Candidate Profile: Ed Holpfer For Franklin District 1 Alderperson

FRANKLIN, WI — Voters will be showing up to the polls on April 5 in Franklin for the Spring Election. Several people are seeking to fill seats on the Common Council.

Ahead of election day, we asked each candidate to share more about their campaign. We'll be publishing profiles as we receive responses from the candidates. To learn more about voting in the election, check out our guide here.

Ed Holpfer

Age (as of Election Day)

68

Position sought (including ward or district number if applicable)

Alderman First District

Party Affiliation

N/A

Family

Wife Barbara, two Adult Children, Ed (wife Sami), Julie (Husband Steven, daughter Violet)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Assorted College Credits

Occupation

President CEO New Berlin Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, ten years, recently retired. I have served in executive leadership roles in three chambers of commerce over 21 years. Additionally, I have served in executive level management roles in private industry as well. I have owned and operated several small businesses and my career spans multiple industries.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Current first district Alderman since August 2021
Past member Franklin Public School Board
Franklin Community Development Authority, Co-Chair
Franklin Tourism Commission
Franklin Civic Celebrations Committee
Franklin Library Building Committee
Franklin Stormwater Management Taskforce
Franklin Facilities Needs Taskforce, Chair
Franklin Board of Public Works
Franklin Finance Committee
Franklin Personnel Committee
Franklin Boards and Commissions Review Taskforce

Campaign website

https://edholpfer.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I strongly believe that I can have a positive impact on the growth and development of the city. Over the next three years Franklin will face critical decisions impacting our residents for decades to come. I Have actively served on city boards and commission for forty years, under five different mayors. With that experience, I've gained valuable knowledge that will be beneficial in guiding the decision-making process. I've asked the difficult questions, done the research, and made high level, strategic decisions before. I understand what questions to ask, and where to find the answers. I believe that I am the best qualified candidate, and I've invested years of time and energy to help Franklin be a community people are proud to live in.

As our city continues to grow, so do our needs and wants. Having dedicated 21 years to promoting the growth and prosperity of Communities and Businesses, I bring unique skills and experience to the role of Alderman. Skills and experience that will help us fill our needs and prioritize our wants.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The ability to meet and pay for the needs of a growing community, without breaking the bank, assuming too much debt, and hurting our Bond credit rating.

As the city's population grows, the demand for services grows as well. Even without increased demand for services (Police, Fire, DPW, Parks, Infrastructure repair and replacement) we are already finding it difficult to attract and retain quality employees to provide existing services due to the current conditions of the job market. While growth adds demand for services it also adds revenue.

My goals are to balance our growth (to the best of our abilities), to improve long-range planning efforts, including benchmarks for estimating when services will need to expand and by how much. Update long-range plans and cost estimates for the future expansion of services. That being said, often times development opportunities arise sooner than anticipated with the potential to overburden city services. That's why better planning, with regularly scheduled reviews and re assessment of timelines are critical to allow for some flexibility in timing and financial options. While growth is ultimately driven by the marketplace and availability of land, we must control it to the extent that we can.

I intend to continue taking a conservative fiscal approach with city finances and working to attract new developments that add value to the community for sustainable growth.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The biggest difference between me and my opponent is, actual, relevant experience.
I served as the President of three chambers of commerce in West Allis, Franklin, and New Berlin. In that role, I was responsible for the promotion and growth of those communities while working to ensure a strong economic environment. I worked to not only attract new businesses, but to foster the growth and development of the existing local businesses. I worked to make sure the regulatory environment was effective yet not overly burdensome. I worked to promote those communities as great places to live, work, learn, and operate a business. A large part of my job was to work closely with local, county, state, and federal legislators, and agencies to advocate for the businesses and communities I represented. That experience directly correlates with many of the duties of an Alderman.

In my forty years as a first district resident, I've been an active community member serving on boards, commissions, and committees, as well as some time on the Franklin School board. That time was spent studying and addressing issues important to city residents. These issues often involved long range planning, budgeting, and millions of dollars in expenditures.
Based on what I've read, my opponent has no similar direct experience especially here in Franklin.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The city is long overdue in updating our comprehensive master plan! While we are currently updating the Uniform Development Ordinance, my preference would have been to update the master plan first and then adopt changes to the UDO that support the updates to the Master Plan. I was not in office when that decision was made.

Better, more comprehensive long-range city planning including benchmarks and specific timelines to gauge progress.

Maintain our conservative financial approach while looking for additional ways to save money through cooperation with other local partners and stakeholders.

Protecting the city's Bond Credit Rating. With the potential for several large expenditures on the horizon properly managing our debt through borrowing will be critical. Any decrease in our credit rating will result in increased borrowing costs.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

During my short time in office (7 months) I have successfully driven the process to clarify and update the city's vicious dog ordinance, eliminating some ambiguous language and insuring uniform communication and expectations between all parties. This was a collaborative effort between the Health and Police departments and the City Attorney's office in response to a citizen's concerns.

I have proposed changes to the city's residential building ordinances requiring all newly constructed homes to have certified compliance with established finish grades within one year of occupancy. This change, if adopted, will help eliminate or reduce future drainage issues in newly developed areas. In response to concerns of water issues in a recently approved subdivision, I initiated the research including reviewing ordinances in neighboring communities, cost and implantation concerns, as well as impacts to city staff, developers, and homeowners.

In the face of sometimes very vocal, public opposition I, stood by my convictions and voted in what I felt were the best interests of the city and the first district. I will always do what I believe is in the best interests of the city and the residents that I represent.

As a member of the Franklin Public Library Building Committee, we were able to bring the project in on time, and under budget even though we encountered unexpected soil conditions requiring additional expenses. I suggested a switch in building materials and process which utimately resulted in savings in excess of $180,000.

As a member of the very first Civic Celebrations Commission, I successfully raised in excess of $45,000 for the city's anniversary celebration.

As a charter member of the Franklin Education Foundation, I successfully raised a $50,000 donation to help fund a computer lab in Forrest Park Middle School.

I have delivered for the residents of Franklin for forty years. I am asking them for the opportunity to serve another three years.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Best personal advice: Always assume that people's intentions are honorable unless proven otherwise. In other words, trust that people are honest and trying to do what they believe is the right thing unless there is really proof to the contrary.

Best political advice: If no one is ever upset with you that just means you haven't been doing anything. You can't please everyone all the time. Be true to yourself and the people you represent.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My wife Barb and I have lived in the district for 40 years. We feel blessed and grateful to have raised our family here. On August 25, 2021, I was sworn in to fill the remaining term of our Alderman when he moved out of state. It’s been my honor to serve as your representative these past months. I’m excited to be running for election for my first full term.

I’ve gained valuable experience and knowledge serving on multiple city boards, commissions, and Ad-hoc committees under five mayors over four decades. Experience that I quickly put to work addressing issues important to first district residents.

In the next three years Franklin faces critical decisions that will impact residents for decades. Choose an experienced, proven leader, that’s asked the tough questions and made successful choices in the past.

I invite you to learn more about my experience, qualifications, and the issues on my website
Re-elect Alderman Ed Holpfer

Thank you for considering me to represent you.

Respectfully,
Ed Holpfer