There will be three open positions on Darlington’s city council for the upcoming election to be held April 4. The terms of current alderpersons David Gough, Don Osterday and Felix Pereza will be up this year.
Gough and Osterday will both be running for re-election, but Gough will be the only one in a contested race, with Dale Wiegel challenging him for District 1 Wards 1 and 2. Pereza has filed non-candidacy papers and Erin Gallager has filed as a write-in candidate to fill his seat. Following is a list of questions answered by Gough and Wiegel.
Dale Wiegel
Occupation: Retired from John Deere Dubuque works
Family background: I am the 10th child of John and Rose Wiegel and I’m single with three adult daughters and seven grandkids.
What position are you running for?
Darlington City Council-District 1 Wards 1 and 2
What previous political experience have you had? Or any positions held?
None.
What qualifications do you have for the position sought and what do you feel you have to offer?
I have lived in the district for over 30 years. I know most of the people on the city council and feel that I can work with them.
Why are you running for city council?
To learn more about how the city works.
What are the most important issues facing the city of Darlington right now?
Safety. When I go to a Redbirds game and see kids walking on Hill St. with traffic going both ways I think something should be done. I also want to see that the work on Galena St. gets done efficiently and correctly.
How do you feel the city has dealt with budget issues or other recent issues so far? What could be done differently?
I have a lot of council meetings, but I don’t know about budget issues, and I am willing to learn.
What would be your approach to be the best steward of taxpayer dollars?
Hire good people to run the city, the city clerk, the chief of police, the park director, the city engineer and the librarian; these people handle the taxpayers’ dollars.
What do you believe needs to happen now and in the future to give the city of Darlington and its citizens the best advantages?
With the growing population of Hispanics in Darlington we need to work together to help all citizens of Darlington.
Additional comments:
I am a member of Holy Rosary Church and was on the parish council for three years. I am a member of the Darlington Rifle Club, a member of the Darlington Country Club and a member of Mexican Cheese Producers golf team.
Dave Gough
Occupation: Project Manager at Darlington Dairy Supply Co.,
Family background: Born in a farmhouse outside of Darlington, have lived here all my life with the exception of 2 years in the U.S. Army. Married to Donna, have three grown children and one grandson
What position are you running for?
I’m a candidate for Alderman, First District, Wards 1 & 2
What previous political experience have you had? Or any positions held?
I have served the City of Darlington as an Alderman for 22 plus years. I have served as Council President for the past 8 years and am Chairman of the Police Commission. I have been elected to Leadership positions in The American Legion at Post, County, District, State and National levels and served as National Vice Commander last year with responsibility over seven States and 498,000 Legionnaires. I was President of the Canoe Festival Committee and was instrumental in getting it incorporated.
What qualifications do you have for the position sought and what do you feel you have to offer?
I would say the 22 plus years on the Council, having served under three Mayors, serving as Chairman of the Water & Sewer Committee as well as Chairman of the Police commission gives me the qualifications this position requires as well as my desire and willingness to serve this community. The 52 years of working experience as a Project Manger building and remodeling Cheese and Dairy plants around the country gives you valuable experience in Waste water systems, road construction, building design and layout and certainly the construction trades in general. I have experience in reading Blueprints and working with Architects and Engineers as well as Electrical contractors, all of which serves as needed experience.
Why are you running for city council?
I have touched on that above and will add that my desire to continue to serve my community is important to me. I feel I have more to offer.
What are the most important issues facing the city of Darlington right now?
We are working on numerous issues and I will list some but not by importance. As with any small City today, keeping our Main Street business fronts full s very important. We are always looking for new businesses to settle here and we have done a good job of filling our Business Park. We are looking at adding some more acreage to the Park. The added businesses put an increased load on the wastewater treatment plant, which will need some additions and alterations in the future. We are always looking for grant money for these purchases to help keep the load off the taxpayers. I was on the Council when the City built this Treatment Plant and would like to be involved in any upgrades necessary.
How do you feel the city has dealt with budget issues or other recent issues so far? What could be done differently?
I feel this current City Council with vast backgrounds has done a good job being stewards of the tax dollars. Our City budgets are certainly not extravagant but rather based on basic needs and fairness to our employees. It is our job to keep our infrastructure up and to maintain the street and parks, as well as possible and I feel we are doing a god job with that task. Certainly there are streets that need repair but we have to look at the Water & Sewer mains as well as Storm drains before we put new blacktop over old and even bad mains. It’s a balancing act.
What do you believe needs to happen now and in the future to give the city of Darlington and its citizens the best advantages?
We have been told the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WDOT) will be rebuilding and modifying Highway 23 through town in 2021. With this new highway and the main street improvements comes an expense for the City as well. We are looking at new water mains and storm water changes, new lighting on Main Street and Galena Street, retaining wall types and sizes. These improvements will position Darlington for future growth downtown as well as in the Business Park. This project along with upgrades to the Wastewater treatment plant will ensure Darlington is ready for growth.
Additional comments:
My experience, both on the City Council and my business experience will be valuable during these projects and that along with my willingness to continue to serve this community, means we will have the continuity to get these projects accomplished. I would like to see them through for the City of Darlington and would appreciate you vote on April 4th.