The three candidates for two open seats on the Burlington City Council are Robert Critser, Bill Maupin, and Christopher Roepke. They recently took part in a candidate forum hosted and moderated by the Greater Burlington Partnership.
Robert Critser said he is running for the city council because he wants to serve the city and its residents.
"I think that I am great at building relationships with the people around me and I think that I am a good listener and I understand some of the concerns the community has and how we can address those concerns in a productive manner," said Critser.
He said his experience as an opinion columnist for the Burlington Hawkeye provides him communication skills that will benefit the city council.
Bill Maupin said he has always wanted to serve on the city council and believes he now has the opportunity to do so.
I can try to give back to my community," said Maupin. "Try to offer some suggestions, some help in any way I can and to be part of a team that is Burlington.”
Maupin said he would bring leadership skills and an understanding of budgets to the city council thanks to his years in school administration.
Christopher Roepke said he wants to join the Burlington City Council so that he can bring attention to the need for often-neglected neighborhoods.
“Not because of the people or anything. It is just the nature of cities. And we need to put more emphasis on streets, communities, the community as a whole, housing, and that will help the whole city as a whole," said Roepke.
Roepke said his experience as a pastor will benefit the city council through his patience and his willingness to listen to people.
The top two finishers will replace Mayor Shane McCampbell and Mayor Pro-Tem Annie Wilson in January. McCampbell and Wilson chose not to seek re-election. Their leadership positions will be filled by the city council. Burlington aldermen choose someone from their own ranks to be mayor and mayor pro-tem.
You can listen to excerpts from the forum below.
