Neenah mayoral race: Get to know the three candidates vying to lead the city for the next four years
NEENAH - Three candidates are competing to become Neenah's next mayor and assume oversight of the city's $70 million budget and 230 employees.
The candidates are Kelly Behrmann, Brian Borchardt and Jane Lang. A primary election will be held Feb. 15 to narrow the field to the top two candidates, who will advance to the April 5 general election.
Incumbent Dean Kaufert didn't seek reelection after eight years in office, creating an open seat for the nonpartisan office for the first time since Marigen Carpenter didn't seek reelection in 1998.
As part of The Post-Crescent’s coverage of the mayoral race, the candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire to explain why they're running for office, what makes them the better candidate and how they would address the most important issues facing the city. Their answers are published below.
For information about registering to vote and polling locations, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov/en-us.
RELATED: Neenah council candidates share views ahead of primary
Name: Kelly Behrmann
Address: 985 Bridgewood Drive
Age: 47
Occupation: Customer support and retention specialist
Highest education: High school
Relevant experience: Former owner of a coffee shop and a cigar business; former manager at Shopko Optical; 24 years of experience in sales
Campaign websites:
kellyforneenah.com and www.facebook.com/KellyForNeenah
Why are you running for office?
The answer is simple. I want our city to be safe, secure, beautiful and prosperous, just as it was the day my family chose to relocate to Neenah. Times have not always been the easiest for me. However, I have been blessed by this city, and I feel that it is time to pay it forward by becoming a steward to the people of Neenah.
What makes you the better candidate in this race?
I bring many years of experience with business ownership and management and have astounding leadership skills. Teamwork is of the utmost importance to me. A good leader is one that can be a steward to those within their team. A mayor keeps the departments of the city and council in check. Neenah needs a strong but understanding mayor that keeps all in check. I am that person.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues, and how would you address them?
Road concerns: I would work together with the Neenah Department of Public Works to bring the roads up to par in the zones that are of concern in a fiscally responsible fashion.
School zones and traffic control: What I can say is that the Neenah Police Department did request three officers within the current budget, receiving only one. I would assist NPD in finding options to resolve this without burdening the taxpayer.
Name: Brian Borchardt
Address: 1411 Rogers Court
Age: 49
Occupation: Alternative education and history teacher
Highest education: Master's degree education, leadership and administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Relevant experience: Sales and business experience with J. J. Keller & Associates, Combined Insurance Co. and New London Engineering; Brigade volunteer for 27 years and board of directors for six years; led the LAUNCH (freshman transition) program at Neenah High School for 12 years; Verve Board of Directors for eight years; Neenah alderman, including service on four committees
Campaign websites: brianforneenah.com and www.facebook.com/B4Mayor
Why are you running for office?
At my core, I am dedicated to public service, which is something I have been proving in the Neenah community for the last 27 years. As a teacher, as an alderman and as a private citizen I have been unwavering in my dedication to this community. We are all Neenah. I want to build a better Neenah not for the next four years but for the next 40. The only way that will occur is if I take the reins of the mayorship and expand upon the initiatives I have brought to the table as alderman.
What makes you the better candidate in this race?
My experience in business sets me apart. As a public servant, I have built strong relationships between our community’s government and the companies that serve it during my time as an alderman thanks to my core values and knowledge of industry. I have proven I am fiscally responsible with the money of the public during my time on the board at Verve, while simultaneously proving I am an empathetic public role model on the board of the Brigade. People are what make Neenah a great city to live in. We deserve a mayor with a versatile background.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues, and how would you address them?
Important issues facing Neenah today are the mental health crisis and public safety. We need to create a safer Neenah first and foremost. I will make it a priority to support law enforcement. A safer Neenah is one that can endure the struggles that the future holds. As an alderman, I have facilitated growth in our tax base and will continue to make Neenah a safe and thriving place for people to plant their roots and park their cars. Working with the school district and Fox Crossing to help open the new high school will also be a priority.
Name: Jane Lang
Address: 1541 Whitetail Drive
Age: 57
Occupation: Executive director of the Neenah Historical Society; Neenah council member
Highest education: Master’s degree in labor and industrial relations, organizational behavior and human resources management from the University of Illinois
Relevant experience: Ten years of executive management of an award-winning nonprofit organization; eight years as a Neenah council member, including service on 11 committees and commissions; member of the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors; member of the Neenah Rotary Club
Campaign websites: www.janelangformayor.com and www.facebook.com/Jane-Lang-for-Neenah-Mayor-108678948323417
Why are you running for office?
I’ve had the opportunity to serve and represent the community for many years in different roles, and I now have the experience to take this step to serve and represent our citizens as Neenah’s mayor. I have a unique perspective having a long family history in Neenah, but I’ve also been dedicated to making Neenah a better place and solving our citizens’ problems for eight years as an alderman. I’m aware of the challenges we’ll face. I’ve demonstrated I care about this community. I’m committed to its success, and I have the professional skills and abilities to do the job.
What makes you the better candidate in this race?
My years of experience and leadership skills in administration and the eight years I’ve worked for Neenah’s citizens as an alderman set me apart from the other candidates. I’ve developed my skills as a collaborator and representative while successfully working with city staff and multiple city and state organizations to get good things done for Neenah. I have a proven track record because I’ve made the effort and will continue to do the work it takes. I understand the issues, I’m a problem solver, and I’m a doer who always has the best interest of Neenah’s citizens in mind.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues, and how would you address them?
Public Safety: We must pursue the best options for both addressing crime and preventing it. We should provide our Neenah Police Department with the tools it needs to most effectively do the job of keeping our citizens safe.
Taxes: We must be proactive about growing our tax base with the attraction of new business. At the same time, we must focus on retention of our valued long-standing businesses. This is the key for keeping our taxes stable and maintaining the services and quality of life that we value. I’m disciplined with spending and growth focused on the future.
Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DukeBehnke.
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This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Get to know the three candidates vying to become Neenah's next mayor
