4th, 5th Ward candidates forum discusses several West Side issues

The candidates for Decorah City Council in the 4th and 5th Wards already have taken part in the overall candidates forum held last week by the AAUW.

But Tuesday night's forum on the Luther College campus gave them a chance to discuss several issues that are of particular importance to people living on the West Side.

4th Ward candidates Matthew Gausmann and Bill Wagner and 5th Ward candidates Marion Pruitt-Jefferson and Charles Lore all agreed that improvements could be made to College Drive.  Both Gausmann and Wagner stated that the sidewalk along College Drive is in rough shape in several places and needs repairs.  Lore said the street is dark at times and needs better lighting.  Pruitt-Jefferson wants a stop sign to halt bicycle traffic on College Drive at North Street, to make the intersection safer.

The candidates also offered suggestions on off-campus student housing.  Wagner said he knows of rental properties with high heating bills because of inadequate insulation.  Pruitt-Jefferson suggested Luther College officials be invited to help the City of Decorah with housing issues and noted the problem was a two-way street, with students suffering from inadequate housing, but some renters also having problems with damages done by students.

The forum was sponsored by Luther College's Social Work Association and is part of a larger campaign that social work students have been working on this month with the stated goal of increasing awareness of the upcoming Decorah City Council Elections, particularly among residents of Wards 4 and 5. This campaign does not endorse any candidates but rather is directed toward encouraging members of the Decorah community to become more informed about and to participate in the City Council elections.
           
The Decorah City Council election is next Tuesday, November 5th.