A ‘major change’ nears for Chelsea

In 2012, the race for two council seats entered a runoff election.

One of those races was decided by less than 20 votes, said Chelsea City Clerk Becky Landers.

“People don’t need to assume, ‘Well, my candidate did well this time,’” Landers said. “Look at Place 4 — that was decided by nine votes [in the general election]. They just can’t assume. Every vote counts.”

The need to vote is especially important this year, Landers said, as the runoff election will determine who becomes the second mayor of Chelsea.

“This is an important race, and it’s going to determine who will be the mayor of our city for the next four years,” she said. “It’s going to be a major change, and people need to be a part of that decision.”

Both of the candidates, Dale Neuendorf and Tony Picklesimer, are sitting council members and have served more than one term on the Chelsea City Council. In the Aug. 23 general election, Picklesimer received 47 percent of the vote; Neuendorf received 32.5 percent, and Alison Moore Nichols received 19.7. 

About 28 percent of Chelsea’s registered voters voted in the election, and those numbers are expected to be lower in the runoff.

“One of the things I’m doing is really campaigning hard to get people to come out and use the right that has been given to every American, to let their voice be heard at the polls,” Neuendorf said. “I would like to see at least 15 percent of our voters come out to vote, and that’s still a very small percent.”

Echoing Landers’ message, both Picklesimer and Neuendorf said they encourage voters to turn out in what will be an important election for the city.

“A favorite quote of mine is, ‘To simply not vote is not a sign of protest but rather a sign of surrender,’” Picklesimer said. “People have suffered and died for this right to vote. They deserve our participation. In addition, with a runoff, the will of the people in the general election is not guaranteed.”

Tony Picklesimer

Picklesimer’s goals for Chelsea include keeping residents safe, living within the city’s means, taking care of the city’s services and facilities and managing growth responsibly, which are goals he said have remained consistent throughout his campaign.

“My message during the entire campaign has remained consistent,” he said. “I have received many compliments during the process for staying consistent on the issues and not changing my message and making promises that can’t be kept.”

The only change, Picklesimer said, is his becoming a better listener. Different residents have different issues as priorities, and he is working to listen to all of those individuals, he said.

After receiving the highest number of votes in August, Picklesimer said he would like to thank everyone who came out and supported his campaign. The race, however, is not over.

“To receive more votes than any other mayoral candidate in the history of Chelsea makes me extremely proud, but I also realize with that comes a tremendous responsibility to keep my promises and stick to the issues at hand,” Picklesimer said. “I ask now that they vote again in the runoff on Oct. 4 to finish the process.”

For voters who supported one of the other candidates in the August election, Picklesimer said he commended their decision to exercise the right to vote and asks that they examine the platforms, qualifications and experience of both candidates in order to make an informed decision in October. 

Picklesimer said that his consistency in platform and focus are two things that make him different from his opponent in this election.

“My thoughts and ideas on policies and the challenges we face are what I have consistently heard from our people,” he said. “I have a vision for the city of Chelsea. I believe I am more focused on the issues and needs of our city moving forward. I intend to be a mayor that is available and listens to the voters.”

Picklesimer’s website and full platform are at tonypicklesimer.com.

Dale Neuendorf

Neuendorf’s goals for Chelsea include increasing resident involvement, better communication with residents, recruiting new businesses, enhancing Chelsea schools and continuing to enhance the city’s emergency services.

“There really haven’t been any major changes in that I know my opponent is still pushing for a municipal court, and I am still not in favor of a municipal court at this time,” Neuendorf said. “The numbers and the estimate of cost and revenue and personnel are just all over the board.”

Rather than establish a municipal court at this time, Neuendorf said there is a need for a code enforcement officer who can issue citations for municipal ordinances. Neuendorf said the city should bring in an expert to advise on the anticipated cost and revenue of a municipal court as well as personnel needs for a court before making a decision.

“That’s one of the big, key issues that continues to just bubble up and be a difference that so many people are passionate about,” he said.

For those who supported him in August, Neuendorf said he hopes they come back out to vote in the runoff, bringing friends and neighbors with them. With voters who supported one of the other candidates, Neuendorf encouraged them to attend the Sept. 29 candidate forum at Chelsea High School. The forum will allow Neuendorf and Picklesimer to answer community questions in the last few days before the election.

Overall, Neuendorf said he and Picklesimer are passionate about the city of Chelsea and “want the best thing for Chelsea that we can have,” but there are differences in how he and his opponent would operate and structure things if elected.

“I think I’m more conservative than Tony, and I certainly want to try and manage our finances, and one of my pledges and promises is that I will manage the finances to keep Chelsea strong and stable,” Neuendorf said.

He added it is important for community members to be knowledgeable about the candidates and issues and “not let the mayor be selected by just a small selection of the voters.”

Neuendorf’s website and full platform are at daleformayor.com.

The only polling place is Chelsea City Hall, and it will be open Oct. 4 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.