Race for mayor in New London heats up

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

*Editor?s note: Candidates? responses were given via a written questionnaire.

NEW LONDON ? Election signs seem to be multiplying in New London as the two contested races, including that for the mayor?s seat, heat up before Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Tracy Trejo is running against incumbent Ron Sadler.

Sadler has held the mayoral position twice before, from 2004 - 2008 and again from 2012 to present. ?I take the position of mayor seriously,? said Sadler. ?I am not running because I have an agenda or a bone to pick with the city. I just want to serve my community and make the citizens proud to call New London their home.?

Trejo, who would be new to the position, says he is running for the city?s top spot because he thinks New London deserves a leader with integrity and someone willing to take the city into a prosperous future.

Trejo adds the leadership skills he?s acquired from his career has taught him to be a ?quick thinker and make decisions, all while maintaining a steady stream of work in front of employees.?

While both men see New London as a great place to live, they agree there are some challenges facing the city.

Trejo says identifying wants versus needs is one of the council?s biggest challenges. ?They (the council) want to grow our tax base with a new subdivision, that?s fine on paper, but without more jobs in the area and no new businesses in New London, it will be hard to attract new people to the area, period,? he said.

However, Trejo sees a need as a large city complex to house all city equipment and departments.

?I hear we need lots of repairs in the city building (Community Hall), and the Fire Department has outgrown its building,? said Trejo. ?I propose a plan on building one large city complex that will house all city equipment as well as the police, fire and utility departments, and City Hall, and a community hall.?

Trejo believes having every department under the same roof would facilitate better communication.

Trejo also points to aging sewer and water lines, and roadwork as critical areas for the city.

Trejo continues that the city ?needs leadership with forward thinking and solid plans to maintain the infrastructure of the city.?

Sadler also cites decaying infrastructure as a critical area for the city.

?We have great police and fire departments and an excellent library, but repairing and replacing older infrastructure is time consuming and expensive,? he said. ?Choosing which street needs attention the most, fixing sewer sink holes and collapsing storm sewer intakes seem to be never-ending.?

However, Sadler says if re-elected these items will be on the forefront for him. ?If re-elected for another term, I would like to finish the projects we have started by replacing the storm sewer through the school?s football field and preventing further erosion in some of our natural water ways,? he said.

As for the sub-division Trejo mentioned as being a want instead of a need, Sadler would like to pursue it. ?I feel the residential development on West Adams Street and South Pine Street could be completed in stages without burdening the tax payers with the cost. New homes and families in New London would not only be beneficial to the city, but the school district as well,? said Sadler, who sees the school as the city?s largest employer and one of the main reasons a younger family would choose to move to the area.

New London residents can cast their ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Community Hall.