Four candidates running for two automatic seats in Manitowoc got to express why they are the best choice for the upcoming spring general election.
The League of Women Voters of Manitowoc County held the candidate forum with District 1 incumbent Brett Vanderkin, and his Challenger, Andrew Dunbar, and District 3 Incumbent Mike Cummings and his Challenger Angela Myers, answering questions from the league and interested constituents.
The candidates talked about their time working in the community and what’s the city can improve on, but a lot of the discussion was focused on the need for affordable housing.
Dunbar says it is working with local developers and making sure the type of housing is important.
“If we’re looking for say 20- to 25-year-olds, we don’t need four-bedroom houses,” he said. “If we’re looking for housing for retired, all that also, we don’t need four-bedroom houses. So, I think the biggest thing that the city can actively help with is making sure that the data is there whenever a developer does want to come into the city to make sure that they know this is the type of housing that we need.”
Candidates were also whether housing or storefront development is a more important priority.
District three Challenger Myers says that both can be done.
“Those empty storefronts can most definitely be changed so it can be better used,” she explained. “The city council has a very integral part with that as Mike (Cummings) had said. Because the city council is getting everything ready and set up for people who want to fill up those areas.”
Some questions were asked by voters and included what should be done about deportation at the federal level, and if the city has a role to accomplishments.
District 3 Incumbent Mike Cummings also answered the question about what he’s the proudest of since being on the council.
“We end up getting funding annually to improve all of our parks,” he stated. “We’ve had that plan in place for a couple of years. Got a lot of park equipment improved and it’s nice to see now kids and families out playing in our public park spaces.”
Discussion also revolved around accountability of the council and how some residents believe they aren’t getting a voice at the city level.
Some of the candidates discussed telling why they voted no uncertain things and why they would do it in the future.
Incumbent Brett Vanderkin talked about why he voted no on some issues, including on some committee appointments.
“Of all the leaders, there was a lot of favoritism going on,” he said. “How the appointments were being distributed to certain alders and sometimes I still feel that way that there’s some favoritism that goes on in the council. I’m not afraid to admit that. And that’s one reason I voted no.”
All four candidates will be on the April 1 ballot for the spring general election.
Also locally is the mayoral race between Incumbent Justin Nickles and Challenger Jason Prigge.
You can hear them debate one more time on Tuesday (March 25th) on 1240 WOMT and 980 WCUB. The debate will also be streamed at WOMTRadio.com and CubRadio.com.
