Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
There are three Shawano Common Council seats up for re-election Tuesday, though only one of them is contested.
Seth Mailahn is running for the District 3 aldermanic seat being vacated by Woody Davis, who chose not to run again.
Sandy Steinke is running unopposed in District 5.
In District 1, however, incumbent Alderman Bob Kurkiewicz is facing a challenge from Jessica Van Buren.
The Leader posed the following six questions to each of them.
Why are you running?
KURKIEWICZ: I’ve always felt an obligation to serve the community I live in. I feel this is a trait passed down from my father. As a young person I was influenced by John Kennedy who said it best, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
VAN BUREN: I think there’s a need for some fresh view points on the council.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent?
KURKIEWICZ: I certainly feel my energy and experience is one reason. Being the incumbent, citizens know my record. They know I am fiscally responsible. I’m not afraid to raise questions and challenge issues. They know that I will not be rushed into making snap decisions. They know that I am a team player, I support transparency and I’m a proven leader. The department heads know that while I support them that I ask them to defend their recommendations. I make a sincere effort to understand issues before voting. If re-elected I (as always) will strive to do my best for Shawano.
VAN BUREN: I grew up in Shawano and I live in Shawano year round. I want to help to improve the community that we live in and have always been a part of.
What is your highest priority or the issue you most want to address on the council?
KURKIEWICZ: Annually, the budget is always a high priority. This year will be as difficult as ever. Doing more and more, trying to maintain and improve services and resources while holding the line on expenses will be a daunting task. Park renovations and Redevelopment Authority are current major challenges that need addressing. We have two key positions that must be filled: Police Chief Mark Kohl has retired and the pending retirement of Nancy Schauer, financial manager for Shawano Municipal Utilities. Significant effort will be needed for recruiting, vetting and interviewing candidates.
VAN BUREN: To have the council really think about the plans that they have for the future and the longevity of their current plans.
Do you support or oppose the park improvements borrowing referendum that will also be on the ballot?
KURKIEWICZ: I am neutral on this issue, until citizens in District 1 vote on the referendum. The parks referendum is on the ballot so that the citizens can advise council how to proceed. I intend to vote the way District 1 voters respond. I encourage everyone to vote.
VAN BUREN: I think the splash pad is a great idea for the community, but I think the current plans need some work. I would rather see a few of our current shelters upgraded rather than building new ones at the parks that are under construction. Currently, the newer shelters at Huckleberry Harbor and Eberlein Park are mainly used for tournaments and soccer games. I don’t want to see that happening for the “to be built” shelters and amphitheater.
What is your view of the city Redevelopment Authority and the actions it has taken so far?
KURKIEWICZ: I absolutely support the RDA. They have a sound mission with objectives that encourage property owners to remodel, restore or renovate. After some initial delays they are moving forward. Thus far they have assisted Roloff’s Auto with demolition of the veterinary clinic and the asbestos removal; the old Ponderosa building has been demolished with a raze order; and they are currently working with property owners at 214 and 143 S. Main St. RDA is also dealing with several applications for remodeling and renovations.
VAN BUREN: I think that the RDA is heading toward the right direction. It will help give the city an overall nicer look in the future.
Do you feel the city is going in the right direction in terms of business growth, taxes and other issues of interest to voters, or is there something you’d like to see changed?
KURKIEWICZ: Yes I do. While there is always more that could be done, there are numerous reasons to be optimistic. Some examples of new businesses, expansion and industry are Tumbleweed clothing, Bolin’s Speedy T’s, Tower Clock, Stubborn Brothers Brewery, Dunham’s Sporting Goods, Belmark Industry and the residential training center. Prevea Health has submitted site plans, Gresham State Bank has taken building permits, United Co-op continues its renovation, and ALDI Foods has plans for expansion. These businesses will help our tax base. Shawano businesses are in hiring mode as evidenced by the recent job fair held. I feel we compare favorably with Wisconsin cities of similar size with taxes and exceed most with services.
VAN BUREN: The business growth within the city is nice for the community, bringing to Shawano more jobs and more consumers. I think the taxes are currently on the high side being that they are the highest taxed municipality in the county. The city has multiple Tax Incremental Finance districts, a higher garbage fee and higher school taxes than neighboring communities. I think the city needs to take a look at the impact this has on the current homeowners.
THE CANDIDATES
Name: Bob Kurkiewicz
Age: 75
Address: 411 W. First St.
Family: Wife, Carole (52 years), three sons, (Bob Jr., Mike, Danny), five grandchildren
Occupation: Retired principal Shawano School District. Retired project coordinator College of Menominee Nation NEW Teacher Training Project. Veteran USAF Vietnam era.
Education: Brown Deer High School. Bachelor of Science in education, major physical education and business, Black Hills State University, Spearfish South Dakota. Master’s in school administration, South Dakota State University, Brookings South Dakota.
Experience in government: 28 years on various city committees. 14 years on City Council. I have served on a vast number of committees and commissions. Airport, art council, BID board, finance, planning, field, SMU, board of appeals, park and recreation, police and fire.
Community Involvement: Proud member of the Honor Guard for American Legion, AMVETS, and Vietnam Era Veterans, youth basketball coach, Little League coach, Boy Scout leader, coached American Legion baseball state championship team. I support Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, Historical Society. I am currently assistant girls tennis coach at Shawano High.
Name: Jessica (Schroeder) Van Buren
Age: 36
Address: 116 S. Lafayette St.
Family: My husband, Matt, and I have been in our house for 10 years. We have our dog, Ella, and our cat, Izzy.
Occupation: Real property lister
Education: I spent two years at UW-Stout and the changed majors and schools after interning for Shawano County. I graduated with a degree in geography emphasizing GIS/cartography from UW-River Falls.
Experience in government: I’ve worked for Shawano County for 4 1/2 years and am familiar with budget processes and governmental workings.
Community Involvement: Formerly a big sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters GB before there was a local group. My husband and I attend almost all of the downtown festivals and the farmers market as much as possible.