Rupe running for council pos. #2 in Electric City

Bob Rupe is running again for Electric City council.

Rupe previously served on the council for 12 years, the last time being about eight years ago, he said.

Rupe said he'd like to work on the city's infrastructure "to make sure our water, sewer lines are in good repair, along with the roads."

One issue, Rupe said, has been the order in which those things are repaired.

"Pearl, here, was the most beautiful street in the whole town," he said. "Then the sewer or water system went out, and they had to dig it up. Take care of what's underneath, then take care of what's on top; that's my philosophy. That way we're not wasting so much money."

Rupe's main issue with Electric City's government currently is "what we see downtown here and corresponding stuff that goes with it," he said, referring to street projects in the area of Western and Grand Avenue, as well as Coulee Boulevard. "I think we have some wrong people in the wrong positions."

Rupe also said he feels that the city needs to "make sure we have the right people for the job, working for the best interest of the city," and that what makes a good city employee is that "they know their business, they know their place in their business, and they can do their job correctly the first time."

He believes his past experience on the council, as mayor pro tempore, as well as other experiences, qualify him to serve on the council again.

He notes "work on the police contract," dealing with problems citizens had with the city, writing up "a new codification book, which passed the lawyers approval," and other experiences he had on the council.

Rupe also chaired the Electric City Grand Coulee Business Alliance.

"What we did was try to work between Grand Coulee and Electric City on different projects to get some money in order to get things we thought was needed done," he said, an example of which was running electricity to the gazebo in North Dam Park.

Rupe moved to the area in 1993 with his wife Carol, buying a house on Pearl Avenue in Electric City, and running the Teepee Drive In for 12 years.

'I enjoy this place, Electric City," he said. There are many issues we have. I have an idea on how to deal with them, if I am elected to serve on the council."

Not wanting to share specifics of his solutions, Rupe said he'll share the solutions if elected.

Rupe also said he doesn't play favorites with people.

"I don't take a group of people or a couple of people before I take what's best for the city and best for the people," he said.

Voters will choose between Rupe and Birdie Hensley for the council seat on Nov. 5.