Scott Robertson, a former member of the Winnebago City Council, was elected the city’s mayor on a write-in vote during the election last Nov. 3. Robertson received 144 votes and has accepted the position and will take office in January.

When the first Winnebago City Council meeting is held in 2021, Scott Robertson will be sworn in as the new mayor. Robertson was elected as a write-in candidate after no one filed for the mayoral office.

He will be taking the place of outgoing mayor Jeremiah Schutt who decided not to run again after serving as the city’s mayor for three terms. Schutt was also elected to his first term by a write-in vote.

“I actually had the money (filing fee) in hand just before the deadline for filing for this last election,” Schutt says. “But no paper work was signed or money given.”

Schutt enjoyed serving the city but had various reasons for choosing to step down.

“I thought maybe it was time for someone else to bring their expertise and ideas to the table,” Schutt comments. “I have learned a lot about city/local government during my time as mayor.”

He also had his personal life to consider.

“I have to consider my family and the many changes we have had these past six months,” Schutt explains. “Winnebago is a great community which I love and tried to represent to the best of my ability. It is also my home and where I want to raise my children. It takes a great deal of work to keep a community going and many hands make the load much lighter.”

Although elected as a write-in candidate, Robertson is no stranger to city government.

“I served eight years on the City Council,” he shares. “I have been around Winnebago since the 1960s.”

Robertson received 144 write-in votes the day of the election, which was over 100 more than his closest competitor. He also had the most votes from the absentee ballots.

“I did not really run a campaign,” he says. “I did put a couple of signs out two days before the election.”

He explains he did not seek the job because he has an agenda, but he does have some ideas of what he would like to see accomplished in the city.

“One of my priorities would be to get a doctor and a dentist back in town,” he comments. “Along with that I would also like to see Winnebago have a pharmacy. It really hurt the city when Nelson Drug closed.”

And while Robertson knows COVID-19 has made it tough on towns and businesses, he notes there are many reasons to be positive.

“I am excited Corn Plus was purchased. It is huge for the city in many ways such as employment and the fees the city collects from the plant,” he remarks. “We have a wonderful grocery store. Genesis Academy is in a new building and growing and I believe they will be expanding in the future. Everidge is investing money in their facility. There are many good things happening.”

The housing availability in the city is another thing on Roberson’s mind.

“When Corn Plus gets going and if other businesses wish to expand I am concerned whether or not we have places for people to live who want to work in the city,” he says.

One other positive Robertson sees for the city of Winnebago is their Internet service.

“Bevcomm has invested a great deal of money in the city,” he mentions. “Many employees are now able to work from home and Winnebago is in a good position to be an attractive option for those people.”

Like the mayor he is replacing, Robertson has a deep love for Winnebago.

“I have a strong connection to Winnebago. My parents owned the Dairy Queen restaurant when it first opened,” he comments. “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the people and excited to see what we can accomplish to make the city even better.”