KENOSHA, Wis. — On Tuesday, April 2, Kenosha residents will elect a new mayor. We sat down with both candidates — Lydia Spottswood and David Bogdala — ahead of Election Day.
The city has only had two different mayors over the past 32 years. Current Mayor John Antaramian is stepping down this year, after being elected in 2016. Previously, Antaramian served as Mayor of Kenosha from 1992-2008. From 2008-2016, Keith Bosman served as mayor.
Both Spottswood and Bogdala are familiar with Kenosha city government.
Spottswood currently serves on the city’s plan commission, redevelopment authority, and community development block grant committee. She previously served as an alderwoman, common council president and chair of the city’s public safety and welfare committee. She is a retired nurse.
Bogdala has been an alderman of District 17 for 15 years, and previously served as city council president. He serves, and has served, on a variety of city council committees. He works as a senior program manager at Abbott Laboratories.
Spectrum News 1 asked the same series of questions to each candidate:
Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin: Why are you running for Mayor?
Lydia Spottswood: I’m running for mayor because I love our community. Neighbors who work hard to follow their dreams, while at the same time lifting people around them who need our support and kindness.
David Bogdala: I’m running for mayor just because I love this city. You look out this window here and you see the beautiful harbor we have, the beautiful city we have. There are so many possibilities and opportunities we have if we elect the right leader to take the helm.
Spectrum News 1: What is the biggest issue Kenosha is currently facing?
Spottswood: The issue I am hearing most concern about now is the health care desert that has been growing quietly, east of Green Bay Road. We’re seeing a migration of health care providers out to hospitals down by the interstate. Because of that, many physician practices have also moved. There is also a real concern about access to emergency care in the east part of our city, which [is] the most populated part of our city.
Bogdala: Right now, public safety is the number one concern. I’ve been out there talking. My biggest concern — I was asked at a recent debate — I was asked what keeps you up at night? The fact that we don’t have an emergency room for the eastern part of the city scares the heck out of me. It’s putting a tremendous strain on the men and women of the Kenosha Fire Department. It’s putting a tremendous strain on folks who are needing access to health care on the eastern part of the city.
Spectrum News 1: If you are elected, what is your number one priority as mayor?
Spottswood: My very first focus will be getting to know staff at city hall. I’ve been working with them for many years now, both as an elected official and in recent years, as a mayoral appointee. So, I’ve been serving with people on five different boards and commissions, but it’s time to get reacquainted with an awful lot of staff, and spending time listening to our city staff about what is and isn’t working. I know I’m going to have to get really busy right away with upgrading technologies downtown.
Bogdala: I want to make sure we are sitting down with them [city employees] and talking about the things that I would like to see happen. But also hearing from them. What are the things that they see? What are the issues and concerns that they have? And, how we can make their jobs easier? Where do we have the right staffing levels? Where do we need to staff up? Where do we need to make changes?
Spectrum News 1: How do you think your experience helps you as a candidate?
Spottswood: I’m well-versed in teamwork. That’s the most basic pillar of our operating room systems. And so, for me, teamwork is really essential. The other thing is strangely, for many people, is transparency. What matters in health care is you are constantly working to improve and you are constantly communicating clearly and openly about what you are doing, so that we take care of patients properly. The feedback loop is really important for professionals, and in health care. So, I think being a nurse, strangely, is ideal preparation for someone who is committed to public service.
Bogdala: Sixteen years of serving on the council. I’ve been council president. I’ve chaired a number of boards and commissions that we have. But, I also think it’s the private sector experience. I think that is really a key factor here. Yes, I know my way around city hall, but my private sector experience, working for a Fortune 100 company and managing, really, a global view. Managing large budgets, managing large organizations, and really protecting employees is really the crux of what I do on a day-to-day basis.
Spectrum News 1: What message do you have for voters?
Spottswood: I see the office of mayor as an office of public service, not ruling over people. After 40 years of public and private sector service in the community, I’m ready to champion a thriving, hopeful and inclusive future for our city.
Bogdala: This is a non-partisan race. I am here to represent everyone in Kenosha, regardless of party, regardless of where you live. We are completely focused on making sure that we are taking care of every single citizen and every single employee throughout this city. That’s what we are committed to doing after April 2.