Monroe Common Council
Incumbent Louis Armstrong is being challenged by write-in candidate Ron Marsh for the Ward 7 seat on the Monroe Common Council.
Name: Louis Armstrong
Position sought: Alderman, Ward 7
Age:
City/town of residence: Monroe
Family: Wife, Josephine; Son, Louis II
Education: B.S. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Occupation: Production Manager, Minhas Craft Brewery
The current City Council is working towards continued transparency. I have supported our efforts to approve various policy updates and improvements including the Chain of Command, Code of Conduct Policy, and the Employee Policy Manual. The city's website has been updated to provide easier access to meeting minutes; provided increased posting time of meeting minutes; and meetings are now video recorded and posted for all to view. Additionally, we recently updated the city's Code of Ethics by excluding alderpersons from eligibility creating a more impartial review. Transparency is providing means for others to see what actions are being conducted; I fail to see how "one can only conclude" that our actions equate to a lack of transparency.
Is there conflict between alderpersons? I would answer yes, but clarify that it is a conflict of opinion. As long as the individuality of alderpersons and the differences that exist between us are productive, I would claim that this is a beneficial aspect of the decision making process.
I believe all businesses experience various levels of disgusted or unhappy employees. The current council has listened to the employees and included their suggestions and input in new policies, worked to provide financial advancement for its employees, and when warranted, taken corrective actions to provide discipline. Happiness and continued safe success of our employees has been and will be included in various topics of discussion.
Financial decisions: In 2012, the council created and approved the 2013 budget, a budget that successfully provided a zero increase. Last year's council brought forth the 2014 budget; a budget with a slight increase (< 2 percent); this increase basically provides funding to hire two additional city employees. Monroe's road maintenance and repair is not being fulfilled adequately causing delayed work and translating into increased costs. This was my main reason for supporting the 2014 budget increase as I anticipate the additional funding/staff will work towards completing scheduled work on a regular basis.
Water rates: In 2009, Monroe's City Council reduced the recommended water rate increase; a portion of this eliminated funding was designated to finance the city's new water meters; as a result, this delayed cost is now being realized in the recent water rate increase but will provide us the financial ability to complete this project. Did you know that Monroe's water rates are in the lowest 20 percent for all Wisconsin municipalities?
One of the biggest financial decisions pending will be the funding for the parking ramp. The final fate of the ramp is yet to be determined, but unused funding and neglected scheduled maintenance over the course of the last decade or more has placed the burden of cost on the current council. While we are not the ultimate cause for the parking ramp's decline, the 2014 Council will be remembered for the debt that will be needed for its remedy.
While economic growth can be a slow process, the current council has positively supported advancements within our industrial park. We provided assistance to Quest allowing them to move to the Industrial Park and retain their employee base in Monroe. The current council has also created forward movement for Wonder Milk to build in the Industrial Park; this is a yet unrealized opportunity for a major job increase in our community. During the 2013 budget process there was a move to eliminate funding for Green County Development Corp; I supported and successfully worked to reestablish this funding. Lastly, the revolving loan fund is an ongoing successful program that has exceeded goals by almost doubling projections for new job fillings.
Did you know that one of Monroe's top 5 goals for 2014 is to conduct follow-up analysis and establish clear roles and policies for future economic development projects?
I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve on the City Council and hope that I have earned your support to continue serving Ward 7 for another term.
Position sought: Alderman, Ward 7
Age:
City/town of residence: Monroe
Family: Wife, Josephine; Son, Louis II
Education: B.S. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Occupation: Production Manager, Minhas Craft Brewery
The current City Council is working towards continued transparency. I have supported our efforts to approve various policy updates and improvements including the Chain of Command, Code of Conduct Policy, and the Employee Policy Manual. The city's website has been updated to provide easier access to meeting minutes; provided increased posting time of meeting minutes; and meetings are now video recorded and posted for all to view. Additionally, we recently updated the city's Code of Ethics by excluding alderpersons from eligibility creating a more impartial review. Transparency is providing means for others to see what actions are being conducted; I fail to see how "one can only conclude" that our actions equate to a lack of transparency.
Is there conflict between alderpersons? I would answer yes, but clarify that it is a conflict of opinion. As long as the individuality of alderpersons and the differences that exist between us are productive, I would claim that this is a beneficial aspect of the decision making process.
I believe all businesses experience various levels of disgusted or unhappy employees. The current council has listened to the employees and included their suggestions and input in new policies, worked to provide financial advancement for its employees, and when warranted, taken corrective actions to provide discipline. Happiness and continued safe success of our employees has been and will be included in various topics of discussion.
Financial decisions: In 2012, the council created and approved the 2013 budget, a budget that successfully provided a zero increase. Last year's council brought forth the 2014 budget; a budget with a slight increase (< 2 percent); this increase basically provides funding to hire two additional city employees. Monroe's road maintenance and repair is not being fulfilled adequately causing delayed work and translating into increased costs. This was my main reason for supporting the 2014 budget increase as I anticipate the additional funding/staff will work towards completing scheduled work on a regular basis.
Water rates: In 2009, Monroe's City Council reduced the recommended water rate increase; a portion of this eliminated funding was designated to finance the city's new water meters; as a result, this delayed cost is now being realized in the recent water rate increase but will provide us the financial ability to complete this project. Did you know that Monroe's water rates are in the lowest 20 percent for all Wisconsin municipalities?
One of the biggest financial decisions pending will be the funding for the parking ramp. The final fate of the ramp is yet to be determined, but unused funding and neglected scheduled maintenance over the course of the last decade or more has placed the burden of cost on the current council. While we are not the ultimate cause for the parking ramp's decline, the 2014 Council will be remembered for the debt that will be needed for its remedy.
While economic growth can be a slow process, the current council has positively supported advancements within our industrial park. We provided assistance to Quest allowing them to move to the Industrial Park and retain their employee base in Monroe. The current council has also created forward movement for Wonder Milk to build in the Industrial Park; this is a yet unrealized opportunity for a major job increase in our community. During the 2013 budget process there was a move to eliminate funding for Green County Development Corp; I supported and successfully worked to reestablish this funding. Lastly, the revolving loan fund is an ongoing successful program that has exceeded goals by almost doubling projections for new job fillings.
Did you know that one of Monroe's top 5 goals for 2014 is to conduct follow-up analysis and establish clear roles and policies for future economic development projects?
I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve on the City Council and hope that I have earned your support to continue serving Ward 7 for another term.