Pueblo mayoral candidate Nick Gradisar says he brings new approach to old problems
Nick Gradisar, the top vote-getter in the Pueblo mayoral race back in November, has never served on the city council, but he views that as a positive.
That’s because he promises a new approach to some of the city’s oldest problems.
“I’ll bring a fresh set of eyes to look at the problems and challenges that face Pueblo,” said Gradisar when asked why he’s the man for the job. “The voters in Pueblo voted to change from a city manager to a mayor form of government. They voted to change the status quo, and I represent that change.”
Tuesday, voters in Pueblo will cast their ballots to choose the city’s first mayor in more than half a century. The field began with sixteen candidates but is now down to a runoff between two: Gradisar and Steve Nawrocki.
Gradisar believes that what he lacks in council experience, he makes up for in the private sector.
He served in leadership roles for both Pueblo’s Chamber of Commerce and Board of Water Works.
On the top of his to-do list once in office: attracting more business to Pueblo.
“I think we need to make it easier to do business in Pueblo rather than harder,” said Gradisar. “That’s what I’ve been talking about on the campaign trail. We need to streamline some of the bureaucracy in Pueblo. Not lower the standards, but make it easier.”
He tells KRDO he’s been critical of some of the council’s past decisions. He says his opponent, former Pueblo City Council President Steve Nawrocki, would continue that trend.
“[Nawrocki] represents the status quo. He has served eight years on the city council, five terms as President of the city council, and what he wants to do, he should’ve gotten done when he was already on city council,” Gradisar said.
Gradisar believes the council has lacked true leadership to choose the right path for Pueblo heading into the future.
“That’s what I think that I bring to the table: that ability to move organizations forward by collaboration and cooperation. I don’t think we’ve seen that in the city of Pueblo,” said Gradisar.
Sunday, KRDO sat down with Gradisar’s opponent former Pueblo City Council President Steve Nawrocki. If you’d like to see that interview, you can see it by clicking here.
