Three candidates running for a seat on the Two Rivers City Council talked about business during a candidate forum last night (March 17th).
The forum was hosted by the Two Rivers Business Association which asked questions about the business climate in the Cool City and what can be done to improve it.
Tim Petri, Andre Robitaille, and current Council President Scott Stechmesser had different takes on what businesses should come to town and how an economic grant should be spent on.
One question they answered was about the health of downtown.
Stechmesser and Petri said yes, but Robitaille said no, although it’s improving on Washington Street specifically.
“There’s stuff around,” he noted. “I think the bookstore is really cool. When I walked in there for the first time, I couldn’t believe it. There’s stuff, we got good stuff. But when you’re leaving your house because you need something, are going there (Washington Street)? And I don’t think you are for the most part. To me that’s the health of the downtown.”
The candidates generally agreed about how business should be represented on the council saying that there is a lack of it at the council level. Petri said:
“It would be nice if they would showcase or say nice things about businesses that are in town,” he said. “They’ll help a new business that wants to come to town, but yet they won’t stand up for the business that’s been here for 30 years, employing, and paying taxes. But they’ll help someone else that wants to put that one out of business. I don’t think that’s right.”
The three candidates were also asked what new businesses would be good to come to town.
Stechmesser says there’s a need for more office space but having excursions would be good too.
“Take them canoeing up the river either river or something to do with Lake Michigan, something along those lines,” he stated. “I don’t think we have a lot of that right now. But I think that would really be something nice to be able to see and to be able to bring it to the city.”
The candidates wrapped up the debate with closing statements, each saying that they want to see Two Rivers thrive and believe they have what it takes to do it.
Two other candidates, Jeff Dahlke and incumbent Bill LeClaire, did not attend.
All five gentlemen will appear on the ballot for the 2025 Spring General Election as they look to fill three available seats.
The election is scheduled for April 1st.
