Mayoral candidates discuss issues
City of New London residents will have a choice for mayor at the polls Tuesday, April 3, as Debbie Banda challenges incumbent Gary Henke for the office.
The two offered views on seven questions asked by the Press Star. Candidates’ responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Please provide a brief overview on your background and your connection to the city.
Debbie Banda (challenger): My family is three generations in New London. Both of my parents owned small businesses downtown. My father, Pete Kielbasa, owned a gas station in the early ’60s called K&K Sinclair. It was where the parking lot is on North Water Street east of the Dairy Queen. My mother, Mert Kielbasa, took ownership of Manskes bar in the middle to late ’80s. It was known as Mert’s Tap. She worked under new management until her death in 1992. My husband was employed at Simmons for 34 years. I was employed by the Ben Franklin Store for 6 years, the First State Bank for 15 years and Curwood for 6 years.
Gary Henke (incumbent): I taught industrial arts at New London High School for 42 years, worked summers and part time at Titan Conveyors since 1992 and currently work there part time. I managed the swimming pool at Hatten Park before it closed, building construction for a few years and at the Hortonville Toy Factory until starting at Titan. Over the years I have been involved in downtown revitalization efforts in the early ’70s and ’80s, New London Lions Club for over 50 years, church council, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, city council starting in 1984, serving as chairman of finance, public works, park and recreation, and serving New London as mayor since 2008.
Is the city of New London currently serving its residents well?
Henke: Yes, I feel that the council and staff have done a good job of meeting the needs and desires of its residents. We are of course, like other cities, under state revenue limits, so we have to make key decisions as to where it is best to spend taxpayer dollars. As times change and new priorities arise we must make decisions that are in the best interest of our residents, such as keeping our infrastructure updated, looking at new and improved ways of doing things, and making decisions as far as personnel and projects that are going to keep up with what our residents expect.
Banda: The “city” is trying to market New London on the web for new business and residences. But the citizens are not being informed before their tax dollars are spent nor told where excess funds are going at year end. There is a lot of jumping through hoops for some people and others are given special treatment in regard to new business and building. The “city” has said the public has no interest in getting involved. This is not true. City officials are paid for representing your opinions, not complaining that they had to take time off of work to represent your interests. They can’t wait to rush things through before citizens know what is happening.
What are one or two issues that are important to you as you run for mayor?
Banda: No. 1 for me is transparency in government. What new projects are being discussed? How much will they cost? Why do we need this expense? Why pay huge amounts to have people come in and do research and tell them what to build, where to build it, without letting the public know? No. 2, stop dredging sandbars that are good holding spots for fish and sticking docks where no one makes use of them. Let’s fix the back alley and cut out needless spending.
Henke: There are many issues but I feel that several are to keep our financial position in good shape with long range planning. We must plan ahead at least 10 years into the future as far as infrastructure, vehicle and equipment replacement and personnel needs. Priorities will change along the way but with long range planning, the city will be able to handle them.
New London, like any city, works to draw new businesses into the community. To what extent should municipal government become involved in convincing private businesses to set up shop in town?
Henke: When I was first elected as mayor, one of the first priorities was to establish an economic development committee made up of council, businesspersons and community members. We have joined with WECD, Fox Valley Regional Partnership and New North organizations that promote new business and industry in our area. The most important strategy is to take care of what we’ve got and in the past few years have seen business and industry expansions with Northland Electric, Steel King, New London Engineering, Bemis, Tri-County Door, Hilker Warehousing and several others. Most job growth is from working with our existing industries to expand. We have a very supportive and good working relationship with our businesses.
Banda: City government should be monitoring and marketing for private business to locate here. I have been approached by citizens that want more options for clothing and groceries in the city. But you shouldn’t give away free money or land or tell them where they have to locate their business. Drive through Clintonville or Hortonville and the majority of town has cars lined on the streets. The business parks are full and hiring.
Was the municipal wheel tax, enacted this year, the right strategy to generate funds for local road repair projects?
Banda: Although this was pushed through the system without citizen input or knowledge, most would agree the roads here are horrendous. The same strategy was used to add new recycle bins to the city taxes without most people’s knowledge until they did not have a say.
Henke: The wheel tax was not a popular choice with either me or the city council. Unfortunately with the state cutting back on revenue sharing, it was the only choice that was viable to keep up with the street and roadwork that needs to be done. It was preferable rather than raising property taxes for road repair as it would be easier to repeal as a later date if the state of Wisconsin gets its act together on transportation funding. We have also limited the use of the wheel tax beyond what is allowable by state statute, as we will only use if for paving, curb and gutter, rebuilding roads and new sidewalks.
A mixed-use library has been proposed for a city-owned lot on Wolf River Drive, and the city hired a team of development firms to explore whether the concept feasible for that property. What are your views on the project?
Henke: Until we have a proposed plan, final scope, feasibility and more importantly the cost to the city on this project, it is impossible to form an opinion. As soon as those figures are known, we will have a good picture as to whether to move forward or not. It may turn out that any part of the project is not in the city’s best interest. If we do move forward, there will be a referendum after all information is made available to our residents and they will have the final say as to yes or no on the project. The final decision will be made by the electorate, not the mayor and council.
Banda: Didn’t know we spent that money already but that isn’t surprising. What if we don’t really feel we need a library? What if some feel $6 million is too much to spend when technology is taking over with Kindle? You can read almost anything online. The city already owns two lots across the street from the current library. More parks? The museum wants to expand to the whole building but they have already stated that they will never put out all of the historical items they have in storage on display. This is a matter for referendum.
Do you believe New London is appealing to millennials and Generation Z? And what can a rural community like New London do to attract and retain these younger generations?
Banda: Right now I feel that New London is just a small town. To attract the younger generations, we need better education and a small town feel with various service options. The back alley is an asset. We have a fine police force, but we must be diligent about drugs and crime. Inviting high school students into the council will raise youth interest in how to reshape the city in the future. For now, cater to the seniors in housing. Low income housing rent is not very low income at $850 to $900 a month. Stop enabling people that can work but don’t make the effort to get a free ride.
Henke: I feel that we have a lot to offer the younger generations. We are looking into research statewide and nationally as to what these generations desire in a community and also talking to them for their input. Many things they are looking for are good-paying jobs, and with our current industries, we have plenty of openings in the jobs of the future. They are also looking for a welcoming community, good schools, affordable housing, parks, recreation activities, places to congregate, trails and easy access to all of the amenities communities have to offer. New London is in a good position.