1. What has motivated you to run for city government?
Travis Volrath: I’ve learned so much during my first term, and I can’t wait to hit the ground running.
Zach Phares: I'm running because I care deeply about the community that raised me. This is my hometown, and stepping up to serve is my way of giving back and helping shape its future.
Karen Woomert: I stated [previously to The NSP] that I wanted to see River Drive and well issues completed before I gave up on City Council. I would like to see infrastructure improvements underneath River Drive with road resurfacing completed. This has been on the table for many years. This is our downtown district, and we need to make it appealing for other businesses to come into our city. We are currently working with the owners of the blighted buildings to remove them. Improving this would significantly help with our flood area as well making less work for Public Works.
Lori Maher: Princeton is my home, and I want to give back to this community. It’s time for change. Princeton deserves leadership that listens.
Ann Geiger: I am not seeing any long-term positive plans, except for the street which does not currently have a final resolution.
2. What relevant experience in leadership will you bring to the city?
Volrath: Obviously, this being my second term as mayor, but in addition to that, running a business has given me a bunch of experience with employees and dealing with the public.
Phares: I bring over four years of hands-on experience as a city council member, along with a professional background that has sharpened my leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. I know how to navigate challenges and bring people together to get things done.
Woomert: I have 12 years on council and was previously city clerk, and fire chief for 8 years. I have worked with mayors and city administrators from other cities on projects. I have written several grants for Princeton and will continue to do so and work with other grant writers to help with all projects that are on our plate at this time. I listen to all citizens that approach me and answer their questions openly and honestly. Some we don’t agree, but that is city government. I give them the information and why I made the decision I voted on either way.
Maher: Many decades of life experience in the working sector have allowed me to serve on various committees as well as coordinate and attend upper-level meetings. The majority of my working years have been in higher education, where I have gained experience in many different areas with people from all walks of life.
Geiger:
I was 8 years on the city council
Currently on Plan & Zone
Formerly chair of Board of Adjustment
Started the Park Board, Community Center Board
Co-founded the Tree Committee (now under Park Board)
Hands-on with tree-planting, renovation of Community Center, renovation of library building
Have written approximately $96,000 in funded grants not counting the $800,000 for the new water tower (not completed, off council)
3. Princeton has acquired the former Presbyterian Church and listed Boll’s Community Center for sale. Do you support these decisions?
Volrath: I absolutely support these decisions. Taking the church allows the city to have a say in the future of that property. When Boll’s sells, we can add that back to the tax base.
Phares: Yes, I support both. The church opens up exciting possibilities, it’s a blank slate that could become a real community asset. As for Boll’s, while it's a piece of local history, its location and potential make it a smart move for redevelopment that could breathe new life into our town.
Woomert: I do support this. The church and the property that goes with it belongs to the city and we have control of what it is used for. Before the current council made the decision to accept the gift, we had the opportunity to go through the property and also had a structural engineer go through the property to make sure we were getting an acceptable piece of property—not one we would have to tear down. Why wouldn’t we accept a gift of a building that can be used for many purposes, and an extra lot behind it?
Maher: City leaders have reported that there is a provision in place allowing the city to sell the church if it is determined the updates/repairs are too costly. Without personally seeing the property, I can only base my answer on what I’ve heard from city leaders and the city attorney at meetings. The city maintains control over what happens to the property by accepting the donation. Princeton does not need another empty building falling into disrepair.
Our community desperately needs additional businesses/storefronts on River Drive. Listing Boll’s Community Center for sale could be a step in the right direction.
Geiger: I have no opinion on the decision regarding the Community Center or the church. What I do have is the lack of foresight regarding the church. At this time, no inspection of the facility regarding electricity, plumbing, potential mold, or other possible problems have been addressed and the Community Center is for sale. If the Center is sold and the church's potential rehab is huge, we are left with no place for the community to meet or vote.
4. How would you like to see the city utilize the Presbyterian Church?
Volrath: A community center, food pantry, and possibly city hall.
Phares: Ideally, it becomes a dynamic, multi-use space. Ideas have been thrown out for some of the following options: community events, educational programs, food pantry, storm safety shelter, daycares, centralized multiuse city building (city hall/community center). The goal is to make it something that serves a wide range of residents in meaningful ways.
Woomert: Once we get title to the building, I would like a designer and experienced builder to give us ideas of how we could make it a city hall and community center, if possible. I do believe it can be done and have had professionals say they would volunteer their time. There are other ideas floating around as well. The lower level could be rented and have a couple businesses in it. Possibly a food pantry- which the church had previously. It was a donation to the city and one that if we end up selling it, we are money ahead.
