Age: 70
Occupation: Retired physician
specializing in anesthesiology
What qualifies you for the position: My professional training taught me to
gather and analyze the facts before making a decision.
Community involvement: Currently on the Business Improvement District Board of Directors, Main Street Board of Directors, having been the chairman for two years, and serve as Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Education: Monroe High School 1958, Bachelor of Science University of Wisconsin 1962, M.D. degree University of Wisconsin Medical School 1968, Anesthesiology Residency University of Wisconsin Hospitals 1971.
Previous experience: My leadership qualities are exhibited by the past presidency of the 8,000-member Wisconsin Medical Association, and past presidency of the Wisconsin Society of Anesthesiologists. I was twice elected president of the St. Clare Hospital Medical Staff and also served as secretary of the Green County Medical Society.
A: There is no easy, two-sentence fix to the budget. It requires very careful examination so the result is fair to all the dedicated city employees and property owners. It must provide the city with adequate funds to allow the continuance of the necessary services and functions as well as to help promote growth both downtown and citywide.
Q: Equalized property values in Monroe's five Tax Increment Districts (TID) fell about $6 million total last year. If a TID does not raise enough tax revenue annually and does not have enough excess funds to meet its debt payment, the city must pay those shortfalls from its general fund. This was a concern during the budget meetings this past fall. What should the City do to help generate tax revenues specifically for these districts and to increase business, industrial and job growth in the city in general?
A: The city needs to examine each TID on its own merits. The industrial park, for one example, has always performed poorly and it appears, as Mayor Ross has indicated, will never come up to the original expectations. The current philosophy is to offer building sites for $1 to encourage construction. The downtown TID (#7), however, offers great potential evidenced by the recent purchase of the Lanz building and the lot on the square.
Q: Mayor Bill Ross has said, what is good for Green County is good for Monroe, and therefor, he has worked with Green County Economic Development Corporation, Green County Department of Tourism and other county offices and municipalities to promote economic growth in the area. The opposite saying, what is good for Monroe is good for Green County, could also be true. Monroe Main Street, Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cheese Days Committee have worked to promote more tourism to Monroe. What should the city do to help promote Monroe - its history, its products and its recreational opportunities as a destination for more visitors?
A: I am working with a group investigating the establishment of a world cheese discovery center downtown. This would not only be a tourist attraction but will also showcase the cheesemaking industry in numerous ways by the use of exhibits, videos, photo, cheesemaking demonstrations and culinary events. There is also discussion on making Monroe more bicycle-friendly including the construction of a trailhead building near Twining Park. When approached, the city and county need to support such endeavors.