Meet The Candidates Vying For Rock Island’s Competitive Aldermanic Race
You’ve seen the signs, you’ve heard the names, maybe you’ve met the candidates. Jenni Swanson and Don Mewes. Now, you get to learn a little bit more about them.
In today’s Rock Island County elections, there aren’t many contested seats, particularly in the big cities, but there is one city contest which has been especially competitive – the race for fourth ward alderperson in Rock Island between Swanson and Mewes. So, in the interest of providing a fuller look at the election, we’ve asked both candidates to answer a handful of questions to help you, the voters, become better acquainted with each.
All of Moline’s aldermanic seats and all but one of Rock Island’s seats are unopposed, and in the smaller towns it’s much of the same (on a personal note, I wish good luck to my good friend Chris Bornhoeft striving to win a spot as a Hampton trustee).
Rock Island County will hold its elections for school board and different city aldermanic positions today, April 2, at various polling spots throughout the city from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voters who are not able to vote in person may Vote-by-Mail. For further information regarding Vote-by-Mail or any other aspects of the election process, contact the Voter Registration/Elections Department of the County Clerk’s Office at (309) 558-3571.
And for further information regarding the aforementioned contest between Swanson and Mewes, read on.
We sent both candidates the same questions and the same introductory message asking them to answer each in full, with the promise that we would publish their answers, along with the questions, completely unedited and in their entirety.
Jenni Swanson
Below are the results. We hope you find them interesting and enlightening, and we encourage all county residents to go to the polls to vote for their preferred candidates. Thank you to Jenni Swanson and Don Mewes and thank you for being a part of the democratic and journalistic process that is the lifeblood of our country.
Jenni Swanson was the first to respond to our inquiries, so we published her answer first to the first question, then alternated. Pictures included with this article were submitted by the candidates. Here they are, again, with our questions, completely unedited and in their entirety:
- What made you decide to run for alderman of the fourth ward?
Swanson: I was very concerned about the lack of critical thinking in Rock Island related to the Walmart bid and the extension of the former city manager’s contract. When I approached my alderman with these concerns, he didn’t give me adequate answers. As I learned more, my concerns grew, especially about the quality of decision-making on the council. I believe a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability will improve processes and outcomes.
Don Mewes
Mewes: Being from Rock Island I’ve seen our city go downhill in the last 30 years. We’ve lost 20,000 residents during that time and the businesses followed suit. I love my city, and I want the very best for my kids and grandkids when I’m gone. I made a decision 5 years ago to stop complaining about everything and DO something. That’s the reason I’m here today.
- What do you feel makes you qualified for the job?
Mewes: Being on the Board of Zoning Appeals I’m already doing my part in bringing businesses to Rock Island. Over the last 6 months the board I sit on has approved 5 small and medium size businesses to move/expand here. Also, being a Marine Corps Veteran has given me lifelong leadership skills that continue today. While deploying to the US Virgin Islands for hurricane relief the American Red Cross recognized my leadership skills and immediately put me in charge of logistically implementing food relief when we hit the ground on St. Croix. These things, and my ability to stay focused on finding a solution to issues I feel would be an asset to the Rock Island City Council.
Swanson: Much of my professional career has been focused on helping organizations identify barriers to success, then craft strategies for overcoming them. I worked with a local school during its successful rebranding, and helped lead an overhaul of a national foundation, increasing the impact of its philanthropy fourfold. Now, with my current employer, I help businesses grow into more effective workspaces and workplace systems.
- What do you think are the biggest issues facing the fourth ward and how do you plan to address them?
Swanson: In one word: infrastructure. That’s not unique to the Fourth Ward, I’ll do all in my power to keep taxes under control, but we can’t cut our way to a more vibrant, prosperous community. That – just like the terrible condition of streets around Rock Island – requires smart investment, and not the failed solutions of the past. A closer look at how revenues are being allocated is needed.
