By Press Times Staff
DE PERE – The race for District 2 on the De Pere city council April 6 will feature incumbent Jonathon Hansen against challenger Susan Netzel.
Hansen drew the most votes in the February primary (394 votes, 55.18 percent), outpolling Netzel (225 votes, 31.51 percent) and Dan Gaumer (95 votes, 13.31 percent).
Hansen has represented District 2 since 2017.
He most recently lost the election for the 30th State Senate District to Republican Eric Wimberger, who garnered 47,945 votes to Hansen’s 39,711.
District 2 covers the southeast portion of De Pere.
The Press Times asked the candidates the same questions and gave them 100 words to respond to each.
Jonathon Hansen
Why should people vote for you?
I have a proven record of accomplishments over the past four years.
Since I took office, we passed a referendum to construct a new Legion Pool, generated unprecedented momentum for the Brown County Southern Bridge, and lowered the property tax rate to its lowest level since 2014.
I have also been exceptionally responsive to the needs of my constituents.
For instance, I led the fight on the council to save Legion Pool when all the other alderpersons wanted to permanently close it.
Finally, I have supported responsible public health measures throughout the pandemic, which my opponent has strongly opposed.
What should the city do to attract new businesses?
Our focus over the past year has been on helping our existing small businesses survive.
When the pandemic hit, I worked with staff to create a 0-percent, payment-deferred pandemic relief loan program that has been a lifeline for more than 50 small businesses in De Pere.
We’ve recently begun focusing again on attracting new businesses, and I was proud to support a new program the council adopted last month called Jump Start De Pere.
This program will offer grants up to $5,000-$10,000 for startup businesses that locate in De Pere and for expansions of existing businesses.
What is the city’s role to attract a tenant into the old Shopko site?
The old Shopko site is currently in a receivership, but our economic development staff is working very hard to redevelop the area.
Given the challenges that big-box retailers are experiencing with the growing shift to online shopping, the site may need to feature a broader redevelopment that goes beyond simply finding a new tenant for the existing building.
When a viable project comes forward, the city will likely need to create a tax increment district (TID), and I will make sure that any new TID that is created protects taxpayers, while adding significant revenue to our tax base.
How should the city handle residential development?
The council has approved several new subdivisions in southern De Pere over the past few years, including the new Pine Trail Crossing subdivision off Ryan Road here in District 2.
We need to continue to grow with additional subdivisions.
We also need to promote more affordable housing, and I supported a new program that the council recently approved that will offer incentives to developers that build affordable housing units.
We are also working to launch a home improvement loan program for residents whose homes are assessed at less than 120 percent of the median home value in De Pere.
What would you like to see changed in De Pere city government?
When I first ran in 2017, many residents I spoke to said it was challenging to stay informed with the latest developments in De Pere.
That’s why I regularly print constituent newsletters and personally hand-deliver them to all the residents in my district.
I have distributed nearly 20,000 newsletters.
The city also hired a communications specialist, overhauled its website, and significantly enhanced its social media presence.
We need to continue to build upon these efforts.
If I am re-elected, I will also work to create neighborhood associations so that residents can become even more engaged with their community.
Susan Netzel
Why should people vote for you?
As alderperson, my job is not to vote on my agenda, but to vote for the residents of De Pere.
A vote for me is a vote for a qualified, passionate, long-term resident that cares about De Pere.
I own a home, pay property taxes, raise my children, and am married to a De Pere business owner.
I am rooted in De Pere and have been for over 20 years.
You can count on me to listen and support your concerns.
A vote for me is a vote for a qualified candidate who makes your concerns a top priority.
What should the city do to attract new businesses?
A southern bridge in De Pere will help attract new businesses and should continue to be a top priority.
It’ll ease the traffic congestion downtown and make the industrial parks more accessible.
It would also generate development downtown and in our business parks, thus generating additional tax revenue for the city.
With this potential increase of development and revenue, while also following De Pere’s Cultural District Master Plan, residents could see new or renovated businesses with waterfront views, improved green space, increased water related activities, access to the trails, additional community events, more park facilities and additional restaurants and cafes.
What is the city’s role to attract a tenant into the old Shopko site?
Losing a large retailer in De Pere was not ideal, but it does open up opportunities for our historic downtown.
According to the city’s development services director, inquiries are made on the property often.
However, the property is still in receivership.
An ideal potential developer would be someone interested in a mixed-use of the site that could include several shops, restaurants and housing.
The developer should be someone who wants to maintain the small-town feel of our city.
They need to be willing to work with the Planning Commission and incorporate aspects of the city’s Cultural District Master Plan.
How should the city handle residential development?
Downtown along the river is the best option for residential development, considering De Pere is landlocked by surrounding municipalities.
Single-family attached buildings, townhouses and row houses are building forms suggested for housing styles in the city’s master plan.
They establish consistent design and character.
Utilizing our vacant downtown buildings is also a good solution.
Our city should attract mixed-use developers who promote housing, shops and restaurants, rooftop spaces, and views of the river while maintaining De Pere’s character and small-town feel.
Residential housing downtown will also promote De Pere’s small businesses.
What would you like to see changed in De Pere city government?
De Pere residents deserve unbiased representation.
Alderpersons should not vote on their personal agenda, but vote on the concerns of their district.
Recently on social media, my opponent, who ran as a Democrat in the 2020 race for 30th Senate District and lost, stated how he was going to vote before a council meeting.
He did not ask for opinions on the issue.
Is it right to decide your vote or any future votes before a city council meeting without listening to the residents you represent?
As your alderperson, I will seek input to best represent you.