Mayoral and School Board Candidates Congenial Throughout Forum

Shakopee’s two mayoral candidates offered divergent views on the same stage Wednesday evening at the . 

Sponsored by the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce, candidates John Schmitt and Brad Tabke debated first, followed by a forum to meet the candidates and all four Shakopee School Board candidates—Reggie Bowerman, Jeremy Casper, Matt McKeand and Angela Tucker.

About 100 people were in the audience.

Shakopee sixth-grader Trevor Solander made a point to speak with nearly every candidate. Although it was possible for kids to earn extra credit for attending, Solander wasn't even aware of it.

"I just wanted to come," he said, noting he's voted for several years in elections organized by the Shakopee Kids Voting.

The debate and forum, which lasted nearly three hours, was mainly respectful in tone, with the only real disagreement on issues coming during the mayoral debate.

Giving their visions of Shakopee in 10 years, Tabke said he wanted Shakopee to become the entertainment capital of the Midwest, while Schmitt pointed to a long-range comprehensive plan and said Shakopee can only expand to a maximum capacity of about 53,000 people. He also spoke of eventually annexing Jackson Township to make more room for further expansion.

The School Board forum was congenial, with most candidates agreeing with each other's answers to questions.

Shakopee resident Mark Bury said he thought the School Board candidates seemed more articulate than in the mayoral debate. The respectful tone, he said, came at least in part because neither the city or school district is facing a fiscal crisis.

"Both organizations have been well run," he said. "And as a resident of town, it makes me feel good that we are in this position."

The forum, broadcast live on Shakopee Government Access Channel 16, will be rebroadcast periodically until the Nov. 8 election.

The Shakopee City Council Candidate Forum is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Shakopee City Hall.