Clintonville city council candidates
By Bert Lehman
Darrell Hansen and current city council member Ed “Rusty” Mitchell are both running for the Clintonville City Council seat in the April 5 election to represent District 4 in the city.
Mitchell had been representing District 5 in the city, but after redistricting took place in late 2021, his residence is now in District 4, which he will represent if elected.
The Clintonville Tribune-Gazette sent questions to the two candidates to get their views on issues important to the city.
Why do you want to be a member of the Clintonville City Council?
Hansen: I have lived in Clintonville for over 27 years. I have raised my children here and now my children are raising my grandchildren here. I want to make sure Clintonville is a place where people will want to live and raise a family.
Mitchell: To help direct Clintonville to a brighter future and improve the dialogue between the City Council and the members of the community to a better understanding of the why we support certain projects and not others.
What are your qualifications to serve on the city council?
Mitchell: As a businessman in this community since 1976, I can bring not only the businessman’s perspective to the City Council but also the individual’s point of view.
Hansen: I am a resident of the city of Clintonville. I have been on the Police and Fire Commission. I have worked at the Graceland Cemetery for 7 years and as the manager for the past 2 years. I am a former local business owner. Through my work I have gotten to know city residents. Several have encouraged me to run for city council.
What do you feel are the biggest issues facing the city of Clintonville?
Hansen: There are several big issues I have heard about from city residents during my face-to-face conversations with them. The lack of a department store (like Pamida/Shopko). The increase in property taxes and nothing to show for it. The city streets are continuing to crumble. The poor condition of our city parks. I will do my best to try and fix these issues by first convincing the city council members that these are in fact issues city residents are facing. Then together come up with solid solutions.
Mitchell: As I see it our “debt” is our largest goal to triumph over and with the prior administrator’s implemented programs, which are being supported by the current administrator, we have placed the city on a good path to achieving these debt retirement goals without hurting the ongoing upgrading of our city’s basic necessities.
City debt is an issue for the city. What are your ideas for the city to reduce its debt?
Mitchell: As I see it our “debt” is our largest goal to triumph over and with the prior administrator’s implemented programs, which are being supported by the current administrator, we have placed the city on a good path to achieving these debt retirement goals without hurting the ongoing upgrading of our city’s basic necessities.
Hansen: The city debt is a direct result of the mismanagement of public funds. My ideas to reduce the debt is for the city departments to work within their budgets, a hiring freeze, yearly raises based on performance and no new city equipment until the debt is under control for at least 2 years. The city residents/taxpayers want and deserve fiscal accountability.
Mitchell: As stated in the aforementioned question, the answers are in following the programs already implemented.
What are your ideas to help revitalize downtown Clintonville?
Hansen: Solving the parking problem would help revitalize the downtown.
Mitchell: The City Council has many programs in the works for the redevelopment and revitalizing of downtown Clintonville.
Do you feel the city of Clintonville is on the right path to success?
Mitchell: I do feel the City is on the right path and as a City Council we are trying to ever expand the tax base to lessen the burden on existing tax payers.
Hansen: I am very hopeful with the current administration that the city will be on the right path to success, and hopeful for growth in the City…ie. growth and expansion in business and opportunities.
Why should residents of the city of Clintonville vote for you?
Hansen: I will listen and respond to citizens. I will attend city council and committee meetings to make sure your district is represented. I will serve the citizens to the best of my ability and make decisions that are in their best interest. Taxpayers have to live within a budget, I will work to make sure the city of Clintonville does too.
Mitchell: The residents should vote for me because of my past record, for not only development of our city, but in re-enforcing the ideas and ideals for a progressive City Council always thinking about how it will affect the tax payer as a result of our actions for a better tomorrow for our Grand City of Clintonville.