Sparta residents prepare to choose new mayor

SPARTA, Wis. — Sparta residents will soon choose a new mayor.

Voters will decide between a longtime City Council member and a local business owner.

Mayoral candidate Tony Angelini runs a restaurant downtown and Ronald Button is retired but currently serves on the City Council.

Both believe they have what it takes to move the city forward.

Both Sparta mayoral candidates are passionate about their community.

“I’ve been in Sparta almost all my life,” said Button.

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“Moved to Sparta in 2003 to make a better future for my family. I know it is a great town to raise a family,” said Angelini.

But that’s not where Button and Angilini’s similarities end. They also agree on some of Sparta’s needs.

“They want to see the community police that’s not around no more as they used to be in the past,” said Angelini.

“Community relations from the police department to get them out in the community and actually getting to know the people better,” said Button.

“Every city has a drug issue. Sparta, it’s got a major drug issue we’ve got to work on. My number one thing is to start a neighborhood program and work with the police department,” said Angelini.

“The committee the council and councilman Holcomb put together will do a great job addressing the issue that’s become such a  problem for the whole region,” said Button.

“Put the right people in the right committees and hold them accountable to the decisions they make,” said Angelini.

“I’ve got to determine who we’re going to lose as committee members and I’ll have to find the qualified and eager people to fill the vacancies that do occur,” said Button.

But while they agree on some of the city’s needs, they do have some main differences in priorities, should they win the seat.

“The Monroe County Justice Center is finally moving along. I’ve been an advocate of moving that downtown for 20 years,” said Button. “Once the justice center is down here, I will look to consolidate more of the administrative services to the downtown area. I think it would be a great benefit to all the businesses downtown.”

“I want to start new programs for senior citizens and disabled people, because sometimes we forget about the disabled and the senior citizens,” said Angelini.

Both candidates also say they are passionate about bringing more jobs to the area.

Voters will head to the polls and make their decision on Tuesday.