CLICK THE ARROWS TO VIEW CANDIDATE RESPONSES
What do you see as your city's biggest issue?
Bill Becker - We need to take a hard look at our current financial situation for our city.
Toni Honer - Uniting the city to make the three entities that formed the city see themselves as one. We need to continue with our consolidation agreement.
John Koerber - Lack of trust and confidence in the elected officials and spending that is out of control.
Bonnie Ring - Elected officials not listening to the residents. Huge debt and overspending. Too many policies and ordinances dictating the community.
Jerry Schmitt - There is lack of communication between council members and citizens. This has resulted in irresponsible spending, as well as creation of rules and ordinances that are more strict than what the state currently mandates, inhibiting growth of the city.
Donald Simon - Funding, infrastructure and needed services within a limited budget.
John Vogt - Did not respond to Times questionnaire.
Duane Willenbring - Upon the merger of three Local Government Units (LGUs) into one consolidated LGU it is painfully apparent that it is extremely difficult to build consensus on style of governance as it relates to the diversity and philosophies of the residents.
What's your solution for that situation?
Bill Becker - Establish and maintain a budget that will support the current situation yet provide the tools the city needs to deliver up-to-date programs which will result in a long-term cost savings.
Toni Honer - To update and follow through on the consolidation agreement. There may be a few things that need ro be tweaked, but if the plan was implemented we could continue to grow, and yet maintain the rural chararacter that our city prides itself in.
John Koerber - To come in and facilitate streamlining of governemnt and finding ways to reduce expenses and lowering taxes.
Bonnie Ring - Listen to the residents for ideas and solutions. Making cuts in spending wherever possible. Spending only when needed and what the city can afford without incurring more debt. Reviewing policies, procedures, ordinances and listening to the residents.
Jerry Schmitt - Create and maintain a balanced budget that is also advantageous to city growth. I would reassess the ordinances and codes to become equivalent with the county and state.
Donald Simon - Evaluate all departments and make cuts as needed and use funds on an as-needed basis.
John Vogt - Did not respond to Times questionnaire.
Duane Willenbring - Elected officals and staff need to set aside personal values and ideals and be honest in recognizing personal preferences. Only by personally understanding these traits can we hope to match their performance to the characteristics of the city.
What should the Legislature do to address concerns about the level of local government aid?
Bill Becker - I think the Legislature should adjust the formula to provide more local government aid to smaller cities.
Toni Honer - I feel that our city has worked closely with our elected state representatives. I think that we need to continue to involve them in our unique needs and solicit their help and support when necessary.
John Koerber - It will all depend on the funding level from the state.
Bonnie Ring - Realized how vital LGA is to communities. Possibly a new approach to how these funds are warranted. The current system is broken. These funds used to help offset costs to taxpayers, but now cities are incurring huge debts that are passed on to citizens.
Jerry Schmitt - I would encourage the Legislature to re-evaluate the LGA (local government aid) formula so each city receives a proportionate share.
Donald Simon - Evaluate and rework LGA formula system.
John Vogt - Did not respond to Times questionnaire.
Duane Willenbring - Mandates that impose costs on local governments without providing accompanying funding or that do not reflect local preferences present the most serious obstacles for local governments. State-local partnerships could be a strategic goal
Describe your style of leadership with regard to conflict management.
Bill Becker - My style of leadership as it relates to conflict management is to seek to understand before trying to be understood.
Toni Honer - I pride myself in listening to the questions and concerns of the citizens of our city, and following through with a decision that is in the best interest of the city as a whole, not just one or two individuals.
John Koerber - Sitting down with all appropriate entities and listening to their problems and finding solutions to those problems.
Bonnie Ring - Listen, learn, prepare and be fair. Be open-minded in all situations and have no personal agendas.
Jerry Schmitt - I would try to solve all city conflicts within the City Council prior to using outside mediation and legal counsel.
Donald Simon - Willing to discuss and mediate conflicts to come to a workable solution.
John Vogt - Did not respond to Times questionnaire.
Duane Willenbring - Conflict resolution is necessarily divided into two separate tasks. First, the parties must agree or be persuaded to come to the table and engage in dialogue. Second, the parties need to be helped to find some basis for agreement.
