Meet the candidates for the 2009 Regular City Elections

Ashland, Morris and Nelson seek Second Ward Council seats Name:  Steve AshlandAddress:  1101 8th Ave. Ct. S.Education:  Clear Lake Community Schools, graduated 1969.  Iowa State University Certificate of Complication “Fundamentals of Water Treatment.”  Continuing Instruction Program of Completion, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship “Roadside Forest and Aquatic Pest Management.” Kirkwood Community College “Water Treatment Plant Operation.”  Iowa State University of Forestry and Horticulture extension course “Trees Forever,” American Water Works “Water Sources and Transmission.”    Job experience or qualifications you feel relate to your candidacy:    Work experience and qualifications:  Cerro Gordo County Engineers office (John Nicholas) survey crew; Kayot Forester, Forest City, Iowa; Bendex Corp., Mason City, parts and inventory; Touristville Boat Company; City of Clear Lake, street and water treatment (retired).    I am a lifetime resident of Clear Lake and was employed by the City of Clear Lake’s Public Works for 21 years.  I am best able to meet the challenges of any and all concerns my constituents may encounter with streets, sewer, snow, trees, wells, lighting, and even the cemetery.  I believe I am able to work with the people to answer any and all questions the taxpayers bring forth.    Are there specific issues which have inspired you to seek office?  If so, which ones? Why?    First would be the preservation of our beautiful lake.  Money is tight, costs are rising, and it is extremely important for us as a governing body to act accordingly.  The decisions we make today will form the type of community we will have tomorrow and beyond.  I support:     1.  Conservative government    2.  Fiscal responsibility    3.  Making sound decisions (when dealing with the public)    4.  Prioritizing projects (that accommodate taxpayers first)    5.  Running the city government like you would your household or business    Please identify the biggest challenge you see facing the city in the short term (1-2 years) and the long term (10-20 years):    Continuing the beautification of Clear Lake, it should be a city of pride to our residents.  Work to promote more industry and jobs.    An 18-hole golf course has been talked about for a number of years in Clear Lake.  In fact, a few years ago it was named as the top priority by the Clear Lake Economic Development Corporation.  What are your feelings about an 18-hole golf course and what role, if any, do you think the city should take to get one here?    At this time without knowing the specifics and costs to the tax payers, it would be impossible for me to have an opinion.    What are your specific ideas/proposal to increase retail business in the City of Clear Lake?    I would highly recommend continuing the Thursday night event on Main Street.  Everyone enjoyed meeting friends, listening to music and shopping.  More cycling events could be planned and more trails around the lake.    If you were to make a prioritized list of projects for the City of Clear Lake, what would be your top three priorities?    1.  I am committed to the preservation, conservation and beautification of Clear Lake.    2.  Our most valuable asset, the lake.    3.  City and “Clear Project” working together for a common goal. Name: Larry MorrisAddress:  207 7th Ave. S. Family/Personal:  I have been married for 26 years and have two sons in Wisconsin and a step-son in Nebraska.    Education:    I grew up in Eldora, Iowa, where through high school I worked in my fathers gas station.  After high school I attended Ellsworth Junior College in Iowa Falls for a year.  I received my B.A. with a double major in English and Education from Drake University in 1967 and my M.A. in Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1971.  I was employed with the Iowa Department of Human Services for 33 years from which I retired.       Job experience or qualifications you feel relate to your candidacy?    The last 10 years with Iowa Department of Human Services were spent supervising staff who negotiated contracts with agencies to provide services to children and staff that licensed child care centers.  The other part of my job was to do the allocations and track expenditures related to a 34 million dollar Child Welfare Budget for a 10 county area.  Expenditures were tracked monthly and the year end was forecasted using various projection methods.    Are there specific issues which have inspired you to seek office?  If so, which ones? Why?    I became involved with city issues because of the controversy over the proposed one-way on South Shore Drive leading traffic away from the city’s business district, and with bicycle trails going with the flow of traffic and against the flow of traffic.  I started attending City Council meetings at that time and have continued attending council meetings subsequent to the resolution of the one-way issue.    Issues which inspire further involvement include:  pursuing plans that are in the best interest of the city, particularly emphasizing year around citizens who represent the backbone of the community and without whom there would not be goods and services available to the “tourists; pursuing fiscal responsibility and accountability in attending to the disbursement of the citizens’ tax dollars; pursuing plans which stem the erosion of the population, with particular emphasis on recruiting and maintaining the younger population.  