Race is on for RF alderperson at large seat

Three incumbents on ballot for district seats

Compiled by Sarah Nigbor
Posted 3/30/23

Four alderperson positions are up for grabs this election, including those in districts 1-3 and one at large seat.

District 1

Sean Downing*

Did not respond

District 2

Nick …

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Race is on for RF alderperson at large seat

Three incumbents on ballot for district seats

Posted

Four alderperson positions are up for grabs this election, including those in districts 1-3 and one at large seat.

District 1

Sean Downing*

Did not respond

District 2

Nick Carow*

Occupation:  Senior, Regional Sales Manager Circle K Fuel

Previous elected offices:  Currently serving first term, seeking second

Community/civic activities: I nvolved in Park and Rec T-ball coaching, volunteer coaching baseball at St. Bridget School, 10 years on River Falls Housing Authority Board

What specific skills and/or experience have prepared you to serve as an alderperson? My career as a salesperson leads me to natural curiosity. I enjoy learning how governance works, and why it works that way. My background leads me to seek ways to bring different perspectives to the table and build coalitions and broad-based goals. 

It is important in a civic role to do the basics of reading public information and asking questions when we wish to explore in depth. 

What issues are most pressing in the city and what would you do about them?  Top Three Issues: 

1) I am excited to see sustainable and strategic growth both in single family, multi-family homes and new business in our city. The process of steady fiscal choices allows us to grow.

2) The professional staff of our city build and deliver on excellent plans, my role in council is to be engaged in the planning process as representative

3.) Long term, our partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers as well as the Kinni River Corridor, will bear much fruit to restore and renew the Kinnickinnic River in the heart of the city.

What motivated you to run for this position?  The alderperson in this district declined to seek another term. It is important to have diversity of opinions on council and believe I could be a voice on council. 

Where are your favorite places to spend time in the city and why?  I enjoy hiking Hoffman Park and spots below the dam on the Kinni. I also love to attend UWRF games with our children, and biking along the UWRF paths behind the university. Juniors is a good spot we enjoy as well. 

The area is rapidly developing and changing. How do you think the small-town feel of the city and its historical characteristics should be preserved while accommodating growth?  The best way to maintain a small-town feel is to invest in our resources like Parks and Rec, and Library. Another crucial element is for new residents in town to seek to join local groups of interest. Most of our lives will build community around shared interests like church, Scouts, sports etc. We have very strong local groups to be a part of. 

What is your vision for the city long-term?  It would be the height of arrogance to have "my" vision of the city. Instead, the shared vision of the city is to grow in a responsible way, welcome our newest citizens, and maintain our inner core and historic neighborhoods.  

Name one thing you feel the city could do better.  I think all organizations can always challenge internal beliefs vs realities better. River Falls is no different. 

If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?  With a $1 million grant I would execute our park plan and work towards a community ice rink for winter skating.  

Why should you be elected?  I should be re-elected as I have sought to learn and understand processes within the city, listen to residents in my district, and advocate for common sense solutions.   

District 3

Alyssa Mueller*

Occupation: Union Representative

Previous elected offices: Current incumbent for District 3

Community/civic activities:  I have volunteered for my children's school, Greenwood Elementary. I am also involved in a community group called the Keystone Collective, which advocates for more diverse voices in our local government and community at large.

What specific skills and/or experience have prepared you to serve as an alderperson? I work with public employees on a daily basis, so I understand the structures, challenges and benefits of being a public servant. I am an empathetic person who understands the struggles of working families/people. I look for ways in which government can make a positive impact on daily life for the citizens of River Falls.

What issues are most pressing in the city and what would you do about them?  I think housing and housing insecurity are one of the top issues in our city and one of the hardest to solve. Working with our partners in the housing industry, I think the city can have a greater role in making sure that more affordable housing is available to the people who need it. I also think food insecurity is a problem in River Falls, as well. The River Falls Food Pantry does an excellent job of helping families who need it, but could always use more resources.

What motivated you to run for this position?  I think it is important for our government to reflect the people who live in our community. I thought it was important to have a working mother on council to reflect the concerns of so many working families. I would encourage members of our BIPOC, Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities to run for a local office: we need to hear your voices.

