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McGregor Council candidates share thoughts

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Rogeta Halvorson

Joe Muehlbauer

Jason Echard

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

McGregor residents will take to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to elect a mayor and two council members. Incumbent mayor Harold Brooks is running unopposed for a two-year term, but the two council seats are up for grabs, with incumbents Rogeta Halvorson and Joe Muehlbauer taking on newcomer Jason Echard for four-year terms. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the McGregor Public Library.

 

Rogeta Halvorson

Incumbent Rogeta Halvorson is the daughter of Roger and Connie Halvorson and has three siblings, a daughter, son-in-law and grandson. She is currently the executive director of the Monona Chamber and Economic Development.

Her service to the city includes being elected to two four-year terms, where she has acquired diverse experience serving as a councilperson and on various city committees. She also co-wrote an application and won the Iowa Great Places grant for the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts and Driftless Area Wetlands Centre; led efforts to create an ordinance to start the McGregor Historic Preservation Commission, on which she serves as a liaison; served on the steering committee for the Iowa Living Roadways year-long community visioning program; and co-designed the city’s new logo and website.

Other volunteer and community involvement includes being a charter member and vice president of the McGregor Clan Lions Club; serving on the fifth annual Festival of Trees fundraising/organization committee; co-founding, with her mom, the fourth annual Victorian Carolers, who provide Christmas music to shut-ins, retirement centers and festivals; co-founding, with her dad, the Emma Big Bear Foundation, to educate the public and promote and preserve Emma’s story and artifacts; and being a part of a four-person group that collectively worked 150-plus hours to research history and photos and add a professional tour guide map to the McGregor Historical Tour book, which is sold in McGregor stores.

Why are you running for re-election? I love McGregor. As an incumbent, I have the passion, leadership, skills and experience to hit the ground running on day one of my third term. I will continue my work on behalf of McGregor to advance progressive ideas, help with city projects, expand tourism and grow McGregor’s economy. 

How will you interact with or address concerns from people within the community? I have an open door policy and enjoy helping people. Mainly, I listen, gather feedback, answer questions and seek a satisfactory resolution. I encourage the public to attend city council meetings to express their opinions, bring up issues and get answers. On occasion, city hall may conduct a public town hall meeting to accommodate a larger-than-normal audience that’s interested in a business topic of community-wide importance, so the city may listen to and consider all sides’ opinions.

There has been a lot of discussion around McGregor about the closure of several businesses and more empty storefronts. What efforts would you like to see the city take to attract and retain businesses? Each vacant Main Street business closed due to its own unique set of circumstances. It’s important to McGregor’s long-term success that we help to develop strong businesses and building owners. To help owners market buildings for lease or sale, we’re gathering contacts, building data and photos to link on the city’s website. Through our chamber, we help develop and encourage member businesses to use available tools and resources (e.g. county’s revolving loan fund, low-cost training, Facebook and website marketing).

What would you like the city to do regarding working/dealing with the new owners of the Holiday Shores property? Trilogy Partners envisions building 18 waterfront condos and they were aware before they purchased the property that the city’s current W-1 zoning does not allow for condos. They now have the process steps to follow should they formally request the city to change its zoning to W-2 to allow condos. We’ll continue to listen to every development idea or option and hear from all sides affected by this matter. After Holiday Shores’ foot traffic stopped walking by their shop doors, local small business owners’ revenues declined, and this may be followed by less revenue generated from sales tax, gas tax, local option sales tax and hotel/motel tax (the latter tax has been used to fund part of our chamber and economic development projects). I believe McGregor needs a hotel/motel/lodging property to fill the void left by Holiday Shores. We need help to maintain a robust tourism industry, grow McGregor and support our hard-working small businesses trying to make a living and pay the bills.

What are some positive aspects of McGregor that you would like to see enhanced or more greatly promoted? How would you suggest doing this? All of us—residents, business owners, chamber, city, sister cities—cooperating with one common goal in mind is the best way to promote this area and draw in extra tourism dollars and tax revenues. We are all tour guides and it’s so easy to sell this area: abounding natural Driftless Area beauty; nearby federal/state parks and trails; unique retail/antique/specialty shops; great eateries and fun bars; vast early-American history; endless recreational activities along rivers and bluffs. I urge everyone, including myself, to patronize our local establishments, especially during the lean winter times.

