In their own words, Mishawaka at-large candidates share their vision for city's priorities
The Tribune is partnering with the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area and the American Democracy Project of Indiana University South Bend to publish candidates' answers to questions on the issues. The League, with local help from the ADP, operates Vote411.org, a website with information about the candidates and their positions on key issues.
The Tribune has agreed to run candidate answers unedited, meaning any spelling, typographical or grammatical errors are the candidates' own. The Tribune is publishing only some of the questions from a selection of contested races. Additional questions and answers, including from candidates who have no opponent, are available at Vote411.org.
Early voting for Indiana's Nov. 7 municipal election has already begun. To vote early, either fill out an application for a mail ballot at https://indianavoters.in.gov/MVPHome/PrintDocuments or vote in person. In St. Joseph County, there are two early-voting locations: the County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. in South Bend; or the Mishawaka County Services Building, 219 Lincoln Way W. in Mishawaka. Voters must present a valid government-issued photo ID.
Three of the nine members are Mishawaka's Common Council are elected at large, meaning they represent the whole city rather than one district. Voters can pick up to three candidates to support. Three Republicans and three Democrats are up for election.
Maggie Demaegd
Occupation: Compliance assistant/Accounts payable, University of Notre Dame
Email: maggie.demaegd@mishawaka.in.gov
Website: maggie4mishawaka.com
Campaign phone: 574-254-1424
Laci Hahn
Occupation: Owner, Hahn Properties Management
Email: lacy@hahnforelection.com
Campaign phone: 574-286-7048
Facebook: facebook.com/LacyHahn1983?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Gregg Hixenbaugh
Occupation: Attorney and Human Resources Consultant
Email: gahix63@gmail.com
Website: gregghixenbaugh.com
Campaign phone: 574-276-2852
Facebook: facebook.com/gregg.hixenbaugh
Twitter: @Gahix63
Matt Mammolenti
Occupation: Sales/sales manager
Email: mmammo@hotmail.com
Campaign phone: 574-339-3682
Gloria Niebalski
Candidate has not responded to questionnaire
Ashley Portolese-Miller
Email: AshleyforMishawaka@gmail.com
Website: AshleyforMishawaka.com
What is the biggest challenge facing Mishawaka and how will you address that challenge?
Demaegd: The biggest challenge facing the City of Mishawaka is maintaining a fiscally sound budget. Recent major expansions and new growth, as well as maintaining --- in some parts of the City --- 100 year old infrastructure, can take its toll, even on a well-managed city. It takes a financially secure municipal government to attract businesses which lead to stable employment, increases in tax revenue and first-rate City services. There must be close scrutiny, by fiscally responsible Council members, of tax dollars being spent. It is vital to have Council members who will be able to rein in unnecessary spending in the interest of the City and its citizens. Working with my colleagues on the Council, I will secure budgets that do not overextend the income revenue of the City.
Hahn: Safety. Hands down. Police and fire do an excellent job now, and we need to prioritize our brave men and women. As a councilwoman I would want to make sure we are recruiting and maintaining the most qualified staff. This means competitive pay, top of the line equipment, cutting edge facilities and always listening to what our officers and firefighters have everything they need to succeed. Mishawaka is fast becoming a destination for leisure, entertainment, and even relocation. As the city grows safety of our parks, business and neighborhoods needs to be front and center. As a council woman I would do everything in my power to see this happen.
Hixenbaugh: Promoting and supporting public safety is widely recognized as the most significant responsibility of local government. This is most definitely the case in Mishawaka. I am proud of my record of having consistently supported the funding and other measures required to recruit and retain skilled police officers, firefighters, and EMT’s, acquire necessary equipment, and provide high quality training. I was honored to have played a leadership role in the recent adoption of a new 12 Hour Shift staffing model for our police department, which will dramatically increase the number of officers on our streets. While the fiscal issues that municipalities will face in the coming years remain challenging, we have no choice but to make the financial commitment to public safety that is required. The lives and well-being of our citizens depend on it.
Mammolenti: I feel that presently, the City’s biggest challenge is crime, drugs, and neglected properties. This challenge takes a “team” approach. Constant communication with the council, mayor, police department, code department, and our legal department is vital. It all starts with listening to our residents’ concerns and experiences. Once the council hears of a concern, we work specifically with our code department, police department, and legal department to discover the best option to combat this issue(s). In some cases, the city deems a certain property a “Nuisance Property” which allows the city to take further and more aggressive matters into stopping the issue(s).
Niedbalski: The candidate has not responded to the questionnaire.
Portolese-Miller: I believe the biggest challenge facing the city is the shortage of emergency personnel. In order to understand the requirement needed to obtain sufficient numbers an audit must be conducted.
