City Times Staff

The League of Women Voters in Stevens Point has a long history of holding candidate forums. While their questions generally aren’t very difficult, and don’t always go a good job of holding candidates’ feet to the fire, these forums are typically jam-packed with area residents.

Tonight’s forum will see all six mayoral candidates as well as those running for the position of City Alder in districts 5, 9 and 11 beginning at 5 PM in the Portage Co. Library.

Here are a few questions we hope to hear at tonight’s candidate forum:

For mayor: 

1. Which branch of government does the Office of Mayor belong to, and how does it balance with that of the City Council?

2. In your mind, what are three specific priorities for the next mayor?

3. What, specifically, have you learned from the past decisions that helped create our city’s current total debt of approximately $53 million?

4. How will you communicate with your constituents on a regular basis?

5. How will you sell city residents on the estimated $3 million – $5 million expense of milling and repaving Bus. 51 as a temporary fix prior to the extensive rebuilding of the corridor?

6. Explain your ideas for the future of Edgewater Manor and the former Lullaby site near downtown, and the former Walmart building in eastern Stevens Point.

7. How do you envision the future of the city’s police department?

For council:

1. Do you believe the City Council has any legal authority to enforce a minimum wage? Why or why not?

2. Explain what changes, if any, you would support within the city’s inspection and assessing departments, and how those changes would benefit the city in the long term.

3. Do you believe creating more ordinances governing commercial properties is a good thing, and if so, why?

4. Should City Alders be an advocate for city employees or for city taxpayers?

5. How much input would you like from department heads on any given project?

6. Identify two currently vacant properties in the city you envision being re-purposed, and explain how it would be beneficial to the city.

7. What accommodations do you believe are appropriate for bicyclists and pedestrians in the city?