Ludington Mayor Candidates Have First Forum

[XLFD]

The Mason County Parent Coalition hosted 75% of the mayor candidates in a generally informal forum.  A. Pete Engblade, Dave Kosla and Ryan Cox gave introductions of themselves and fielded a variety of questions that were featured on page 3 of May 29's City of Ludington Daily News (COLDNews). 

 

 

Candidate Wally Taranko was not able to attend, but says he will attend a July meeting of the same group.  His stances on the city council over the last four years should give a fairly clear indication of his beliefs, but as a past potential-candidate myself, I feel it is my duty to do a little analysis of the answers, and offer a little opinion on the candidate's positions.  As always, other readers have their chance to offer their analysis and opinions as well.

 

As for introductions, I was impressed with Engblade's attention to councilor committees, Cox's commitment to sidewalks and street repairs, and Kosla's interest in more open communications and fixing existing infrastructure problems before committing to new projects.  I was unimpressed with Engblade's evaluation of infrastructure improving during his council tenure, Cox's ideas for improving the parks, and Kosla's evaluation of Ludington back in 2000. 

 

I thought they all botched the first question except for Kosla, who not only mentioned involving and  empowering the people in the process but also working to improve the city's website. 

 

 

The second question was poorly handled by all candidates.  Even if you don't believe the city needs a shakeup, Cox and Kosla's answers showed their lack of experience.  Engblade's answer was noncommittal to any changes he wanted to be placed forward, and seemed miffed about the ridiculous severance deal with the City Manager the city, when it is due to him and his fellow councilors writing in that golden parachute back in 2003 and keeping it every year thereafter until he retired from the city council in 2011.  

 

Question three is just an odd question,but one that shows the general philosophy of each candidate.  Kosla once again gets some kudos for giving the best answer which shows a good basis of a philosophy that believes in private rights and property.   

 

Question four deals with a topic I have written about often here.  All say they would go to the police chief and expect him to enforce the law in varying degrees.  I like Engblade's response best, but a mayor has no direct power to get rid of the police chief.  I, a common citizen, have pointed out numerous sex offenders breaking the law as regards school safety zones but the police chief has had no response, nor has our current mayor taken any action.  None of these citizen-candidates have done so, nor will they, at least until after they become the mayor. 

 

Engblade's comments on sidewalks happened to be the most relevant, Kosla and Cox showed a bit of naivety about the issue.  But once again Engblade's response fails to weigh in his record on the issue.  Sidewalk spending in his last several years of service as a councilor went down dramatically, and many/most of properties sold or improved on during this time did not have sidewalks fixed or installed on them. 

 

 

Overall, in my opinion, Kosla made points in this interview towards why he may be the best choice for open government, respect for rights and private property rights, and fiscal conservatism.  Perhaps this is why the progressive COLDNews gave him an unflattering picture.  But mostly, these guys were bland, uninspiring, and left us with little idea about what they would actually stand for as mayor.

[AQUAMAN]

Bland, uninspired, boooooring, and not really on track for change is all I see. Had some other candidate stayed the course, we might now be inspired somewhat, but that didn't happen.

[Marty Redman]

I didn't know you felt that way about Kay Holman. 

The group lacks panache, something that other choice had.  Not Kay. 

[XLFD]

Aquaman is a closet fan of Kaye's. 

There were other factors that influenced my decision not to run this year, but among them was that the mayor has limited power in Ludington; you basically have the power of appointment, running the council meetings, and a basically figurehead position where you might be able to spearhead public policy; the answers that were given reflect that lack of any real political power in the office.   The policy spearheading generally will be neutralized by an antagonistic city council and a local press that only promotes policy that benefits the influential clique that holds the actual power in this city. 

Six of the seven councilors now serving the city, and serving them poorly in my opinion, will be back next year.  A reformer as Mayor at this point would basically lose most battles for what's right without a vote.

 

[Willy]

All of the questions made sense except the "smoking at City playgrounds". That is carrying things to far. If they wanted to stop smoke at the playground at the waterfront park they should put a cork in the Badgers smoke stack. There are times when the Badgers smoke fills the entire park for hours on end.

[XLFD]

That's a very good point, Willy.  I love the Badger, but when the wind is from the south, someone lighting up next to you is the least of your worries about smoky air when you're at the marina playground. 

Since the forum was held at Sandcastles by the parent Coalition, I was a bit forgiving of that question as regards the overall scheme of things.  I probably would have botched this question by saying something like "I don't know what the exact letter of the law is about smoking in public parks, but I see this as more of a problem that can best be worked out between reasonable individuals observing each other's rights rather than by creating new laws." 

[XLFD]

All four city councilors had their own entry in the Freedom Festival parade.  Since there still hasn't been a lot out there on the candidates yet, allow me to personally rate their parade entries on stylistic concerns: 

1)  Winner of the flashy entry award is Ryan Cox, sporting three vehicles and three American colors on his bold yard signs

2)  Winner of the best overall presentation, David Kosla

3)  Winner or Mr. Congeniality, for his mingling with the crowd and candy-passing, Pete Engblade:

Stylistically, Wally Taranko was a flop here, deciding to go with a simple, rather plain, vehicle and kept to the center, giving out no candy or other freebies.  Although Councilor Taranko seems to be almost a shoo in to get through the primaries, having name recognition and insider-backing, he hasn't shown much flair for the position just yet except in getting out yard signs.

[Willy]

Your a much better journalist than photography. I can't glean any information from those photos but I'll take you at your word and be as Eye would say "a pied piper follower".

[XLFD]

I was relying on my cell phone as my camera, and relaxing on the curb while taking the photos.  I refrained from taking a picture of the current mayor (sporting an uncharacteristic blue shirt), because I am sure I would have been harassed later for it-- plus I didn't have a wide-angled lens.  And, I was clapping for the servicemen who were walking just ahead of him.  And, his two youngest daughters were passing close by me with sour looks on their faces, so I had to look out for claw attacks.

[Willy]

Eye

Then be happy you have yellow blood. I'm also glad you pointed out that a deer tick was a "parasite" because I was picturing a deer walking around winking at the tourists.