Contested race in New London
By Robert Cloud
Mark Herter is challenging Gary Henke for mayor of New London.
A New London City Council member since 1984, Henke was first elected mayor in 2008.
A write-in candidate for New London’s First District city council seat last year, Herter is now running for mayor.
The election is April 7.
Henke
When asked about a proposed ordinance to permit ATVs on city streets, Henke said he was concerned about their safety.
“State law allows 12-year-olds through 15-year-olds to drive ATVs,” Henke said. “I don’t think they have the maturity to handle motorized vehicles on city streets.”
Henke noted New London streets, unlike rural roads, can have more than 10,000 vehicles per day, along with heavy truck traffic.
He is also concerned ATV operators are not required to have a driver’s license or carry auto insurance.
“If you’re going to drive any kind of vehicle on city streets, you should have a license,” Henke said.
Henke noted only one of the adjoining townships, Lebannon, allows ATVs to use its roads.
“The only road we have connecting the city to Lebannon is County T,” Henke said, noting it becomes North Shawano Street inside city limits.
Henke said Shawano Street goes through some of the busiest commercial parts of the city.
“It concerns me that the speed limit is 35 mph, but ATVs can only go 25 mph,” Henke said.
The difference in speed, Henke said, can result in crashes.
“We only have two bridges in town that you can get across the river,” Henke said. Both of them are pretty heavily traveled.”
Henke believes the proposed Riverfront Development Project “could be the greatest thing for our city.”
He said the project could provide a new public library and much-needed residential development.
The problem the city has encountered so far is the developers they have worked with have each specialized in one area of the project.
Some developers focus on public facilities, while other specialize in market-rate housing or low-income housing.
“We need to get a blend of all the different types of developers to work with the city,” Henke said.
Henke said the city needs more input from citizens, the library and developers in order to initiate a viable plan.
“We need to look at what’s been proposed and what may work for New London,” Henke said.
When he was first elected mayor 12 years ago, Henke formed the city’s Economic Development Committee (EDC).
“I think we have to continue to work on economic development and attract new business, industry and people into our town, Henke said.
Among EDC’s accomplishments, Henke points to Steel King Industries 2017 expansion project that doubled the size of the plant.
“They were looking at other locations, and we convinced then to expand in New London,” Henke said.
EDC had a role in expansions at Bemis North America and Tri County Door. The committee also encouraged Tuffy Boats to move its facility to New London.
Henke said one of his primary goals has been to increase government transparency.
He noted city council meetings are recorded on video and posted online.
He said New London Connect and the city’s Facebook page also provided up-to-date information on city government.
He hopes to expand the city’s transparency by posting videos of city committee meetings as well.
Herter
“It’s not cut and dry,” according to Mark Herter when asked about an ordinance to allow ATVs to use city streets in New London.
While Herter said he is for permitting ATVs on city roads, he cautioned, “I want to look at all the legalities, how surrounding communities have dealt with it and what other police forces have found out.”
He said he believes New London can modify or even terminate an ordinance based on what happens after ATVs are allowed.
“We can see if it works, tweek it,” Herter said.
He said allowing ATVs can bring in new business and encourage economic development throughout the city.
Herter said he opposes the current Riverfront Development Project.
“The plan as set forth now has failed,” Herter said. “It has been blown out of proportion.”
He said the project cannot move forward until a solid plan is in place.
“I agree we need a new library. We need more space for that program to grow,” Herter said. It will do great things for the community.”
The city needs to find out what kind of housing is really needed in New London before it can realize the project.
He sees the inability to devise a workable plan for riverfront development as part of a larger problem of a lack of communication between city hall and New London citizens.
“We need to move forward and stop the stalemate,” Herter said. “My main goal as mayor is to re-unite our citizens and our city council.”