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Candidate withdraws from mayoral race

Forum topics include economic development, budget

Staff reporter

The public forum of candidates for mayor of Marion began Sunday with candidate David Colburn withdrawing from the race.

Colburn said when he filed for mayor, he intended to bring leadership from his generation but instead withdrew from contention because he had accepted a job with a Head Start program in Los Angeles, Calif.

He advised the 50 people in attendance to select a candidate who has the best interest for Marion's future now and "further down the road."

Following Colburn's opening remarks, the other candidates, Marion "Nick" Nickelson, Mary Olson, and incumbent Martin Tice, offered their opening remarks.

Nickelson said he was in the lumber business, and had lived in Marion for 15 years. During the past five years, he traveled around the country and worked at liquidating business inventory.

"My wife is a great ambassador for Marion," he said. "She talks up the community wherever we go."

Nickelson continued that officials need to be positive in promoting the community and use a visionary approach.

"Without growth, we can slip backward," he said.

Olson said she was asked by a constituent if a woman could handle the job of mayor. She assured the woman that she could.

"I've been told by people that I'm trustworthy, honest, can take responsibility, and a good keeper of money," Olson said. "I'll be able to stand up to council members."

The loves of her life, she said, were family, community, her profession, and civic work.

Tice said his family came to Marion 30 years ago.

"We thought we'd be here a couple of years and move on," he said, "but we found the community to be where we wanted to live. That's why we stayed."

Tice said he worked in the private and public sectors, and previously had served two terms as mayor.

Moderator Howard Collett read questions to the candidates provided by members of the audience. Each candidate was allowed two minutes to respond.

The first question asked the candidates' plans for economic development in one, five, and 10 years.

"These plans have to be dictated by the citizens and implemented by city officials," Nickelson said.

He continued that local companies need to succeed in order to experience economic growth.

"Economic development can be a big construction project," Nickelson said.

He said he applauded USD 408 for development of new buildings and was anticipating the opening of the new auditorium.

"I'd like to see Branson-style entertainment brought to the auditorium," Nickelson said.

Olson said current economic development projects needed to be completed in the first year that included water and electrical upgrades.

In the next five years, she would like the downtown revitalization plan implemented.

"Let's do it or move on to a new project," she said.

Olson said she would like to see lake tourism enhanced within the 10-year period.

"We have infrastructure that could be utilized," she said.

"Economic development is every small community's priority," Tice said. Hiring an economic development professional and constructing a speculation building at the city's industrial park are all "pluses."

"People come to a community for what's available," Tice said. "The city has lost opportunities in the past because businesses wanted to move in as soon as possible (and there wasn't a building available)."

Tice said the city continues to be in the running for a call center.

"These are the types of things we need to work on," he said.

All three candidates expressed their support of a city economic development position and the person currently in the position.

Olson said she would give Jami Williams a chance and would continue to support her.

Tice said the position was funded with sales tax revenue that was collected for that purpose.

"The city needs to have a contact person to sell the community to (prospective) businesses," he said.

He continued that it was not just bringing in new businesses but supporting existing ones.

Nickelson said he supported an economic development position and the person in the position. He also supports a spec building in the industrial park.

"Citizens need to get behind the city in helping," he said. Nickelson said he would like three or four buildings developed at the industrial park within the next four years.

The question was asked regarding the "deplorable" conditions of streets and if the city might pay for the improvements through a mill levy increase or an increase in utility rates.

"There is a proposal on the table for street repairs," Tice said. "The city is looking at a bond issue or revolving loan. We have to find the best way to fund it."

"I'm not sure how raising utility rates would pay for streets," Nickelson said. He suggested appropriate funds be set aside to have the streets resurfaced every 10 years.

"It will need to be paid for one way or the other," Olson said. She compared Marion's plight with her experience as a member of the Lincolnville City Council.

"We have to decide which streets to repair," she continued.

Olson said she was in favor of having professionals offer their expertise in repairing the streets properly so they wouldn't have to be done as often.

The question was asked if the candidates were in favor of the current city charter that allowed the mayor to vote on every motion made by the council instead of only voting as a tie-breaker.

Nickelson said he was in favor of the mayor only voting to break ties.

"I have confidence in the other council members to make decisions," he said.

Olson said when she served as mayor in Lincolnville and was unable to vote on every issue, she felt her hands were tied.

"We're all elected by the community and should be able to vote," Tice said.

At some point, the city will have an opportunity to purchase and operate the new indoor pool currently being planned by USD 408. The question was asked if the candidates thought the pool should be self-sufficient or be considered an expense.

"We'll have to pay for the pool somehow," Olson said.

"Pools are not self-sufficient," Tice said, "but there are ways to make them more efficient."

He said a year-round pool will provide more revenue.

"There is no pool that will pay for itself," Nickelson said.

What about funds for Marion Recreation Commission and other recreational programs?

Olson said if more funds are needed, more will need to be budgeted.

"Recreation is an important part of a community and justified with what we have," Tice said. He said the city needed to take care of what it had and keep up with the maintenance.

"I'm in favor of recreational activities," Nickelson said. "We may never get full benefit in dollars and cents but need the activities for entertainment."

What if the city's budget needed to be reduced? What could be trimmed?

Tice said the budget could be trimmed at any point or could have the option of increasing the mill levy.

He said he would rather postpone a project or expense than to eliminate it.

"Everything should be of equal importance," Nickelson said. "If there is a need to trim, it should be across the board."

Olson agreed.

"The budget should be trimmed across every department," she said.

The question was asked if a job or affiliation with an organization or other entity could influence decisions made by the mayor.

Nickelson said he was semi-retired.

"If the citizens decide I be their mayor, then I'll be out of a job," he said, "and devoted full-time to being mayor."

Olson said she was involved in a lot of activities but "certainly hoped" she wouldn't be influenced.

Tice said he, too, was semi-retired but still worked part-time for USD 408. He said he also was involved with the hospital district and church.

"All of these affiliations provide a broad view," he said, and all are important for a community to thrive.

Is Marion's tax levy structure in line with other cities of similar size?

"I have not done any kind of comparison," Olson said. "That's the job of the city manager."

She continued that she was sure other cities were having similar problems and a good tax base was needed.

"We're somewhere in the middle," Tice said. He said the council had tried to keep the levy flat.

"Taxpayers do not like levies that go up and down," he said.

Nickelson said he didn't know.

Marion voters will choose two candidates in Tuesday's primary election who will compete for the mayoral seat in the general election, April 3.

One polling site will be available Tuesday at Emmanuel Baptist Church at 229 N. Walnut.

Advanced voting will be allowed at Marion County Clerk's office at the courthouse until 5 p.m. Tuesday.

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