Elections
Second candidate announces run for La Crosse mayor
La Crosse now has two declared candidates for mayor. Ellie McLoone made her announcement Monday at Grandad Bluff.
McLoone, a realtor and a fifth-generation resident of La Crosse, said she is making public safety and police protection key issues in her campaign.
“The city of La Crosse is currently down almost a dozen officers,” McLoone said. “This is a major concern for La Crosse citizen safety, as well as our police officers.”
McLoone also said housing needs aare priority for her campaign.
McLoone noted La Crosse’s distinctive geography limits growth within the city, making adequate housing a challenge.
“The bluff we’re standing on and the river in the background are the biggest challenge for expansion,” she said. “Updated codes and zoning are an important factor in this process.”
On her website, McLoone also said La Crosse’s most pressing problems are homelessness, addiction and mental health.
Back in October, Shaundel Spivey was the first to announce a run for mayor. Spicey is the executive director of the La Crosse nonprofit B.L.A.C.K. (Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge).
Incumbent Mayor Mitch Reynolds has yet to say if he’ll seek a second term. He was last asked about it in October on La Crosse Talk PM.
Candidates for the spring election can take out nomination papers in December, and if a primary is needed, that will be in February.
Libertarian Guy
November 19, 2024 at 9:50 am
Hmm… Not impressed. Housing is a matter for the private sector. Housing takes care of itself if left to the free market, if taxes are kept as low as possible, and if the government supports a positive and healthy business climate. Mental health, addiction, and homelessness??? These topics are also well covered with a variety of services in the community offered through private therapists, shelters, warming center, and a broad array of services through lacrosse County human services. I hope she’s not proposing more of the same as conceived by current mayor Reynolds. I would be impressed if she spoke of better management of the city budget, coming out against a city administrator position, enforcing the laws on the books, encouraging a better business climate instead of interfering with free enterprise that keeps businesses empty, and open lots undeveloped or delayed (sometimes for years) like Kmart, and supporting and encouraging our police officers instead of vilifying them with unnecessary oversight boards like the county has seen fit to do over voter objections.
Bob N.
November 19, 2024 at 1:40 pm
We’ll give her time to get her spiel together since she had her back to a cliff and reporters in front of her.
The homeless issue is not a “complicated issue” as McCloone contends. Saying something is “complicated” generally means you don’t have an answer. If that is what she believes, she’d be no better than Reynolds on the problem.
If you look at our parks and riverbanks today, you’d have to say that they are in the best shape they’ve been in years because the squatters have been evicted by a new City ordinance and the State of Wisconsin laying down the law on Rose Street. Not complicated at all. Just say “Get Out”.
When Reynolds was campaigning in the Spring of ’20 he was often asked about problems and his answer often was “Gotta Find A Way” which means he didn’t have the faintest idea, as we found out later.
Another dodge is found in the statement “I need to ask the people” before I state a position. We need someone who already is prepared to lead.
Mrs. McCloone seems like a fine person and she may make a fine Mayor. In the meantime, let’s see who else surfaces.