City Council Candidates Q & A

The four candidates for the two Wellman City Council seats were sent five questions. Replies were received from only two; neither Doug Powell nor Andy Blauvelt responded. The questions were

1. Why have you chosen to run for council?
2. What problems do you see facing the city at the present time? What solutions do you propose?
3. If elected, what would be your priorities for governing the city?
4. Do you think possible enactment of countywide zoning will have an impact on the city?
5. What you do you beleive are the city’s main assets and how should they be maintained?

Fern Bontrager
Incumbent Fern Bontrager is a judicial clerk in the Washinton County Clerk of Court’s office, previously was employed in the Wellman City Clerk’s Office and served 14 years at the executive director for the Kalona Historical Society. She and her husband have two ground children.

1. I have been on the city council since May and have a respect for the structure that the city has in place. I would like to continue serving the community in this capacity and work for the progress of Wellman.
2. Water quality, continuing the process of installing a Reverse Osmosis system; proper documentation of the infrastructure such as water and sewer lines, continuing work towards Geographic Information systems (GPS) and downtown growth, pursing grant opportunities and possible funding to attract new businesses.
3. Continue to work together with the city council, mayor and city administrator for the good of Wellman and be a voice for the people.
4. Little, if any, because the city of Wellman currently has zoning ordinances in place for within the city and ordinances that affect a two-miles radius outside the city limits.
5. Downtown business district and continue our efforts at beautifying the downtown. Having our own natural gas system and maintaining skilled, qualified employees. And, most recently, the Parkside Activities Center.

Richard D. Oldfield

Former council member Richard D. Oldfield has long considered Wellman his home where he and his wife reared five children. He also served with the US Army for two and a half years, stationed in Germany, and said he has seen Wellman in its prime, and in its times of separation and name calling.

1. I have the time to attend all the meetings and I do care about Wellman.
2. Money will be the problem facing our town. My solution is to eliminate the outsourcing of work, using resources from within.
3. Using my conservative ideas, and to “why” and not jump into conclusions without facts.
4. It is very possible the zoning could. It will depend upon how it is written.
5. Senior dining, the library, the schools and the businesses. They can be maintained with council support.