What are some challenges/issues facing McGregor that you would work to address? How will you do this? McGregor Clan Lions Club hosted a roundtable discussion between non-profit groups, organizations and churches to share causes and event calendars, ask who needs extra volunteers and how can we better support each other to raise and donate more money to charitable causes. Success happens with teamwork, like when McGregor-area folks, including the school band, and chamber worked together to support our annual Labor Day parade by embracing Ringling Bros. colorful and festive, circus-themed floats.  Our fun carnival-style parade and Triangle Park’s after-party are growing and keeping folks downtown longer to browse and shop, go to the museum and art center, dine and drink, see the 1880s street theater, take a boat ride, etc. Let’s consider holding another non-profit roundtable in one to two years.

Any other brief comments? I’m asking for your vote for Rogeta Halvorson, incumbent, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the McGregor Public Library. Thank you all for taking time to read this, and please let me know if I can answer any more questions for you.

 

Joe Muehlbauer

Joe A. Muehlbauer is married to Sallee A. Scarff-Muehlbauer and has lived in McGregor for the last 22 years. He has been a member of the McGregor City Council for the past 16 years and a volunteer fireman since 1994. He has volunteered for many city events and enjoys and loves McGregor. He worked in auto parts for 40 years in a family-owned business and currently works at Gencor in the shipping and receiving department.

Why are you running for re-election? I would like to see the FEMA project come full circle, improve the infrastructure of the city and also continue work on the riverfront project.

How will you interact with or address concerns from people within the community? I am very open-minded with all city residents and willing to listen to their concerns and thoughts at any time.

There has been a lot of discussion around McGregor about the closure of several businesses and more empty storefronts. What efforts would you like to see the district take to attract and retain businesses? I would like to find more grants and business opportunities to attract new and different businesses to our city.

What would you like to see the city do regarding working/dealing with the new owners of the Holiday Shores property? I would like to see a better line of communication between the owners of the Holiday Shores property and the city to work toward the best business opportunities for all involved.

What are some positive aspects of McGregor that you would like to see enhanced or more greatly promoted? How would you suggest doing this? I would like to see our city promoted for the tourist attraction it is with the beauty of the natural surroundings we are so blessed to have.

What are some challenges/issues facing McGregor that you would work to address? How will you do this? The challenging issue I have great concern with is the Holiday Shores Motel property being turned into condos. I feel that the city is very much in need of a hotel or motel on the beautiful river we all enjoy. I would also like to continue on the infrastructure work with this city.

 

Jason Echard

Jason Echard has lived in McGregor for 22 years with his wife, Chris, who owns and operates the Old Time Shoppe on Main Street. His parents, Dale and Sandy Echard, live in Monona, where he grew up. Jason has one brother, Bret, who is a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force and is currently stationed in New York. Jason has been employed with Coca-Cola Refreshments for 14 years, where he is a merchandiser.

He said, although he has not had any prior formal service with the city, he has been active in the community by being a responsible and helpful resident. “If I see a need, I don’t hesitate to help with things like snow and ice removal on city sidewalks for the Chamber and other businesses,” Jason said.

Why are you running for city council? I am running for the city council because I would like to contribute my efforts to the people of McGregor in a more formal way as a member of the city council. My goal is to work in a positive way toward the many issues facing the city at this time. I think I will be able to be a voice for all the residents and businesses of McGregor.

How will you interact with or address concerns from citizens within the community? Interacting with the people of McGregor would be an important part of my service on the council. I want to be available to listen to any concerns and activity and seek input from all in order to make informed decisions in the governing of the city.

There has been a lot of discussion around McGregor about the closure of several businesses and more empty storefronts. What efforts would you like to see the district take to attract and retain businesses? Although I have not been involved in past discussion about the issue of business closures and empty store fronts, I feel this is a very important topic facing the city at this time. I would work together with the Chamber of Commerce toward positive outcomes in creating a healthy business community.

What would you like to see the city do regarding working/dealing with the new owners of the Holiday Shores property? Regarding the new ownership of the Holiday Shores property, it is important to be open to the discussions about this important issue. We should work together to provide the best solution for the city.

What are some positive aspects of McGregor that you would like to see enhanced or more greatly promoted? How would you suggest doing this? McGregor is a beautiful and unique city. We have many natural environments to protect. I would also work to preserve the historic setting of the city and work with the Chamber of Commerce to promote business and community development.

What are some challenges/issues facing McGregor that you would work to address? How will you do this? The many challenges and issues facing McGregor involve finance, infrastructure, maintenance and growth for the future. Goals should be reviewed and adjusted.

Any other brief comments? I look forward to serving as an active member of the city of McGregor.

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