By Kris Leonhardt

On the April 3 general election ballot, Marshfield residents will see two contested races for positions on the common council. In the following excerpts, candidates for the District 7 aldermanic seat and mayoral seat describe what qualities make them an ideal candidate for the position.

Full interviews highlighting issues affecting the city may be viewed at www.hubcitytimes.com, by visiting the Video tab.

District 7 aldermanic race

One of the contested races is for the District 7 aldermanic seat on the Marshfield Common Council, where challenger, Dave Peterson is facing incumbent, Jason Zaleski.

Dave Peterson

“I am a man of character. I believe in high character, and I believe that I bring that to the table.

I am an Army veteran – a sergeant in the Army – and it allows me some leadership qualities that I can bring to the table, as well.

I have a passion for the city of Marshfield, and I want to see it grow and thrive.”

To see the full interview with Dave Peterson, click here.

Jason Zaleski

“I have a communications degree and that has been one of the things that I’ve leaned on throughout my life and through my experience the last two years – is my ability to communicate, communicate in any variety of ways.

During the last couple of years, I’ve talked to people at their door, talked to people on the phone, through social media, on email – whatever it takes – and that is the biggest thing that my friends and neighbors have come to know from me over these last two years. They can count on me to tell them what is happening, count on me to tell them what is happening ahead of time, and then count on me to help them when those instances come up.”

To see full interview with Jason Zaleski, click here.

Marshfield Mayor race

The Feb. 20 primary narrowed the race for Marshfield mayor down to two candidates – Bob McMamus and Tom Witzel – who will now face off on the April 3 ballot.

Bob Mc Manus

“Right out of high school, I started in emergency services. For six years, I was a paramedic, after that I became a business owner, and currently I am a mortgage lender here in (Marshfield.)

There are always regulations that are there. There are always budgets that you have to keep. There are always people with different points of view. So, realistically, being able to bring all of those together is a great attribute of a mayor.”

To see full interview with Bob McManus, click here.

Tom Witzel

“A lot of what I’ve done in the past really lends itself to (a position as mayor.)

I’ve been a member of this community since 1971. I wasn’t born here, but I definitely was a resident here since before I was (the age of) one. So, I’ve really grown up in this community. I’ve seen the changes that have happened. I’ve watched, for example, the south side of Marshfield –it’s gone from a hustling, bustling end of town with grocery stores and whatnot to kind of drying up and everything shifting to the north. I’ve kind of witnessed the changes that have occurred.

I recall back when Shopko was the edge of town. There really wasn’t anything further north. So, I’ve been here. I’ve watched a lot of what’s happened in the last decades.

I have a long history of service. I began actually service the city back in the 90s, as a member of the Marshfield Police Auxiliary. I served in that position for 20 years and just this past summer decided to hang it up after 20 years.

Got involved with the city government, and I’ve had an opportunity, I think, on the council to really listen to people. I think that is one thing that is really, really important.”

To see full interview with Tom Witzel, click here.