Columbia Heights faces crossroads in city leadership

Even from a nursing home bed, 85-year-old Bruce Nawrocki insists he's the man for the vacant Columbia Heights City Council seat.

"Without question," he said during a recent stay at St. Anthony Health Center, "I've got the most experience."

These days, Nawrocki has time to reflect on what went wrong last August. He didn't put up yard signs. He imagined that four decades of experience would help him cruise through the primary as an incumbent.

He was wrong.

Voters instead advanced three new faces to the November ballot alongside 79-year-old Robert "Bobby" Williams, another incumbent. Williams kept his seat. Political newcomer, Connie Buesgens, 56, nabbed the other.

Now, there's another council spot up for grabs after former Council Member Donna Schmitt, 62, beat out a longtime 79-year-old incumbent for mayor. Some read the moderate shake-up in Columbia Heights as part of residents' growing appetite for change.

Seventeen applicants have thrown their hats in the ring for the closely watched appointment, Nawrocki among them.

At a council work session earlier this month, several residents spoke of their hope to see a younger person appointed. Others described a desire for a new direction in the century-old city.

It's a sentiment Buesgens said she also encountered during her door-to-door campaigning.

"Folks are ready for a change — fresh faces, fresh ideas, moving forward," Buesgens said. "I think we're at a crossroad."

This desire for change puzzles some in the old guard, who largely attribute their longevity in office to satisfied constituents. Nawrocki and Williams point to strides Columbia Heights has made in recent years, including opening a new library and a modern public safety building for the city's fire and police departments. A Hy-Vee also will debut soon in the inner-ring suburb. Plus, they say, their working-class city was one of 10 chosen last year for the All-America City Award, an annual recognition sponsored by the National Civic League.

"We've been moving in the right direction for some time," said Williams, who has been on City Council since 2000 and turns 80 in May. "I hope we keep going in that direction."

"As far as I'm concerned, age doesn't mean nothing," said current Council Member John Murzyn Jr., 61. "As long as your heart is in this city and you've got good common sense. Bruce [Nawrocki] has always done the right thing for the city."

Nawrocki's city involvement traces back to 1961. He was mayor for 22 years. At 85, he says his age shouldn't count against him, even if his health isn't what it used to be. His mind, he says, is "as good as ever."

Some back problems recently led to a spell at an assisted-living facility. Unable to make it to City Hall, Nawrocki phoned in his council member interview in early March.

But now he's home, with his wife and high school sweetheart, Geraldine, by his side.

Geraldine Nawrocki said her go-getter husband is still up for the job.

Time to pass the torch? Not quite.

The council term up for grabs ends in early January 2019, a time frame Nawrocki said he's ready for.

On Monday, the City Council plans to bring back two applicants, Nick Novitsky and Sean Broom, for an additional interview. Both are thirtysomethings with young families. They came in third and fourth in the November election.

Council Members will then weigh these two candidates for the appointment. But, if they can't agree, the council could then reconsider other applicants, said City Manager Walter Fehst.

"I wouldn't rule out anybody yet," said Fehst, who is 70 and has been on the job for 20 years.

"I can't walk by myself yet," Nawrocki said last week, "but I get around."