Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey conducted these interviews and submitted the photos.
On Tuesday, April 6, 2021, the Whiteside County, IL, Consolidated Election ballots available to voters will carry two names of candidates desiring to be the next Mayor of Morrison, IL. They were interviewed separately, and their responses are offered below. Additional questioning will be available on Wednesday, March 24, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at a Mayoral Candidate Forum, held in the Morrison High School Auditorium, 643 Genesee Avenue, Morrison. Wear a mask.
VERNON TERVELT, “I have the time and ability to do the job! I am committed and going to go for it!”
- Education: Graduate of Morrison High School; attended Parsons College
- Employment: Philip Morris Co. Sales, 15 years; Territory Sales Manager (IA, IL, WI), 17 years
SCOTT VANDERMYDE, “I come from a proud, local family that has been in Morrison since 1905, and I have the community’s best interest at heart. I want to make people happy to live in Morrison. It is a great place to live, and I want to spread the optimism of the City of Morrison.”
- Education: Graduate of Morrison High School and University of Iowa (Math)
- Employment: Actuary for Ernst & Young Insurance Company, 1985-2017 (Germany, China, and Los Angeles)
- Acting Morrison City Clerk, 2020-2021
Question: Why are you a candidate for the position of Mayor of Morrison?
Tervelt: “I like a challenge! I want to give people a reason to move to Morrison. We need to get more people involved, and I hope I can create that environment.”
Vandermyde: “Morrison is a great community, and I want to give back and help the City get ahead.”
Question: What are the biggest challenges facing Morrison within the next four years?
Tervelt: “Attract businesses to fill the many empty buildings on Main Street. We need to attract younger families, so people don’t view Morrison as a retirement town. Getting kids involved in the community would be a priority.”
Vandermyde: “We are not out of COVID-19 yet, and we need to lead by example and follow the State guidelines to protect the community. Make the transition of the Main Street renovation as smooth as possible. We must make businesses accessible and allow them to stay open throughout the construction period. The City has a number of public works buildings. That opens opportunities to discuss efficiency consolidations.”
Question: Do you plan to renew the contracts of the City Administrator and Chief of Police?
Tervelt: “The town is happy with both positions, and my personal relationship is good. I would suggest they improve their community involvement.”
Vandermyde: “Yes…without reservation!”
Question: How do you see the GE property playing in Morrison’s future development?
Tervelt: “If and when GE removes the buildings, I would definitely pursue the options of using the land for community development.”
Vandermyde: “The land can never be used for residential property, but after the buildings are removed, it would be a good site for development of light manufacturing or a motel. All development options are awaiting GE’s decision to act.”
Question: What is your opinion of the Sports Complex, and what would you propose to maximize its future contribution to the area?
Tervelt: “We have to mingle with various tournament organizers and attend their organizational meetings months ahead of the season. We need to promote the facility. We need to make a commitment and get it done!”
Vandermyde: “We need to take a step back and ask, ‘What are we really doing with the Sports Complex?’ We are not able to compete against the larger Davenport[, IA,] facilities. It is a beautiful piece of land, and we need to form a task force to form a vision and present options to the Council. There are so many issues to overcome to make it successful.”
Question: How would you describe the “quality of life” in Morrison, and what steps would you recommend to improve it?
Tervelt: “The town is in good shape! Despite a few little complaints, generally, people are happy with the town. There are a few little things that would make it better. We need to evaluate what is attracting people to Morrison in order to improve that attraction.”
Vandermyde: “I love the quality of life in Morrison! The town is ‘extremely walkable,’ with the exception of a few sidewalk upgrades. Making the town ‘pedestrian friendly’ with the upgrading of sidewalks, allowing more safe ways for our youth to ride bikes safely. I am an optimist; this can be done!”
Question: What is your experience preparing and managing a budget?
Tervelt: “I watch expenses! We may have to tighten our belts and work a little harder. In my sales management experience, I had to set goals and plan how to achieve those goals and get results. We have big challenges to retain street quality and find ways to keep people in town within our current budget.”
Vandermyde: “Morrison is in a good financial state! An actuary, which I have been for over three decades, is almost an accountant….That experience will be extremely helpful in managing the City’s budget. Plus, the City has John Prange, City Treasurer, to assist the City with most financial decisions.”
Question: How do you plan to communicate the Morrison message?
Tervelt: “I would love to see citizens attend the City Council meetings and get involved.CCI would urge City Aldermen to meet with residents of [their] ward on a regular basis and get more involved. We need to communicate the City’s news better, in an attempt to attract the younger families.”
Vandermyde: “TheCity1.com does a ‘spot on’ job of reporting the City Council meetings, but I question if a radio offering of City Council happenings would carry a wider message.”