Big ideas, unrealized opportunities, fiscal performance, and of course, the Police Station issue were among the topics on the table during last night’s Burlington City Council Debate.
The four candidates vying for the two open seats on the City Council, incumbent Mayor Shane McCampbell, Retired Vet Dan Wischmeier, Former Electrician John Fenton, and Fastenal Account Specialist Antoinette Wilson met to field questions from Two Rivers Bank’s Matt Shinn and members of the media.
Their Motivations
The candidates were first asked about their primary motivations in running for office. Fenton told the crowd that taxes were on his mind.
“My motivation is to bring taxes down and to get government working properly,” said Fenton.
McCampbell says he’s running to serve his community in every way he can.
“To me a job like this should not be taken on because a person really wants to be on the council,” McCampbell explained, “It’s just that I want to make a difference, and if this is the arena where i can do that than that’s my motivation.”
Wilson, at just 25 years old, thinks younger people should be more involved in the process.
“I think it’s important that more young people get involved and that’s one of the main reason’s why I decided it was important for me to run,” she said.
Wischmeier says he’s running to add some variety to the conversation. Saying “There needs to be another voice, a different voice if you will, on the city council. It seems, in the past, it’s been kinda the old-boys network, so to speak.”
Defending Their Campaigns
Shinn presented the candidates with questions specific to them. Wischmeier, who said recently that he would not have supported the tax abatements given to Silgan container company, was asked why he believes he could have negotiated a better deal.
“The City of Burlington is getting no revenue because of tax abatements from this plant, it’s a huge plant,” said Wischmeier, “They’re going to bring 120 jobs, that’s good for the economy. Those people are going to buy groceries, buy gasoline, get their cars fixed. But the City of Burlington gets no money.”
Fenton, who has a long history of calling local radio programs and criticizing the city, responded angrily when asked why people should support his candidacy despite being against almost everything that comes in front of the City Council.
“Have you seen the recent Councils? And you ask me that question?” Fenton said, berating Shinn, “That’s not even a fair question for yourself, it shows your ignorance! Come on, let’s be real; ask me another question!”
Shinn moved on to ask Mayor McCampbell’s question, McCampbell was asked if he would have done anything differently during his tenure on the council.
“I wish I would’ve pushed harder against the animal shelter,” McCampbell said, “I still think that was money that we could of used for a better purpose. What you find out and when you’re dealing with city business, you can’t just go in and unilaterally say this is how things are going to be, and you have to come up with a consensus.”
Wilson, if elected, would be the youngest woman ever elected to the City Council. She was asked to respond to those who might believe she’s too inexperienced.
“I lost my father at a young age, at 16, I was a younger mother, I’m raising a family.” said Wilson, “I was a sergeant in the National Guard; I have leadership experience. Although, I am young and haven’t lived very long, I think that I have lived more than a lot of people.”
The Police Station Bond Issue
The Police Station issue was arguably the big question of the night. Wilson says she supports purchasing and renovating the US Bank Building Downtown for use as a police station.
“I think it’s important for our police officers to have a safe working environment,” said Wilson, “How can we expect them to essentially go outside of their department and risk their lives and come back to a building that isn’t in good condition?”
Voters are being asked on November 3rd to approve the plan, which will cost an expected $2.2 million. It will require a 60% “Yes” vote to pass.
Wischmeier also supports the move after touring the current building on Third Street. “I’m kind of open-minded on the site after touring the present police station and being inside of US Bank” he said, “I think it’s probably the best choice.”
Fenton says that he would vote no on the vote, because he doesn’t believe that the City Council has thought it through.
“I think it’s the number one priority in the city. The number one!” Fenton said, “But, the way this council has messed around in their decision making process, and they tell you it wont cost a thing, I don’t believe a word they say because of past councils.”
Mayor McCampbell was the driving force in getting the Council to reconsider $700,000 stop-gap rehabilitation work on the current facility in favor of a new one.
“We’ve got the numbers to where they are not just palatable but I think they are phenomenal numbers,” said McCampbell, “People have accused the council of rushing into things, but I think that we haven’t moved swift enough. If we would have, we wouldn’t be talking about putting a $700,000 band-aid on a building that was only supposed to house police department for 10 years, maximum.”
The current building on Third Street is well over 100 years old, and has severely degraded.
Their One, Big Idea
KBUR took time to ask the candidates what their “One, big idea” was as a City Council Candidate. Fenton once again slammed the city budget–literally.
“This is the budget,” Fenton said, slamming the 300+ page City Budget onto the desk, “That budget should be half that size. The City of Burlington is doing way more than they should be doing. I want to lower taxes by two dollars, that’s my main goal to start with, and then I’m going to take care of priorities.”
Fenton said that the city had it’s hands in entertainment too much, criticizing the park system, the Burlington Bees, and the rec plex as “money pits”.
Mayor McCampbell says that it’s the little things, like Mayor’s awards and handing out city pride bracelets help foster a sense of pride in the community, and that’s his big idea.
“My daughter gives me a hard time, asking me ‘do you have to give one of those [bracelets] out everywhere you go?’ I say ‘Absolutely! You bet,'” McCampbell said, imitating Fenton by slamming a bracelet on the table, “It’s little things like that, showing people that they count–and not just the people in suits. You guys already know you count. It’s the little things, that’s what I want to continue to do.”
Wilson said that she would get more young people involved in their community.
“That’s why I’m here,” said Wilson, “There are very few people who vote in local elections. It would be nice to have something in place for younger people of voting age, and even not voting age, to become more aware of local government…”
Wischmeier said he would like to embark on an ambitious solar-energy project for the city.
“We need to reduce some of the figures in the budget, and one of the ways to do that is renewable energy,” Wischmeier said, “Let’s put a solar panel on every one of the city buildings and see how much the electric bill goes down.”
The four are vying for the seats currently occupied by McCampbell and Mayor Pro-Temp Becky Anderson, who has opted not to seek reelection.
