Only one speaker planned for forum on lake land

Talk about it

A pair of local forums on political races and city ballot questions will offer speakers from all sides, except for a segment on the debate over land usage at Lake Mitchell.

The first of two political forums sponsored by the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee is set for Tuesday.

City Council President Jeff Smith will speak on the ballot question to designate city property along the lake as park land. Local residents gathered 550 signatures earlier this year to force a vote to label two parcels of city property near Lake Mitchell as parks, as well as all city land on the shoreline of the lake.

Sonya Moller of the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce said Smith is a “neutral party” and will only provide information.

Smith chuckled when asked if that was an accurate description.

“Well, I don’t know if I’m neutral,” he said.

Smith said he voted to designate tree-covered land near the lake as surplus property on Feb. 1. That was part of a process to swap city land for private property adjacent to the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex.

But, he said, he plans to offer a factual account of the process leading up to the proposed swap.

Sherry Stilley, of Mitchell, who helped circulate petitions to bring the matter to a public vote, said she was surprised to learn no one in favor of the land designation will be invited.

“Why would they have only one side on the land use?” Stilley said.

She believes Smith is against the ballot question and doesn’t want the property designated as park land.

“I don’t know why there is only one biased speaker on this topic,” Stilley said.

The forum will also include presentations on the District 20 state House race and the Davison County auditor race. All candidates in those races have been invited to speak.

The second forum is set for the following Tuesday, Oct. 26.

City Councilman Mel Olson will speak against Sunday offsale of hard liquor, while Mayor Lou Sebert will speak in favor of the ordinance during the forum.

“That was passed before I was on the council, so I don’t think there is any conflict of interest,” Olson said.

Sebert said he wants the law to be upheld to promote Mitchell as a regional shopping center.

“I think it’s for outlying areas who come to Mitchell and buy their liquor to take it home,” he said.

Currently, beer and other malt beverages may be purchased to-go at numerous locations on Sundays. Bars may sell beer and alcoholic beverages seven days a week.

But no hard liquor may be bought and taken from a business on Sunday in Mitchell. A change in state law allowed communities to choose to do so if they wish.

The Mitchell City Council voted to allow Sunday off-sale of liquor, but a local group led by the Rev. Carroll Torberson led a petition drive to place the issue on the Nov. 2 ballot.

The Oct. 26 forum also will include a discussion between candidates for the District 20 state Senate seat.

Both forums will be held at the Mitchell Technical Institute Technology Center amphitheater, 1800 E. Spruce St. They will start at 7 p.m.

The Daily Republic plans to webcast both forums on its website, www.mitchellrepublic.com.

Tags: jeff smith, mel olson, lou sebert, sherry stilley, election 2010, city council, news, local, forum, politics, fccnetwork