In my four years of serving the citizens of Monroe, I have been outspoken when the need has arisen. A perfect example is when the city wanted to assess the residents along 16th Avenue for street repairs. It was double taxation, and I spoke out against it, and months later, the whole council voted unanimously to not assess the citizens. We still have work to do as a council to change the misguided sidewalk assessment policy, but I am confident that we will change this bad policy for the benefit of all citizens.
When it came to my attention that the city had the ability to offer beer and wine licenses for restaurants, and was not doing it, due to the protectionist lobbying of the Tavern League, I spoke out loudly in favor of free enterprise, and after numerous meetings, we as a council did the right thing and made beer and wine licenses available. Vince's Pizza, as a result, expanded into a larger, nicer facility. Other restaurants have benefited from this change as well. Now if only the state legislature would change their archaic quotas on full liquor licenses.
I speak out, and vote against high taxes, higher fees and wasteful spending. I know that most citizens understand the need for taxation and fees, but they do want to see that it is justified. Controlled government spending goes hand in hand with keeping our taxes as low as possible. During my four years on council, I have pushed hard in meetings to lower taxes and fees. We as a council have done a good job compared to the other taxing entities that make up your tax bill. While I feel we've done well, we have not gone as far as I would like.
Now is not the time to change your representative just for change's sake. My opponent, Louis Armstrong, said he is running against me to "get involved in the community." I would suggest to anyone who would like to get involved, please volunteer for some charities or organizations that help our city. He also said he "had no complaints about Hanson's performance as alderman." You can take that as you wish, but it sure sounds like an endorsement to me. I ask for your vote once again in Ward 7. Please let me continue to fight for you.
When it came to my attention that the city had the ability to offer beer and wine licenses for restaurants, and was not doing it, due to the protectionist lobbying of the Tavern League, I spoke out loudly in favor of free enterprise, and after numerous meetings, we as a council did the right thing and made beer and wine licenses available. Vince's Pizza, as a result, expanded into a larger, nicer facility. Other restaurants have benefited from this change as well. Now if only the state legislature would change their archaic quotas on full liquor licenses.
I speak out, and vote against high taxes, higher fees and wasteful spending. I know that most citizens understand the need for taxation and fees, but they do want to see that it is justified. Controlled government spending goes hand in hand with keeping our taxes as low as possible. During my four years on council, I have pushed hard in meetings to lower taxes and fees. We as a council have done a good job compared to the other taxing entities that make up your tax bill. While I feel we've done well, we have not gone as far as I would like.
Now is not the time to change your representative just for change's sake. My opponent, Louis Armstrong, said he is running against me to "get involved in the community." I would suggest to anyone who would like to get involved, please volunteer for some charities or organizations that help our city. He also said he "had no complaints about Hanson's performance as alderman." You can take that as you wish, but it sure sounds like an endorsement to me. I ask for your vote once again in Ward 7. Please let me continue to fight for you.
