Write-in candidate elected in Clintonville
By Bert Lehman
When Branden Schirpke learned that no one declared to run for the District 3 seat on the Clintonville City Council, he decided to run as an official write-in candidate.
Schirpke said he didn’t have a problem with how the city was being run, but he knew he could fulfill the duties of serving on the council if he were elected.
“It’s something I had time for and its directly helping the community,” Schirpke said.
He added that he thought about seeking a seat on the city council in the past, but he had been working second shift at the time, which would prevent him from attending council meetings. A job change eliminated that hurdle for Schirpke.
Schirpke was elected to the council as a write-in candidate and now represents District 3.
“I’ve lived in Clintonville all my life, so 24 years. I have tried my best during that time to pay attention to what’s going on in the community,” Schirpke said regarding his qualities to serve on the council. “Right before joining the city council, I joined the Onward Clintonville Program, the downtown revitalization.”
Serving on the Onward Clintonville Program has allowed Schirpke to gain insight about what citizens and business leaders are thinking.
“It gives you an idea of what’s going on in the community,” he said.
Since being elected, Schirpke said he has been reviewing the city’s Capital Improvement Plan, as well as attending all the committee meetings he can, even those he is not a member of. This allows him to receive information about what the city needs.
He added that his time on the council so far has gone well. Other council members have been willing to answer any questions he has, and have taken extra time to explain city issues.
Schirpke said the biggest issue facing Clintonville is paying down city debt, while still making sure needed infrastructure improvements are completed.
He said he wants to help make sure the city continues to grow.
“We have to get new businesses,” he said. “Hopefully we can continue that trend of business growth and continue to make infrastructure improvements without having to add any burden onto the taxpayers.”
Schirpke also plans to work with the city’s department heads to make sure they have the tools they need.