by Michelle Watson
Creighton Schmidt, Mark Ebeling, Jim Boehnke and Chris Hogg have all announced their candidacy for positions on the Clear Lake City Council. Schmidt, Boehnke and Hogg will all be seeking an at-large position in the upcoming Nov. 7 election. Ebeling is seeking re-election to his First Ward position. Beth Ann Schumacher announced her candidacy in the spring for the Third Ward position. At-large councilman Mike Callanan and Third Ward Councilman Gary Hugi have announced they will not be seeking re-election.
Schmidt moved to Clear Lake with his wife, Ashley, and their three kids three years ago to fill the role of Finance Director for the City of Clear Lake.
“In three short years, we have fallen in love with this community. We have lived in many different places across the country and are thrilled we have chosen Clear Lake to call home. We are extremely thankful to everyone who has welcomed us into your community,” said Creighton.
Although Schmidt has left the Finance Director position with the City, he wishes to stay involved and he sees that by serving on the council he will be able to continue working with people he has grown close to and also be a part of impactful projects.
“The knowledge and relationships I gained while working for the City will allow me to add value from the onset of the term. I would offer a unique perspective on the council because of my experience working as Director of Finance and Administrative Services. My position with the City allowed me to be closely tied to all the projects the City is working on,” said Schmidt. “I was honored to serve as the Director of Finance for the City and I am honored to run for City Council. I would appreciate your vote during the November 7th election.”
Ebeling is eager to continue the work that the council is accomplishing in a financially responsible manner and that is why he is seeking re-election as First Ward Councilman.
“My top priority is to maintain Clear Lake’s low tax rate and level of indebtedness while pursuing new opportunities for development, such as new housing developments, the Destination Iowa Project, and commercial development in both Emerald Edge Subdivision, along US Highway 18, and Courtway Park Subdivision, by I-35,” said Ebeling.
Ebeling said that he will be committed to working with the government and non-profit partners to improve the water quality of Clear Lake.
“Clear Lake has a reputation for being fiscally conservative and possessing common sense in local government, and I am committed to maintaining and enhancing that reputation. It has been my privilege to serve the residents of Clear Lake in my previous terms on the City Council, and I am confident in my ability to do so again,” said Ebeling.
Boehnke, who has previously served two terms on the Clear Lake City Council, is excited and optimistic to make a positive impact on the community.
“I have the deepest admiration for our Mayor and City staff,” said Boehnke. “Clear Lake is blessed to have such a dedicated team of City employees; and an always positive and enthusiastic Chamber of Commerce; terrific non-profit organizations such as the Association for the Preservation of Clear Lake; Veterans Memorial Golf Club; Central Gardens of North Iowa; the Clear Lake Arts Center; and the North Iowa Cultural Center and Museum.”
Boehnke would like to support additional housing opportunities; redevelopment of the Surf District; and continued growth in commercial and industrial subdivisions. “Having lived in Clear Lake my entire life and raising my family here, I care deeply for the people of this City. It would be an honor to once again serve the taxpayers of the community as a member of the Clear Lake City Council. I would greatly appreciate your support.”
Hogg and his wife, Amy, have called Clear Lake home for 19 years, and have raised their two daughters here. Hogg has worked for Xcel Energy as an Operations Manager for nine years.
“Throughout my years as a Clear Laker, I have been able to participate in many different capacities where I developed my institutional knowledge of the community while also establishing relationships that are vital to carrying out duties I would hold while serving on the City Council,” said Hogg. “While volunteering alongside my wife at school concession stands, Booster Club events, and Clear Lake Chamber events, I have seen the impact and felt the need to continually reinvest – albeit time, effort, or money – and will support this community and its residents.”
Hogg currently serves on the City’s Parks and Advisory Board, where he prides himself on his decision-making and “common sense” approach.
“ I want to take that commonsense approach to city taxpayer money. Just as all of you are, I am a taxpayer and want to be mindful of what makes sense for the city to support and put money behind. We need to be progressive, but also balance that by keeping in mind those that are on fixed incomes and varying seasons of life that make our Clear Lake community so great.”
Some of Hogg’s campaign platforms include continued investment in “affordable” housing; additional street and sidewalk improvement projects; the revitalization of the Surf District with the Destination Iowa Projects; staffing of our public safety departments; as well as supporting the Association for the Preservation of Clear Lake and community partners to promote enhanced Lake water quality; and promoting economic development projects that bring high-quality jobs. He also wants to support the Chamber of Commerce, the Public Works, library, parks, and Wellness Center departments.
“Ultimately, my long tenure of being active in this community, including service on the Parks Advisory Board, as well as my experience gained professionally in my career would enable me to effectively serve the Community. I would greatly appreciate your support at the polls on Nov. 7,” said Hogg.
