Dear editor,
I am running for De Pere City Council — District 2 against Mr. Noah Tetzner.
In regards to the De Pere City Council questionnaire that you recently published and which is linked below:
Mr. Tetzner made false or unsubstantiated claims against me that you published:
1. In 2020, during the height of COVID, I voted against allowing the Brown County Fair to use the Brown County Fairgrounds in De Pere. The Brown County Health Department recommended not allowing the fair due to the risk of community spread, so his claim that I "opposed the Brown County Health Department by voting to shut down the county fair" is factually wrong.
2. I am not aware of any "'Defund the Police' special interest groups" that donated to my State Senate campaign in 2020. He should have to provide evidence of who these groups are.
3. Our public safety budget is up 17% since 2017 (when I was first elected) from $9.10 million to $10.67 million. This is despite the fact that shared revenue from the state declined by 15% in 2011, and has remained flat ever since then with no adjustments to inflation. He appears to be using some kind of inflation measurement in using “real dollars,” but it’s not clear what inflation measurement he is using.
4. In regards to the farmers market claim: when the farmers market relocated to its current location —George Street between South Wisconsin Street and South Broadway Street —several business owners in my district (particularly inside the Old Post Office) wanted the food / alcohol sales served on South Wisconsin Street between George Street and Seroogy’s Chocolates because of the disruption to them during the work day when it’s right next to the Old Post Office. I supported their request, but ultimately a majority of the council decided to allow it next to the Old Post Office. I respect that decision, and voted to allow it to remain there the past two years. I love the farmers market, and regularly volunteer there.
Thank you,
Ald. Jonathon Hansen
De Pere City Council District 2 candidate
De Pere