Superior's 1st District has a choice in April 2 election

Mar. 14—SUPERIOR — Voters in the city's 1st District are facing an unconventional election when they head to polls on Tuesday, April 2.

While one candidate will appear on the ballot, they do have a choice. Weston Morris launched a write-in campaign in February to challenge incumbent Nicholas Ledin. Ledin has served as the district's representative for the last four years.

"As a third-generation South-ender raising a fourth generation in South Superior, I felt the need to get involved in the direction that this city was going," Ledin said. "I wanted to help build a city focused on public safety, outdoor recreation, and clean air and water."

Morris said family and serving the district were the reasons he decided to launch his write-in campaign.

"The main reason I decided to run for City Council is having two young girls growing up in this city. I just wanted to be more involved and make sure the Superior my kids will be growing up in is a good city," Morris said.

Morris said he has many goals he would work on, from enhancing deflection programs with the police department to lobbying to restore bus stops in South Superior for people who need them. He'd also like to launch task forces to assist businesses that would be bought out in anticipation of the Blatnik Bridge to keep those jobs in Superior, and work on the transition for the landfill expected to close in a couple of years.

Ledin said the city has accomplished a lot in the last four years, but there's more he would like to do, like starting a program to help homeowners with home improvement projects and revitalization of commercial areas, especially the South Tower business area, with public art and entertainment.

"We must invest in people," Ledin said. "People are the driving force behind economic development. If people are proud of their community, love their community, they will invest in their community. If they have a safe community, if the environment in their community is clean, they will invest in the community. That investment breeds economic development and a positive future for Superior."

Morris said growth is key to the city's economic future.

"We have a lot of similarities with Duluth in Superior," Morris said. "We're very similar in many economic regions, and we just need to grow that. There are certain things holding us down that are not letting us grow to our full potential. Just to let people know that north of Eau Claire there is a bigger city that is growing as time goes on."

Superior's outdoor recreational spaces have gotten much attention from the city in recent years, but both candidates agree there is more to do.

"I'm a big deer hunter myself and I would like to be involved in the Superior city hunt a little bit ... bowhunting-wise," Morris said. "As far as Parks and Recreation goes, I would love to add a bathroom at Webster Dream Park because ... me and my family personally have had to end our trips there because of the little ones having to go to the bathroom.

"After talking to my constituents, maybe adding a little dog park, too, so people living around there have a park for people's dogs to go. They won't be coming across the street, interfering with their dogs. Growing the outdoor recreation, whether it's frisbee golf or parks for the kids. The more people are outside, the better it is for mental health. There are all sorts of benefits from being outside, so I am all for increasing to the best of our potential."

Outdoor recreation is an important part of Superior's future, Ledin said.

"From parks to trails, to boating and swimming, Superior is expanding our outdoor recreation and people are flocking to these spaces," Ledin said. "We redesigned our skating rinks during the summer months and turned them into mini dog parks. Our disc golf courses draw thousands of people every summer. Nemadji Golf Course is the best golf course in the area.

"I'd like to build a nature center out in the municipal forest along the Millennium trail for education and recreation. A new skate park will attract sanctioned skateboarding or cycling tournaments. We should expand outdoor league sports in Superior like tennis, pickleball or boot hockey. When people think about outdoor recreation, I want them to think Superior!"

Superior is gearing up to launch its newest utility, a fiber optic network for broadband, but the candidates aren't in agreement on the project.

"I have to look a little bit more into it, but I'm a little bit nervous," Morris said. "I know good internet is hard to find and it's not cheap, but I'm not sure the city getting involved is the best idea. ... I think we should have had more options explored. But that's my opinion. The broadband is something that should stay in the private sector."

Ledin has consistently voted in favor of pushing ahead with the project.

"Every resident in the city of Superior will have access to the fastest and most reliable internet at some of the cheapest prices in the United States," Ledin said. "Broadband is vital to our schools and economy, and I'm going to keep pushing to complete our network as quickly as possible."

Name: Nicholas Ledin

Address: Oakes Avenue

Family: Wife, Jacquelyn; children Oliver, Wesley, Maggie and Jack.

Business/employment: Northeast Regional Corrections Center: Member and steward of Teamsters Local 320.

Education: Bryant Elementary School, Central Junior High School, Superior Senior High School, University of Superior-Wisconsin (political science major, music minor).

Government or community involvement: YMCA soccer, T-ball and bowling coach; Bryant School PTO; Head Start Policy Council member 2015; Superior City Council 2020-present. Superior Public Safety Committee, Superior Parks and Rec Commission.

Name: Weston Morris

Address: Banks Avenue

Family: Married, two daughters

Business/employment: Works for Benson Electric as a master electrician, teaches electrical apprentices at Lake Superior College.

Education: Superior High School, Lake Superior College graduate

Government or community involvement: Union officer with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 242; part of the Superior Federation of Labor.