Without innovation in planning, the community of Clear Lake will face stagnation which will be detrimental to the community as a whole.    Please identify the biggest challenge you see facing the city in the short term (1-2 years) and the long term (10-20 years):    The economy is going to have a slow recovery, and as such the more we can do to bring jobs and residents to Clear Lake in a measured and realistic way, the better.  The Census Bureau has estimated that Clear Lake has lost population since the last census and that the median age is 40, with a median income of $34,097.  There is a 7.6 percent of the population below the poverty line.    Short term biggest challenge is to engage the citizenry in the development of strategies for the community which will help it grow and remain vibrant.  We need to insure that the residents are served efficiently and effectively by the city.  It is the year around residents that patronize the merchants, restaurants, and businesses throughout the year that really help keep the town alive.    Long term biggest challenge is to do more to promote the unique qualities of this community (some of which already exist and others are yet to be developed) in order for this community to stand out as a must see/experience destination and permanent location.    Also the need to continue to up-date and replace the infrastructure.  It is a very expensive process which needs to be planned so that the city can live within its budget while updating the systems.  Some of the systems date back to the early 1900’s.    An 18-hole golf course has been talked about for a number of years in Clear Lake.  In fact, a few years ago it was named as the top priority by the Clear Lake Economic Development Corporation.  What are your feelings about an 18-hole golf course and what role, if any, do you think the city should take to get one here?    I would have no problem with a speculator/developer establishing a 18-hole golf course.  Golf courses are very expensive from design, to construction, and operations.  There are three courses to play, two within the city and one just outside, and 22 more within easy access of this area.  The fact that is has been under discussion for a number of years and never acted upon is significant.  I am not in favor of the city trying to develop and run a golf course.  Mason City has experience with owning and operating a golf course and I believe it has lost money.    What are your specific ideas/proposal to increase retail business in the City of Clear Lake?    Promotion, promotion, promotion of existing business, attractions, educational facilities, and opportunities using all available media sources and resources.  By demonstrating full city backing of business and using funds for promotion, this will encourage other businesses to seek out opportunities in this area.  Continued use of abatements and limited monetary assistance.  The individual responsibility of the City, the Chamber of Commerce, and Economic Development should be fully identified and utilized.     If you were to make a prioritized list of projects for the City of Clear Lake, what would be your top three priorities?    Top 3 priorities:  Planning for the community which is in the best interest of the entire community, fiscal accountability and responsibility, and communication promoting the attributes of the city, surrounding areas and its unique qualities. Name:  Tony NelsonAddress:  608 S. Shore Dr.,      Family/Personal: I am the eldest of three children and a North Iowa native.  I spent summers in Clear Lake as a boy and often remarked to my parents that I wanted to live at the lake someday.  My wife, Ashley, and I have been married three years and relocated to Clear Lake after living in Kansas City for three years.    Education: I am a graduate of Central College.  I’ve been employed by Principal Financial Group for six and one half years, after studying and working abroad for an agricultural company in Spain.      Job experience or qualifications you feel relate to your candidacy:    I am a member of the North Iowa Touring Club/NI Spin and I have helped organize Clear Lake’s annual Bicycle, Blues, and BBQ event.  My interest in local government stems back to college when I was a student senator and most recently as an affected property owner with the South Shore Drive street improvements.  This spring I found an opportunity to return to my agricultural roots and I am currently a District Sales Manager for Prairie Brand Seed.     For me to be successful in my professional career, I have to interact and work collaboratively with people and listen to their concerns in order to effectively meet their needs.  I have worked for large corporations (Principal Financial) and small agricultural businesses (Prairie Brand).  This has given me a well-rounded professional work experience to draw upon.      Are there specific issues which have inspired you to seek office?  If so, which ones? Why?     I was an affected property owner on the recent South Shore Drive Street Reconstruction Project. It was a direct result of that project that I started becoming engaged in the local government decision-making process and seeing opportunities that I felt I could contribute to in a positive way.  I certainly am not a “single-topic” candidate, however.  I understand the value of having to work for a paycheck.  