Dave Nugent
Dave Nugent serves in the United States Navy Honors Detail.
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of candidate profiles of the five candidates for Monticello mayor. Each candidate is running in a special election in June to complete the term of the late mayor Allen Maxwell which ends on December 31. They are also running in the November General Election for the upcoming 4-year term which begins January 1, 2015. In this series of unedited interviews, candidates were asked to respond in writing to 12 questions. The series will run through Saturday.
SEARK TODAY: Do you think there are budget areas in which the city is spending too much and/or not enough money?
Nugent: Before I start cutting any funds I would take a look at the performance of each of the service departments then evaluate how well they are carrying out their mission for the city but if a cut needed to happen ASAP it would be the assistant mayor position which is being paid $32,000.
SEARK TODAY: Do you anticipate a need to increase city water, garbage and/or sewer rates during the next four years?
Nugent: No
SEARK TODAY: Would you support or oppose an initiative to get the wet/dry issue on the ballot in Marion Township? Why?
Biographical Sketch
NUGENT: It’s the free will of the people to put it on the ballot or keep it off.
SEARK TODAY: Do you have a four-year plan, illustrating your vision for the city, in the event you are elected? If so, what are the primary points in that plan? Be as concise as possible.
NUGENT: I can’t have a four year plan with a 6 month position but I am working on one for the general election. I would push for Industry and road development; work with the community and police department to set up a neighborhood watch program.
SEARK TODAY: Explain why you chose to run as a Democrat, Republican or independent (whichever applies to you).
NUGENT: Pro God! Pro-Gun! Pro Life! That is why I stand with the Republican Party.
SEARK TODAY: Describe the ideal mayor.
NUGENT: An honest servant to the people.
SEARK TODAY: What can you bring to this position your opponents cannot?
NUGENT: Trained in leadership from the United States Navy. I feel that my age puts me in the perfect position to bridge the generational gap with in our community.
SEARK TODAY: If your name was not on the ballot, which one of your opponents would you vote for and why?
NUGENT: I would need to do more research on my opponents but I would not vote for a Democrat.
Situational (Hypothetical) Questions:
SEARK TODAY: You have $1 million. You can (hypothetically) appropriate it to any one or all of the following areas: Economic Development, Recreation, Capital Improvements, and/or Infrastructure. How would you appropriate it and why?
NUGENT: Economic development would be the main funding project.
SEARK TODAY: A heated city council meeting begins to get out of control. How do you address it?
NUGENT: First, all board members must commit to being professional and having respectful behavior and speech at the meeting. Then, if needed take a short break.
SEARK TODAY: Two of your strongest supporters come to you, with competing interests, asking for your support. How do you respond?
NUGENT: Ask them what is the plan and how will it benefit the city.
SERIES SCHEDULE
- May 20: Dave Nugent
- May 21: Joe Rogers
- May 22: Sonny Thornhill
- May 23: Jo Ann Trotter
- May 24: Zack Tucker
Running for Mayor of Monticello, home of the Boll Weevils, but posing for a picture in Razorback attire – rookie mistake. U of A affiliated or not, He should have been wearing green. A straight up “No” vote for a Democrat who may have the city’s best interest in mind is a sign of immaturity. He doesn’t anticipate a raise in utilities over the next four years, yet he doesn’t have a four-year plan. If you don’t know who you would vote for if your name wasn’t on the ballet then you don’t know what you’re up against. Not understanding your opposition isn’t something I would expect from a military man. A good political adviser would have done this young man some good.
I think it’s a little funny that Lewis accuses Dave of being immature, but the first words out of his mouth are about what Dave is wearing. I mean that’s just a little superficial don’t you think? Give me a break…pot meet kettle. He is obviously a man who cares about his town enough to run for mayor and make a difference. Instead of saying what you expect a military man to do, why don’t you just thanks for your service and keep being the keyboard warrior you were meant to be.
I’m with you, Lewis! Except I don’t care about the shirt. Implying that Democrats are anti-God is rude…and ridiculous!
Not once in the above interview did he say democrats were “anti-god”, and “implying” that he did such is what is rude. He simply stated what the Republican Party stands for and why he stands with the party. You took two separate questions from the interview and twisted then together.
As far as his attire: Really? After sporting a navy uniform for 10-15 years, I’m assuming he has the choice to wear whatever shirt he chooses. I’m sure his sports interest would totally have a bearing on his ability to help Monticello grow. The best thing about Dave Nugent is what you see, you get. He will NOT feed you a line of bull to get a vote, he doesn’t compromise his beliefs in order to impress, and he can’t be bought. He’s very passionate in his beliefs. If those things don’t at least gain your respect (or at least enough to not twist his words or judge his ability by his shirt), then that explains an awful lot about the results from Tuesday. Rookie? Does that really matter? I’m assuming (according to your statement, Lewis) everyone that runs for city office has had political experience elsewhere. I’m thinking that city government is usually a starting point. But, anyway! His responses were honest, straight, and to the point. The way they should be. I honestly couldn’t think of anyone better for the job!
Mr. Nugent says he cannot vote for a Democrat, so he automatically eliminates half of his choices (maybe more in some Drew County races). Will the decisions he makes as mayor be similarly biased? Let the state and national folks get bogged down in partisan politics. Doing what’s best for Monticello is what should matter here — not whether there is an R or a D next to someone’s name.
I thank Mr. Nugent for his service to our country. Is the United States Navy his only occupation?
Does Mr. Nugent mean that he would always vote for a Republican over a Democrat even if the Republican candidate was clearly the inferior choice?
Mr. Nugent probably knows by now he shouldn’t have made such a right wing lockstep comment, but he was speaking from the heart, revealing his true intentions to put a party cronie in office rather than do what’s right for the community. The honest thing to do is vote for the best candidate for the job…something Mr. Nugent says he has no intention of doing.
That is absolutely unacceptable behavior, and Mr. Nugent should be ashamed of himself for putting partisan politics before the interests of the citizens of Monticello.
Planning to intentionally abuse our electoral process in this way is not how the democratic process works in this country Mr. Nugent.