Shorewood Village Board Election: Meet The Candidates

SHOREWOOD, WI — Among the April 5 elections in Shorewood there are two seats for the Village Board of Trustees. Three people are running for the spots, and each has shared ambitious goals and ideas for how they would serve if elected.

The candidates come from a wide history in the Village, and are representative of a wide group of ages. Some key issues candidates brought up were growth in the village, inclusivity, the recent police organizational study, affordable housing and more.

The candidates also spoke in the Shorewood Woman's Club forum on March 7. That forum can be viewed on Youtube here.

How To Vote

Voting has already commenced in some aspects of the spring election. While recent court rulings have banished the dropboxes many may have used in the past, and further court action has ruled that people may only return or mail their own ballot, there are still ways to vote early or to show up at the polls on election day.

You can vote absentee in-person at Village Hall, 3930 Murray Avenue, until Friday. The village's website says hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day until Friday. On Friday, the last day to vote absentee in-person, hours are extended until 5 p.m.

As for voting on election day, the polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Your voting location will depend on what ward you live in. To find out what ward you live in, use myvote.wi.gov or check the map of wards posted on the village website.

Here are the polling places for each ward:

• Wards 1-4: Library Village Center, 3920 Murray Avenue.
• Wards 5 - 8: Library Village Center, 3920 Murray Avenue.
• Wards 9 - 12: North Shore Presbyterian Church, 4048 North Bartlett Avenue.

Meet The Candidates

In the order in which they will appear on the ballot, the candidates for the Village of Shorewood Board of Trustees are Jerry Lynn, Noah Wolfe and Eric Couto.

You can read each candidate's full profile that they provided for Patch through the links below.

Candidate Profile: Jerry Lynn For Shorewood Village Board

Candidate Profile: Noah Wolfe For Shorewood Village Board

Candidate Profile: Eric Couto For Shorewood Village Board

Each would be newcomers to the board —incumbents Tammy Bockhorst and Wesley Warren are not running again.

Eric Couto told Patch for a candidate profile he feels some of the key issues that need tackling are wide and varied. "We have a number of challenges. Aging infrastructure, housing affordability, environmental sustainability and transparency are some areas to highlight," Couto wrote in his election profile posted on Patch.

Couto said that issues in infrastructure, environmental sustainability and transparency are issues that can be immediately addressed through ordinances and government practices. When it comes to affordable housing, a "multi-tool" approach and an "end to village-sponsored corporate subsidies" could be part of an approach, Couto wrote in the profile.

At 22 years old, Candidate Noah Wolfe is a public school teacher and the youngest vying for a spot on the board this election cycle. Pointing out that young adults are slated to be one of the largest projected growth groups in coming years, Wolfe wrote in his election profile that "as we see Shorewood becoming a more renter-friendly village with young professionals, it is time that the Village Board has representation from that same age range."

"The three main issues that define my campaign platform are accessibility, equity and community," Wolfe wrote. "I would be committed to affordable housing and disability-friendly infrastructure village-wide."

For candidate Jerry Lynn, "the Village is in a great position for growth in the next few years."

"We are on the right track and now need to implement the plans and I believe that I can help," Lynn wrote in his profile on Patch. "We will need to leverage community input in constructive and impactful ways to ensure that completed projects meet the high standards of Shorewood and better the Milwaukee community at large."

Here are more excerpts from each candidates' responses to Patch's questions:

Why are you seeking elective office?

Lynn: "I believe that the Village is in a great position for growth in the next few years following the completion of a number of important studies done in Village Hall," Lynn said.

"I hope to be an advocate for the people who need a voice in Village Hall and will always promise to collaborate with our neighbors to get things done."

Wolfe: "I am a public school teacher and I work every day to help young people learn the skills to advocate for their needs and feel empowered to speak up," Wolfe said.

"Young people and young adults living in Shorewood should know they are represented by our Village Board."

Couto: "To work with my neighbors to make sure Shorewood is great community to live, work and raise a family in," Couto wrote.

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

Lynn: "I will work closely with the County's Office of African American Affairs to make sure that the programs are aimed directly at helping further our racial justice initiatives," Lynn said.

"The Village also needs to be on the forefront of inclusivity for our handicapped, disabled, and senior citizen neighbors as well," Lynn wrote. "We have aging infrastructure and limited parking in the Village and need to prioritize accessibility with all of our projects."

Wolfe: "Shorewood needs to address housing affordability and ensure that all new housing built is accessible housing for various income levels, going above minimum requirements for affordability and inclusivity," Wolfe said. "In addition, the equity work occurring with the Shorewood Police Department is a good start, but must continue."

Couto: "Like every community across Wisconsin, we have a number of challenges. Aging infrastructure, housing affordability, environmental sustainability and transparency are some areas to highlight," Couto said. "First and foremost, we as a village need to start listening and working together. Only then can we truly move forward."

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

Lynn: "I believe that I am well suited to help implement the programs that we have started in the last few years. I know what it takes to collaborate within Village Hall to get big projects done and I plan to be a productive member of the board."

Wolfe: "I am the only candidate who is a current renter in Shorewood and if elected, would be the only Village Board member that falls within the large projected population growth age-range of 20 to 34 years old."

Couto: "The critical difference between myself and my opponents is my many years of community building and engagement with local officials and communities across Wisconsin. That expertise coupled with my experience growing up in Shorewood and serving on the Plan Commission and Wilson Drive Task Force gives me a unique perspective."

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

Lynn: Citing five years of experience as the Co-Chair of the Shorewood Pedestrian and Bike Safety Committee, Lynn says he has collaborated with most departments in Village Hall, including police, health, planning, DPW and the Village Manager's office.

"My time as a volunteer in Village Hall taught me what it takes to turn an idea into reality in this Village, and that is how I plan to use my time on the Board," Lynn wrote.

Wolfe: Wolfe, who said he is currently a special education teacher working with students who have severe behavioral disabilities, says he prides himself on his ability to collaborate and advocate with students, families and other staff members. Wolfe also cited his experience from the summer of 2020, when he helped to organize the North Shore Black Lives Matter protest.

"I have a track record of listening deeply to other's concerns and working hard to reach common goals," Wolfe wrote.

Couto: Pointing toward experience engaging with local officials and various communities, Couto said he has expertise and experience growing up in Shorewood. He is a member of the Plan Commission and the Wilson Drive Task Force, which he says gives him a unique perspective.

"I understand what makes Shorewood special but I also see numerous ways to make our community better by working better together," Couto wrote.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Lynn: Lynn brought inclusivity, compassionate community engagement, evidence-based progress and sustainability as key issues defining his platform. He said our local governent should be focused on inclusivity in all decision making, that the board has an obligation to combat climate change, and that he believes in listening to the concerns of the community.

Wolfe: The three defining issues of Wolfe's campaign are accessibility, equity and community, he said. He would focus on affordable housing and disability-friendly architecure,

"I would be committed to affordable housing and disability-friendly infrastructure village-wide. I also would be a strong advocate for all residents, with a lens towards students, renters, and families," Wolfe wrote. "I am dedicated to working collaboratively for a community where everyone is included and differences are celebrated."

Couto: "Aging infrastructure, environmental sustainability, housing affordability and transparent governance are all issues that deeply concern me and the folks I'm talking to across the village," Couto wrote. "I hear everyday from residents that we need to find a way to work together to address lead laterals, safe drinking water, affordable housing and closed government."

More information on how to vote in the Village of Shorewood is available on the clerk's website.