Voters to decide at-large council seats

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Talk about it

Tuesday’s election fills two at-large seats on the City Council.

Voters can learn more about the candidates in this story and on a recurring RFC-TV 16 program showing interviews with the candidates. People can check the cable programming schedule to see at what times the show will air; or, use the Internet browser Firefox to watch a video embedded in the cable station’s website: Go to www.rfcity.org, click on Departments, click on RFC-TV 16.

With three-term alderwoman Joleen Larson retiring from the City Council and David Cronk’s term expiring this year, voters will choose from three candidates to fill the two at-large seats.

The candidates: Scott Morrissette, 44, banker; Stan Meyer, 67, retired postal employee; David Cronk (incumbent), 67, retired teacher.

The Journal asked these candidates:

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH WHILE IN OFFICE?

Cronk: “I have lived and taught in River Falls for over 40 years. I have been involved with this community as a teacher, president of the community theatre for several years and golf professional at Clifton Hollow since it opened in 1974. In the last six years as alderperson at large, I have been on the Plan Commission, the Library Board and the chairperson of the Design Review Committee. Being involved in this way has been very informative.”

Morrissette: “One area of focus I have is the impact to the city, long term that undeveloped residential properties will have on city services. I hope to work with the other Council members to put a plan in place now for the future.”

Meyer: “If elected I would pursue my campaign promise of giving voters more say in capital improvement decisions. Past improvement like the Taj Mahal, officially known as City Hall, police/fire remodeling, schools and future improvements like swimming pools, schools, fire stations -- all ought to be voted on through the referendum process. We, the tax payers, are paying for these big dollar items.”

WHAT TWO ISSUES DO YOU THINK ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO THE CITY AND WHY?

Cronk: “The Council has accomplished a lot in the last six years and still there is much more on our slate in the near future. We are in the middle of planning and redesigning Cascade Avenue and in the planning stages of an interchange on Radio Road and Highway 35. In the not-so-distant future we will need to find and develop land for our next industrial park. It is also a high priority to start negotiations on boundary agreements with the townships.”

Morrissette: “1) Fiscal responsibility of the taxpayers’ money has to be the first priority. There are many families struggling financially today, and the city must not add to that burden. 2) Positioning the city for the future. The economy will recover at some point and the city must be in a position to take full advantage of that opportunity.”

Meyer: “The most important issue I discussed in question No. 1. Other than that I would like to see the city cut up its credit cards. I really do believe that we are maxing out our debt on all these big-dollar improvements like high school, city hall, library. The city has two ways of getting money -- through state grants (or handouts) and taxes. We can forget about the state grants since the state is also broke, which only leaves raising taxes.”

WHY WOULD YOU MAKE A GOOD CITY COUNCIL MEMBER?

Cronk: “I would be honored to continue as an At-Large City Council representative. I spend a great deal of time in City Hall because I love this city that I have lived in for my entire adult life, and at age 67 that is quite a long time.”

Morrissette “I have been fortunate to be a member of the River Falls Rotary Club, served on the board of directors of the River Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Pierce County EDC. In 2006, I was appointed to the River Falls Planning Commission. During this time, I became familiar with community issues from a citizens point of view. I feel it is everyone’s duty to volunteer in their community. With these experiences, along with a background in banking, I feel I can contribute to the citizens of River Falls.”

Meyer “I am and have been a citizen of River Falls for 67 years, I am well aware of its terrain, its people and their problems. 2) My biggest asset definitely is common sense -- treating people all alike, rich or poor, young and old, sorting out the pros and cons of issues and making realistic decisions.”

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