By Press Times Staff
DE PERE – Residents in the District 1 of De Pere will have a new person representing them on the Common Council for the first time in eight years.
Larry Lueck decided not to run again and looking to fill his seat are a high school teacher, a college business director and a student.
The candidates will face off in the Feb. 19 primary with the top-two vote-getters moving on to the April 2 general election.
The Press Times emailed each candidate and asked them the same questions and gave them each 100 words to respond to each.
Below are there answers.
Name: Randy Soquet
Occupation: Educator
Immediate family: Wife Amy, sons William and Chris and daughter Katie.
Any organizations you belong to: Boy Scouts of America Troop 1043, board member of the De Pere Track and Cross Country Booster Club, Brown County Historical Society, Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies, De Pere Education Association, life member of the FFA Alumni Green Bay East affiliate and St. Michael’s Church.
Why should people vote for you?
I will be a voice for the people of District 1 and will represent their interests on Council.
I look at issues with an analytical eye. I have been a resident of De Pere for almost 20 years, I have an understanding of the path our city has taken and believe that we need a vision for our city.
I have experience in being on governing bodies representing constituents. I am currently in my fourth year on the Board of Park Commissioners for the city of De Pere. I will be a fiscally responsible steward of the taxpayer’s dollars.
What is the biggest issue facing De Pere?
The challenge for our city government is to continue to have De Pere be that special place within the constraints the state government has placed on us.
The residents and city council know best how much and where to spend taxpayer money. The state government, however, has placed limitations on local government.
That in turn has placed pressure on prioritizing and delaying maintenance and replacement of city facilities and equipment.
One example is that the city has struggled with preparing athletic fields in the spring for youth sports. Another is having the resources to deliver the services city residents expect.
How will you continue to make De Pere an attractive place to live, work and play in?
I think the city needs to continue to take steps to make De Pere an attractive small city in a metropolitan setting.
A number of items can help us achieve this.
I believe it is a perpetual goal. As our society and citizens grow and change so will our city’s concept of how to best serve our residents.
Currently, the creation of the cultural arts district, upgrade of the two city pools, redevelopment of the downtown, growing our industrial parks, and meeting the recreational needs of our residents will make De Pere an attractive place to live, work and play.
What is one thing the city of De Pere could be doing better?
I want to see the city have a more public and organized effort on creating neighborhood watch groups.
I think in the world we live, many of us have fewer in person interactions with our neighbors. I think it benefits the community to really develop more connections and create neighborhood cohesiveness.
Green Bay has signs identifying neighborhoods and creating a sense of identity within those areas and I like that.
I think city council, the police and fire departments can lead the way in helping people know each other and create a sense of neighborhood community.
Following passage last November of the binding pool referendum, what type of aquatic facilities would you like to see in De Pere?
As a pool user with my family over the past 15 summers, I’d like to see two facilities that provide amenities for families to enjoy as their children grow over the years.
The current facilities we have do not offer amenities for our families to enjoy as their children grow.
I would like to see facilities at both locations that have some similar and some unique features so that families will be drawn to both of them.
Concession areas, restrooms, and changing rooms offering privacy are key features. Both facilities must be able to offer residents swim lessons.
Name: Amy Chandik Kundinger
Occupation: Director of business engagement at St. Norbert College.
Immediate family: Husband, Andrew. Two children, Arlo, 11, and Alden, 8.
Any organizations you belong to: Currently in my third year on the De Pere Plan Commission, active board member at the De Pere Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development committee member, served on the De Pere Strategic Visioning & Branding committee, annual Business Walk event participant surveying local businesses, interviewer for De Pere Kiwanis Inside Innovation programming, organize annual collection for Brown County’s A Pair & A Spare program for local elementary schools.
Why should people vote for you?
I want to take the next step in my De Pere activities by representing you.
Work and committees aside, I love living in De Pere. The great schools, parks, restaurants, and shops all make this neck of the woods perfect and we can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Your vote for me means you’ll have representation from an active citizen. Someone who is a parent with kids in our schools.
Someone who works in De Pere. Someone who knows exactly how crazy it is to walk across Broadway. Someone excited to hear from you.
What is the biggest issue facing De Pere?
De Pere is fortunate to have one of its biggest issues also be one of its biggest strengths.
A city long known with an outstanding reputation as a great place to raise a family, De Pere must balance this strength while attracting and retaining younger generations to live, work, invest, play and stay here.
How will you continue to make De Pere an attractive place to live, work, and play?
Working at St. Norbert College as the director of business engagement, I enjoy bringing area businesses and the college together in mutually beneficial collaborations.
This work has led me to an even stronger connection to our city with the successful launch of the first annual State of De Pere luncheon on campus featuring Mayor Mike Walsh.
I will utilize these experiences and strong relationships to bring residents, businesses, and schools closer together for a multifaceted prosperous future.
What is one thing the city of De Pere could be doing better?
Men and women representing the qualified elected officials on the De Pere city council.
Following the passage last November of the binding pool referendum, what type of aquatic facilities would you like to see in De Pere?
The majority (63 percent) of the pool referendum vote favored investing capital and operational expenses related to VFW and Legion pools.
I would like to see both aquatic facilities updated and fully functioning as soon as possible.
Wide seasonal temperature ranges and conditions take a toll on these outdoor facilities.
Investing in long-term structural solutions and maintenance is important to ensure these summertime destinations are operational for generations to come.
We are fortune that De Pere’s cultural plan includes additional considerations for child friendly water features, increasing the options and locations for taking a splash throughout our city.
Name: Emilio Montero
Occupation: Student
Immediate family: Amy Montero, mom, Dionis Montero, dad, and Alia and Ashlin Montero, sisters.
Why should people vote for you?
People should vote for me because the younger population doesn’t have a voice in modern politics.
I believe the lack of representation is a major reason the youth doesn’t come back after college and I want to change that.
What is the biggest issue facing De Pere?
The biggest issue in De Pere is that we are losing our younger population.
After they graduate college they move on to bigger and better places. I want De Pere to feel like the biggest and best place it truly is.
How will you continue to make De Pere an attractive place to live, work and play in?
Downtown De Pere needs an overhaul.
I would love to see it more accessible to pedestrians. I also want to see more businesses move in and tie into De Pere’s history.
What is one thing the city of De Pere could be doing better?
One thing that would improve the quality of life for almost everyone would be to allocate more resources to our roads.
It’s so simple but really has made a difference in neighboring towns.
Following the passage last November of the binding pool referendum, what type of aquatic facilities would you like to see in De Pere?
Legion Pool is a staple of the east side and I think we need to continue efforts to make it a safe and fun environment.