By Press Times Staff
GREEN BAY – District 3 for the Green Bay city council will see a long time incumbent square off with a new challenger in April.
Andy Nicholson, who has been the alder in District 3 since 2002, will go against Lynn Gerlach.
Nicholson has also held the District 3 county board seat since 2002.
District 3 consists of east Green Bay located by the East Town Mall.
The Press Times emailed each candidate the same questions and gave them 100 words to respond to each.
Andy Nicholson
Why should people vote for you?
I am a lifelong resident of Green Bay, residing in District 3 for more than 25 years.
I have raised my family there, as well as own and operate a small business.
My commitment is to the people of District 3.
I am accessible and listen to the people, take on their issues, and solve them effectively.
I am confident to speak my mind, and always have done my best to represent the people in District 3.
I do not represent special interest groups.
I have always and will continue to represent the people of District 3.
What’s the biggest issue in District 3?
The largest issue concerning district residents is road repair.
The city has neglected to budget for our roads for many years.
The current city budget approved last fall resulted in the largest tax hike in Green Bay history.
The city is now taxing the people above and beyond their means for basic services of the city.
I will continue to fight, like always, to make sure we have enough money for our roads and core services.
What’s one project you think District 3 needs?
I have introduced a proposal for the Mason Street/Main Street corridor to address the flooding issues impacting the district.
Lynn Gerlach
Why should people vote for you?
District 3 needs energetic, committed representation.
Green Bay’s Common Council needs a positive, open-minded alder with a lifetime of problem-solving experience who finds joy in learning.
I will do the work.
I grew my heart as a teacher, my strength as an Army wife, and my optimism as an independent consultant and a neighbor.
I’ve never failed to show up and never neglected to prepare.
Ask Notre Dame Academy, Olde Preble Neighborhood, NW Regional Primary Care Association, the Bay Area Community Council: Would you want Lynn on the job when challenges loom and resources are tight?
You’ll get a “yes.”
What’s the biggest issue in District 3?
Flooding at Main and Mason and beyond – our need to prepare for changing weather and the overwhelming water in our district.
I’ve met with the city’s chief engineer and I understand why the flooding occurs and why a complete resolution would be expensive and disruptive.
But we cannot just throw up our hands and give up.
I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and work alongside a very capable city staff to find affordable ways to reduce the water’s impact on District 3 along with a long-range street improvement plan – but all within realistic financial parameters.
What’s one project you think District 3 needs?
Revitalization of East Town Mall.
I’d like to help bring together the property owner, city leadership, district residents and creative problem-solvers to make that property a vibrant, productive strip of businesses, community resources and gathering places between Mason and Main.
I see that “ghost town” as a promising source of community service and a broadened tax base for the city.
What is vacant now can come to life again; we just haven’t yet hit on the best resolution.
That doesn’t mean we should give up.
The potential for that area is tremendous, and Green Bay needs the commercial tax revenue.