What is your top priority if you are elected to the Mishawaka Common Council?
Demaegd: My top priority will be to continue to serve the people of Mishawaka, as I have since I took office in 2020, with integrity, honesty and transparency. I will continue to encourage and be responsive to my constituents’ involvement in their neighborhoods, schools, and in local government. It is a priority that I continue to work to keep the momentum going for the citizens of Mishawaka to ask questions, demand answers and stay engaged in the issues that matter to them.
Hahn: “Focusing on the future, remembering our past”. That is my campaign slogan, and to me it means that Mishawaka is growing and is a great place to live! As a lifelong Mishawaka Resident I want to ensure that we keep Mishawaka’s “personality” as we grow. This means ensuring our historical buildings are preserved, that construction of new business and large developments fit into our community culture and we listen to our citizens when making improvements to parks, roads and unused green space. As a member of the West End Community Group and Neighborhood Watch strongly support tight-knit neighborhoods. That means making sure we know our police force, code enforcement and each other! As a councilwoman I hold all the above values close to heart and will lean on them when making decisions that affect our neighbors, young and old alike.
Hixenbaugh: My priority will remain the preservation and enhancement of the services that our citizens receive, as well as the quality of life in Mishawaka. We can accomplish this by: (a) providing the best public safety services possible; (b) promoting common sense economic development; (c) balancing new economic development with attention to the needs of our traditional neighborhoods; and (d) supporting high quality educational opportunities. As both the legislative and fiscal body for the City, the Common Council plays a vital role in achieving these goals, working in partnership with the Mayor and Administration.
Mammolenti: Since taking office in 2012, public safety has, and will continue to be my top priority. I sit on the wage committee for both our police and fire departments. While being fiscally mindful to the entire city, I want to ensure our first responders are paid a very competitive wage, properly trained, and equipped for every situation to ensure his/her safety.
Niedbalski: The candidate has not responded to the questionnaire.
Portolese-Miller: To increase transparency and accountability regarding the city’s budget and to stand with the city employees (fire,police etc.) that make our city what it is.
What is the best way to curb crime? Should we increase police staffing, technology and budgets? Or should we redirect resources away from policing? Please explain your reasoning.
Demaegd: We must have a police department that is fully staffed, with on-going training & state-of-the-art technology. Our officers must be given the means to be proactive, not reactive. We will now have more officers on the street—in neighborhoods where they are able to do what really works, community policing & outreach. I am proud to support the 12-hour shift ordinance which will help combat the crime on our streets. Neighborhood Watch Programs are proven to reduce crime in a given area. Mishawaka has two active NWP and these groups have strong relationships with MPD, Code Enforcement and residents. I am proud of having a part of the NW started in the West End & will work toward establishing more NWPs in Mishawaka. I keep my constituents up-to-date with a monthly report on crime in the City, we cannot combat an issue without first facing it.
Hahn: Curbing and preventing crime is a multi-layered issue with several factors that work with each other to ensure results. Having a fully staffed and well-trained police force is key. Ensuring our police have the newest technology and equipment is also crucial. Coupled with the above we need resources directed at prevention as well. Mental Health Care, strong school systems and safe neighborhoods to start. As a city if we focus on citizens being secure and stable as they grow, we can help eliminate criminal activity.
Hixenbaugh: I strongly believe that Mishawaka must make the investment required to ensure that our officers are highly qualified, well equipped, and appropriately trained. As mentioned above, I am proud to have played a leadership role in Mishawaka’s adoption of a 12 Hour Shift staffing model to add officers to street patrol. I support the funding and implementation of any technological and other initiatives that can address crime and/or its root causes. However, I adamantly oppose any efforts to direct financial resources away from law enforcement. Any additional investment should supplement, rather than take away from, our current law enforcement efforts. I believe that our police department provides fantastic service to our citizens. I will continue to support our officers for as long as I am privileged to serve on the Council.
Mammolenti: Similar to most cities across the nation, crime is always a major concern! As I previously mentioned, I want to ensure that our police department is the best equipped, trained, compensated, and supported. Over the last few years, I have heard the public asking for more officers on the streets. As you may know, a national shortage has created a very high demand for qualified officers. In order to recruit and retain the best officers, our wage committee passed one of the largest pay increases in city history for 2023. We just passed a new staffing model that will increase the number of officers on the street per shift by 50%-60% along with making them one of the highest paid departments in the state of Indiana. This will start in January 2024. We will always continue to seek and hire qualified applicants.
Niedbalski: The candidate has not responded to the questionnaire.
Portolese-Miller: The best way to curb crime is to ensure our police department has the appropriate funding and training. Technology and oversight can go a long way in restoring community involvement and faith in our police departments.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Mishawaka at-large candidates lay out visions for city's priorities
