Village of New Glarus
Four candidates are vying for three open seats on the New Glarus Village Board. Incumbents Petra Streiff and Greg Thoemke are seeking to retain their spots against challengers Chuck Philipson and Shaun Dow.
Position sought: New Glarus Village Board
Age: 71
City/town of residence: Village of New Glarus
Family: Wife Jane, Daughters Faun and Brooke, Son in Law Jim, Grandsons Payton and Kaden
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree, UW-Platteville, New Glarus High School
Occupation: Real Estate Appraiser
Previous elected positions held: New Glarus Village Board, original Village Plan Commission
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
One of the main issues facing any municipality is property tax. I believe the only way to stabilize or even lower property tax is for increased residential development within the village. The population of New Glarus hasn't grown in many years and there has been minimal new residential building in the village itself. We have a very large amount of vacant land within the village zoned and ready for residential improvement and we need to find means to encourage development of this land. I believe the village board has been somewhat dismissive of the need for residential development and maybe this needs a fresh look in order to increase building with the village rather than driving it outside the village limits with the accompanying loss in property tax revenue and increased burden on village amenities.
Also, the village of New Glarus recently had a complete property revaluation and since I am an appraiser, I was contacted by numerous property owners as to what they feel are inequities in the process and in the subsequent valuation of their property. With my knowledge of property valuation I would look into this to see that the process was properly carried out.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
Maintaining basic infrastructure is an ongoing challenge.
I think the village has done an admirable job of maintaining streets and utilities but we are falling behind on parks, library, and other amenities common to any community.
While communities all around us are working hard to improve and build new libraries, recreation and other facilities, the Village of New Glarus seems to have taken a head in sand position over the past several years and allowed a deterioration of the amenities this village has long prided itself on. Of course, these things have to be balanced with property tax revenue and this points to all the more need for increased development in order to gain increased revenue. But these things can be and are now funded from many different non-tax sources.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
With the exception of my years at college and in the U.S. Army I have lived in New Glarus all my life and I have a deep appreciation and love for this community. I believe I have an understanding of the traditions and dynamics of the community which give me great insight into the issues and decisions facing the village board. I also believe my professional experience in property valuation and development along with experience in village government would be of benefit to the decision making process.
Age: 71
City/town of residence: Village of New Glarus
Family: Wife Jane, Daughters Faun and Brooke, Son in Law Jim, Grandsons Payton and Kaden
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree, UW-Platteville, New Glarus High School
Occupation: Real Estate Appraiser
Previous elected positions held: New Glarus Village Board, original Village Plan Commission
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
One of the main issues facing any municipality is property tax. I believe the only way to stabilize or even lower property tax is for increased residential development within the village. The population of New Glarus hasn't grown in many years and there has been minimal new residential building in the village itself. We have a very large amount of vacant land within the village zoned and ready for residential improvement and we need to find means to encourage development of this land. I believe the village board has been somewhat dismissive of the need for residential development and maybe this needs a fresh look in order to increase building with the village rather than driving it outside the village limits with the accompanying loss in property tax revenue and increased burden on village amenities.
Also, the village of New Glarus recently had a complete property revaluation and since I am an appraiser, I was contacted by numerous property owners as to what they feel are inequities in the process and in the subsequent valuation of their property. With my knowledge of property valuation I would look into this to see that the process was properly carried out.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
Maintaining basic infrastructure is an ongoing challenge.
I think the village has done an admirable job of maintaining streets and utilities but we are falling behind on parks, library, and other amenities common to any community.
While communities all around us are working hard to improve and build new libraries, recreation and other facilities, the Village of New Glarus seems to have taken a head in sand position over the past several years and allowed a deterioration of the amenities this village has long prided itself on. Of course, these things have to be balanced with property tax revenue and this points to all the more need for increased development in order to gain increased revenue. But these things can be and are now funded from many different non-tax sources.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
With the exception of my years at college and in the U.S. Army I have lived in New Glarus all my life and I have a deep appreciation and love for this community. I believe I have an understanding of the traditions and dynamics of the community which give me great insight into the issues and decisions facing the village board. I also believe my professional experience in property valuation and development along with experience in village government would be of benefit to the decision making process.