Voters will soon decide which of the three candidates seeking to join the Decorah City Council will ultimately take the oath of office. Candidates Kent Klocke, Paul Wanless and Cody Whittle are seeking the public’s support in their bids to fill an at-large seat on the council. Former Decorah City Council member Ross Hadley stepped down earlier this fall he and his family plan to move outside of the community. The city chose to hold a special election to fill the vacancy, and voters will head to the polls on Dec. 10.
The successful candidate in this month’s special election will need to earn more than 50 percent of the vote in order to be declared the winner. If none of the three candidates do so next week, a run-off election will be held four weeks later between the two most popular candidates — the run-off election would tentatively be held on Jan. 7, 2025. Whomever succeeds Hadley on the council will serve until at least Dec. 31, 2025, when Hadley’s most recent term was set to expire. The at-large council seat will then be placed on the ballot once again, and the winner of the upcoming special election will need to file candidacy papers again in order to seek a full term.
The Decorah Leader contacted each of the three prospective councilmen and invited them to respond to a questionnaire for the benefit of local voters ahead of next week’s special election. Their responses are printed below to help inform voters of each candidates views and opinions before polls officially open.
What is the role of a city council member in your opinion, and what would you say that looks like when put into practice?
Klocke: The role is to listen and be educated in the subject at hand and make the best decision going forward. How is this cost effective now and lasting into the future? Having policies that are efficient, sustainable and forward thinking.
Wanless: To provide guidance to city staff to help steer the direction of the community, to assist with and approve a city budget,
establish policies and procedures and enact ordinances all while listening to the needs and desires of the public. Base decisions on “what’s best for Decorah?” When put into practice, it is a collaborative effort of the seven council people, the mayor and city staff along with the public.
Whittle: The role of a city council member is to be a representative of the citizens of Decorah and to work with the other council members to make decisions that best suit the wants and needs of the community. City council members are in a sense surrogates for the population as a whole. When put into practice, that looks like someone with an open ear to the people of the community, and a willingness to be available to the public. It looks like someone who loves their community and is up to the challenge of making hard decisions while seeking innovative solutions.
What personal or professional experiences do you feel have prepared you to fulfill the role of a city council member?
Klocke: I grew up in a family that started a business in 1953, K&S Super Valu grocery store, in Decorah. I learned early a good work ethic; you need to work for what you need or want. Learning how to work with and treat people respectfully and professionally was very important. I graduated from Decorah then attended NIACC for building trades and general classes. Since then, I have attended various business and trade classes and seminars throughout my career. I worked construction for several years with notable contractors here in Decorah. I have worked in three factories as a lead person, department head and supervisor. I have learned efficiencies in production methods, safety in the work place. How to meet production needs and timelines. As well to work with people, management and employees. My wife Marla and I managed and owned the family grocery store, K&S Foods, for 12 years, employing over 100 people. The store supported many organizations in the area, including parks and rec programs, aluminum picnic tables in parks, fairgrounds, 4-H, cattlemen, dairy producers, pork producers, Sunflower, Nordic Fest, Pheasants Forever, Luther organizations, Decorah School organizations, Decorah Chamber of Commerce, Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, Decorah Jobs and many more. I started Klocke Contractors Inc. in 2004. I enjoyed working on the older houses in Decorah, while striving to keep the original character and yet use modern sustainable materials and methods. I built a loyal client base by listening to my clients and filling their needs at a good value. I was on the parks and recreation board for 16 years. During that time, the Trout Run Trail was developed, sledding hill and more multipurpose trails developed and maintained. I have been on the NICC advisory board for the carpentry program for 20-plus years. I am currently a substitute instructor for the carpentry program. Being a local business person, I feel it is very important to support locally owned businesses. Support local industry, manufactures and producers. Marla and I are members of St. Benedict Church, Decorah Rotary, Decorah Chamber of Commerce, Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, Decorah Human Powered Trails and Decorah Elks. My family enjoys biking, downhill skiing, walking the trails, traveling and exploring, being with our grandchildren and showing them lifelong healthy activities. My family has been well respected in Decorah since the 1950s. I have been a well-respected business person in Decorah for 32 years.
Wanless: I previously served on the council for 19 years — 1996 to 2015 — and was the chairperson of the budget and finance committee for 15 years. During that period, the city completed and participated in numerous improvement projects, including Water Street improvement project, Hotel Winneshiek and North Alley improvements, Highway 9 improvements, Trout Run Trail, Decorah Library expansion and joint law enforcement center. We established a good record of intergovernmental and interagency cooperation to complete projects while also establishing economic development incentives for several businesses. I worked for 29 years in the dairy manufacturing industry as a supervisor and manager in both union and non-union environments. We have also owned and operated our own small business in Decorah.
Whittle: I started my business, Big Driftless, in early 2018 and built it from the ground up, often handling all elements of business myself. From product design to manufacturing, marketing to website management, sales, shipping and everything in between, I have done a little of everything and can adapt to different situations. In that time, I also renovated three separate downtown spaces for my business, seeing potential in each one and breathing new life into the different buildings. As a small business owner in Decorah, I also understand the ups and downs of entrepreneurship in a small town and, as our costs of living increase nationally, I know the challenges faced by both employers and employees to keep up. Additionally, I have had many jobs throughout my life that trained me to be a personable character, whether serving beers at Pulpit Rock Brewery, waiting tables at various service jobs or leading guided horseback tours in the mountains of Lake Tahoe. I have learned to interact cohesively with all types of people and work efficiently with many different coworkers. Finally, my degree in design and my love for curiosity and creativity will drive me to ask good questions and be excited to seek creative solutions.
