Survey responses are presented without editing.
Candidate forums:
- March 3 League of Women Voters' Mayoral Candidate forum
- March 8 The Center LGBTQ Connection Mayoral Candidate Town Hall
- March 17 La Crosse Criminal Justice Management Council Mayoral Candidate Forum
- March 18 WKBT Mayoral Candidate Debate
- March 22 League of Women Voters Mayoral Candidate Forum
- March 25 UWL Free Speech Week Mayoral Candidate Debate
On to the survey:
1. A top goal of the Sierra Club nationally and of our Coulee Region group is to accelerate the transition to 100% clean, renewable energy. What are 1-3 ways that the City could assist in this transition, either within city operations or by supporting the wider community?
Vicki Markussen: When we think about fighting one of the biggest issues of our time, climate change, I find much of the change seems to be sparked and accelerated at the local level. The City has made it’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2050 and made strides in moving to electric fleets, adjusting cleaning product use, and adding solar panels to projects and we are extremely lucky to have a common council and mayor with the foresight to lead on this initiative.
The council began some steps outlined above. This month in fact, La Crosse is restarting its sustainability group to develop better metrics for success – beyond what it measured previously, electricity consumption. New strategies must be created to meet this new goal. Through my work in the community, I know who we can add individuals to this committee who can pave an innovative path forward. These include: Gundersen Health System that was the first healthcare system in the country to produce more energy than it consumed; Western Technical College that developed a sustainability plan that looks at energy, waste, planning, and community engagement; and Trane Technologies whose Gigaton Challenge will help customers reduce carbon emissions. These are resources. Engaging Xcel Energy can help develop a plan that has local investment.
Small projects like the Bike Share that is about to launch in La Crosse, allowing for reduced use of vehicles, begins a new form of public engagement in alternative transportation.
I want to share a story of disconnect. I recently spoke to the UW-L Student Senate. They asked a question about sustainability. I answered similar to my information provided above. We moved on to a discussion of parking and reduction of cars. There was pushback on this idea. When asked, every single student raised their hand stating they had a car on campus. There is a disconnect between sustainability and their own actions. Consumer education must be a part of the City’s new plan. As a citizenry, we must pledge to conserve water, reduce solid waste, increase our recycling, and use alternative transportation as much as possible.
I think things we can do as a city and in common council, is adjusting the MTU’s as the largest user of diesel and our police force as the largest user of gasoline (creating CO2 emissions). The City has increased vehicles using propane versus gasoline. We must continue this adaptation.
Propane police cars would emit 15% less CO2/mile. MTU Diesel-electric hybrid busses use 47% less fuel per mile. Just four diesel-electric hybrid busses saves 19,000 gallons of fuel!
My engagement with the community provides me with insight into public-private partnerships
and local expertise that can be used to create an innovative sustainability plan. I have the
experience to bring together government, businesses and nonprofits in getting real results for
this city. I will ensure we work with experts in our private and public sector as well to make our
community more sustainable.
Mitch Reynolds: I have pledged to Fulfill the goal of attaining 100% clean and renewable energy in La Crosse by 2050. There is no greater priority for our community and our society as a whole than to combat global climate change. Attaining 100% clean and renewable energy in our community plays a small part in securing a sustainable planet and also creates a model for other communities to follow.
Primarily, to achieve a renewable future, we can continue some of the practices already in place in our city through efforts like through the addition of solar panels on our municipal buildings. In addition, we can transition to all electric vehicles to the city fleet and take advantage of the power generated by our solar infrastructure to power that fleet.
I would like to create an on-bill financing program so that property owners can make energy efficient improvements to their homes and finance those through the city, potentially through the city water utility. This creates a relatively risk-free means for the city to finance greater energy efficiency and renewable energy, again like solar panel additions to homes so that we can also transition our homeowners to 100% renewable adoption.
Finally, I plan to follow through with plans to add a sustainability coordinator for the city of La Crosse. Our best intentions to fulfill our 100% renewable energy pledge will come to naught if we do not have a specialized position within city hall to follow through. This position will basically act as a project manager for all of our sustainability efforts.
2. Part of the Sierra Club’s mission is “To Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet.” La Crosse is fortunate to have many amazing natural areas to explore and enjoy, including city properties. What could the City do to make these areas more explorable and enjoyable for all residents while still protecting our amazing natural resources?
Vicki Markussen: Getting outside is integral to the health and vibrancy of our community. While with the 7 Rivers Alliance (a regional collaboration organization), we identified the outdoors as a place that restores and fuels us as a community. This generated a partnership with a group called the Outdoor Recreation Alliance. I assisted with holding three conferences that united the community. From there, volunteers did incredible work of creating hiking, biking, and snowshoe trails. They also united bird watchers, canoeists, fly-fishermen, and other silent sports to brand our area. We are blessed to be in a region with amazing natural resources and a wealth of outdoor fun from canoeing, kayaking, hiking, exploring the trails, bluffs, river, and marsh is part of the fabric that makes La Crosse one of the best places to live, work, and play.
Another project I am very proud of is the Eagle Watch area on the Northside of La Crosse on
Rose Street. The need for a safe space where people can bird-watch and take in the beauty of the Mississippi was needed. Along with the North La Crosse Business Association, myself at the Chamber saw the opportunity to create dedicated space as part of the redesign of the I-90 exits. The highway re-do project provided the funding ($1 million) for the purpose of beautification along the river in 2018. The two groups then helped with the design of the space.
There is a balance to be struck between preservation and conservation. I see them going
hand-in hand. ORA and the Mississippi Valley Conservancy must both hold places in our
community. I look forward to navigating that relationship moving forward.
Mitch Reynolds: Continually adding access to our amazing natural spaces will be a priority. Whether that access comes with advocacy for new trail access at specific easements or additional landings along out waterways for kayaks or canoes, the key to getting our community to enjoy our natural areas, is to provide access to those areas. In addition, I will continue to support the partnerships the city’s parks department has with groups who make equitable use of our city’s natural spaces a priority.
3. Do you have a favorite outdoor activity or outdoor space in the La Crosse area?
Vicki Markussen: Anything near the river is my favorite place. I find water calms me and takes me away from the world - that may be walking, being in or on the water, or just sitting back watching the beauty of the Mississippi. It cleanses my thoughts and sparks my creativity. I didn’t realize it’s power until I lived in La Crosse. It makes me so proud to call this area home.
A close second favorite is visiting the surrounding communities of our driftless area. There is
nothing like getting into a back coulee with a small creek running through it that just inspires
awe of the beauty.
Mitch Reynolds: I love the bluff trails we have in our community. I love to walk and run those trails. I am an advocate for those who bike and I certainly would love to try cross-country skiing at some point, but mostly I just love to walk. To listen. To observe. To be grateful for the wonderful outdoor spaces that are in our backyard.
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