11/21/2018
I am running for the 3rd district Alderman office in the City of Hartford, because our community needs a change of direction and leadership. We need a new vision for what our community is going to be and how we are going to get there. This community demands that we have accountability in our spending of taxpayer funds and use restraint when looking to create further debt. Our children deserve to have the opportunity to play without the fear of sexual predators living in the same areas as our schools, parks or playgrounds.
In my twelve (12) years of experience in the Town of Algoma (west of Oshkosh), I served as a member of the Town Board for six (6) years and six (6) years as Town Chairman. During this time, I co-wrote the first of its kind Sexual Predator Residency Restriction Ordinance in the State of Wisconsin, which calls for a 2,500-foot radius for which sexual predators cannot reside near schools, parks, playgrounds, daycare centers, places of worship or any place where child congregate. As your 3rd district Alderman, I will push to have the current ordinance upgraded for better protection of our children.
As Town Chairman, it was my responsibility to construct the Town Budget from 2009-2015. During this time, the Town of Algoma did not accrue any debt, did not have a raise in property taxes or a cut in services. In 2010, I created the Stormwater Management Committee, to take care of the areas within the Town of Algoma that had suffered almost annual flooding. This flooding caused property loss to the affected residents and undue stress to the residents in the area. While some said that we could not get the DNR approvals or grants for funding, we were able to accomplish both tasks and help the residents in the Sheldon Nature area, without any budgetary loss to the Town or its taxpayers.
The most expensive capital expenditure any community will have is for infrastructure (i.e. roads). Prior to taking over as Town Chairman, the Town of Algoma “kicked the can down the road” as it related to infrastructure costs. I employed a “pay as you go” philosophy in which we had a 5-year plan. This allowed us as a community to save for bigger projects and apply for State grants to help defray the cost.
Lastly, while my primary responsibility will be to represent the views of the 3rd district, it is my goal to represent the entire City of Hartford. If I am elected, I will be holding monthly meetings outside of the City Council meetings. The best way to effectively represent a community is to listen to their concerns!
I am running for the Hartford City Council to bring financial responsibility back to our City government.
