Harpers Ferry voters have four candidates to choose from for three seats on the City Council

Harpers Ferry residents Betty Palmer, Larry Schulte, Richard Smrcina and Nancy Walleser have declared their candidacy for three seats on the Harpers Ferry City Council up for election in the Tuesday, November 3 City Election. The responses from candidates Palmer, Smrcina and Walleser to questionnaires issued by The Standard in the interest of informing voters appear below (no responses were received from Larry Schulte):

Please provide some background information about yourself.

Palmer: I was born and raised in Harpers Ferry, my roots run deep here on both sides of my family. I love my home town and feel fortunate to be a part of this community.
I have been married for 28 years to Dave Palmer and we have a daughter, Bonnie. I work part-time as a bartender and waitress at McGeough’s Harbor House.
I am an officer in the St. Ann - St. Joseph’s Rosary Society and the Harpers Ferry Area Historical Society, and I have been a volunteer for many years for the Kid’s Halloween and Easter Egg Hunt in town. I volunteer at our American Legion Post 722 Bingo and I also enjoy volunteering at the Harpers Ferry Fire Department Wild Game Feed.
I was a member of our Library Board for many years. I stepped down when I became a member of City Council, but continue to volunteer with them when I can, too. Harpers Ferry would not have as much as it does if it weren’t for its neighborly attitude and willingness to help one another.

Smrcina: My name is Dick Smrcina. My wife of 38 years, Susan, and I are proud parents of three children and one granddaughter. Susan and I both grew up in northeast Iowa and spent a lot of time in Harpers Ferry. I graduated from Waukon Senior High in 1972 and worked several jobs in the area until getting married in 1977 and moving to Ottumwa. I attended Indian Hills Community College and received an Associate Degree in   Computer Science.
I went to work at AID Insurance (Allied Group, now Nationwide Insurance) as a computer programmer. I ended my 30-year career as a Manager, IT applications.  After retiring and our three girls being on their own, Susan and I decided to move back to northeast Iowa. We built a home in Harpers Ferry.  My parents still live in this area and Susan has siblings here. I currently work at the Harpers Ferry Post Office.

Walleser: I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in civil and environmental engineering. I was first introduced to the beautiful area around Harpers Ferry while working as an engineer with a marine contractor at the lock and dam above Harpers Ferry. In 1985, I married Joseph Walleser of Harpers Ferry, and together we have three children, Hannah, Hans and John. When he died of cancer I chose to remain in Harpers Ferry to raise our children. I am involved in the American Legion Auxiliary, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Granny Basketball, River City Ruckus Band, and St. Ann-St. Joseph Parish. I am also a member of the Board of Adjustment for Allamakee County.

As a potential City Council member, what do you feel would be your ultimate responsibility to the citizens of Harpers Ferry?

Smrcina: I am currently serving on the city council after being appointed to fill a retired seat. I have enjoyed the experience and would like to continue to serve. My ultimate responsibility to the citizens of Harpers Ferry is to be honest with our citizens, make decisions that are fair according to our city ordinances, and to be fiscally responsible.

Walleser: Serve the people fairly and justly.

Palmer: I have been assigned to Sewer; that was a learning experience. I now work on Streets and Parks. I am very proud of the condition of our streets and parks and hope to keep them in as good or better shape than I found them.

If elected, what would be your issues of highest priority in helping direct city government?

Walleser: Roads/safety and communication.

Palmer: I just want to be fair to all those I come into contact with and keep an open mind. And I am happy to explain what we are doing and why we feel it is necessary.

Smrcina: The continuing operation of services and safety of our citizens, keeping an eye looking towards the future.

What are the current issues, good and bad, that you see facing Harpers Ferry, and what does your candidacy offer in addressing those issues?

Palmer: Our full-time population is dwindling. How do we get young families interested in raising their families here? These are things we are looking for answers for right now.

Smrcina: To look forward to the future for ideas and solutions to enable Harpers Ferry to be progressive and prosperous. To continue to uphold the city ordinances, look out for the day-to-day services and safety of our citizens.
Walleser: We need to plan for the future. We need workable, long range goals that coincide with the comprehensive plan of Allamakee County. We need to diversify to attract all generations of people to our town. We need a multi-generational community with services and infrastructure. We need to be forward thinking and plan for the future.

In your view, what will it take to allow Harpers Ferry to not only survive, but thrive in the future?

Smrcina: The condition of the river is very important to me. Our businesses count on it to be successful, as well as our property owners.

Walleser: Accountability, transparency, vision and investment. We need to inform and engage our residents. It’s a great place to live.

Palmer: Harpers Ferry has been here for over 160 years, I think we will survive, we just have to figure out how or what to change as time passes to continue to thrive.