Clemons appointed to fill seat

John Clemons was unanimously approved to fill the open Ward 1 seat during a special meeting of the Waseca City Council Wednesday, September 7. Clemons will hold the position until after the November election, at which time he will yield it to the winner, who will finish out the two-year vacancy created by the resignation of former council member Ted Conrath.

Clemons’ selection was nearly a formality, given that he was the only applicant who is not running for the seat this November. Council members stated that, to remain unbiased and allow a “seamless transition period,” the best choice was to go with former mayor Clemons. 

The council did, however, interview the two applicants who are on the November ballot, Stacy Schroeder and Robert Tackett. Both were asked the same nine questions before being given time to question council members. 

Candidates for Ward 1 were asked if they could regularly attend meetings while also maintaining at least one seat on a local board or commission. Both responded in the affirmative. Tackett already serves as a member of the Waseca Economic Development Authority. 

Candidates were asked their priorities if appointed.

Schroeder's answer was to maintain a working relationship and work toward solutions that benefit the community. 

Tackett cited five or six priorities, the first being to keep property taxes low and affordable, stressing the impact on those living on a fixed income. The second was to bring larger businesses to town. 

Tacket also spoke about the importance of affordable housing, stating that while conversing with new teachers during the Waseca High School open house, he learned that 10 of them live in Owatonna. “We need to work on affordable housing here in Waseca.”

Tackett also mentioned the importance of small businesses and provided a list of many potential business opportunities. He also spoke about school security. “Those are my top priorities,” he concluded. 

Candidates were asked why they would be the best choice.

Schroeder cited her open mind as well as community involvement. 

Tackett complimented both Schroeder and Clemons before citing a plethora of different boards and other community services he takes part in. Some of them include the American Legion, the VFW, his local church, the County Emergency Response Team, and several more. “[A city council seat] doesn’t add much more to my plate than what I’m already doing.”

Tackett said his ability to speak Spanish would help him represent the Hispanic community, whose members, he claimed, are “absolutely underrepresented.

“Maybe we can change some of that,” he concluded. 

Candidates were asked why they were seeking the position.

Schroeder joked, “Somebody has to be,” before explaining she would provide a fresh viewpoint.

Tackett, who used nearly every one of the 20 minutes allowed each candidate, gave another lengthy response. 

“Waseca is going in a great direction and I want to be a part of it,” Tackett claimed. 

“How will you handle concerns from constituents?” Mayor Srp asked.

Research and do what we can to help remedy their concerns, Schroeder answered.

Tackett said he would take good notes, pay attention, and bring concerns to the council.

Candidates were asked to name Waseca’s two biggest assets. 

Lakes and parks and “I firmly believe, our school district,” Schroeder said.

Tackett shared his story of moving to Waseca from California and said the “welcoming attitude, I call it very Mayberry-esque.” The other greatest asset, Tackett said, were the farmers and their “independence,” along with their “farmer mentality.” 

What amenities is Waseca missing? 

Schroeder mentioned a grocery store; she also cited a need for more resources to support the elderly community.

Tackett claimed Waseca is missing a lot. “No bowling alley, movie theater, no 24-hour coffee shop… We can offer so much more.”

Mayor Srp said the council and the city have been making a stronger effort to enforce public nuisance laws to “clean up the city.” 

Schroeder said past councils have done a fair job of remedying both sides of the problem and mentioned that maybe the general public doesn’t always understand the city’s process.

Tackett said the city unfairly punishes those who cannot afford to clean up their yards, and said if the city looked for more resources, it could provide help instead of billing or ticketing people whose yards the city has cleaned. 

The final question regarded the growth of Waseca.

“I think it’s important,” Schroeder said. “Finding sustainable ways to do it in steps and phases.”

Tackett mirrored the sentiment saying if Waseca isn’t growing, it’s withering away. He stressed the importance of expanding at a reasonable pace to avoid growing pains. However, he did say that Waseca needs to accelerate its efforts.

Candidates were asked if they had any questions for the council; Schroeder had several. 

Tackett mentioned only one concern, stating that he doesn’t quite understand the inner workings of city politics.

Schroeder asked what advice council members would provide for a new member, which nearly every council member had a response for. 

“Remember exactly how you feel right now about city government and where you would like to see it go,” Mayor Srp answered. “Do your best to remember what it is to be a taxpayer who isn’t up here [as an elected council person]. 

After the interviews, Mayor Srp stressed the importance of choosing a temporary council member who would not unfairly influence the election.  

The next meeting of the Waseca City Council will be September 20.