Where are your favorite places to spend time in the city and why?  My family and I love to spend time at the city parks, especially Tri-Angels and Glen Park. During the summer, we like to bike around town and get ice cream or other sweet treats from any of our excellent shops. My kids love to shop at the second-hand stores in town for "treasures." We all love to catch a movie at the Falls Theatre and we enjoy dining at restaurants in town.

The area is rapidly developing and changing. How do you think the small-town feel of the city and its historical characteristics should be preserved while accommodating growth?  I think that the city can do both: grow and preserve. I think we have many areas within city limits that can be used for housing growth, while making sure that new developments are connected to the downtown corridor, so that our town feels interconnected.

What is your vision for the city long-term?  I want to make sure that River Falls is a welcoming community for anyone who moves here. Our family moved here in 2017 and fell in love with the community, great schools and all the opportunities it affords. I want to make sure that our downtown and business community can grow and that our parks and outdoor recreation opportunities continue to be excellent.

Name one thing you feel the city could do better.  I think the city council needs to do more to involve members of our minority communities. I think it is important to hear all voices, but to make a concerted effort to reach out to members of our BIPOC, Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities. I think we also need to involve our youngest members of the community, including UWRF students who may call River Falls home for four years or 40 years.

If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?  I would spend part of the money to build a public outdoor ice rink for all residents to use during the winter months. I would spend the rest of the money to help build another home where anyone who needs temporary housing can live until they can find affordable housing.

Why should you be elected?  My goal as an elected official is to continue to be a voice of the citizens of River Falls. I am a good listener and an empathetic human, which helps me to connect with and understand other members of our community. I have always believed that actions speak louder than words, so look to my actions on city council to determine whether I have earned your vote.

Alderperson at large

Patricia La Rue

Occupation: Minnesota Supreme Court - Judicial Paralegal (22 years.)

Previous elected offices: By mayoral appointment: Chair of the River Falls Park Board; River Falls Plan Commission; and Kinni Corridor Planning Committee (not to be confused with Kinni Corridor Collaborative.)

Community/civic activities:  Aside from the above, Steering Committee of the River Falls Comprehensive Plan; Steering Committee of the Outdoor Recreation Plan; 100 Powerful Women; Powerful Choices; Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance; and Bee City- River Falls.

What specific skills and/or experience have prepared you to serve as an alderperson? As a Litigation and now Judicial Paralegal, I have engrained in me a curiosity. I know how to talk to people who at first may not want to talk; or may not know what to say. But I have found, once someone knows you truly want to hear them, they will open up and let you into their world. I know there are two sides to every story, and as a council member decision making is rarely easy. Those making the decision need to gather reliable facts, analyze them, question and weigh them. Once a decision is made, the decision maker is obligated to explain how they arrived at that decision. The "how" and "why" the council arrived at a decision is paramount to those whom the decision affects. An official in a publicly held office should never just say "yeah" or "nay" and then not explain how they came to that decision and why (especially when asked directly.)

What issues are most pressing in the city and what would you do about them?  A new fire station. I recently met with Pauly Cudd and by good fortune, Chief Steven Cash. For those who do not know, our firefighters are volunteers. The building housing the fire station is woefully outdated, though perfectly located. There is so much we can do for these dedicated women and men to make their life as volunteers much more efficient, comfortable and safe. Think about it, these are the citizens who can at any time, day or night, get a call, then need to drop whatever they are doing, suit up and fight a fire. They do this for YOU - as volunteers! Why wouldn't we do whatever we can to make their life as a firefighter better? My understanding is that the physical location of the current fire station is not at all an issue. However, the old building is bulging at the seams. Expansion is needed. Expansion, improvements, and a heap of gratitude to our fire station and firefighters is the most pressing issue in the city.

