Editor’s note: This is the first part of a series highlighting the questions/answers asked of the candidates.
YORK – Five of the six candidates seeking four seats on York City Council took part in a public forum on Monday evening at Kilgore Library, where they were asked random questions and told opportunity to introduce themselves, as well as explain why they were looking for the Office.
Attended by Jeff Pieper, Jeff McGregor, Steve Postier, Scott VanEsch and Vicki Northrop. Christi Lones was unable to attend due to a prior engagement.
The event was organized by the York News-Times and KAWL/KOOL Radio. The moderators were YNT Editor Carrie Colburn and KAWL/KOOL Operations Manager Gene Curtis.
Candidates were given time to talk about why they were running. Then the question and answer session began – an envelope containing 16 questions was allocated to each candidate. Each envelope contained the same questions. Moderators pulled questions randomly from the envelopes as the contestants took turns – no one knew what the question would be until it was asked, to ensure fairness and the least amount of redundancy possible.
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During the introductions, Pieper thanked the crowd in attendance, as well as those listening on the radio and watching online. He talked about growing up in York, graduating from York High School, graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and then coming back here. He currently runs a local plumbing business and has a family. He said he was seeking his “third term on council, he is a conservative Christian who wants to continue to serve the community”.
McGregor also grew up in York, graduated from York High School, then joined the Navy where he spent 21 years before retiring. “I started working for the federal government in Rhode Island, and then I longed for my roots and the culture of the Midwest,” McGregor said. “I came back, I finished my baccalaureate at 50.” He says he is proud to be back in the York community and wants to “do my civic duty”.
Postier also grew up in York, graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, “then I had the opportunity to move and raise my family here. I am a branch manager at Henderson State Bank and we also own K9 Kennels. I have served in many different facets of the community, I have always had a passion to serve and give back and want to have another facet in which to serve.
“Unlike them, I actually grew up in Washington state,” VanEsch told the audience. “We moved here in 2005 and I’ve come to love York. I started working for the family business which is Mogul’s and have been there for almost 17 years now. I am seeking my second term. I have been excited for the past four years, it has been a great learning experience. I have been involved in many aspects of city affairs. When I filed my application, my wife asked me why I was running, I said that I wanted to see some of these projects come to fruition.
Northrop spoke of being born and raised in York and how service is in her family history, having a grandfather and uncle who served on the city council. “Serving the community has always been a priority for us. We always knew we would come back to York and we did. A graduate of York High School, she earned degrees from York College, the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and Doane University. She has been an educator for many years and says she is happy to be back. “I want to serve on council and be a voice for everyone in the York community. I’m happy to see a lot of good things happen in York over the past two years now and I want to be part of the solutions that are happening.
At that time, the interrogation began.
Pieper was asked, “Do you think the city should build a new satellite office for police and fire near the interchange as activity increases there, as well as on the freeway itself?” He replied, “Yes, if the city had unlimited funds, which it does not. I think it’s something to look forward to, but right now we’re pretty spread out. But it is something to watch for the future.
The next question went to McGregor: “There are a number of problematic residential properties in the city, with dilapidated buildings, trash and other issues. How do you think the city should deal with these types of issues? He replied that he felt the city “should review the ordinances, make sure we notify landlords, give them time to fix things and then make sure we follow through.” There are a number of properties that need to be cleaned. I’m sure there are probably a lot of people who were given the opportunity to clean their properties, but they didn’t respond because they couldn’t afford it. We need to keep the lines of communication open and keep the city as clean as possible. »
Postier was asked, “The city has sold all of the industrial land it owns, as all of the parcels in the industrial park and east of the NPPD operations center have been purchased by private owners. Would you like the city to purchase more land, to be held for economic development purposes? He replied, “I’m a big fan of economic development and what YCDC and other key players are doing. I think it’s good to have pitches available, as well as pitch options, and to be a key player as we continue to develop York.
The next question went to VanEsch: “Q: The city has begun the process of building a new fire station. The money was set aside as a beginning of savings for substantial investment. Do you have any ideas on where a new station might be located, how it might be funded, and what features should be included? He replied that “we know this needs to be sorted out. I just visited the new Columbus station and saw the amenities there. Tony (Fire Chief Bestwick) really liked what they had. I’m in favor of a new station and we need to keep putting money aside, saving a few years while we come up with a plan. I’ve heard ideas about the location across town. I would support that for the next five years.
Northrop was asked to describe York’s greatest assets. “It’s a wonderful community,” she said. “There are plenty for people of all ages. It’s the right size to expand our family and I’m glad it’s the case for ours. We do a good job of meeting different requirements and services for different people. We are working hard to build our reserve and the council has taken care of putting money aside. We have amazing schools and York University, we have new facilities. There are so many good positive things going on right now, which I think we could still improve on.
Editor’s Note: Coverage of the forum will continue in Thursday’s York News-Times.
