Republican incumbent Voelker challenged by Democrat Treely in Mishawaka 4th District
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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.
In Mishawaka's 4th Council District, Republican incumbent Kate Voelker faces a challenge from Democrat Shelli Treely.
Kate Voelker
Occupation: Mishawaka City Councilwoman, Small Business Owner
Email: KateVoelker@comcast.net
Website: Kate4Mishawaka.com
Campaign phone: 574-339-7890
Shelli Treely
Occupation: Academic Interventionist, P-H-M Schools
Email: debiweber2021shellifordistrict4@gmail.com
Website: shellitreely.com
Campaign phone: 574-360-8643
Facebook: facebook.com/ShelliForDistrict4
What is your top priority if you are elected to the Mishawaka Common Council?
Treely: The main job for a Council member is to listen to the needs and concerns of their constituents, gather information, and work with other officials to make informed decisions to provide exceptional services. Providing exceptional services is crucial for a city to ensure the well-being and quality of life of its residents. A city that prioritizes providing exceptional services to its citizens demonstrates its commitment to meeting the needs and expectations of its residents, resulting in a vibrant and thriving community. My top priority is to ensure the safety and security of our citizens and employees. It is paramount that people can live, work, and enjoy our city without fear. It's important to be fiscally responsible, have decent roads, and champion local and small businesses as well, but keeping people safe and secure is my priority!
Voelker: After eleven years on the Mishawaka City Council, my commitment to neighborhoods remains strong. I have the experience and connections to help with many issues and that is my top priority.
What is the biggest challenge facing Mishawaka and how will you address that challenge?
Treely: Mishawaka is growing, and this brings new challenges. I want to make sure that our city is ready to keep everyone safe, whether they're working, playing, or living here now or in the future. This is going to require us to be innovative in how we recruit and train our first responders - police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Mishawaka has always found creative ways to solve problems before, and I am committed to finding innovative solutions to any challenges we face. This means making sure our workers have good salaries, the right training, and the resources they need to do their jobs well. It also means creating a great community in Mishawaka that people are proud to call home.
Voelker: We have done a great job investing in our downtown and our amazing park system. Today, I see a need for investment in our youth and our neighborhoods with public safety and neighborhood revitalization as top priorities. The 4th district is in the center of Mishawaka with many rentals and old housing stock. As Chair of the Mishawaka Historic Preservation Commission, I worked with the administration and the council on a partnership with School City of Mishawaka Building Trades to initiate a program to rehabilitate dilapidated housing and return it to single family residential. This will continue to be a strong focus for me. I am also working with the United Way of St. Joseph County, again in partnership with the Council and Administration to bring programming to Mishawaka that will address needs of our citizens of all ages.
What are your views on tax abatements? What should be required of companies seeking such abatements and what power should the city have to re-claim tax money if a company does not fulfill its promises?
Treely: I want Mishawaka’s economy to grow and ensure that Mishawaka is a great place to work. The use of tax abatements is a tool that can be beneficial for a city's economic growth, job creation, and development. However, it is important to use this tool thoughtfully and carefully to ensure that it is being used to benefit the community as a whole. We should always think carefully before using an abatement. The Council should review the specific criteria used and regularly monitor the progress of the projects. This ensures that the abatement is meeting its intended purpose and benefiting the entire community.
Voelker: Mishawaka is judicious about our abatements and have used them efficiently to make vast improvements and to invite investment in our city. With that being said, we monitor them closely and recently rescinded one when the objectives were not being met. We are careful about those that we grant measuring the good of the city with the good of each project.
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.
Treely: Mishawaka competes with other police agencies in the area to recruit officers and keep up with retirements. This means we need to be able to provide a competitive package for our officers. Adequate staffing is crucial to prevent crimes. New and innovative ideas for recruitment and training are necessary to meet current and future needs. Strong partnerships with our officers are essential. Crime watch programs, neighborhood patrols, and sharing information on crime trends and prevention strategies can be effective. Working with our schools, Parks Department, social services and youth programs, like after-school programs and job training, can reduce the likelihood of our youth engaging in criminal activities. By working together and using various strategies, we can create a safer and more secure environment for all Mishawaka residents.
Voelker: The City Council just passed a new program that will put more police officers on the street in two twelve hour shifts. The two biggest complaints I get are traffic and noise. Having more police on the street, according to our Chief of Police, Ken Witkowski, will allow more officers to concentrate on these problems. This will be beneficial for all Mishawaka citizens.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Voelker, Treely square off for 4th District council seat in Mishawaka
