Uehling, Flanders spar on priorities

BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER

OTTUMWA — Both Dale Uehling and Frank Flanders served the city in the past. Now they battle each other for power in the present and only one will lead the city into the future.

The two participated in the Courier’s Candidate Faceoff Tuesday evening at Bridge View Center.

When asked how he sees the roles of mayor and city administrator, Flanders said the city administrator oversees the city’s daily life and the mayor deals with the public.

Flanders also said he has worked with federal, state and county leaders.

Except for one term, Uehling has been mayor since 1994. The panel asked if this election is his “last run.”

Uehling said after he became mayor, positive changes happened in the city until the 1998 fire at Excel. The meatpacking leaders wanted to leave town and take 1,250 jobs with them.

Leaders at the city, Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation and Indian Hills Community College all worked to keep the company here, according to Uehling.

“Excel, now Cargill Meat Solutions, wanted to leave. But, we worked hard to get an ammonia diffuser for the river, and they stayed,” Uehling said. “They now have 2,500 employees and there are new businesses in their area, such as Millard Refrigeration, where Mr. Flanders works.”

When asked why Flanders thinks the city needs to make more use of Indian Hills College, he pointed to a link between the college and the Wapello County Supervisors. He said the bioprocessing center is the result of a project shared by the college and the supervisors.

“There’s no city equivalent. When the economy is better, we need to be in a position to get jobs,” Flanders said. “The city needs better partnerships. The chamber? Look at the evidence.”

Then he indicated “Indian Hills versus the Chamber of Commerce” was no contest — the college wins.

Flanders questioned Uehling’s ability to accomplish projects “with teamwork” with three new members joining the council.

“My past experience of 14 years shows I can do that,” Uehling said. “The mayor represents the city, the council sets the goals and passes resolutions — they are the lawmakers.”

He also said he “will work closely with the council and won’t micro-manage the city administrator.”

Flanders named two recent issues that caused dissent on the council. He also said Uehling “lost.”

“What about 4-H and the storm-water charge? You had three council members with close ties to you and you needed those three but one dissented,” Flanders said. “On the storm-water tax, one dissented.”

Concerning storm-water runoff, Uehling said federal leaders mandated treating storm water that runs off streets and parking lots. The city suggested a storm-water utility that would spread out the costs.

“When the Environmental Protection Agency and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say ‘must,’ then the city has to do it,” he said. “If the city doesn’t do it, then there will be no additional growth, no new businesses and no new houses.”

Flanders disagreed about storm-water issues, such as the runoff from large parking lots.

“A new business would be impressed and pay extra for a large parking lot,” Flanders said, adding that, if he had been mayor, he would have vetoed the matter.

Uehling questioned how Flanders could plan economic development without working with OEDC, the Chamber of Commerce or Ottumwa Progress, Inc.

“You can’t do economic development without them. The Iowa Department of Economic Development refers new businesses through OEDC as a regional development center,” Uehling said.

“You haven’t listened to me. Come to my office. Show me the evidence,” Flanders said. “I don’t know where you’re getting your information. I said I won’t work with the chamber but my office is open to everyone.”

To rebut Flanders’ comments, Uehling said he “works with all to better Ottumwa and will continue to do that.”

“And I disagree with your Web site where you refer to the chamber and other organizations as privileged,” Uehling said.

The two also had different ideas about fighting fires. Flanders asked Uehling if he’s supporting a volunteer supplement to Ottumwa Fire Department.

Uehling said the city has “limited resources” and budget cuts at the state level have hurt. The Wapello County Rural Fire Department also has “financial trouble” and maybe the city “can work with them.”

“We want to keep our professional firefighters working, too. We need public safety,” Uehling said.

Flanders said when a house catches fire, he wants professional firefighters to respond.

“I don’t want to wait for a volunteer to go home, get gear, then go to the fire,” Flanders said.

The election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.