By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Two men are running to serve as mayor of Bowling Green. One has a history of serving the city in elected positions – on the school board, city council and as current mayor. The other has a history of being the squeaky wheel at city meetings, protesting policies or actions he opposes.
Following is information on both candidates that voters may find helpful …
Three months after Mike Aspacher became mayor of Bowling Green, the pandemic hit. Though he doesn’t like dwelling on the past, he is proud of how city operations didn’t miss a beat.
“We rose to the challenge and met every obligation to residents,” he said, listing off the continuation of public services like police, fire and utilities.
“I remain very proud of the city’s response to a global pandemic,” he said. “That was a meaningful accomplishment.”
But the mayor has more to accomplish.
“I came into office with some lofty goals,” he said. “I feel like there’s still work to be done.”
So Aspacher, a Democrat, is running for re-election as mayor of his hometown.
“I view it as a great privilege. I feel grateful, thankful for the opportunity.”
Aspacher has a history of service to the community, serving eight years on the board of education, 10 years on council, and now four as mayor.
The mayor ticked off the city’s accomplishments during his term.
First, the city updated its zoning code – which hadn’t undergone any major changes for 50 years. “This is a useful tool for economic development and revitalization of neighborhoods.”
Next, the city has seen economic development success. “BG has been exceptional at attracting new businesses and retaining existing ones,” he said.
And during the last four years, the city has made sizable investments in infrastructure. With the help of American Rescue Plan Act funds, the city paved several miles of streets, sidewalks and ADA ramps. BG also made improvements to the city’s water plant, wastewater plant, and utility grid.
“I know it disrupts residents, but that temporary disruption is a necessary byproduct of progress,” Aspacher said of infrastructure updates.
The mayor also pointed to the long awaited new city building, which not only serves the public better, but also provides a decent workspace for city employees.
“That was in discussion for decades,” he said.
Bowling Green has made progress on the housing front, according to Aspacher. City officials have long known there has been a lack of housing options in the community. So for the first time, the city pursued a 130-home residential development in the northwest corner of the city.
“I feel like that’s just the beginning,” the mayor said.
Aspacher is also hopeful that voters will create a new beginning for the Bowling Green City School District, by approving the bond issue on the Nov. 7 ballot to build a new high school. The mayor has taken a public stand showing his support for the issue.
He sees the value of a new high school extending beyond the school walls.
“We know investments in school buildings will help our community prosper,” he said.
If re-elected as mayor, Aspacher shared his priorities of public safety, municipal utilities, rental housing, and community assets:
- The city is continuing its study of the best location for a fire station to replace the current east side station on Court Street. The move is being planned because the existing station has some serious safety issues, and because city planners pointed to that area off East Wooster Street as prime for economic development. A new location will be determined based on response time and future growth predictions. There is a possibility the city will consider a third fire station, Aspacher said.
- The demands on the police division continue to grow, and the downtown police station has servious space issues, he said.
- Emphasis on municipal utilities will continue, focusing on safe drinking water, responsible handling of wastewater, and investments in renewable energy – when that makes sense and is cost effective, Aspacher said.
- The condition of housing in the community is vital. “The city has a role ensuring that housing in the city adheres to standards of health and safety.” That includes rentals and owner-occupied homes, he said. Aspacher sees the rental self-inspection rules as a work in progress, finding what works for Bowling Green landlords, tenants and neighbors.
- The city must take care of its “significant community assets” like its parks and downtown.
“I feel like we’re at a point here in our community where we are poised to take a leap forward,” the mayor said. “I’m exceptionally optimistic about the future of Bowling Green.”
Joe DeMare, the candidate running against incumbent Mayor Mike Aspacher, believes Bowling Green is missing an opportunity to be more green.
DeMare, a member of the Green Party, has long been a vocal advocate for sustainability, ecological wisdom, grassroots democracy and global responsibility.
“Bowling Green is a progressive community, but we have some very backwards energy policies,” he said.
If elected as mayor, DeMare said he would appoint a new BG Board of Public Utilities, reverse the city’s solar “penalty,” and get the city out of its contract with the Prairie State Coal Plant. In the past decades, DeMare has protested these decisions by the city.
“History has proved us right,” he said of the coal plant contract which has been more expensive than expected.
By bringing more renewable energy to Bowling Green, the city will reap the benefits of more economic development, according to DeMare.
“Businesses are interested in the lowest cost, most efficient energies out there,” and in some cases wind and solar are more attractive to businesses, he said.
DeMare is a regular at City Council meetings – often times challenging city leaders on issues. He doesn’t back down, even being escorted out by police officers when he wanted to repeat his objections about a pipeline project going through city-owned property.
“I know what I’m getting into, but I’m willing to do it anyway,” he said of his decision to run for mayor.
DeMare espouses the key environmental and social values of the Green Party.
“The city will know what they are getting when they elect me,” he said. As a member of the Green Party, “I’m neither left, nor right – but in front.”
“Greens find a way to help people – having positive effects on social justice and environmental issues,” he said. “Greens want actual action. We don’t just want to say the right things. We want to do the right things.”
Now retired, DeMare has worked in several professions including teaching, factory work, and grant writing.
“I’m good at being able to look at problems and figure out how to solve them,” he said.
“I would be a mayor for everyone in the city.”
DeMare has other concerns about the city besides green policies. With the “lopsided” number of rental units compared to owner-occupied homes, he said the city needs to encourage homeownership over renting.
The city can help, he said, by offering financing and expanding programs assisting with home repairs. The city should also use its revolving loan fund to make homes more energy efficient.
DeMare also believes the city should take a stronger stance on protecting tenants, specifically by toughening up standards for inspections of rental units.
“We need to make sure people have safe places to live in Bowling Green. We need a mayor who is more on the side of the people rather than the side of the landlords,” he said.
DeMare said he supports the bond issue for a new high school for Bowling Green City School District – and is pleased that the plans include the use of geothermal energy.
