Three uncontested candidates running for Council

Three experienced members of the Clear Lake City Council are unopposed in the Tuesday, Nov. 5 General Election.

Clear Lake First Ward Councilman Mark Ebeling, At-Large Representative Mike Callanan and former City Councilman Gary Hugi are on the ballot.  Hugi is seeking the Third Ward seat currently held by Jim Boehnke.  Boehnke announced earlier he would be stepping down from the Council. Hugi previously served as an at-large member of the Council.

The candidates reponded to a series of questions provided to them by the Mirror-Reporter.

MARK EBELING

I am currently serving out the remainder of my first term as Ward 1 Council Representative.

I am proud to have represented Ward 1 over the past four years. I chose to run for an additional term as there are unfinished projects I would like to see come to fruition. The splash pad improvement, further development of the former Andrews site and potentially a community wellness center to name a few.

I have lived in Clear Lake for over 30 years. I am an agent/owner of Edwards-Brandt Insurance in Mason City.

The most important issue facing Clear Lake is also our most important asset, the lake itself.

[wlm_nonmember]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember][wlm_ismember]

We must continue to keep water quality a priority. Though major projects to improve the lake have been completed, we must continue to implement best practices for storm water runoff. We must be at the forefront as stewards of this asset partnering with the State and local entities to protect and enhance our accomplishments thus far.

I think this is a great idea that has been talked about for a long time; however, it certainly requires due diligence. The fact this would be a partnership between the city and school district is a fantastic opportunity. Clear Lake has been and continues to be fortunate to work with other entities, whether private or public, to better the community. My biggest concern is the ongoing cost to the city. I would not want to saddle current or future taxpayers with a large annual expense in perpetuity, however. It will ultimately be up to the voters of Clear Lake to decide.

[/wlm_ismember]

MIKE CALLANAN

I am currently in my 12th year as an at large member of the Clear Lake city council.

I have enjoyed my tenure as a councilman and would like to see several projects which are still in the planning stages or partially completed through to completion.

      I feel with my experience and nearly life long residency in Clear Lake I still have much to offer to our city government.

I grew up in Clear Lake and outside my college years at UNI and eight years teaching in other districts I have lived here. I finished my nearly 40 year teaching career at Clear Lake High School, raised my family here, and now am retired but still try

[wlm_nonmember]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember][wlm_ismember]

ing to serve our community.

Finding ways to move forward while still maintaining the many features which make our community unique and a great place to live. Finding ways to attract more good paying jobs while still focusing on tourism which is vital for many of our retail businesses seems high on the list. I also feel we have to continue to find a balance of community amenities attractive to citizens of all ages. Affordable housing continues to be an issue driven by a vibrant real estate market in our community.

The council can continue to attempt to cooperate with employers and businesses who wish to locate in our community. We can also continue to improve our infrastructure which helps provide the services expected by our citizens. We also need to listen to citizens of all ages on improvements they would like to see made to our town. As far as the housing issue, I do not have any answers but would be willing to listen to suggestions.

The wellness center is an idea which seems to have arrived in the form of a building in many surrounding communities. I would support the idea, but think it should have features which are attractive to citizens of all ages. A survey is currently posted on line and there have been three listening posts.  I hope these will create more clarity on what is most important to the citizens of Clear Lake.  A city school partnership seems to make sense but there are many unanswered questions which need to be clarified before we proceed.

I have enjoyed my time on the Council and have learned much about the process of taking an idea through many planning stages to a successful end product. I am proud of the many infrastructure improvements the city has made over the last 12 years. These include water system upgrades, sewer system fixes, road paving, capital equipment upgrades, a new fire station, a remodeled city hall and police station and a much needed renovation of the water treatment plant.  Many of these do not show, but they will serve our community for decades to come.  This has almost all been done with a pay as you go philosophy.  We have tried to be good stewards of your tax dollars as we provide vital services and long lasting improvements. Thank you for your support.

[/wlm_ismember]

GARY HUGI

I have been proud to call Clear Lake home for the last 25 years. During my tenure as construction manager at Yohn Co.  I was involved in many projects with the City. In the last nine years of my retirement I have served on the Planning and Zoning Committee, City Council, and currently sit as president on the Clear Lake Sanitary District Board of Trustees. Over the past year and one-half I have been approached by individuals to serve again on the City Council. With Councilman Jim Boehnke not seeking re-election, I have decid sed to run and represent Ward Three on the Council.

Important issues facing our city today are the same as they

[wlm_nonmember]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember][wlm_ismember]

have been in past years. Aging infrastructure needs to be repaired or replaced, development of residential, commercial and industrial areas, quality of community life, safety and security for our community and quality of our largest resource - the body of water known as Clear Lake.

The City of Clear Lake is very fortunate to be represented with council persons in the past and present that understand all of these and act to make progress in our community.

When asked about the proposed wellness center by various individuals, my answer to all is that the concept would be a welcome asset to the community, but since the project is in its infancy there are many if, ands, buts and questions to consider. Certainly, a wellness center would be for all ages to use.  This is a huge consideration with the aging population of the city.

In closing, I look forward to representing the citizens of Ward Three and will continue to keep Clear Lake a community where people may work and have the quality of life we enjoy today.

[/wlm_ismember]