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Poise under pressure: Candidates take hot seat during public forum

General election is April 4

Staff reporter

Marion City Council candidates answered questions Sunday afternoon in an effort to be elected to serve on the newly-formed council.

Stacey Collett, Jim Crofoot, Jim Davis, Max Hayen, Bill Holdeman, Jerry Kline, Darvin Markley, and Gene Winkler shared their goals and aspirations for two hours to a packed Marion Senior Center.

Crofoot is an incumbent commissioner, and Hayen is completing the unexpired term of commissioner Larry McLain.

Constituents had an opportunity to write questions prior to the start of the forum.

Candidates had equal opportunity with two-minute time limits to answer questions posed by moderator Greg Bowers.

They also were allowed two minutes for opening and closing remarks.

When the written questions were answered, Bowers asked for additional questions from audience members.

Candidates had similar goals of economic development, improvement to the city's infrastructure, and a more open city government.

Opening statements

Winkler said he was not a politician and wasn't going to say what people wanted to hear to get votes. He wants a better community and would treat everybody fair.

Markley said he would like to improve sewer and water lines and then overlay streets, increase electrical transformers, spend city funds more conservatively, and move council meetings to the evening.

Kline said he was economic-minded and would assist council with jobs and businesses, keep operating costs down by being good stewards of city funds, and take pride in community.

Holdeman said decisions needed to be made for the future. Electrical, sewer, and water issues will take care of themselves when the town grows.

Hayen said he takes issue with the county's linking roads program. Currently the city receives $302 per year to maintain South Third and North Cedar streets. He would like to see Eisenhower Road included.

Davis said he was concerned about youth leaving Marion and not returning. He would like to see more businesses established. "The current commission is 'out-of-tune'," Davis said, "and says 'yes' to whatever the city administrator wants to do." He also was concerned about funding of $100,000 per year for the proposed indoor pool.

Crofoot cited during his 15 years on the city commission he had participated in positive changes such as a capital outlay plan, improvements to the water treatment plant to address blue-green algae concern, and electrical improvements.

Collett said he was not seeking personal gain by running for city council, and was not "after anyone's job." He wants to concentrate on the positive, and return to a two-foreman system.

Proposed school bond issue

Marion-Florence USD 408 is proposing an $8 million project to construct a new gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, and fine arts center. School district residents will have an opportunity to vote on the bond issue at the April 4 general election. The bond would replace a current bond that will be retired.

While some candidates were adamantly in favor, others did not definitively say one way or the other.

Hayen said he was "very much supportive" of the project.

Holdeman said it was "catch up time," and this issued needed to pass.

"Some of the first people to come talk to me were younger people and they said, 'Jerry, we've got to have it'," said Kline.

Markley's comment was to let the voters decide. He encouraged voters to obtain accurate information before voting.

Winkler said he was "all in favor of it" because the state would provide 32 percent of the funding, and $2 million for a city pool is a reasonable project.

Collett considers the project a part of economic development to draw people to Marion. His concern was utilization of the city auditorium if the school builds their own. He suggested Saturday afternoon matinees.

Crofoot said each season was stressful when the pool was prepared for opening because the pool was a "rust bucket" and "money pit."

Davis said he was against it because it puts the two entities in debt for 18 years with no reserves.

"It could take $2 million out of city coffers with nothing to show for it," Davis said. The city will not own the pool until the bond is paid. "If you don't need it in the first place, why spend it?"

Three goals as councilman

Economic development success, electrical upgrades, street and water treatment plant improvements, and more open city meetings were among the goals.

Hayen said additional housing was vital for growth of a community with infrastructure improvements and economic development.

"The city needs to put up a building at the industrial park," said Holdeman. The building could be a "shell" building with completion when a tenant is located.

Kline would like to see economic development growth, new streets, and walking/biking paths. Community pride also is important to him.

Markley said adequate infrastructure needed to be in place before businesses will relocate to Marion.

Winkler would like to see more open city meetings, activity at the industrial park, and water treatment plant upgrades.

Higher-paying jobs were needed, said Collett. He also wants to review city ordinances that may be too restrictive and used the example of landlords being responsible for tenants' utility bills. He also would like safety meetings for city employees.

Steps to support existing, new businesses

Holdeman said it was the responsibility of the economic development program to support existing and pursue new businesses.

Kline said the city needed to support the economic development director in efforts.

Markley suggested more follow-up contact with those interested in investing and moving businesses to town.

Winkler said the city has taken its first step in hiring an economic development person. Assistance needs to be given to existing businesses for expansion.

"We need to give tax abatements, or build a building," said Collett.

Davis said free land and tax exemptions are already in place and there's not too much more to do. He said it was the responsibility of the economic development director.

Former county appraiser Hayen said he used to be opposed to tax exemptions but has changed his mind. He said it brings jobs to town and broadens the tax base.