What motivated you to run for this position?  As Chair of the River Falls Park Board and a Commissioner of the River Falls Plan Commission, I am fortunate to be on the Outdoor Recreation and Comprehensive Plan Steering committees. Last July, as part of the city's overhaul of its Comprehensive Plan, the city held three days of meetings, broken down into specific targeted groups. These focus group meetings were held as a "safe zone," where community members were invited to come to City Hall, sit at a table, and talk. Topics were housing, employment, transportation, recreation and the like. Attendees were encouraged to talk openly and express their views and concerns. I took three days’ vacation and sat through the entire set of meetings. I heard anguish, frustration, a feeling from the attendees that they were not being heard by their city. They expressed a loss of how to get answers to their problems. And finally, a statement that "River Falls has lost its Heart." This is when I decided I would run for City Council, Alderman-at-Large.

Where are your favorite places to spend time in the city and why?  Without hesitation, hands down, walking around Lake George. In the spring there's the fun of watching the baby ducks following Mom as they make their way from the land to the water. (They are so dang cute.) Summer: finding turtles sunning themselves on the logs and children skipping rocks across the lake. Fall: sitting on a bench and taking in the reflection of the autumn trees on the mirror of Lake George. If you're lucky enough, experiencing a flock of geese taking off in unison. Winter as the swans return to commingle with the local lake habitants. And, of course, the bald eagles watching the lake year-round in search of dinner. You can also catch otters, beavers, egret, great blue heron, coot, and common mergansers. Enjoying our lake, just steps from the River Falls business district … PRICELESS!

The area is rapidly developing and changing. How do you think the small-town feel of the city and its historical characteristics should be preserved while accommodating growth?  The creation of a well thought-out, well-funded museum. The perfect location would be the old Power Plant. The Smokestack is already on the National Historic Register and the Power Plant facade gives a nod to art deco architecture from the 1920s. The city has a very robust, dedicated Historical Preservation Commission and downtown business owners respect the history their buildings bring to the area. Museum events and programs would educate those who have chosen to make River Falls their home. Events based round native nations, settlers, structures and societies. How did the University of Wisconsin end up in River Falls? Why do some think the Power Plant is haunted? What is the oldest home in the city limits? In this way, an appreciation of where you are and what went here before you will be preserved.

What is your vision for the city long-term?  I want to see us attain that vision of a community that is walkable, or at least is a place where people do not need to go far to get the goods and services they need. The more community members choose to do their business and socializing within the city, the closer we come to River Falls again finding its “Heart.” Community gardens, in the form of the current Grow-to-Share program, will make the farm-to-table experience more a way of life. After all, our roots are in agriculture. The Kinni Corridor Plan provides for Elm Street to become a pedestrian "mall" where pop-up retailers or a farmers' market can be shopped. In addition, the Kinni Corridor Plan also provides for a pedestrian bridge to connect the old railroad supports. The plan is for the bridge to be wide enough to accommodate seasonal vendors. While not very sexy, I agree with Utility Director Kevin Westhuis's legacy plan of burying the current above-ground electric services. All those above-ground wires that can create such havoc in an ice storm or high wind event (or those pesky squirrels) can be buried. Studies show that burying overhead utility services is a good investment in the long-run. There are fewer outages, it is safer, linemen are not called out in the middle of an ice storm to restore downed lines. Building new structures or maintenance on buildings do not have to consider powerlines, And you know what? It is just plain prettier to have all that "power line pollution" buried. And always out there in my mind is a museum.

Name one thing you feel the city could do better.  Responding to citizens’ concerns. When a citizen takes the time to prepare a statement to the council, or any of our coards or commissions, and that citizen makes an effort, in their evening, to stand up in front of the council (commission/board) to make a concern known, they deserve a response. A thoughtful response. Most times a response cannot happen at the immediate meeting itself, but a follow-up call to better understand what the problem is and to see what can be done is important. Even when nothing can be done, a response is deserved. When you listen to these citizens, who are exercising their rights to be heard, many are nervous, or even scared, but they find it in themselves to come before us and do it. They have earned the respect of knowing they were heard. We have to have better transparency of how our city is working. If a citizen directly asks about the status of a project, or financing, or policy, they deserve the fullest answer possible. Too many times these inquiries are quickly shut down.

