Election Preview: Fox Point Village Board

Three candidates are vying for two seats on the Fox Point Village Board in the April 2 election.

Incumbent trustees Douglas Frazer and Eric Fonstad and challenger Terry McGauran are running for three-year terms on the board. (Click on link for biographical information on each candidate).

To provide residents with the most information about the election, Patch asked the candidates their views on the key issues facing the village.

Here, in their own words, are the candidates' answers to those questions as well as some posed by Patch.

I want to continue to serve the residents of Fox Point so that I can help guide the Village through the challenges we face, such as hiring a new Village manager, resolving the footpath, pool and library issues, and keeping Fox Point an attractive place to live.

The headline in the fall Fox Point Newsletter regarding running for the Village Board coupled with recent village meeting discussions on the footbridge issue and a village information meeting outlining the water main, laterals, and storm sewer project on my street sparked my interest in running running for Village Trustee in the Spring election. I bring sound judgement and insight gained from the many business disciplines I have experienced in my career. I have a vested interest in the continuing enhancement of community value through the improvement of services and amenities in a cost effective manner.

The trustees will be hiring a new Village manager in the next few months. This person will have a major impact on Fox Point. I will use my experience and familiarity with the Village to make sure that we hire an excellent individual. Longer term, we must resolve the footbridge issue and address the aging pool and library. I hope that a combination of public and private funding will make it possible to retain these unique Village amenities.

Maintaining the village amenities including the Fox Point pool and footbridge, and repairing/replacing the village roads and infra-structure are the key issues facing the village. Funding these capital projects within budget constraints will require finding creative ways to reduce costs while preserving the top quality services and value that make Fox Point one of the most desirable communities in the Milwaukee area

Given the design and condition of the bridge, it would be a waste of money to try to repair it. And given its current condition, it is not safe to open. It should be taken down. It should only be replaced if the cost of a new bridge does not exceed $1.3 million and at least half of that cost comes from private fundraising. I favor footpaths down to the ravine and the lake whether or not the bridge is replaced. We should try to retain Village features, like the bridge and pool, which make Fox Point a special place.

I believe the village should move forward with the construction of a new footbridge. Recent action by the Village Board asking the Village staff to request quotes bridge demolition will de-couple demolition from construction of a new bridge and eliminate any repair consideration. Repair is not a viable alternative, but this action may result in tabling construction for the foreseeable future. The bridge can be funded through a private/public partnership as evidenced by the great success summarized in the initial report from the Footbridge Friends Inc. We cannot afford to lose this unique village landmark

It is tempting to cut back on services but I think that is a mistake. The only option Fox Point has to increase its tax base, and keep property taxes in check, is to make Fox Point an even more desirable place to live and to encourage residents to invest in their homes. We need to keep those things that attract people to Fox Point and make is a special place to live. I believe we can manage the budget to retain services while keeping taxes and fees in check.

The State has legislated necessary restraints on community property taxes, but there is some flexibility in light of the 2% increase on my 2012 property tax bill. In recent years the Village has reduced office hours and moved items like recycling and sewer to fee based costs attached to the quarterly water bill. The Village could review opportunities like bi-monthly refuse service and reducing staff through seasonal outsourcing. Exploring alternatives aimed at cost reduction and improved efficiency, while enhancing community value is an ongoing challenge and responsibility of the Village Board.