I want to ensure that the City Council works hard to keep its share of the tax asking in check.  I am excited about the opportunities we have to help existing businesses grow and expand, as well as to recruit new business and industries to Clear Lake; I want to maximize these efforts in order to bring more employment opportunities here.      I am a north Iowa native.  My wife and I chose to make Clear Lake our home.  I share with every taxpayer and voter in Clear Lake the same vested interest in ensuring our Community remains a safe place; is fiscally responsible; provides sufficient quality of life amenities; and that our streets and infrastructure are in good repair.  Clear Lake should be the premier place in North Iowa to find opportunities, build a career, raise a family, and reside in retirement.    Please identify the biggest challenge you see facing the city in the short term (1-2 years) and the long term (10-20 years):    Clearly the down-turn in the state and national economies is the single biggest challenge facing our citizens in the short-term.  The spending decisions of the City need to continue to be balanced.  We must closely examine the “need” versus the financial impact they will have and whether it is affordable to the citizens.      I see a “long-term” challenge facing the City in upgrading its infrastructure.  TheCity of Clear Lake is more than 150 years old.  Much of the community’s infrastructure in the core area dates back to 1910.  For example, on the South Shore Drive street improvement project, the City’s water main serving this entire stretch was installed in the early 1900’s and was greatly under-sized and dilapidated; compromising safety in the event of a fire.  There are many similar examples in the older parts of the Community.    Additionally, although the Lake has now been dredged and numerous storm-water quality improvement projects constructed, a “long-term” commitment to lake water quality is essential.  The lake is one of the most precious natural resources in the State and region and we need to ensure that we leave it in good condition for those who follow.    An 18-hole golf course has been talked about for a number of years in Clear Lake.  In fact, a few years ago it was named as the top priority by the Clear Lake Economic Development Corporation.  What are your feelings about an 18-hole golf course and what role, if any, do you think the city should take to get one here?       At this juncture, as only a council candictate, my understanding of the priorities of the Clear Lake Economic Development Commission is limited.  Clear Lake does have three privately owned and operated 9-hole courses.  There are also opportunities for 18-hole golf in the immediate area.  I do not feel that it would be an essential need for the City of Clear Lake to own or operate an 18-hole golf course and would be concerned about the impact that such a proposal would have on the existing golf courses.  While I place a high priority on quality of life projects and public amenities, they must not come at the expense of our public safety department’s needs.       What are your specific ideas/proposal to increase retail business in the City of Clear Lake?      I recall only a short-time ago that there were many vacant storefronts on Main Avenue.  Over the course of the past two years, it appears that almost all Main Avenue’s storefronts are occupied.  I am aware that the City and Chamber of Commerce have taken an aggressive position on recruitment of retail businesses to the community.  I support the continuation of this program.  In many ways, Main Avenue creates a first impression for visitors to our community.  The City should continue to be engaged with the Chamber and business community to ensure that we have a varied mix of retail shopping opportunities for our residents and visitors alike.    As the Clear Lake Chamber’s recent promotion campaign requested “SHOP CLEAR LAKE FIRST”.    If you were to make a prioritized list of projects for the City of Clear Lake, what would be your top three priorities?    1) I have been following, through my attendance at the Council meetings, the progress on developing a new fire station building on 2nd Ave. N. and N. 8th Streets.  I believe that the successful completion of this public safety project should be a top priority.  The existing station was built back in 1965 and the department now provides full-time ambulance coverage.  Additionally, modern firefighting equipment is not capable of being housed in the existing station.  Lastly, the department, due to a shortage of space, must store equipment and vehicles at multiple locations in the community, reducing efficiencies and increasing costs.    2) The Ventura Marsh Project.  This project has been on the radar screen for a number of years.  The Association for the Preservation of Clear Lake, the CLEAR Project, and the City have been working collaboratively with the Corp of Engineer’s on it for some time now.  Now that the lake has been dredged and other improvements implemented, the City should ensure that this key water quality improvement project is completed.    3) Infrastructure Improvements.  The City needs to continue to address dilapidated infrastructure (i.e., streets, water mains and storm and sanitary sewer systems), particularly in the core areas of the City.  However, this should be done in a manner that does not place an undue burden on affected property owners and taxpayers.