Imperial’s newest mayor lays out priorities for future

    On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Craig Loeffler was elected mayor of Imperial with 401 votes, or 54% of those cast.  
    Loeffler has served as a city council member in Imperial for two years prior to last week’s election. He will be seated as mayor at the December council meeting.  
    The Imperial Republican met with Loeffler on Friday when he shared his vision for Imperial’s future. It was a one-on-one interview with his responses given in a Q & A format.
    Imperial Republican: Congratulations on your victory, Mr. Mayor, to what do you attribute your success in this election?
    Loeffler: I was honest with the voters on the issues that I believe are most important to our city.
    Imperial Republican: What is the first thing you will do as mayor?
    Loeffler: As the new mayor, I will need to resign my position on the council, freeing up that position to be filled. There are a few possibilities as to who that would be, but as of now, it is still under consideration who would be the best fit for the city’s needs.
    Imperial Republican: What are some priorities the city currently faces?
    Loeffler: Keeping services to our citizens without raising taxes. The city has gained strides in the water main project on 12th Street and the WellPark sewer project connection, with significant savings after rebidding the two projects together. Along with savings, keeping businesses in town and increasing new housing in anticipation of new growth are other priorities.
    Imperial Republican: Are there currently any plans in motion to increase new housing in Imperial?
    Loeffler: New housing development is important and we have had success with the Cornerstone project. We had acquired a circle of ground there where there is new housing and business development, and also plotted land with the necessary hookups for future development. Historically, Imperial has been proactive in these initiatives and we remain the only community in the area that has not lost population. However, inflation in general and the cost of materials along with availability of contractors and labor create a challenge in getting things accomplished when we want to.
    Imperial Republican: Since you were on the city council for two years and will now be mayor, do you expect city business discussions to flow easier?
    Loeffler: Two council positions were filled by this last election and a third is yet to be named by my aforementioned vacated seat. So there will be a fresh set of personal dynamics to the discussions. Each individual has a voice to the advancement of the city’s functions, so there will be a learning curve with each other.
    Imperial Republican: Imperial has a city police department and Chase County provides a sheriff’s department. Two separate entities, but do they serve the same function?
    Loeffler: The city of Imperial and Chase County have individual and separate specific functions. The city police serve a role of necessary city issues where county law enforcement has a larger geographic commitment and county specific functions, the jail for instance.  The population and industries of our community justify both.
    Imperial Republican: You have an extensive background in volunteering and public service. To what do you attribute your being altruistic?
    Loeffler:  I enjoy helping others and the community I live in. Along with the EMS and volunteer fire department, I eventually became politically conscious and one day while I was sharing with my wife an opinion or two she said “Then do something about it.” So I did.