Candidate Forum Highlights Muskego's Top Issues

The six aldermanic candidates met at City Hall Tuesday night to discuss the issues in the only public opportunity for residents to hear from them.

The forum allowed for questions to be submitted from residents and moderator Jim Schaefer, who is also the Muskego-Norway School Board president, posed them to the competing candidates.

There was much consensus to be had on Muskego's arrangement with the (all candidates felt their was no need to enlist a full time department or fire chief), the need for continued transparency of meetings and available agenda, and for streetscaping enhancements. However, other divisions arose over spending.

A question posted on whether it was a good idea to include a $3 million 'cushion' in the revealed Alderman Neil Borgman (D3), (D5),  and challenger Rob Wolfe (D1) saying no.

"Borrowing $14 million was excessive, and the 'low rate' that others refer to is only available to us for the first three years," Borgman said.

However, in the 3rd district, said the 1.6 percent rate was a good opportunity to have a contingency for unexpected expenses. John Engelhardt, the challenger in Soltysiak's 5th district and Alderman Tracy Snead (D1) agreed.

"If you've ever built a house, you know that you always plan for the unexpected when you budget, and that's what we did," Snead said.

The group also agreed that the city needed to become more business friendly in order to build a greater tax base to help reduce the tax burden on citizens. Muskego currently has only 9 percent of its tax burden shouldered by businesses, and 'healthier' numbers indicate that number should be at least 20 percent.

Lefebvre cited that their was simply too much bureaucracy; Borgman and Snead specifically said the city has not been as welcoming as it should be.

"I am hearing from large businesses that we are losing them to other cities, and I have to believe that is why we've lost Reynolds Aluminum, and will lose in the business park," Borgman said.

"This needs to start with the Common Council in respecting businesses," Snead added. "At plan commission as well, we are sometimes too picky - I understand we want things to look good, and that's fine, but we have to be more welcoming."

Wolfe stated that he would like to see input from current businesses along Janesville Road to help them out and perhaps use their comments to learn how the city could improve. He also stated that the city might hire a business manager to address these concerns.

While Engelhardt pointed to the use of financial incentives to bring new businesses to the city, Soltysiak said he felt the economy also affected businesses.

"We need to consider the economy and the overall national mood," he said. "I wonder at the plan commission, which refused to their facade. We simply need to offer an easier relationship."

He also pointed to the that has an outside consultant reviewing various business centers of the city to determine which companies would provide a 'best fit' based on location. Agreeing with Snead, he added that the Common Council should support the Community Development Authority by providing more resources to help businesses.

The issue, once litigation is behind the city and developer Art Dyer, also found consensus among the candidates. Calling it a 'natural area for development,' most said the city needed to jump on the opportunity to develop the 11-acre parcel, which has been vacant for 15 years. Soltysiak and Snead specifically spoke to embracing any developer as long as plans fit within the city's comprehensive plan.

The lake park development drew similar responses to its current status - every candidate felt the formation of a committee to work with the parks department to come up with a plan and costs for development was a positive step.

Snead, who had cast the only 'yes' vote among the incumbents at the forum, defended her vote, citing the potential for stimulating growth as a result of the development of the 4.6 acre park.

"I did hear from my constituents and I felt it was time we needed to take a risk. I believe in this, and feel it would be good for the city and businesses," she said. "However, as we heard from more citizens, many of whom signed a petition to stop it, I then drafted a resolution to form the committee based on what I heard from them."

Snead's opponent, Robert Wolfe, disagreed, saying that Snead "has not been responsive or available to District 1 residents. People in this district have flooding issues to contend with, and to spend $3.55 million on this park is foolish."

perhaps posed the most contention on the panel, as Snead's opening remarks called out Wolfe and his supporters for "attacking me, my parents and my son with incorrect accusations. He's not discussing flooding or the Tess Corners Drive construction, and these personal attacks have nothing to do with the issues," Snead said.

Wolfe, in turn, continued to point to his strong primary showing, which garnered 60 percent of the vote, as a statement against Snead's representation. However, the race may not be won yet, as primary election turnout hovered around 24 percent.

The forum, which was co-sponsored by the Muskego Woman's Club and the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce, will be rebroadcast on cable access channel 25 later this week.The general election will be held on Tuesday, April 3. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.