MONROE - The race for New Glarus village president has it all - an incumbent, a former president and a challenger.
Three candidates - Tom Myers, Erwin Zweifel and Jim Salter - are on Tuesday's ballot.
Tom Myers served as village president for two 2-year terms, then stepped back to spend more for his family. "I want to get back into a leadership role; I think I was very effective in my previous terms," he said.
Myers looks to his service with the volunteer fire department, as a past police officer and as a business owner for several years as qualifications for the position.
"I feel I have a good relationship with the community and (understand) their needs and goals. And I have six years experience on the board as a trustee," he said.
Myers said the most important issue facing the Village of New Glarus is its budget and tax levy.
"One of the things we did in my previous presidency was to contract with a private firm to do financial advising," he said. Myers said the move saved on interest and loans and improved planning.
"It created a balance in services and infrastructure and helped hold down the levy," he said.
Erwin Zweifel is the incumbent candidate, and said he wants to continue as president.
"We've got some issues we want to address, and I think I need to be there," he said.
Zweifel sees his accomplishments as village president as his major qualifications for remaining.
"I'm at the end of my second year, and I'm not perfect - I make mistakes - but the issue that concerns me is continuing to work in cooperation with the Town of Monroe to resolve some issues," he said. "We've developed a good working relationship with (some) board members with the township. Communication is considerably better."
Zweifel noted the current economy's effect on the village's current and future plans.
"Issues forthcoming are looking at the economy situation as it is today and in the future. It might make us change our minds on some major projects on the way. Land purchases may need to be delayed; our backtown development will probably go on hold; and other issues," he said.
The biggest village issue is in conjunction with the school district, a 19-acre land purchase for a village garage and school bus garage, he said.
"We need to find out what the school district has in mind with a land purchase. I don't think we can pursue it on our own without the school being part of it," Zweifel said.
Jim Salter said opening accessibility to the board is his biggest interest in running for village president.
"I just would give residents better opportunity to speak and be heard, and be taken into account when talking to the board," he said.
Salter wants to televise board meetings using public access channels, which he said would make the board more accessible to all citizens in New Glarus, including those in the New Glarus Home, who find it difficult to get out at night to attend meetings.
Salter said he approaches problems and solutions in a way that have not been done before, and by crossing ideas over from one issue to another. He also noted his public service in the fire department and as an ambulance driver as one of his qualifications.
"One of my best abilities and assets is drawing on many different resources, and thinking outside the box, " he said. "With the people I know and my experience, I find the least expensive solution."
"I have no property sales pending and no conflicts of interest," he added.
Salter said the village's most pressing problem is people losing their jobs and facing higher taxes.
"(We need to be) analyzing spending and taking advantage of the stimulus becoming available, and really managing money," he said. "And finding smarter ways of solving things."
Three candidates - Tom Myers, Erwin Zweifel and Jim Salter - are on Tuesday's ballot.
Tom Myers served as village president for two 2-year terms, then stepped back to spend more for his family. "I want to get back into a leadership role; I think I was very effective in my previous terms," he said.
Myers looks to his service with the volunteer fire department, as a past police officer and as a business owner for several years as qualifications for the position.
"I feel I have a good relationship with the community and (understand) their needs and goals. And I have six years experience on the board as a trustee," he said.
Myers said the most important issue facing the Village of New Glarus is its budget and tax levy.
"One of the things we did in my previous presidency was to contract with a private firm to do financial advising," he said. Myers said the move saved on interest and loans and improved planning.
"It created a balance in services and infrastructure and helped hold down the levy," he said.
Erwin Zweifel is the incumbent candidate, and said he wants to continue as president.
"We've got some issues we want to address, and I think I need to be there," he said.
Zweifel sees his accomplishments as village president as his major qualifications for remaining.
"I'm at the end of my second year, and I'm not perfect - I make mistakes - but the issue that concerns me is continuing to work in cooperation with the Town of Monroe to resolve some issues," he said. "We've developed a good working relationship with (some) board members with the township. Communication is considerably better."
Zweifel noted the current economy's effect on the village's current and future plans.
"Issues forthcoming are looking at the economy situation as it is today and in the future. It might make us change our minds on some major projects on the way. Land purchases may need to be delayed; our backtown development will probably go on hold; and other issues," he said.
The biggest village issue is in conjunction with the school district, a 19-acre land purchase for a village garage and school bus garage, he said.
"We need to find out what the school district has in mind with a land purchase. I don't think we can pursue it on our own without the school being part of it," Zweifel said.
Jim Salter said opening accessibility to the board is his biggest interest in running for village president.
"I just would give residents better opportunity to speak and be heard, and be taken into account when talking to the board," he said.
Salter wants to televise board meetings using public access channels, which he said would make the board more accessible to all citizens in New Glarus, including those in the New Glarus Home, who find it difficult to get out at night to attend meetings.
Salter said he approaches problems and solutions in a way that have not been done before, and by crossing ideas over from one issue to another. He also noted his public service in the fire department and as an ambulance driver as one of his qualifications.
"One of my best abilities and assets is drawing on many different resources, and thinking outside the box, " he said. "With the people I know and my experience, I find the least expensive solution."
"I have no property sales pending and no conflicts of interest," he added.
Salter said the village's most pressing problem is people losing their jobs and facing higher taxes.
"(We need to be) analyzing spending and taking advantage of the stimulus becoming available, and really managing money," he said. "And finding smarter ways of solving things."