce). I also believe Mr. Leland and I share opinions on having a fiduciary responsibility to the citizens of Fergus Falls.
Rodger Heaton.
PS... Hal, Best of Luck
Posted by Sumwun (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow...ANonnyMoose...you're good...less than two hours after your post he does it again. Way to piggyback an article of a candidate other than yourself. Get your own article so we can see how incredible you are. Plus I believe Mr. Howland has an equally good chance of winning the election as Mr. Leland, so don't assume Leland has it all locked up.
Posted by ANonnyMoose (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm only guessing here, but it appears that the Journal will be profiling all candidates for each of the races in the City, as they've done in the past. (For example, as of today, the website's main page alerts us that a feature on Mayoral candidate Skip Mallas will be posted on Tuesday.) Each candidate will get his or her moment in the sun, so to speak, and will all be treated equally. In that sense, for one candidate to pop on here and issue a campaign statement following the Journal's story on another candidate -- even when it's not for the same race -- smells a bit "off" to me.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this forum is open to all people last I checked, I agree with Rodger Heaton on this issue also and support Hal for Mayor!
why do some feel candidates should be silenced?
if anything we should encourage discussion.
Jamie Cooper for ward 1
Posted by ANonnyMoose (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course it's open to all people, Mr. Cooper. My point is this: If Mr. Heaton were commenting on the article, or on Mr. Leland's candidacy, I would have had no problem with either of his posts. If the article had been more focused on some issue facing the City, I would have had no problem with Mr. Heaton posting his position on the subject. It's my opinion that Mr. Heaton crossed a line when he used this particular opportunity to make a campaign statement of his own. I think this feature on Mr. Leland should be allowed to stand on its own, and let Mr. Heaton, you, and all other candidates for all citywide offices get your chances to shine when your turns come. Thanks.
Posted by watermelon (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just viewed Mr. Heaton's webpage. Since when are 16 year old boys allowed to run for city council?
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I see your point as it could be viewed as spam or something of that ilk however, the more informed the voters are, the better.
I personally don't find Mr. Heatons approach offensive.
Posted by JasonP (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with metasonics, I don't find anything offensive about Mr.Heatons approach or comments, I think it's exciting that he keeps up with what's going on in this city and is not afraid to speak up and support Hal Leland's mayoral candidacy, I think it's also exciting that someone younger is looking to make a positive change and represent not only the younger population in Fergus Falls, but also everyone else,and he's a small business owner, (Heaton Tax Accounting is where I get my taxes done) after all this is a college town too, and who better to speak for the younger population, than a fellow peer. I for one will be supporting Hal Leland for mayor, and Rodger Heaton for 4th ward city council.
Posted by tippy98c (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a witty and resourceful attempt to occupy the city council; since neither wit nor resourcefulness have occupied the council for some time.
Posted by olson736 (anonymous) on October 21, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets get back to the point. Hal has demonstrated that he has the right qualities to lead our city. He has the experience of navigating through the bull that permeates our city hall and get the job done for Fergus Falls. He won't let our city administrator dictate to the city council and run this city like he has done the last 7 years. NOW is the time for leadership that will finally let the council do their job.
Hal can be that mayor.
Posted by ANonnyMoose (anonymous) on October 21, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I couldn't have said it better myself, olson736. Mr. Leland is precisely the kind of leader this city is yearning for.
To Mr. Cooper and JasonP, please don't get me wrong. I found nothing "offensive" about Mr. Heaton's posting campaign material on this page, nor do I think it rises to the level of being "spam". As a Leland supporter, I'm very pleased to see others offering their support too. And I wholeheartedly agree that we do need to get as much information from the candidates as we can. I do, however, think there's a right way and a wrong way for candidates to get the message out, and I think they cross that line when they take advantage of THIS PARTICULAR PAGE to make their points. I'll feel the same way if it happens again on Mr. Mallas' profile today, or on any other upcoming single-candidate Journal features. That's all I meant. Have a great day.
Posted by FFSSG (anonymous) on October 21, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think I will be voting for Mr. Howland. If Mr. Leland has been on the fair board for 18 years who could vote for him. We have one of the dirtiest junk stink fairs in MN. Our fair is terrible it also stated that he was in charge of booking exhibitors well there are no exhibitors unless you count the sheriff the DNR and the political parties. I know he may not be on the boared any more but its been this way for a long time. as far as putting yourself on the first post mr heaton. who really cares mabey it would not have been such a big deal if you would have been the mabey the third post or somthing but I say what the hell if your running give it all you got.
Posted by tsy86h (anonymous) on October 23, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
maybe
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