Four seek to lead New London
By Robert Cloud
Four candidates have entered the race for mayor of New London.
Mark Herter, Rachel Neely and Paul Robert Webb are challenging incumbent Mayor Gary Henke.
A primary election is slated for Tuesday, Feb. 18. That will determine two candidates who will face off in the general election on Tuesday, April 7.
Henke
A New London City Council member since 1984, Henke was first elected mayor in 2008.
The 77-year-old Henke taught industrial arts at New London High School for 42 years and has worked summers and part time at Titan Industries.
Henke managed the swimming pool at Hatten Park before it closed and was involved in downtown revitalization efforts in the 1970s and ‘80s.
He has also been a member of the board of directors for the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.
Henke, who was out of town at the time this story was being written, sent the following comments to the New London Press Star after the article appeared in the paper:
“I am running for re-election as New London Mayor because I have the experience, a proven record, vision for the future and the time and effort to do the job.
“Many people think of the mayor’s job of only running the City Council meetings.
“The job entails a lot more effort and time including: attending weekly staff meetings, at least five to six committee meetings a month, answering citizens concerns, answering e-mail daily, advising staff on issues, setting goals, meeting with citizens and business representatives, evaluating pros and cons of issues that come before the city and supporting staff so they can perform in the most efficient manner for the citizens of New London.”
Herter
A write-in candidate for New London’s First District city council seat last year, the 41-year-old Herter is now running for mayor.
Herter is a forklift operator at Pacon Corp. in Appleton, where he has worked for 12 years.
His three sons and one daughter, who have all graduated from New London High School, are serving in the military.
“We raised our children to be very patriotic,” Herter said.
Because his children are now adults, Herter said this gives him more time to serve the community as mayor.
“I have followed city government issues since I was a little kid,” Herter said.
Herter’s first goal as mayor would be to “reunite the council members with the citizens of the community… They’ve been growing apart from one another.”
Neely
At age 69, Neely has been retired from her job as manager of the Taco Bell, then returned to the same job because she “wanted a new kitchen.”
She has been a member of the board of directors for Mission of Hope House in New London since it opened in the fall of 2018.
Neely also oversees The Bridge Thrift Store located across the street from the homeless shelter.
“I wanted to pay back to the community,” Neely said.
She described moving to New London when she was 7 years old. Her parents were migrant workers from Laredo, Texas, and she could not speak English.
Neely said New London’s elementary teachers spent an hour after school each day, teaching her English.
Both her daughters have graduated from New London High School and are in the medical field.
Neely believes there is a disconnect between the council and local residents.
“I believe there should be more transparency,” she said. “Citizens should have a voice in any decision that affects them as taxpayers.”
Webb
A lifelong resident of New London, Webb’s father was a local police officer for about 18 years.
The 52-year-old Webb has worked at Gulfstream Aerospace in Appleton for 20 years, first as a painter, then installing cabinets.
He served eight years in the U.S. Navy. He is also a First Responder for Manawa.
Webb has also been a volunteer for the Kim Pope Memorial Ride and the Fehlberg Veterans Memorial Ride.
His two daughters are graduates of New London High School.
Webb said he is running because he wants to help bring New London into the 21st century, encourage business growth and economic development.
He also wants New London residents to say, “That’s Paul Webb. He’s running for mayor. He listens, he cares.”
Webb hopes to encourage more communication between the council and New London’s citizens.
He also supports expanding year-round programs at New London’s rec center.
“Something for kids to do in their spare time instead of just standing around on the streets,” Webb said.