In the upcoming election on November 2, there are three Dows City Council seats up for grabs. Four candidates have thrown their hat in the ring to run. Because this is a contested election, the Monitor asked the candidates to answer some questions to inform voters of their backgrounds and positions. Their responses are reproduced below in their entirety with little to no editing.
Check back next week for the remaining candidates’ responses.
Richard Echelberger
Why are you running for Dows City Council?
I have a strong drive to making my community better. . I am a passionate resident of Dows who truly cares about the city. I want to continue to be a person you can call and get real answers and assistance. I have the experience and the drive to do what’s right for our community and take the time to listen to residents’ concerns. I truly believe Dow’s best days lay ahead!
Why are you seeking re-election to the city council?
I believe I can continue the work with the mayor and other council members by searching out new ways to make Dows a desirable place to build new housing, businesses, and become the city it was meant to be
What background or skill set do you have that makes you qualified for city council?
Have been on City Council for 5 years, Retired Military, Master’s degree in business, Active Community Leader, American Legion Post 523, VFW Post 642, Dows Lions Club, Wright County Freedom Rock. I have volunteered for multiple community programs and groups for over 40 plus years.
What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Dows today?
Infrastructure – #1 – the city has band aided many infrastructural issues and has put off some critical repairs. Mostly due to funding.
What does the city need to do to address those issues and how would you help with that effort?
I believe the city can do a better job of prioritizing and tracking city infrastructure issues.
If you are elected, what are your three biggest goals for your term?
1- Develop a Scheduled City Maintenance and Prevention infrastructure tracking system.
2- Continue to improve our parks. We have made major improvements in the last several years. We do need to repair the Park Shelter’s roof.
3- Develop usage of the Dows Football and recreational area.
Loren Lienemann
Why are you seeking re-election to the city council?
I want to be actively involved in making decisions for the betterment of the city of Dows. I have a vested interest in the community where we have chosen to live and raise our children.
What background or skill set do you have that makes you qualified for city council?
I believe any citizen is qualified as long as they are trying to better the community. I have a background of 17 years on city council and that gives me an advantage of knowing the routes take to solve a problem or need. I have served on the parks board, the pool board, the landfill board, and water and sewer board and also have been mayor pro tem for many years.
What do you feel are the biggest issues facing the city today?
Two issues that Dows is facing is the dwindling or habitable housing and also the infrastructure of the water, sewer and storm sewer.
What does the city need to do to address those issues and how would you help with that effort?
On the issue of dwindling and habitable housing we have given tax incentives for citizens to build or rehab their houses to lower their taxes, thus later would be helping our taxable base. Having more habitable houses or newer houses would also help with our dwindling monies to maintain or better our infrastructure on the water, sewer and storm sewers.
If you are elected, what are your three biggest goals for your term?
If elected one of my goals would be cleaning up derelict properties and encouraging people to build on those properties. One positive thing that I learned from Covid is that many people can live anywhere and work from home. I encourage people to move to Dows and work from home. People can enjoy the small town atmosphere at a fraction of the cost. Dows is a great community which has many things to offer, which is enticing to families.
