FOND DU LAC – Six candidates are running for four open seats on Fond du Lac City Council, and issues on their mind include flooding, development and the city's use of COVID-19 relief money.

Candidates on the April 5 ballot are Kenneth Cassaday, Jane Puddy Ricchio, Thomas Schuessler, Thom Strizek, Brett Zimmermann and incumbent Donna Richards.

Of the councilmembers up for reelection, Richards is the only one seeking to keep her seat. Arletta Allen, elected in 2020, and Ben Giles, elected in 2018, did not seek reelection. Council President Kay Miller has reached her term limit.

Members serve two-year terms on the seven-person board, and are paid $5,000 a year; the president is paid $6,000.

Each candidate was provided a list of questions and were limited to a 100-word response. Answers have been lightly-edited for clarity and length. Here is what they had to say. For more information on your polling location, how to register to vote and what's on your ballot, visit myvote.wi.gov. 

Why are you running for office, and what makes you a better candidate for this race?: I'm running for City Council because I believe I have the time, experience and passion needed to serve my community in a positive manner. My life experience as a blue-collar worker gives me insight as to how the average person's daily life is affected by government intervention. As a veteran of both the Navy and Army, I've also seen the waste and abuse of a bloated top-heavy bureaucracy.

What are your or residents’ top issues, and how would you address them?: Infrastructure maintenance, flood abatement and business growth are my top priorities. The city is getting a substantial amount of funds from the COVID-19 relief fund. I would like to see a significant amount of those dollars spent on street repairs. Flood abatement is the issue I hear most about from talking to fellow citizens.

We need to draw people to Fond du Lac to support our local businesses. They cannot thrive and grow with just the local population. We should find ways to levy the events we have currently and explore what other communities are doing to draw in crowds.

How would you like to see public spaces be utilized in the future, and how do you hope to introduce any related changes?: Our public spaces are one of our most valuable assets. We should maintain them in an attractive manner and look for ways to use them as a magnet for the entire region's population. I think the Downtown Business Partnership and the Parks Advisory board are doing a great job moving these properties moving forward. I would like to see the riverfront spaces transformed into a more friendly space for people to just come and enjoy.

I would work with the Parks Board and the Downtown Business Partnership to explore and put forward ideas to draw people to these areas as a means to stimulate the local economy.

Why are you running for office, and what makes you a better candidate for this race?: I am running for office because I believe in our system’s tradition of choosing citizens to create policy and to keep the legislative wheels of our cities and states turning. As citizens, we have both inalienable rights, but also responsibilities; this is one of the opportunities I have to accept responsibility. I’ll work tirelessly to understand the issues that come before me, and will be an open and transparent representative of the citizens of Fond du Lac.

What are your or residents’ top issues, and how would you address them?: I have three main priorities: permanent flood mitigation, development of the Saputo Property and use of the ARPA funds we now have, and any probable federal funds we have or may receive for infrastructure.

I look forward to addressing each of these with both our professional city staff and with concerned citizens and stakeholders. Planning together. Working together.

How would you like to see public spaces be utilized in the future, and how do you hope to introduce any related changes?: I hope to expand and more fully utilize our public spaces like our parks, our downtown, Main Street from Lakeside to Southtown to the Galloway House to the Fairgrounds; and our Johnson Street business corridor from east to west.

Why are you running for office, and what makes you a better candidate for this race?: I was elected four years ago, and am running for my final term. Accomplishments:

There are several new, excellent Council initiatives and goals. Among these are a bridge to Lakeside Park West; a comprehensive communications program; flood mitigation plan; better bus, bike and pedestrian systems; a plan for the Saputo site and surrounds, and a Riverfront District Plan.

In addition, I hope citizens will study Governance Reform and work to save the historic John Amory Home/convent on Division and more.

What are your or residents’ top issues, and how would you address them?: Crime, violence, social integration, and public safety: form block clubs, train neighborhood leadership, hire social workers to prevent violence and create a community/teen center.

Allocate $14 million federal COVID-19 funds, maybe for emergency funds for rent and homeless prevention; fund for re-employment, child care and transportation; after-school enrichment, homework help, drama, dance and music; fund small businesses; training to remove lead pipes; improve ventilation and create outdoor seating/venues; food trucks and flea markets.

Develop housing, down payment assistance for all incomes.

