Meet the candidates: Freeport City Council

Freeport City Council 

Council member incumbents Nick Arnzen and Jake Renneker refiled to fill two seats. 

Nick Arnzen

Age: 30

Occupation: Manager of All Stars Sports Bar & Grill

Why are you running for this position? I want to help Freeport prosper. With good leadership, we can thrive. Freeport has many things to offer, and I want to help capitalize on the businesses we have in town. Also, I would like to see new businesses set up in Freeport and make it the best it can be. 

Share your organizational or business experiences. I am managing our family business in St. Rosa. I do a lot in the community with the St. Rosa Jaycees and other organizations. I also help in fundraising for the Freeport Fire Department, Sacred Heart Catholic School, the Area Catholic Community and Melrose Area Public Schools.  

What issue affecting your city do you find most pertinent and pressing? Why? There are many great things we have done in Freeport the past four years that I have been on council. I think the most important issue we are facing now is selling industrial lots and residential lots in the new Welle development.  

Are there other issues you want to address? I believe we have great leadership in this community. I hope we all come together and step up as a community to make Freeport the best it can be and a town people want to move to.

Jake Renneker

Age: 41

Occupation: Owner Hennen Lumber Company Inc. 

Why are you running for this position? Over the last eight years of being on the city council, I really enjoyed being a big part of the community. We have accomplished many things, and I would like to keep moving forward with the projects we have started. 

Share your organizational or business experiences. Since September of 2022, I have owned Hennen Lumber Company Inc. in Freeport. Being a small business owner in Freeport, I believe it is very important to have a good working relationship with the city and its residents. 

What issue affecting your city do you find most pertinent and pressing? Why? I believe the city of Freeport is siting very well. We have addressed a lot of issues over my last eight years, and I feel the city and the residents are in a much better position today. 

Are there other issues you want to address? I would like to see the latest residential addition through. It will be great to see more residential homes added to the community. I would also like to see more commercial businesses move into Freeport. These two things are vital to a small town thriving for many years to come.