Appleton Common Council election: Martyn Smith and Virgil Van Asten seek District 4 seat
APPLETON — District 4 candidate Virgil Van Asten is in a familiar position heading into the April 2 nonpartisan election for Common Council.
He advanced from the February primary election and now will battle Martyn Smith, a Lawrence University professor, for a two-year term in office.
Two years ago, Van Asten survived the primary to face Israel Del Toro, another Lawrence professor. Del Toro won the 2022 contest but didn't seek reelection this year.
Smith was the top finisher in the primary last month with 219 votes. He is making his first run for the seat. Van Asten had 130 votes. Candidate Christopher Quann finished third and was eliminated from contention.
District 4 includes the area bounded by Buchanan and Weimar streets on the east, Fremont Street on the south, Lawe and Drew streets on the west and Pacific Street on the north.
As part of The Post-Crescent's election coverage, Smith and Van Asten were asked to update a questionnaire to explain why they're running for office, what makes them the better candidate and how they would address the most important issues facing the city. Their answers are published below.
For information about registering to vote and polling locations, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov/en-us.
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Martyn Smith
Address: 7 S. Meadows Drive
Age: 51
Occupation: Associate professor of religious studies at Lawrence University
Highest education: Doctorate in comparative literature from Emory University; a master's degree in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary
Relevant experience: Leader of First-Year Studies program at Lawrence University; part of a team that created a new business major at Lawrence; board member of the Kanonji Appleton Partnership
Campaign website: www.facebook.com/MartynSmithforDistrict4
Virgil Van Asten
Address: 1035 S. Kernan Ave.
Age: 54
Occupation: President of Integrated Solutions Inc., a business and technology company
Highest education: Graduate of Appleton East High School
Relevant experience: 35 years of helping businesses and municipalities streamline their operations with technology for accounting, personnel, communication and manufacturing systems
Campaign website: www.vvanasten.com
Why are you running for office?
Smith: The past few years I've seen we need strong, progressive candidates in local government. I've lived in Appleton for 17 years. My wife and I have sent four kids to AASD. When I learned this council position was open, I knew it was time to give back to this community.
Van Asten: I've been self-employed in the IT industry since 1997. That's 27 years of getting paid only when we come up with solutions to solve complex problems. Appleton's debt keeps growing. Projects that should take months are taking years. Appleton should have a council that solves problems rather than creates them.
What makes you the better candidate in this race?
Smith: I have level-headed leadership skills that can bring people together. I will work to keep Appleton moving forward with vibrant public spaces and economic opportunity. During my years in Appleton, I've seen the city improve in many ways, and I'm the only candidate who's looking to continue that forward momentum.
Van Asten: My opponent said, "We need strong, progressive candidates in local government." That means defund the police. That hasn't worked for other cities. Appleton spends 34.6% of our (general fund) tax dollars repaying debt. We need someone responsible, not someone who is going to hand cash to social special interest groups.
Editor's note: Smith said he has never been an advocate for defunding the police. "Public safety means working with the police and fire departments to make sure they have the resources they need to do their jobs," Smith said.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues, and how would you address them?
Smith: It has been great to knock on doors all over District 4 and listen to residents. I heard concerns about livability, which included noise along residential streets and safety in our parks. My first priority as alderperson will be to support the needs of these neighborhoods. I will work to make sure Appleton remains an affordable place to raise a family and that we support local jobs that pay a living wage. We know that we are too divided, and I will bring to my work as alderman a communication style that locates common ground rather than accentuates division.
Van Asten: Accountability. In 2024, Appleton budgeted $12.7 million over city revenue. In 2023, that number was $24.8 million. The council approved tens of thousands of dollars for a new website, while we have homeless people sleeping in the walkway over College Avenue. The politicians in Chicago are cutting city operations and programs because of illegal immigration. Chicago, New York and California are shipping immigrants out, and we're only three hours from Chicago. The people of Appleton are saying we better have a plan, so we don't have to turn schools into shelters like New York did. We must have responsibility.
Editor's note: The Appleton council adopted balanced budgets in 2024 and 2023. Expenses in excess of revenues are financed by existing fund balances or borrowing.
Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DukeBehnke.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton election: Martyn Smith, Virgil Van Asten seek District 4 seat
