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4 write-ins seek New London City Council seats

Candidates share their backgrounds

By Scott Bellile


For four New London residents, their aspirations to join the city council will depend on how many voters in their district remember their names.

The four men have filed paperwork at City Hall to run as write-in candidates in the April 2 election. As write-ins, none of their names will appear on the ballot.

Three of the contenders – Dave Dorsey, Mike Pinch and Tim Roberts – are facing off to fill a vacancy in New London’s Fourth District. Alderman Rob Way is retiring after a couple decades on the city council.

The Fourth District primarily covers the southwest side of New London. People who vote at Trinity Lutheran Church live in the Fourth District.

Meanwhile, Mark Herter will run against incumbent First District Alderman Robert Besaw. Besaw’s name will be listed alone on the ballot because he returned his nomination papers before the January deadline.

The First District covers the area from downtown New London south of the Wolf River to The Washington Center. People who vote at First Congregational United Church of Christ live in this district.

Prospective write-in candidates have over a month left to declare their candidacy. The deadline to file as a write-in candidate at City Hall is March 29.

Incumbents are running uncontested in three other city council elections this spring: Tom O’Connell, Second District; Lori Dean, Third District; and David Morack, Fifth District.

Each write-in candidate shared with the Press Star his reasons for running for the city council and what he hopes to accomplish if elected.

 

Dave Dorsey

Dorsey grew up in the New London area and has lived in the city since he was 20.

Dorsey

He said he had considered a city council run for some time, believing he cannot complain about local affairs if he does not do his part to try to fix them.

“I think it’s time for some new ideas,” Dorsey said of his reason for running. “I don’t think the city’s going in a great direction. I think money is being wasted, and I’d like to see if I can figure out a way to slow that down a little bit.”

Dorsey has been the president of New London Youth Baseball for three years and served on the organization’s board for six. He said his leadership experience there qualifies him for city government.

One of Dorsey’s concerns is the rumor that the city does not spend its annual wheel tax revenue on improving roads.

A Madison-based conservative think tank, the John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, made this allegation last year.

City officials have repeatedly denied this accusation, saying wheel tax funds paid for resurfacing House Road and will next be spent on repairing the approaches to two railroad crossings on High Street and Industrial Loop Road, and resurfacing Cedar Street and Northridge Drive.

Dorsey said as an alderman, he would like to learn the truth, adding if the city is indeed correct, then officials must communicate that better.

 

Mike Pinch

Pinch

Pinch has been a New London resident for 52 years. He has spent the last 21 years working for New London Utilities and throughout his life has worked for small and large businesses in the community.

“I have been a resident of New London almost my entire life so I am very familiar with the people of the community and the growth and changes of the community over the years,” Pinch said. “I have either been in sales or a manager almost my entire working career so I believe that I am a great communicator and listener. I have a business degree from UW-Oshkosh which has helped me to be a better leader and manager during my working years.”

As supervisor for New London Utilities’ water department, Pinch said he possesses insight on city streets, water mains, sewers and other infrastructure that would benefit the city council.

If elected, Pinch said he would perform “at a high level” for the city council and tackle difficult decisions with a common-sense approach.

“It would be an honor to serve the people of my district and the people of New London,” Pinch said. “Ultimately I am hoping to continue to keep New London a great community and a great place to live.”

 

Tim Roberts

A 25-year New London resident, Roberts moved there in 1989 at the age of 7. He attended Emanuel Lutheran School, graduated from Fox Valley Lutheran High School in 2000 and moved away as a young adult before returning to raise two daughters.

Roberts

Roberts is involved in the family businesses, operating The Print Shop and managing Roberts Rental.

By running a downtown store, Roberts said he hears people’s opinions on the city.

“My greatest quality I bring to the table is my life experiences as a common working class citizen,” Roberts added. “I’m not a former teacher or a government employee hoping to push any certain agenda. I’m looking to give the people of New London a voice.”

Roberts was an officer for the local VFW, running the former bar and restarting the fish fry before the building was shuttered and demolished in 2017.

Having served the U.S. military in Iraq, Roberts said he would advocate for honoring and supporting local veterans.

He said he was “really upset” when the city council voted to place a dumpster pad for central garbage collection near the veterans memorial in Taft Park.

“The first thing on my [to-do] list is to remove that dumpster and give veterans the respect they so dearly deserve,” Roberts said.

Roberts said he also believes the city’s wheel tax and hotel room tax were passed unnecessarily just to follow what other area communities have done.

“Instead of coming up with new ways to tax, I will dive into the budget to see where we can cut spending,” Roberts said. “I feel doing so will take some of the burden off the taxpayers of this community.”

 

Mark Herter

Herter, who is running for First District alderman, is married with four children. His three sons graduated from New London High School and his daughter is a senior. All four children have enlisted in either the Marines or the Army.

Herter

Herter has worked as a forklift operator at an Appleton paper converting company for the past decade.

He has served on the board for New London’s wrestling program for 13 years, including 10 years as vice president.

Herter said his family has always known and supported his passion for local politics and his aspirations to run for office.

“Growing up in New London and being full of pride of where I live, I have always been interested in our local politics and the success of our city,” Herter said.

Anticipating more time on his hands as his daughter graduates from high school and heads to the military, Herter said he is ready to run for city council and make a positive difference in his community.

Herter said he would prioritize learning the concerns of residents in his district and bringing them forth at council meetings.

“If elected, I intend to bring my past success in leadership roles to our community, with a fresh new look,” Herter said.

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