Mewes: The biggest issues (according to people in the 4th Ward) are high taxation and roads. This is a long term issue. The focus is always on bringing businesses to Rock Island, but in reality businesses are reluctant to come for a couple reasons, one being the shrinking population and another is the roadblocks that are often put in front of new development when they do come. Whether it’s protests, lawsuits or government regulations, when you compare Rock Island to neighboring cities, we are behind when it comes to attracting new development. That needs to be fixed. We have a reputation of not being business friendly, let’s show some optimism in Rock Island!
- How do you feel the fourth ward fits into the bigger picture of Rock Island and how do you feel you can best represent our ward and its interests?
Mewes: The 4th Ward is 95% residents with very few businesses. Our residents sometimes feel like our property taxes support other parts of Rock Island without much return on our investment. While I don’t completely agree with that sentiment, I understand their concerns. We have some seriously deteriorating roads in our neighborhoods, and as Alderman I will fight to bring funds to fix these problems when the funds are allocated.
Swanson: Again, the infrastructure of our city is a paramount issue. Potential new residents will not locate to our ward or city if we don’t care enough about the image we are projecting. If we want to attract both residents and businesses, then we have to put forward a more positive image and perception. An initial perception is hard to replace and I have considerable experience in helping organizations enhance their initial and lasting impressions.
- What are your specific goals for your term as alderperson?
Swanson: To be transparent with my decision- making process, to remain focused on growth, and to encourage council members and staff to be accountable for our work on behalf of Rock Island.
Mewes: Specific goals are to work closely with organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and Homebuilders Association to build rooftops on Rock Island. Affordable housing, new construction, and high rise apartments/condominiums are very popular in other communities. Let’s work to increase our population and make Rock Island a viable place for businesses to come and thrive.
- What have you learned about the fourth ward during your campaign and how has that shaped your perception and vision of the job should you win the election?
Mewes: I’ve learned that the 4th Ward is very economically diverse. Our residents are across the income spectrum and I’m proud of where I live. Many of my classmates, friends and family live in the Ward so seeing them while canvassing was always a welcome sight. Meeting Veterans who live here was just as fun as we certainly relate on life experiences. The perception I’ve gained is that the 4th Ward is not unlike any other place on Rock Island. We are Rock Island. We have the same concerns, hopes and dreams. What that does to my job description if elected is that I know that other Wards are in the same situation, we are all from the same community, and we must share our resources and leadership with the entire city to be able to move forward.
Swanson: Knocking on doors across the Fourth Ward, I’ve had hundreds of conversations with caring, engaged citizens. I’ve been impressed that most of the people I’ve talked with understand there are no easy answers to the difficult challenges we face. They want to know and understand what the city’s plan is and a timeline for progress. It will take smarts and hard work, and I pledge to give my best.
- Any last statement you’d like to make?
Swanson: Thank you for the opportunity to share my views. I look forward to being your alderwoman.
Mewes: The heart of Rock Island is our friendships, our Midwestern lifestyle of front porches, picnics and the ability to walk the neighborhoods safely without fear from harm. Rock Island’s City Council members are non-partisan, and I’ve made that the heart of my campaign. If elected I’m reasonably sure I’ll be the most non-partisan member of the Council. During this run I’ve reached out to Labor, Businesses, Chamber of Commerce, the Rock Island County Republicans, Rock Island County Democrats and a host of other organizations who have our best interests.
Being able to do this, and gain their support is the only path to a better Rock Island. I’m very proud of the endorsement from most of these entities, it solidifies my belief that I can represent every single citizen in my Ward, and in my Community. My closest and dearest friends know of my commitment to treating everyone with an equally attentive ear. Bringing a political ideology into Rock Island, in my view, is detrimental to what we need to do as a community. A laser focus on our number one issue, which is economic development, is the only way to grow at this point. No roads can be fixed, no schools can be repaired, no beautifying our city can happen without economic growth. This is truly a case where we need to put our community before politics.
Thanks for your time. I love Rock Island, this is my hometown. I know many businesses owners and residents here. We grew up together. I’m ready to hit the ground running if elected today.
See you at the polls!
