Manitowoc city council District 1 candidates share views ahead of April 4 election

MANITOWOC - Brett Vanderkin and Raymond Geigel are competing for the District 1 seat on the Manitowoc Common Council in the April 4 election.

The seat holds a two-year term and represents a southeastern portion of the city that runs along the shoreline from Hamilton Street to Silver Creek Park.

The Herald Times Reporter asked both candidates to fill out a questionnaire before the election explaining why they are running and their positions on issues.

Here are the responses from Geigel and Vanderkin. Some responses are edited for clarity and brevity.

For more about registering to vote and polling locations, visit myvote.wi.gov.

Raymond Geigel

Age: 58

Occupation: Truck driver

Highest education level: Truck driving certifications

Relevant experience: Council member from 2001 to 2011. Council president from 2004 to 2005. I have proudly served on all standing committees of the common council and the zoo board, cemetery commission, board of review tree commission, aquatic center board transit committee, Manitowoc County PGA committee, along with others.

While serving on the council, I was able to be a part of growing Manitowoc and moving the city forward during my tenure, came to MPU boiler project, Brown County water authority project where Manitowoc sells water to the five surrounding communities of Green Bay, the city’s ambulance consolidation, the aquatic center, community built playground, and expanding the industrial park off Dufek Drive. All of these accomplishments came during hard economic times while securing funds for basic services such as police, fire and basic road maintenance.

Brett Vanderkin

Age: 30

Occupation: Stay-at-home father

Highest education level: Bachelor's degree in economics with minor in political science from UW-Milwaukee

Relevant experience: Current representative for District 1 and current vice chairman of the Personnel Committee. Assisted in appropriating an extra $50,000 in this year's forestry budget to continue battling the ongoing emerald ash borer issue, so our lakeshore and our parks will continue to look great.

Why are you running for office and what makes you the better candidate in this race?

Geigel: My reason for entering the race in twofold. First, it is my passion to see the city grow and become a better place to live. I want my children and grandchildren to see this great city as a place they want to stay and raise a family, like I have done. My second reason for getting into the race is I have become dissatisfied with some of the council's recent decisions. I feel they were made quick with little time or discussion into the ramifications of the actions they were taking, and there is no doubt in my mind that there were more losses than gains for everyone due to the quick nature of these decisions.

Vanderkin: I am running for office to continue working to make Manitowoc the best city it can be for everyone to raise a family and make it their home. I feel that I'm the better candidate because I have a proven record of standing up for my constituents, even if that means I'm the only vote for or against on an issue.

Do you feel our downtown area is healthy and prosperous? Why and how would you change or maintain it?

Geigel: I feel the downtown, though it has gone through many changes over the past few years, has remained stagnant. The first thing that needs to change is the culture within the business community downtown. Buying flowers and park benches are not going to help change the culture or draw many to our downtown. The businesses have to set some hours that work for the customer they’re trying to attract, like the working family. Our merchants have got to do more like stay open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and have well-lit storefronts. It all contributes and would help to make downtown more inviting to the community.

Vanderkin: Our downtown area is trending in the right direction. However, there is still a fair amount of work to be done. The key is creating the environment for our businesses to thrive downtown. However, I think we also can't forget about the rest of the city. For example, I voted against spending nearly $500,000 to convert to two-way traffic on Eighth and 10th streets. I believe that money could've been more wisely spent fixing more roads instead of changing the flow of traffic on two streets.

As a council member, how would you support tourism and economic development in Manitowoc?

Geigel: We have taken great strides as of late here in the lakeshore area promoting Manitowoc. As a council, I would continue to help fund tourism and promoting the car ferry and other important local events.

Vanderkin: As a council member, I believe that supporting tourism and economic development in Manitowoc is critical to the growth of our community. A few ways I would accomplish this is to invest in our city's infrastructure including transportation, public areas such as our parks and our lakeside. Focus on our unique attractions and what sets us apart from other communities, such as the Maritime Museum, local festivals and our local businesses.

Manitowoc's homeless population is increasing. What do you believe the council's role should be in addressing that issue?

Geigel: I feel the council should support providing additional mental health resources and re-employment initiatives with local businesses to aid in reintegration to the workforce and assisting to get them off the streets. 

Vanderkin: I believe our role at council to deal with the increasing homeless population is to foster in the local economic conditions necessary to help lift people out of poverty. Keeping our property tax burden low to keep housing affordable and partnering with local nonprofits that work with the homeless population to address the root causes of the issue, such as treating mental illness, addiction and job loss.

What are the two biggest challenges for the city council right now, and how would you overcome them?

Geigel: Two of the biggest challenges have become affordable housing and building our local workforce. If elected, I would propose a joint venture with the businesses to form much like a mini college or a tech school within this school. Local businesses would be invested to form the curriculum for speedy training to hire the candidates they have invested in and move them ahead into the workforce to fill much-needed positions. As far as affordable housing, I will work to secure funding to build low-income housing while people living there work to succeed in the workforce.

Vanderkin: The two biggest challenges facing the city council right now is public safety and working to maintain our infrastructure. As a current council member, we have worked to provide the police and fire departments with the equipment and personnel they need to keep the community safe. I have also always worked to spend our tax dollars in a responsible manner to improve and maintain our roads, parks and especially our lakeside in District 1.

What is your vision for Manitowoc?

Geigel: My vision for Manitowoc is to see it prosper and be vibrant again, such as it was years ago when we had a balance between industrial and high-tech workforce, and many owned their own homes.

Vanderkin: My vision for Manitowoc is to create a thriving and sustainable community that offers a high quality of life for all residents. This vision includes promoting economic growth, investing in infrastructure improvements, preserving natural resources and fostering a strong sense of community. By working together to build a city that is welcoming and forward-thinking, we can ensure that Manitowoc remains a great place to live, work and raise a family for generations to come.

What are your thoughts on the current budget for the city?

Geigel: I have to say things look good for the city, the budget remained relatively good over the past few years with the continuing development in Manitowoc. However, we have to be mindful that the economy can change quickly, and we may need to cut back on some spending for feel-good things such as planters, downtown flags, banners and flowers.

Vanderkin: While no budget is going to be perfect, this current budget for the city allows us to stay competitive in retaining employees comparative to the rest of the labor market, continue and expand on a few infrastructure projects such as roads and forestry to deal with emerald ash borer, all the while only having a 2.21% increase in the tax levy, well under the current rate of inflation.

More election coverage:

• Manitowoc County voters' guide:Here's your Manitowoc-area voters' guide to the Wisconsin spring election
• Manitowoc County primary election results: Here's who's moving on to the April general election after Tuesday's primary in Manitowoc County
• Wisconsin Supreme Court race: Janet Protasiewicz, Daniel Kelly advance in high-stakes, high-spending Supreme Court race

Contact reporter Alisa Schafer at aschafer@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @AlisaMSchafer.