Maher: I have not personally visited the Presbyterian Church property. Therefore, I do not know the exact layout of the building. Obviously, if we were to sell Boll’s our community would benefit from holding community events at the church property. The city would need to be respectful of the neighboring property owners when determining that for which the building will be used. If the building size/space would be able to accommodate moving our city hall into it, city hall could in turn be sold.
Geiger: If the church is a community center or city offices, I have no opinion. I do not support an engineering walk-through that says the building is sound. See prior statement.
5. What do you believe the city can do to address these concerns at Rivercrest Estates, the mobile home park?
Phares: The city should maintain a strong, visible presence, whether through code enforcement, public safety, or community outreach. We need to stay actively engaged and use every tool in our toolbox to hold management accountable and improve living conditions.
Woomert: I have been addressing these concerns for the last two years. The police chief and I (as fire chief) went through and tagged the units that are uninhabitable and requested that the owner get them removed. Several of the units that were not tagged have families living in them—some without water—toilets that wont flush—broken windows—people should not have to live like this. My hope is that someone will buy it and turn it into a housing addition. As for the current residents, there are some places that they could move to, like a park that is taken care of.
Maher: The city is limited by what the law will allow. We are lucky to have a dedicated police chief and city staff that have worked hard to get where we are with Rivercrest Estates. Staying on top of it and immediately following through with everything will be key. Mayor Volrath reported at the September city council meeting that if the current owner does not pay the back taxes in October 2025, another individual will take ownership of the property. If that were to happen, hopefully that property owner will be more cooperative and get things in order.
Geiger: City needs to hire a board-up company to address condemned trailers and send the bill to the park owner. The owner will have to remove them or start paying the fines outlined in our ordinances.
6. How do you hope to revitalize River Drive?
Volrath: I have been in contact with the owners of both abandoned buildings. I am confident that the old hotel will be removed in the near future, and new construction will begin on that site. I would like to see bridges removed to make more parking.
Phares: We’ve already made progress, and I’m committed to keeping that momentum going. That means aggressively pursuing grants, partnerships, and creative funding to fix infrastructure and bring new life to neglected spaces.
Woomert: We currently have 2 abandoned buildings in the downtown area. Mayor Volrath has been in contact with the owners of both and working on the issues with them. Other buildings I have heard are going to be for sale, great business opportunities. Revitalizing starts with the city doing repairs and making it inviting for business to come to Princeton. We cannot have a run down street and downtown and expect to entice businesses.
Maher: River Drive is in desperate need of additional businesses/storefronts. My hope would be for the city to exercise its rights to have the owner of the old hotel move ahead very soon with demolition. It would be great if a new building were built there with spaces on the main floor for stores/businesses and second floor apartments. That, along with a possible new owner and purpose for Boll’s Community Center, could really change River Drive.
I am hopeful that we will be able to obtain grants to fund at least a portion of improving River Drive and infrastructure beneath it.
Geiger: Condemn the buildings which are abandoned or have the owners start looking for investors to rehab them.
7. What other issues do you hope to see city government address?
Volrath: Our water issue has to be a top priority in my next term. I hope to have that resolved by the end of my second term.
Phares: Follow-through is key. I want to see projects not just started, but finished. I’d also love to see more community engagement: events that spark ideas, gather feedback, and even raise funds. The more we involve our residents, the stronger we become.
Woomert: The current council has been addressing issues and is transparent, working for the betterment of the community we live in. You cannot fix issues overnight. We are working with professionals and want to make the correct decision. We constantly work on issues and may not address them in meetings.
We did raise taxes to help with street and infrastructure, and we used TIF dollars to build a new addition with nice streets and infrastructure. The older parts of the community deserve the same, as our tax dollars were used. You have to start somewhere.
Maher: Improve communication between city leaders and residents. City leaders need to focus on listening, transparency, and practical solutions. Use our taxpayer dollars wisely, with transparency and accountability. In closing, I would like to reiterate, this is my home, and I want to make sure Princeton is a strong, welcoming town where families want to stay, new residents want to come, and businesses want to invest—without losing the values that make Princeton unique. If elected to city council I will remain approachable, open, and transparent—whether that’s through updates, attending community events, or just listening to people one-on-one
Geiger: Citizens' homes are their largest investment and it is their tax money. The city government should not revolve around the "buddy system" or actions taken because of someone's last name. Everyone should have an equal voice and not be yelled at or dismissed.