How would you like to see public spaces be utilized in the future, and how do you hope to introduce any related changes?: More public spaces for relaxation, civic engagement, athletics and entertainment. Expand natural areas; add conservation and trail easements regionally; map public lands and develop and preserve them as natural or pocket parks; build bridge from Lakeside Park to west and plan possible amphitheater, if desired.

Add trails, public seating, landscaping, steps to lake, plazas and restrooms to Lighthouse Peninsula, and add a food venue south of the Yacht Club on city property, not under lease. Hopefully private donors will help.

Save the Amory house and maybe create a Lautenschlager Center for Community Engagement.

Why are you running for office, and what makes you a better candidate for this race?: My wife, Katy, and I have six children and four grandchildren. Our youngest son, Tim, is a 2020 graduate of St. Mary's Springs High School. I am a graduate of Fond du Lac L.P. Goodrich High. From my work as a practicing attorney, and from two terms as a Mayville City Council member, I have over 30 years of experience with municipal issues. I am grateful for our city’s work to keep the community safe and healthy. I would like to help the city which has done so much for my family by serving on the City Council.

What are your or residents’ top issues, and how would you address them?: My top issues are improved residents’ access to city operations, public safety and continued growth of the city.

I would address the first issue by seeking to change city government so that elections are by ward. If residents would have a “neighborhood” City Council member they would know the person to call if they have an issue or problem. I would address the second issue by giving strong support to the police. For the third issue, I would promote business and industry, with extra support to fight back against decline of our downtown and ”core” commercial areas.

How would you like to see public spaces be utilized in the future, and how do you hope to introduce any related changes?: I would like to see more public spaces in the core of the city. A change which I would suggest is to use the Sheboygan Street Library/Thelma block for more events, and with a stage set up on the street more often.

If affordable in the city’s capital improvement plan, for children I would like a to see a “splash pad” added to Hamilton Park, and I would support an enhanced river walk and public space along Macy Street north of Merrill Avenue.

Why are you running for office, and what makes you a better candidate for this race?: I'm running because I want to help shape and mold the future of my city, and honestly, I would never say that I'm "better" than the other candidates, as I'm unsure of the qualities and qualifications of the other candidates. 

All I can say is that I have years of leadership experience and training, and that I often approach problems from different angles than most folk. I like to consider a problem from all points of view and try to gain information before making a decision, as opposed to giving knee-jerk responses based on an ideology.

What are your or residents’ top issues, and how would you address them?: My main issue is the city's homeless and impoverished population.

I don't have a solid answer for how to address the issue, but I intend to approach it and any others brought before me in the same way: listen to the question, assess the problem, view it from as many angles as I can see, gain insight to find the ones I can't, find and consult with people more knowledgeable in the subject than me, and finally come to a decision. 

How would you like to see public spaces be utilized in the future, and how do you hope to introduce any related changes?: As public spaces, I'd hope that they're used in ways the public wants and needs. Needs change with time, and as such I would hope that the leaders of the city wouldn't change the uses of them in a way that's terribly permanent.

As an average citizen doesn't subscribe to the local newspaper or listen to local radio, and generally throws away junk mail, it's difficult to reach out and inform them of changes. My first suggestion would be signage pointing to a website or social media page on the matter, but reaching private individuals has always been a vexing issue. 

Why are you running for office, and what makes you a better candidate for this race?: I strongly believe that the citizens of Fond du Lac deserve quality, ethically sound representation from a voice who cares deeply about the issues in our city. Being a Fond du Lac native my entire life that grew up on the west side of town, it's time that I give back to the community that has given me so much.

What are your or residents’ top issues, and how would you address them?: We need to work on public transportation for better service hours to get people around our city. We need to continue working on flood mitigation, improving our parks, and seeing that our pools are open all summer. I hope to investigate the expansion of the downtown partnerships to reach more small businesses while continuing to benefit the businesses that are already present.

How would you like to see public spaces be utilized in the future and how do you hope to introduce any related changes?: Public places are to be used by the public, the citizens of our community. These are not places that generate an income for the city but a place for ordinary people to enjoy nature, the out of doors, our beautiful lake shore. Where else can the majority of our citizens go to access the body of water that defines us, Lake Winnebago. These are places for people of all colors, ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, etc. It’s a place where our citizens come to show respect for our fellow community members and respect for the land that has been set aside for public use.

Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.

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