Age: 66
Address: 2523 7th St.
Occupation/Employer: Whey plant manager, Saputo Cheese Inc., Montreal, Canada.
Community involvement: Elder at Union Presbyterian Church; Mayor of Monroe
Education: B.A. Economics, VPI and MBA, University of Phoenix
Previous experience and achievements (in government or other entities): 14 years as Mayor of Monroe, Instructor at Blackhawk Technical College; Chamber of Commerce.
1) What is the role of city government? What should city government do? What should city government stay out of?
The role of government is to provide the level of services that the citizens of Monroe expect with taxpayer dollars. The citizens also expect city government to be good stewards of their money. These services include police and fire protection, street maintenance, water and sewer service, garbage pickup, senior center and city parks. City government needs to be accountable to the citizens to provide the aforementioned services as economically as possible while maintaining an excellent quality of life. City government needs to stay out of partisan politics. The focus of their efforts should be solely on the best interest of the citizens of Monroe.
2) Aldermen and the mayor work closely together and with the city administrator and other city employees, as well as the public. How would you describe your personality and management style?
My management style can best be described as collaborative. I believe in teamwork and consensus. I also feel that the mayor and alders should show the city administrator and city employees the respect that they deserve.
3) With the Mayor having a close working association with city employees, it is of public interest to know, how much in the way of campaign contributions you have received from city employees? Would you accept any?
I have never asked for or received any campaign contributions from any city employee. I don't think this is appropriate and is counterproductive.
4) With the money the city saved in 2011, especially during this mild winter, why can't Monroe have a Spring Clean-up Days program this year?
The cancellation of Spring Clean-up days is a concern for many Monroe residents. When other emergencies arise, like the straight line winds last summer, the city uses the money saved from snow removal to off-set some of those costs. The mild winter has allowed us to stay within our budget. I am not opposed to Spring Clean-up Days, but the funding is a major concern. When the economy picks up again, we can revisit the issue. In the meantime, the city still provides the clean-up services at drop off points year-round.
5) What should the city do to support an effort to invigorate the business environment, especially in the tax increment districts, and to increase business, industrial and job growth in the city in general?
The city is working hard in the area of economic development through the Chamber of Commerce and GCDC. Given the economic times we live in, this is a daunting task. That being said, we are tenacious as a community to explore all possibilities to increase business growth and job creation. At city hall, we are streamlining the permitting process to make it easier for a new company to start up. We increased the budget for economic development in 2012.
6) The city needs to find new sources of revenue without raising taxes. Some nonprofit organizations are exempt from property and equipment taxes, even though they benefit from many city-provided services. Would you favor the city starting a Payment In-Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) program, which would increase revenue from nonprofits, such as hospitals, colleges and churches that share the city services but don't pay for it?
I think that the city could look at a PILOT program. The push back from non-profits would be interesting. The city already has the Storm Water Utility that is paid by user fees in lieu of taxes, which includes non-profits.
7) Have you ever failed to pay taxes when you were supposed to (i.e., on time)?
I have always paid my taxes on time.
8) What should the city be doing about the illegal drugs that are making inroads into the community?
The police department is actively involved in trying to curb the illegal drugs coming into Monroe through the D.A.R.E. program, youth and community involvement. The community needs to do their part by stepping up and assisting the police department to help protect our citizens from the influence of illegal drugs.
Address: 2523 7th St.
Occupation/Employer: Whey plant manager, Saputo Cheese Inc., Montreal, Canada.
Community involvement: Elder at Union Presbyterian Church; Mayor of Monroe
Education: B.A. Economics, VPI and MBA, University of Phoenix
Previous experience and achievements (in government or other entities): 14 years as Mayor of Monroe, Instructor at Blackhawk Technical College; Chamber of Commerce.
1) What is the role of city government? What should city government do? What should city government stay out of?
The role of government is to provide the level of services that the citizens of Monroe expect with taxpayer dollars. The citizens also expect city government to be good stewards of their money. These services include police and fire protection, street maintenance, water and sewer service, garbage pickup, senior center and city parks. City government needs to be accountable to the citizens to provide the aforementioned services as economically as possible while maintaining an excellent quality of life. City government needs to stay out of partisan politics. The focus of their efforts should be solely on the best interest of the citizens of Monroe.
2) Aldermen and the mayor work closely together and with the city administrator and other city employees, as well as the public. How would you describe your personality and management style?
My management style can best be described as collaborative. I believe in teamwork and consensus. I also feel that the mayor and alders should show the city administrator and city employees the respect that they deserve.
3) With the Mayor having a close working association with city employees, it is of public interest to know, how much in the way of campaign contributions you have received from city employees? Would you accept any?
I have never asked for or received any campaign contributions from any city employee. I don't think this is appropriate and is counterproductive.
4) With the money the city saved in 2011, especially during this mild winter, why can't Monroe have a Spring Clean-up Days program this year?
The cancellation of Spring Clean-up days is a concern for many Monroe residents. When other emergencies arise, like the straight line winds last summer, the city uses the money saved from snow removal to off-set some of those costs. The mild winter has allowed us to stay within our budget. I am not opposed to Spring Clean-up Days, but the funding is a major concern. When the economy picks up again, we can revisit the issue. In the meantime, the city still provides the clean-up services at drop off points year-round.
5) What should the city do to support an effort to invigorate the business environment, especially in the tax increment districts, and to increase business, industrial and job growth in the city in general?
The city is working hard in the area of economic development through the Chamber of Commerce and GCDC. Given the economic times we live in, this is a daunting task. That being said, we are tenacious as a community to explore all possibilities to increase business growth and job creation. At city hall, we are streamlining the permitting process to make it easier for a new company to start up. We increased the budget for economic development in 2012.
6) The city needs to find new sources of revenue without raising taxes. Some nonprofit organizations are exempt from property and equipment taxes, even though they benefit from many city-provided services. Would you favor the city starting a Payment In-Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) program, which would increase revenue from nonprofits, such as hospitals, colleges and churches that share the city services but don't pay for it?
I think that the city could look at a PILOT program. The push back from non-profits would be interesting. The city already has the Storm Water Utility that is paid by user fees in lieu of taxes, which includes non-profits.
7) Have you ever failed to pay taxes when you were supposed to (i.e., on time)?
I have always paid my taxes on time.
8) What should the city be doing about the illegal drugs that are making inroads into the community?
The police department is actively involved in trying to curb the illegal drugs coming into Monroe through the D.A.R.E. program, youth and community involvement. The community needs to do their part by stepping up and assisting the police department to help protect our citizens from the influence of illegal drugs.