Austin’s mayoral race has two clear choices for voters.

The incumbent, Thomas A. Stiehm, is running for his second, two-year term because, “I believe my experience as a police officer in Austin has given me a unique knowledge of the people in Austin.”

“Also,” the mayor said, “There are unfinished projects, such as the justice center, which I would like to help finish.”

His opponent, Austin businessman Mark Nagle said he is running for public office, because “I want to lead the city away from reactive decision-making by helping make the city more proactive in its planning and development.”

“I want to be a salesman for the community,” Nagle said.

Here are the candidates’ profiles:

Thomas Stiehm

Number one issue in city government:

Working with the County to finish the justice center project.

Opinion on the massive $80 million public works plan for the next five years:

The public works plan (Capital Improvement Plan) is the city of Austin’s plan for the basic operation of the city. This includes streets, sewer and all other infrastructure repair and upkeep, flood mitigation and any other improvements. These will be funded by various revenue sources: Taxes, governmental grants, etc. Also, none of these except those budged are etched in stone.

Opinion on the Dog Park coming to southwest Austin:

I am in favor of a Dog Park if the cost can be kept down. This park will be for dog-owners, which represent a large percentage of people in Austin.

The city has excess land — mostly due to our buying flood areas — and we are always looking for things to do with this land.

Opinion on City and Mower County cooperation:

I believe City and County officials need to work together more closely. The justice center is a very good start. And with the police and sheriff departments sharing the new justice center, it guarantees the City and County will have to maintain a cooperative working relationship.

Opinion on the expected impact of the new Mower County Jail and Justice Center in downtown Austin:

The new justice center will help keep our downtown vibrant. It will keep downtown the focal point of Austin and it will keep City and County governments located in the same area working together.

Final remarks:

I have been in office for the last two years. They have been a learning experience with no prior elective office experience. It takes some time to learn enough to be an effective leader. I would like to build on the time I have had in office and help finish projects, such as the justice center and improving the City’s relationship with the County.

The city and our citizens are facing a potentially tough time in the near future. I believe we need to mix compassion with toughness.

In my 30 years of experience as a police officer, I have knowledge of the people of Austin. I have learned to care about people, but to be hard at the same time. I believe this will help me be an effective mayor for the next two years.

Mark Nagle

Number One issue in city government:

The biggest issue facing the city is the need for strong leadership.

Opinion on the massive $80-million public works plan:

A five-year plan for capital improvements is necessary to adequately budget and plan for the future.

It is good to see a large amount of funding is planned from grants and fees, lessening the burden on the City taxpayer.

Opinion on the Dog Park coming to southwest Austin:

The Dog Park is something many people have been asking for. Our job is to get it done in a way that works for everybody.

Opinion on City and Mower County cooperation:

It seems they cannot dialogue on solutions that work for both parties instead of just one of them.

The mayor should be able to work cooperatively with all other government bodies without sacrificing the needs of the city of Austin.

Doing what is right for the citizens must come before the desire to please County government.

Opinion on the expected impact of the new Mower County Jail and Justice Center in downtown Austin:

The jobs kept downtown can only help the merchants. The big question now is can we have enough of a variety of shops in the future to make downtown interesting to the people working in the new justice center, to tourists and to our local citizens?

Taking down square footage in commerce makes finding a solution to the long-term problem even more challenging

The planning for the justice center has been going on for years. Hopefully now, they can put personal agendas aside and do what is best for the whole community.

Final remarks:

As the mayor of Austin I would work as a salesman and an advocate for the City and its residents.

I will not make campaign promises that can’t or won’t be kept as in previous campaigns.

I would appreciate your vote on Nov. 4.

Mayor

The Mayor of Austin is the highest-paid elected city official.

Regular Council Members are paid $550 per month in salary. The Austin City Council Member At Large receives $650 per month. The Austin Mayor receives $750 per month.

The Council Members and Mayor do not receive per diem for the meetings they attend. Mileage reimbursement is offered, but seldom taken.

Voters will go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 4. Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To register to vote, contact the Mower County Auditor-Treasurer office at the government center in downtown Austin.