City commission candidates sound off on blight, goals

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Ironwood - A question about Ironwood's fight against blight was addressed to all 11 Ironwood City Commission candidates at Tuesday evening's forum at Gogebic Community College.

The question to the candidates for the Nov. 3 election was how the blight removal process could be speeded up and "made fairer for all."

Mayor Kim Corcoran said from 80 to 100 blighted structures have already been torn down in the city, with more remaining to come down under a grant.

"It seems you can never get rid of it fast enough," she said.

Incumbent Rick Semo said he is "proud" of the city's effort so far, but "there is a lot left to do."

Fellow incumbent Brandon Tauer agreed a lot has been done in the past four years, but noted it's a slow process because people have due process rights that must be addressed.

Incumbent Joe Cayer Jr. said the process has already been shortened.

Jim Mildren praised the current commission for the work it has done to eliminate blight in the city.

Steve Frank said blight should be separated from nuisances, which can be dealt with within a week and the cost added to the tax bill. He suggested a one week notice for nuisance complaints, followed by action.

Paul Grbavcich said he'd be willing to ride along with the code enforcement officer, who he said needs to get out more. Grbavcich said the Ahonen mill property should be addressed, as it has been a problem for years.

The blight ordinance should be administered "equal for everyone," Phillip Rynders said. He charged now some blight issues are being ignored.

Regarding a question about how to make Ironwood a more desirable place to live, Bill Martell said more youth activities are needed.

Dave Kinnunen said he'd listen to the people's concerns.

Annette Burchell said the fact Ironwood has an airport, hospital, junior college and ice arena are big pluses often taken for granted. She said youngsters would love to return to Ironwood, if they had jobs here.

Grbavcich said the illegal drug trade, including heroin trafficking, needs to be addressed with letters to the court system urging no plea bargaining.

Frank suggested the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority market the downtown.

Corcoran said the city commission and community members should strive to create a place where people "want to be."

Cayer cited recent street and trail projects as making the city more desirable.

Tauer said the city can be made more desirable by continued infrastructure improvements and developing a plan to maintain streets that have been recently repaired.

Semo said he'd like to hear from the public as to how the city can be made more desirable. He said he thought he'd receive more phone calls after being elected to the commission, but hasn't.

"Call me anytime," said Rynders, who joked he'd call Semo after Tuesday's forum.

Mildren said formally prioritizing the street work was important and he'd "make great decisions" to improve Ironwood.