The two candidates for Norfolk mayor were asked to identify the top three issues in the race

Here are their responses:

Tom Schommer

NOTE: In all of these responses, I actually don’t look at it in terms of issues as much as needing a proven plan that addresses our most crucial need, which is job creation — Create quality, good paying jobs with benefits, jobs that will bring young people back to Norfolk and will support a family, jobs that will build the next generation of Norfolk.

First Issue
Help develop a one-team, one-goal community.

Collaboration helps eliminate turf wars. Over the past several months, I have sat down with, and have learned a lot from progressive, forward-thinking leaders of other communities like South Sioux City and Columbus, who have had recent success with job creation projects by working as a one-team, one-goal community.

I want to use what Norfolk has that is good and make it even better. Doing so would build a brighter future for our younger generation, while at the same time honoring the efforts of the past. This would help develop long-term relationships that are built on trust and fairness.

Buying local. I believe that the city of Norfolk should lead by example and do all it can do to responsibly support the local tax paying businesses in Norfolk with its purchases of goods and services.

Second Issue
Upgrade parks and recreational facilities.

Years ago, people lived where they wanted to work. Today, people work where they want to live. If we want to attract or retain a talented workforce as well as provide for our increasing population of retirees, we must immediately solve the current conditions of our parks, pools and other recreational facilities, including walking and biking trails.

I pledge to immediately work cooperatively with citizens and existing committee members to accomplish this.

Third Issue
Create more opportunities for our youth.

Immediately engage the young people in policy discussion — youth council. Mentor youth in leadership roles in the community. Teach by our actions that community is important. Connect our youth to known healthy community activities.

Sue Fuchtman

First Issue:
How we continue to grow Norfolk and be the kind of community that people want to stay in, and the kind of city people want to move to, is most important.

I believe that first of all, we need to take care of young people. We do that by making sure that we have good schools to prepare them and a safe community that helps to grow Norfolk from the talent that develops here.
We can make sure that Norfolk can attract new business and retain our existing businesses by having the kinds of things that are important to business, like strong schools that provide prepared and exceptional employees and community amenities that make Norfolk an attractive place to locate business.

Second Issue
We need to continue to make Norfolk the kind of place where people want to grow their businesses and that attracts new businesses and good jobs to Norfolk.

Third Issue
We need to make sure that we are growing Norfolk in a way that is responsible to the people of Norfolk. We need to make sure that we are using our tax dollars and resources responsibly. Everyone needs to have a voice and a place at the table as we make decisions that will help Norfolk be the most important city in Northeast Nebraska.

We can do these things by making sure that we invest our tax dollars in a way that brings people together and gives everyone in Norfolk a voice at the table.

We need to make sure that we invest to benefit all the different groups in Norfolk. It’s a mayor’s job to provide a community environment that allows people to be successful.