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Candidate Profile: Tim Burke
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Village of Gratiot

There are two people running for president of the Village of Gratiot: Tim Burke and Joanna Neff. Kara Stietz is running unopposed for the single seat open as trustee.

Position sought: Gratiot Village President

Age: 59

City/town of residence: Gratiot WI.

Family: Wife Susan, Dog Cinco

Education: 2 years UW Platteville, 4 year Millwright Apprenticeship Kelly Springfield Tire Company

Occupation: Owner TJ's Truck Accessorieswww.tjtrucks.com

Previous elected positions held: Village Trustee Village of Gratiot, President Lafayette Development Corporation. Treasurer Lafayette Development Corporation.



What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?

We need to continue to develop our Community Building and work to get some small businesses to rent space. We need to find a way to repair more Streets, Water and Sewer lines and get new single-family homes built in the Village. We are the only incorporated Village or City in the County to not have Senior Citizen Housing and Natural gas and we need to continue to work to change that. To attract more visitors to the village we need to continue to promote Wolf Creek Campground.



What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?

We need to find a way to replace lost revenue for our Water and Sewer utilities. We lost our largest utility customer when the Black Hawk School Board unwisely closed the Gratiot School.

We need to continue pursuing a large grant to repair our water and sewer lines and do some needed street reconstruction.



Why are you the best candidate for this office?

We have accomplished many things in the 22 years I have been a Board member. New equipment, Sewer plant, and Maintenance building; replaced bad water lines and rebuild several streets. We have added the profitable Wolf Creek Campground. We have also kept property tax increases to a minimum. Our utility rates are near or at the lowest in the area.

I would like to keep experienced people in two out of three of our Village Board Positions. It is very tough job when only one Board member has experience. Thank you.