(Le Mars) — Tuesday, November 2nd is election day for city council/mayor positions as well as local school board positions. Last week, we featured those candidates seeking a position with the Le Mars Community Board of Education. This week we will profile the candidates seeking a position with the city government.
Mayor Race — Rob Bixenman
(Le Mars) — After more than a decade in office, Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff has announced that he is stepping aside and chose not to seek re-election. That decision opened the door for anyone to file nomination papers and pursue the race for Le Mars Mayor. Rob Bixenman of Perspective Insurance has submitted his name as a candidate for the mayor position. Bixenman is the only candidate running for mayor and will be unopposed in the upcoming election. Bixenman shared his views and goals with KLEM news. He talks about why he wants to become mayor of the “Ice Cream Capital of the World.”
Bixenman admits to having to follow a respected mayor, and he thanks Mayor Kirchoff for all of his accomplishments for the city of Le Mars. Bixenman says we need to keep looking forward to help the community grow.
The insurance agent has been active with the LBIC, and he sees the position of mayor as being key to helping recruit and bring additional businesses and industries to Le Mars.
The mayoral candidate identifies what he sees as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Le Mars.
Bixenman believes there will be additional changes that will occur in Le Mars in the coming decade.
Bixenman wants voters to know that although the mayor position does not vote on the specific issues, he wants to help lead discussion on the issues facing the community.
City Council – Ward 3 – Mark Sturgeon
The election is less than a week away and this year there are two candidates seeking to fill the role of council person for Ward 3, primarily the northern section of town. Mark Sturgeon is running for the open position. Sturgeon works with the Plymouth County District Court System. Although he was raised in Sioux City, he refers to Le Mars as his “adopted home.” (Our apologies for the audio quality of this interview)
City Council Ward 1 – Ken Nelson
(Le Mars) — We continue to profile the candidates seeking a position on the Le Mars city council. Today, Ken Nelson is our focus candidate. The long-time council member is seeking re-election to the city council, however with a bit of a twist. Nelson, had been a council member representing Ward 3 for the past couple of decades. However, when he and his wife Karen moved to another home, Nelson was no longer able to represent his constituency residing in Ward 3, and consequently, he had to resign his position on the Le Mars city council. He is now residing in Ward 1, and had decided to seek re-election in the new area of town.
Nelson explains his reasons for wanting to return to the city council, saying he has a particular interest in an on-going issue facing the city involving our city’s water quality, and the reduction of salt in our water. Nelson says he wants to see the conclusion of the issue.
Nelson explains the city’s plan to reduce the sodium within our water supplies.
Nelson says he has enjoyed his 23 and a half years on the city council.
Nelson says it is important for city council members to always be looking toward the future, and establish a long-term plan.
The city council candidate says he is pleased with how the city has helped with new housing developments, including the addition of several apartment complexes, and with the industrial development. He says he is proud to serve on the Le Mars Business Initiative Corporation or LBIC helping draw production jobs to Le Mars.
Nelson says he is proud to have a hand involved when the city took over ownership of the city water system. Plus, he says he is pleased to have a trail bridge installed on the west side of the town in order to keep pedestrian and bicycle traffic away from mixing with motor vehicle traffic when needing to cross the river and avoiding the Highway 3 bridge.
Clark Goodchild – At Large Candidate
(Le Mars) — Another candidate seeking re-election to the Le Mars City Council is Clark Goodchild, and like Ken Nelson, there is a bit of a switch. Goodchild is currently representing the constituents in Ward 1, but he has decided to run for the At-large position this time around. Goodchild is unopposed for his pursuit as the “At-large” council candidate. KLEM asked Goodchild why he wanted to run as the “at-large” candidate rather than seek the position representing Ward 1 again?
Goodchild says there have been several changes of department heads within his eight years while serving on the city council, and he says he is grateful for having the opportunity to help select some of the city employees.
Goodchild says he is also proud of the equal treatment the city has dealt with housing developers.
The city council candidate says the opportunities the city will face in the future will be similar to those opportunities of the past.
Goodchild says he believes most people of Le Mars know him and know where he stands on issues.
Goodchild says he appreciates all of the candidates seeking a position on the Le Mars city council saying, it is good that they contribute back to their community. He added that serving on the city council “is not about glory.”
Dan Dubinski Seeking Ward 3 City Council Seat
(Le Mars) –– For one candidate seeking a position with the Le Mars city council, he is hoping that the adage of third time is a charm, holds true. Dan Dubinski is running as a city council candidate for Ward 3. As mentioned, Dubinski has tried to run for the city council twice before. He believes this time, more people are familiar with his name.
Dubinski has been employed with Kolbeck Incorporated for the past 26 years, and is a member of the Le Mars American Legion Wasmer Post #241. Dubinski explains his interest in becoming a city councilman.
Dubinski says his interests with the city is to help with economic development and help local businesses, while at the same time improve the city’s infrastructure system.
Dubinski expands on his thoughts about attracting people and businesses to Le Mars.
The Ward 3 city council candidate says he would like to provide additional parks and recreational activities to be located within the northern portion of town.
One of Dubinski’s goals would to change the time of the city council meetings from noon to the evening. Dubinski believes more people may attend the city council meetings if they were held during the evening hours.
Brian Bruns, Ward 1 Candidate
(Le Mars) — Tuesday November 2nd is election day for both the board of education, as well as city government officials consisting of mayor and city council positions. Today we focus our attention on the last remaining city council candidate. Brian Bruns is seeking a city council position to represent the constituents of Ward 1. This is Bruns first campaign. His opponent is Ken Nelson. For the last decade, Bruns has been employed in the milk processing industry. First, with what was referred to as Dean Foods, now known as Kemps. He says his reasons for seeking a city council position is he has an interest in local government, and wants to make certain local governments are accountable to the people.
Bruns says he doesn’t necessarily have any issues that he would like to address. He wants to make certain the city government is transparent with its policies and with its finances.
Bruns believes the parcel of land the city recently purchased as part of the expansion of the Industrial Park may present itself with some opportunities for the city of Le Mars.
Bruns was asked to expand on his answer about what the city government could do to assist businesses to help lure employees to Le Mars?
The Ward 1 council candidate is complimentary of the performance of the city council.
Bruns says as the city continues to grow, so must the city services also grow.
When asked if he would like to see evening city council meetings instead of daytime meetings. Bruns responded by saying, “that is up to the people.” He says he wants voters to know he is here to listen to the people and serve the people of Le Mars.