Priorities, funding options for city improvements

Kline said a bond issue should be used to fund projects.

Markley quoted figures of the city's fiscal condition and said "money was there" for improvements.

Winkler said he was told by city officials that "the city was in the best financial shape it's ever been in" with cash in the bank. He said he would have to look into funding options if elected.

Crofoot said street projects could be paid through cash and bonds, and agreed the city had reserves.

Davis said the electrical line improvement has been an ongoing project for five years. "If you live on the south hill, your lights dim when your neighbor's air conditioner kicks on," he said. He said it will be years down the road before the project is completed.

Hayen would like to see the county "pony up" a little bit to help with connecting roads. Currently Marion receives $302 per year for maintenance of North Cedar and South Third Street. He added that the electrical improvement was "pushed to the back burner" because of work load and perhaps the project should have been contracted.

Current policy for enforcing nuisance ordinance

Candidates were asked if they were in favor of the city's current ordinance for nuisances such as inoperable vehicles and dilapidated properties.

"It's hard to sell a town if it's junky," said Hayen. He continued that Marion wasn't "all that bad" but there was room for improvement.

Holdeman said he would like to see the town cleaned up and didn't want people to be allowed to park in front yards of their houses.

Kline said community pride needed to be encouraged.

"Ordinances aren't any good unless enforced," said Markley. If changes are necessary to make them workable, then the council needs to do that.

Winkler said he didn't think those ordinances were strict enough.

Collett agreed there needed to be stricter enforcement but asked who would decide if a property was out of compliance? He suggested a committee be formed to make recommendations.

"The police department is the watch dog for junk vehicles," said Crofoot, and the city has to be mindful of condemning properties because the city has to pay for demolition of properties if landowners don't remove them.

Davis said the "junk vehicle" ordinance was a good ordinance but should have equal enforcement concerning demolition derby cars. He suggested an exception of 30-60 days for derby cars, if the city wanted to allow them. He also suggested a committee make recommendations.

Recycling

Crofoot said no resident wants to pay additional fees for recycling. The city was in the process of studying the issue.

Davis said he was "all for it" for cardboard. Plastics and other items can be expensive to recycle.

Hayen said he's never been fond of recycling because it costs money and isn't effective. If it actually reduced landfill quantities, he'd be in favor of it.

Holdeman said he was in favor of it but there needs to be a plan.

Kline suggested the city work with the county on the issue.

Markley said he talked with Marion County Transfer Station personnel and was told the county was looking into the issue.

Winkler said "it is a good thing if it doesn't cost money." He was not in favor of it if it cost the city additional funds or manpower. He also would like to have the trash service reduced from twice a week to once a week.

Continue support of community events

All agreed community-based events were important but some want to know the cost to taxpayers to have them.

"We need to know what it costs the city for manpower and money to justify costs," said Davis.

Hayen said he travels throughout the state and people know Marion for Art in the Park.

"We have to spend money to bring in more events," said Holdeman.

Winkler explained that Marion Kiwanis sponsored Old Settlers' Day, Art in the Park is through Marion Chamber of Commerce, and Chingawassa Days was established and supported by local people.

Quality of life

Winkler wants constituents to be encouraged to attend council meetings and inform council members of concerns.

"We need to focus on the positive," said Collett, which would enhance the quality of life. He also would like council meetings be held in the evenings.

Crofoot said a safe community enhances quality of life.

Davis said he would like to see trees on Main Street because they make a good first impression.

Main Street improvements also were important to Hayen. He also wants to enhance Central Park, and continue with development of a trail.

Holdeman said he would like to see businesses display the American flag.

Kline said support of St. Luke Hospital has to be the number one enhancement. He also wants to see bike and walking paths.

Other issues

Questions were asked about activities for senior citizens, additional housing with no income restrictions, and handicapped accessibility.

Senior citizens were encouraged to participate in senior center activities, and by supporting the school bond issue, a walking track will be installed in the new gymnasium, and the elderly would have access to the indoor pool.

It was agreed that housing issues were a private developer's issue, not city.

Handicapped accessibility issues have been addressed citywide, but specific requests need to be submitted to the city for consideration.

Closing statements

Hayen said he did the best he could as city commissioner, and he didn't serve to be re-elected but to get the job done.

Holdeman said the council needed feedback because it is a civil servant.

Kline said he had considerable knowledge regarding streets and construction projects.

Markley wants decisions made by the city council, not city officials.

Winkler said he was a person who likes to be involved and currently participates in numerous activities.

Collett said he will "jump in with both feet" and ask if this is how it should be done.

Crofoot said he continues to supports the position of city administrator because it has made the city more efficient.

A more open government is what Davis would like to see.

Voters will choose four candidates in the April 4 general election.

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