New Glarus Village Board
Six candidates are running for three spots on the village board. Incumbents are Mark Janowiak, Eric Gobeli and Peggy Kruse. Also running are Ben Kahl, Barbara Anderson and Tammy Newberry. All candidates were asked to submit answers to questions.
Position sought: New Glarus village board
Age: 45
City/town of residence: New Glarus
Family: Married to Christopher; son, Andrew; daughter, Amelia.
Education: Northern Illinois University, Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management
Occupation: Substitute teacher at New Glarus School District
Previous elected positions held: None
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve them?
I think, as with most things in life, the biggest issue is balancing needs and wants with a realistic budget.
I would first work with the public and businesses in the community to help identify and communicate the needs of the village and then work to help recognize the wants of the village. From my understanding at this time the village needs some infrastructure work and wants a library.
Once the needs and the wants are clearly identified and communicated with the public, I will work with everyone to put together a plan to reach the goals.
As with any community a bigger operating income is always desired to get not only the needs, but the wants of the community members met.
In order to get a larger operating income, we have to develop a revenue plan. Raising taxes and/or utility rates on village residents is one way to increase revenue, but not very popular. Accepting debt is another way to get all that is desired, but this will have to be paid at some cost, and possibly put the village at some risk of not being able to borrow more in the near future, if an emergency should arise.
Attracting businesses and tourists or somehow getting money from outside the village is the ideal. This will take planning and some work. We in New Glarus have some experience in this and we will just need to work together. I have some experience in this, but mostly I am willing to learn how to do it because it is what needs to be done to keep New Glarus moving forward.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
Another key issue of the board is communication with the village residents. As a board member with many connections in the area, I am in a position to communicate the issues and decisions made. I hope to bring the right people into the mix to find unique solutions to old issues.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I feel that I am the best candidate because I will put in the energy to study the issues of the village and take the time to discuss those issues with everyone. I am also very good at helping people find out where and how they can contribute to the success of the community at large. I held management positions in my 17-year career with the American Red Cross. Throughout my career, I managed budgets and paid and volunteer staff in the course of both disaster and normal operations. I learned that people will respond positively if they have an active role in getting things done or are informed of what is being done and why. In addition to my management experience, I am a parent, I serve on several volunteer committees in New Glarus, and I work as a substitute teacher.
Age: 45
City/town of residence: New Glarus
Family: Married to Christopher; son, Andrew; daughter, Amelia.
Education: Northern Illinois University, Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management
Occupation: Substitute teacher at New Glarus School District
Previous elected positions held: None
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve them?
I think, as with most things in life, the biggest issue is balancing needs and wants with a realistic budget.
I would first work with the public and businesses in the community to help identify and communicate the needs of the village and then work to help recognize the wants of the village. From my understanding at this time the village needs some infrastructure work and wants a library.
Once the needs and the wants are clearly identified and communicated with the public, I will work with everyone to put together a plan to reach the goals.
As with any community a bigger operating income is always desired to get not only the needs, but the wants of the community members met.
In order to get a larger operating income, we have to develop a revenue plan. Raising taxes and/or utility rates on village residents is one way to increase revenue, but not very popular. Accepting debt is another way to get all that is desired, but this will have to be paid at some cost, and possibly put the village at some risk of not being able to borrow more in the near future, if an emergency should arise.
Attracting businesses and tourists or somehow getting money from outside the village is the ideal. This will take planning and some work. We in New Glarus have some experience in this and we will just need to work together. I have some experience in this, but mostly I am willing to learn how to do it because it is what needs to be done to keep New Glarus moving forward.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
Another key issue of the board is communication with the village residents. As a board member with many connections in the area, I am in a position to communicate the issues and decisions made. I hope to bring the right people into the mix to find unique solutions to old issues.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I feel that I am the best candidate because I will put in the energy to study the issues of the village and take the time to discuss those issues with everyone. I am also very good at helping people find out where and how they can contribute to the success of the community at large. I held management positions in my 17-year career with the American Red Cross. Throughout my career, I managed budgets and paid and volunteer staff in the course of both disaster and normal operations. I learned that people will respond positively if they have an active role in getting things done or are informed of what is being done and why. In addition to my management experience, I am a parent, I serve on several volunteer committees in New Glarus, and I work as a substitute teacher.