Hot Springs candidate debate

Monday, October 12 a candidate forum was held in Hot Springs for the positions of Town Councilman for Ward One and Ward Two. The hour long forum was organized such that after each candidate gave a short bio, the citizens’ names were randomly drawn from a basket to ask a question to either all of the candidates or a selected candidate. The candidate was given an allowance of three minutes to respond.

For Ward One the two candidates were the incumbent Robert Dobrovolny and Marry Whitsett.

The candidates for Ward Two were the incumbent Paul Stelter and Bob Neary.

BIOS

Bob Neary said he had lived in Hot Springs 17 to 18 years. He explained that what attracted him to Hot Springs was that the old and young seemed joyful and had fun. Neary said he is involved in the community, worked on graphics for posters and had done promotional pieces for Hot Springs. He then said he worked as an assistant to a City Manager in California and has also worked in television.

Stelter has been on the City Council for five years. He explained that being a councilman can be difficult at times, especially when a tough or unpopular decision has to be made. Stelter finished by saying that the city government is the people and wants to see the community to come together.

Dobrovolny said he had been a councilman for 10 years. He said that while on the council, he was happy to see the expansion of commercial property, including in the neighborhoods. Dobrovolny expressed how great the town is and then said that the town needs to come together to solve its problems or encourage growth.

Whitsett, who has been a resident of Hot Springs for 27 years, talked of seeing change come to the town over the years, some good, some that she wishes was not so. She expressed that she listens to the community and a lot of people talk to her and tell her concerns and comments about the town.

QUESTIONS

The first question which was directed to all four candidates was; In the world of politics, what does the word ‘transparent’ mean to you? And how would you go about incorporating it into Hot Springs politics?

Stelter answered first with a response saying the word transparent means, ‘visible.’ He explained that City Council meetings were broadcasted on a public service channel. Stelter then said that in his opinion that if a question has ever come to the council it was answered and that answering any question is the most important part of government transparency.

Dobrovolny, who answered next, said that it is the availability to see what the government is doing and to see how the system is working. He said that the transparency has improved a great deal since he started working as a councilman. As with Stelter, he said that in his opinion, a question has never gone unanswered. He then finished by saying that no complaint from the public or an individual has never resonated with him, because the record of every meeting is available.

Next, Whitsett answered with the response that transparency was the accessibility to documents. She said every record may be available, but can be confusing, due to format. Whitsett said that a clearer presentation would foster better transparency.

Lastly, Neary said he understands that the information is always there, but can be difficult to obtain or receive the proper response if a question is asked. He then said that it is his opinion that all information should be available, but the communication needs be stronger between the public and government.

The second question asked was directed towards Neary. A resident asked, how Neary was going to bring more cohesiveness to the government and to the town, when he had alienated people closest to him on his city block. The resident then mentioned the state of Neary’s yard condition and how it had become an issue with nearby residences.

Neary responded with a statement saying that there is a history there, but does not want to get into it. He said to the concerned citizen that he would like to have a more in-depth discussion, but would like to focus on how to create cohesiveness. Neary said he would like to create or help find a way to create a publication on what is occurring in the town and what the council is doing. He mentioned the possibility of a newsletter or handbook and that he is trying to get recordings of the council meetings placed into the library.

Question three, which was directed towards incumbents Stelter and Dobrovolny, was in regards to public accusations of corruption within the council’s handling of revenue. The citizen wanted to hear what the two candidates knew about the accusations and how they respond to that.

Dobrovolny replied that he had never heard of revenue accusations. He said he heard one rumor that the town council forgot to pay one month. He then said that any accusation is not based on reality.

Stelter answered that he has heard of accusations. He then said those accusations were from misread ordinances and that only the first part of an ordinance was read, and that it then became the whole truth. Stelter then said that any person can look in the books and see that the council did everything correctly and that the accusations were unfounded and hurtful to people who serve the community.

Question five was directed to all of the candidates. How do they plan to address the lack of police protection at night?

Whitsett was given the first chance to reply. She said that she did not know how much power she would have to address the concerns with the police because the mayor is the Chief of Police. Whitsett explained that it is her belief that if public opinion had enough momentum behind it, that it might accomplish something. She said her voice alone would not do enough.

Neary responded next, saying that this is where transparency could be better. He said that there will always be criticism of a small town police department, but that in his opinion enough has been said that police presence should become a ‘front burner’ topic. Neary then said the council should explore options to resolve the lack of police presence at night.

