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: Ron Marsh
Position sought: 7th Ward Alderperson (write-in candidate)
City/town of residence: Monroe WI
Family: Wife, Judy; two daughters, Laurie and Tracy (decreased); son, Wayne
Education: Graduated Badger High School, Lake Geneva; The American College, received designation as a Charted Life Underwriter; The National Association of Life Underwriters, received designation as a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow.
Occupation: Retired
Previous elected positions held: Mayor: City of Monroe, 4 years
What are the top issues facing this district/board and how would you work to resolve them?
The most critical issue facing our city is the lack of growth. It is vital that our city grows in the following three areas: Commercially, Manufacturing and Residential.
If we do not change the direction we are currently on two thing are sure to happen.
One: the fixed cost in living in our community will be extremely high. Individuals on fixed incomes will be hurt the most. Two: services currently provided by the city will have to be curtailed.
For years, except from 4/2006 to 4/2010, the city has not had an economy marketing program. An economic marketing plan would be the first thing on my agenda, if I was elected to service you.
An action plan, with check points, along with attainable goals would be presented to the Common Council for their approval and endorsement.
What are other key issues facing the district/board, and how would you work to resolve them?
Parking ramp: The decision on the parking ramp should have been made three years ago. The delay in doing so has and will continue costing us, the taxpayers.
A little bit of history. It is my understanding that the original cost of the ramp was $2 million and the foundation was built to handle an additional deck. Pretty strong structure.
There has been discussion that the city would spend $50,000 to beautify it for Cheese Day and then turn around and tear it down. What a waste.
A few months ago it was stated to tear it down and put in a flat parking lot, which would have cost us $1 million.
We need to step back and re-evaluate what could be done to save the ramp and at what cost. It appears that we are already willing to spend $1,050,000 to end up with a faction of the parking spaces in the current ramp.
We need our city to grow. What signal does this send to individuals who are looking at our community to open a new business downtown?
Financial decisions: We are spending way too much money on a number of entities, individuals and projects.
We need to base our decisions on what the city needs, not a wish list. Also, any financial decision made should resolve the problems, not create them. Plus, any financial decisions need to take into consideration on how it would affect us today and in the future.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
The two biggest difference between us is knowledge and experience.
For over 40-plus years I dealt with individuals from all walks of life, businesses of all sizes: both public and private, marketing, hiring individuals, management of individuals, teaching, planning, designing of products, development of training materials, financial issues and training individuals.
In addition, from 5/2008 to 4/2010 the Common Council ask me to oversee the daily operations of our city. This allowed me to interact with department heads, other city employees and you, the general public on a daily basis. These activities provide me with insight on what it takes to run our city more effectively and efficiently. It also allowed me to be creative and to think out of the box when addressing issues regarding our city.
Position sought: 7th Ward Alderperson (write-in candidate)
City/town of residence: Monroe WI
Family: Wife, Judy; two daughters, Laurie and Tracy (decreased); son, Wayne
Education: Graduated Badger High School, Lake Geneva; The American College, received designation as a Charted Life Underwriter; The National Association of Life Underwriters, received designation as a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow.
Occupation: Retired
Previous elected positions held: Mayor: City of Monroe, 4 years
What are the top issues facing this district/board and how would you work to resolve them?
The most critical issue facing our city is the lack of growth. It is vital that our city grows in the following three areas: Commercially, Manufacturing and Residential.
If we do not change the direction we are currently on two thing are sure to happen.
One: the fixed cost in living in our community will be extremely high. Individuals on fixed incomes will be hurt the most. Two: services currently provided by the city will have to be curtailed.
For years, except from 4/2006 to 4/2010, the city has not had an economy marketing program. An economic marketing plan would be the first thing on my agenda, if I was elected to service you.
An action plan, with check points, along with attainable goals would be presented to the Common Council for their approval and endorsement.
What are other key issues facing the district/board, and how would you work to resolve them?
Parking ramp: The decision on the parking ramp should have been made three years ago. The delay in doing so has and will continue costing us, the taxpayers.
A little bit of history. It is my understanding that the original cost of the ramp was $2 million and the foundation was built to handle an additional deck. Pretty strong structure.
There has been discussion that the city would spend $50,000 to beautify it for Cheese Day and then turn around and tear it down. What a waste.
A few months ago it was stated to tear it down and put in a flat parking lot, which would have cost us $1 million.
We need to step back and re-evaluate what could be done to save the ramp and at what cost. It appears that we are already willing to spend $1,050,000 to end up with a faction of the parking spaces in the current ramp.
We need our city to grow. What signal does this send to individuals who are looking at our community to open a new business downtown?
Financial decisions: We are spending way too much money on a number of entities, individuals and projects.
We need to base our decisions on what the city needs, not a wish list. Also, any financial decision made should resolve the problems, not create them. Plus, any financial decisions need to take into consideration on how it would affect us today and in the future.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
The two biggest difference between us is knowledge and experience.
For over 40-plus years I dealt with individuals from all walks of life, businesses of all sizes: both public and private, marketing, hiring individuals, management of individuals, teaching, planning, designing of products, development of training materials, financial issues and training individuals.
In addition, from 5/2008 to 4/2010 the Common Council ask me to oversee the daily operations of our city. This allowed me to interact with department heads, other city employees and you, the general public on a daily basis. These activities provide me with insight on what it takes to run our city more effectively and efficiently. It also allowed me to be creative and to think out of the box when addressing issues regarding our city.