MONROE - Chris Beer will be challenging Kent Kallembach for the second half of a two-year term as alderman in Ward 9 on April 5.
Kallembach was appointed to fill the seat in August 2010, after Mike Rivers stepped down. Beer was also considered by Mayor Bill Ross to fill the position.
Both Beer and Kallembach bring financial experience in government to the race.
Beer, currently a Green County veteran benefit counselor, has worked for 26 years in county government and has prepared and worked under its budgets.
Kallembach is a certified public accountant and chaired the city's Finance and Taxation Committee during his last full-term as an alderman, from 2008 to 2010.
Both candidates are expecting more cuts in the city budget to come this fall, and are awaiting state budget changes to determine where to streamline or restructure city government. Kallembach is also open to considering privatizing some city services, while Beer is advocating postponing some capital purchases.
Bringing businesses to the city is a top priority for the candidates.
Beer is looking to fill vacant buildings in the city and to attract businesses, customers and tourists by revitalizing Monroe's only city parking ramp downtown.
Kallembach would like to see the city offer more incentives, such as grants, low-interest loans and below-market land sales, to businesses locating in the city, particularly in Tax Increment Districts.
While both candidates believe promoting Monroe for business and tourism has been well-done, each is offering additional suggestions.
Kallembach believes city government should use more technology in its promotional efforts, as well as encourage more community festivals and celebrations.
Beer sees tourism as another opportunity to utilize some empty buildings, by converting them to convention and event facilities.
Kallembach was appointed to fill the seat in August 2010, after Mike Rivers stepped down. Beer was also considered by Mayor Bill Ross to fill the position.
Both Beer and Kallembach bring financial experience in government to the race.
Beer, currently a Green County veteran benefit counselor, has worked for 26 years in county government and has prepared and worked under its budgets.
Kallembach is a certified public accountant and chaired the city's Finance and Taxation Committee during his last full-term as an alderman, from 2008 to 2010.
Both candidates are expecting more cuts in the city budget to come this fall, and are awaiting state budget changes to determine where to streamline or restructure city government. Kallembach is also open to considering privatizing some city services, while Beer is advocating postponing some capital purchases.
Bringing businesses to the city is a top priority for the candidates.
Beer is looking to fill vacant buildings in the city and to attract businesses, customers and tourists by revitalizing Monroe's only city parking ramp downtown.
Kallembach would like to see the city offer more incentives, such as grants, low-interest loans and below-market land sales, to businesses locating in the city, particularly in Tax Increment Districts.
While both candidates believe promoting Monroe for business and tourism has been well-done, each is offering additional suggestions.
Kallembach believes city government should use more technology in its promotional efforts, as well as encourage more community festivals and celebrations.
Beer sees tourism as another opportunity to utilize some empty buildings, by converting them to convention and event facilities.