After Neary, Stelter answered that he talked with the police and that on the weekend the officers stay out till 2:00 a.m. and the new officer stays out till 3:00 a.m. He then said he does not know if that also occurs on the weekday nights. Stelter finished with saying that there is a fine line between a police state and not enough police around, and that the community must be involved in the fight against crime, such as through a community watch program.

Dobrovolny replied that he is very happy that two officers are now residents of Hot Springs, and that it is progress from the past. Dobrovolny then said that the he does not know how to handle the scheduling problem.

The next question presented to all the candidates was concerning the meth problem in Hot Springs. The person asking the question praised the efforts of community groups trying to fight it and create youth centers and programs to save the town’s children from encountering the drug, but also felt that it is only a band-aid on the problem. She wanted to know what the candidates thought could be a viable solution.

First to respond was Neary, who said he was not sure what to say, but understands the concern and that he believes more people in the community need to be involved in the fight.

Stelter said he felt that the creation of a youth center was more than just a band-aid. He said that as long as the town doesn’t have a detective, crimes can’t be investigated and that after an exchange happens, not much can be done. He finished by saying he doesn’t have an exact answer, but more community involvement could help.

Dobrovolny answered that every time a call goes to the police it should be documented to show the amount of times the police do and don’t respond to a drug deal call. He said the effort to create programs for the children is great. Robert then said that public shame of a meth addict is what could be done, if that is really possible.

Last to respond was Whitsett, who said she had some reservations with depending on solely community involvement and shaming. She said the public programs are good, but to give a pass to the police department who receives so much tax money is not right. She said that the police should know what to do.

The next question was a two part question. Incumbent Stelter and Incumbent Dobrovolny were asked a question regarding the current water project. The person questioning wanted to know why a contractor in the past who did a poor job on the town’s sewer system is being contracted with again to put in the new water system. The person then asked the two incumbents how much of their time is spent reviewing what the chief administrator is doing and what does that type of responsibility mean to them. Lastly, the person directed her attention to the two challengers, Neary and Whitsett. She asked them how they would scrutinize the chief administrator of the project.

Stelter answered first by clarifying that the current water contract was to address a water shortage. He then said the past administration was passive and the contractor did not have much oversight. Stelter then finished by saying the current project is being heavily scrutinized, but he himself did not know engineering so he cannot actively watch each step with full knowledge.

Second to answer was Dobrovolny, who described how the contractor who worked on the sewer was the only choice because of a contract that was signed between the engineer and the contractor. He then said the current process is going well and being scrutinized heavily.

Whitsett said, ‘You get what you pay for,’ in reference to the fact that the contractor who caused the sewer problem was the lowest bidder. She then said she had more questions than answers about the two water projects, especially the fact that the contractor was not sued and how many water meters had to be replaced due to a malfunctioning model that was installed.

Lastly, Neary answered, referring to grant problems the town had gotten into with projects and how the town has fallen into another grant problem.

Stelter and Dobrovolny were asked another water project question. A concerned citizen asked the two incumbents why the Department of Quality [DEQ] says that municipalities aren’t required to abide by regulations unless they are planning a subdivision or are planning a population increase. She then asked did DEQ require the water project and is there something in the works or is DEQ mandating it.

Dobrovolny replied that he believes it is not a DEQ issue, but a water pressure and public safety issue. He said the pressure generated by the current system cannot supply the whole town.

Stelter summed it up quickly by saying that in case of a fire the town does not have enough water or pressure. He finished by saying the town is only paying for 1% of the projects because of the grants received.

The second to last public question was for all the candidates. The group was asked how do they see the future of Hot Springs and what they would like to see happen.

First to answer, Whitsett said that Hot Springs was at an interesting juncture. She said the past administrators of the town kept the town a good democracy, but she said that a purpose of Hot Springs is to generate revenue, and that the town is like a monopoly game with the declining numbers at town events.

Neary answered next, saying he remembered the endless past events and how less goes on now. He then said as a councilman he would help facilitate more events that the public would create to create a more lively town.

Stelter said that he believes Hot Springs has more potential then any other town he can think of. He also said that since he moved to the town it has become less of a transient town. He acknowledged the declining numbers at events, but does not know why.

Dobrovolny replied that Hot Springs is a good community, full of culture, the future is bright and that there is potential for it to grow.