Mayoral candidates in Kenosha campaign for votes as election approaches
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Mayoral candidates in Wisconsin's fourth largest city are stumping for votes in this final week before the election. It's a big one in Kenosha where longtime Mayor John Antaramian is stepping down after a total of 24 years in office.
One of these two candidates are about to become Kenosha's next mayor.
Wednesday night, Lydia Spottswood's at a meet and greet in Kenosha. A retired nurse and former Kenosha Alderwoman, you may recall she was instrumental in getting Kenosha its first soccer complex.
"And for me, the power of that experience was one, I can make a difference," said Lydia Spottswood, Kenosha Mayoral Candidate.
David Bogdala's been meeting voters face to face. He's a longtime employee of Abbott and is currently a Kenosha Alderman with 16 years on the common council. He's pressing to bring emergency healthcare back to the east side and increase EMS staff, something he says money from a proposed casino, could fund.
"And we don't have to go back to the taxpayer to ask for more revenue, for more funding to get that done," said David Bogdala, Kenosha Mayoral Candidate.
But the casino that’s now awaiting federal approval is something Spottswood has concerns about.
"I think there are some problems within the documents, probably the single biggest one is unrealistic revenue projections," said Spottswood.
"It's a contract and if the Menominee Tribe is not fulfilling their obligation on the contract, well that's why you have a contract and if you had negotiated this, as I have in my 16 years on the council, you would know it," said Bogdala.
Like Bogdala, Spottswood also supports better healthcare access on the east side.
"So, we need to work now directly with providers to reinstate an emergency portal," said Spottswood.
The candidates also spoke of the importance of equity and inclusion, especially following the 2020 police shooting of Jacob Blake.
"We want to be an inclusive community and so that is an actual public safety issue. One of the things I'm really happy to see was that our mayor afterward started working with our faith leaders, particularly in the minority communities," said Spottswood.
"Open dialogue and transparency is how you make sure that if there are issues that pop up that trust is there. We went through a very tough time, and it was very, very difficult for our community, but we've healed, and we've stayed Kenosha Strong," said Bogdala.
Where the candidates say they differ is on experience.
"While he's been working very hard at what I call inside the bubble at city hall, I not only have spent 16 years and have done it both as an elected official and as a citizen appointee," said Spottswood.
"I think it's vitally important the next mayor is somebody who's been there, knows the job, knows the projects, understands the priorities and is ready to go to work on day one and I just believe I'm that person," said Bogdala.
See Bogdala's full interview with CBS 58 here: 1-on-1 with Kenosha mayoral candidate David Bogdala (youtube.com)
See Spottswood's full interview with CBS 58 here: 1-on-1 with Kenosha mayoral candidate Lydia Spottswood (youtube.com)