What advantages and disadvantages do you see in potentially serving Decorah residents as an at-large council member rather than representing a specific ward?
Klocke: The advantages of the at-large is that you serve the whole city and you hear from all the residents to find solutions for the whole. The disadvantages are that I have a larger population to listen represent.
Wanless: Personally I have not seen a difference in an at-large council person vs. a particular ward. When previously serving on the council, I took calls from, had meetings with and listened to all residents of Decorah.
Whittle: I see the advantages and disadvantages of the at-large position to be one and the same. The advantageous freedom of not being bound by the borders of a specific ward or group of citizens allows for a wider sample of the population to draw from and work with, but this can also be a disadvantage in trying to find solutions that satisfy all Decorah residents.
What do you feel is currently the most pressing issue for the city of Decorah, and how do you plan to address it as part of the council if elected?
Klocke: Being creative to accomplish more affordable homes for families to be able to live, work and prosper in Decorah. How do we fill our home inventory with families that will be in our schools, purchase goods locally and grow our economy from within? At the same time having the facilities that the people want and need to live here. Attract new industry and businesses as well be supportive of current industry, business and services to keep a wide employment base. Need to prioritize spending. The city has a list of projects that need funding in the very near future. Some of these are: new school, Heivly Street rebuild, fire station and city hall updates. Street repair and rebuilds, the new ball fields and park, development of Carlson Park, telecommunications network, the ongoing updating of current facilities and utilities. I will have the city put its resources into projects and policies that improve the city of Decorah. Develop incentives for families and businesses to move to Decorah.
Wanless: Fiscal responsibility. I say this not because it hasn’t been practiced in the past but because we face an uncertain future. Many of the projects mentioned in the second question above, along with others, were accomplished with cost sharing programs, grants, matching grants and other monies returned to the city from other taxing entities. As both the state and federal governments seek to realign their priorities, it very well may mean fewer dollars returned to Decorah. We need to ensure that we are maintaining our existing infrastructure and assets and then use thoughtful planning on new projects and purchases. The city has identified a list of needed projects that include the fire department, city hall and athletic fields. There will be a referendum next spring on establishing a municipal electrical utility. All of these projects may or will require substantial investments from the city, which does have a limit to its resources.
Whittle: From my perspective, the most pressing issue for the city of Decorah is the lack of available housing options. Not only is it difficult to find affordable places to buy or rent, but sometimes there are just no options available at all. It is difficult to find quality, affordable long-term housing in Decorah, and I also see this issue to be intrinsically linked to the number of empty storefronts on Water Street. When it comes to starting a new business downtown, it is becoming increasingly difficult to pay rent for a place to live while also paying rent on a place to run a business. The costs of living have become prohibitive to starting a new business and keeping it going long enough to succeed. If elected, I would like to explore potential incentive programs for property owners to offer long-term rentals over short-term rentals, and for vacant unused spaces in downtown buildings to be renovated into more housing options. I also like the idea of ADU — Accessory Dwelling Unit — programs that would allow homeowners to transform things like detached garages or in-law units into rental property options.
Which aspects of city government do you feel most prepared for if elected, and which aspects will you need to learn more about?
Klocke: To bring my variety of business and life experience to the council and operation of the city. As well working with different departments and utilities. Learning all of the departments and employees, including regulations the city needs to work within.
Wanless: I am prepared to listen and find the answers to questions. I will be comfortable getting involved in the budget process. I will refresh myself on the current structures and identified needs of each city department.
Whittle: I feel most prepared for interacting with the public and entering into meaningful discussions with citizens of Decorah that build and maintain relationships. It’s not news to anyone that we are living in polarizing times, and this element of the work can be an intimidating one, but I feel that I am well suited to be able to listen to and hold respectful civil discussions with all types of people. Areas in which I’ll likely need to ask questions and learn from senior members will be that of the more formal aspects of city government, and the specifics of decorum and process regarding council meetings. I understand that leading and participating in them is different from attending them. I recognize that this will be a new challenge for me, but I’m eager to learn and grow as a person in this position. I learn by asking questions and am curious about what I don’t know.
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When and where to vote
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 — absentee voting began Nov. 21 and will be available in the county auditor’s office through Monday, Dec. 9. Information from the Winneshiek County Auditor’s Office reminded voters election law requires they provide proof of identification, such as an Iowa driver’s license, passport, military ID card, veteran ID card or voter ID card. Voters within the city of Decorah may cast their votes at one of three locations on Dec. 10.
Polling sites
• Decorah Wards 1 and 2: Courthouse Annex, 201 W. Main St., Decorah
• Decorah Wards 3A and 3B: First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway St., Decorah
• Decorah Wards 4 and 5: Good Shepherd Church, 701 Iowa Ave., Decorah
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