If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?  I would create a fund. The fund would go toward assisting small retail merchandise businesses to develop roots in our community. The first three to five years of a business opening its doors determines whether it will succeed or close shop. This fund would help with rent, wages and merchandise. The city's survey responses have identified a strong support for more retail. Our recent study found that up to 64% of River Falls residents did their retail shopping in Hudson or further (this figure did not include groceries, gas or entertainment.) A fund would encourage entrepreneurs to invest here. Housing is springing up all over the place within the city, land is being annexed for housing development. If we want families to move here, to become part of our community, it only makes sense that we have the retail to bring the community to downtown to do their shopping and not head out to Hudson or beyond. There is a fabulous "everything kitchen" store in Hudson. One of the employees there commented on the high volume of people from River Falls that drive to Hudson to shop there. Let's bring that vibrancy into our downtown. Especially since our future plans are to develop a river walk, revamp traffic flows, and embrace walkability around town. Let's get some retailers back into our downtown store fronts.

Why should you be elected?  I should only be elected if you, as the voter, agree with the thoughts I have disclosed above. That you trust me when I tell you that I do my homework, I come prepared with facts, and I will voice my position. You trust that if you don't agree with me, I will explain to you my thought process. I respect the process and believe that my message resonates with voters. Thank you for your time and dedication to learning about your choices.

Diane Odeen*

Occupation: Senior Attorney Editor at Thomson Reuters

Previous elected offices: River Falls City Council - Alderperson at Large

Community/civic activities: I am on the Board of Directors of St. Croix Valley Restorative Services and serve as City of River Falls Comptroller. I am a former president of River Falls Rotary Club, was co-founder of the River Falls Community Theatre, and was active in the Wisconsin United Methodist Church.

What specific skills and/or experience have prepared you to serve as an alderperson? As a lawyer, I believe that government should be fair and that conflicts can be resolved by listening to each other and reaching an agreement. I'm a Wisconsin native and have lived in River Falls since 1992. I've raised two children here and understand how city services like the library and the park and rec programs affect family life.

What issues are most pressing in the city and what would you do about them?  Affordability is becoming a problem. Lots of people want to live here, but the shortage of housing has driven up prices, and a decrease in revenue-sharing from the state has put pressure on property taxes and fees. I will work with city staff to encourage developers to build appropriate and quality housing, and with our elected representatives to improve state funding so residents can afford to live here and the city can afford to provide quality services.

What motivated you to run for this position? I served on the River Falls City Council during the time when city residents were debating the future of the Kinnickinnic River, and I would like to continue working to see completion of the Kinnickinnic River Corridor Plan for removing the dams and improving the beauty and accessibility of the river.

Where are your favorite places to spend time in the city and why?  I love the pathways along the Kinnickinnic River. The river is the jewel of the  ity, and the South Fork reminds me of the creek that ran through our family farm.

The area is rapidly developing and changing. How do you think the small-town feel of the city and its historical characteristics should be preserved while accommodating growth?  I think it is vital to keep downtown vibrant and feeling like the center of the city. One of the ways to do this is to make the city as walkable and bikeable as possible, so it's easy for people in any part of the city to get downtown to enjoy things like music in the park, a movie, a microbrewery, programs at the library, the paths along the river, River Falls Days and other public events that help make us who we are. We also need to continue to protect our natural resources.

What is your vision for the city long-term?  I would like River Falls to continue to feel like a friendly college town that people want to visit to enjoy the river, bike trails, good music, and splendid parks. For those who live here, River Falls should be a safe place where your family can thrive, with good jobs, available housing, and quality public services.

Name one thing you feel the city could do better. The lack of public transportation options is a problem for River Falls and other similar places. I believe that a solution will need the cooperation of River Falls, neighboring communities, the counties, and the state.

If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?  I'd build an ice rink and warming house in Glen Park. Outdoor recreation options are important to the quality of life here.

Why should you be elected? I've helped the City Council get things done since I was first elected, including renovations to Glen Park and the Kinnickinnic River Corridor Plan. I am committed to keeping an eye on the big picture and finding ways to make the city a better place to live and work.

April 2023 election, River Falls City Council, River Falls, Wisconsin