Liberal or Conservative?

People ask me if I am liberal or conservative. I’m not sure I can offer an answer that some people want to hear. I will always point out that local elections are nonpartisan. Still, there are folks out there that make their voting decision based on that litmus test.

I am very concerned about the divisive nature of politics today. People seem to be more liberal or more conservative than anytime I can remember. I am not sure if this is necessarily a good thing. It seems the further people grow apart politically, the more difficult it is for government to function effectively.

Another way to ask the question, I suppose, is if someone is pro-government or pro-business. In my case, my answer would be that I am pro-community. There are times when decisions need to be made that allow business to do what they do best—generate revenue and create jobs. On the other hand, there are times when government can play an active role in making a community a better place to live. It is important at the local level of government, in particular, to have officials who understand the benefits of both strong business and good government. When everyone works together, the end result is a better community for all residents.

I really do want what is best for Thiensville. Most of the residents that I have met over the past week or two feel the same way. Of course, some are very concerned about their property taxes. Others are concerned that sometimes the Village doesn’t understand how difficult it is for folks on limited or fixed incomes to pay for street, water or electrical improvements. Others don’t seem to mind paying a bit more in taxes in order to keep Thiensville a special and unique place to live.

Village Trustees need to find the right balance of making decisions that will help move us forward while keeping the needs of older adult residents or people struggling financially in mind. It’s no easy task and it’s certainly impossible to keep everyone happy. Still, I believe Thiensville is best served by trustees that will make decisions that are best for the entire Village, not one group or the other.

So, if you want a trustee that is very liberal or very conservative, don’t vote for me. If you want a trustee that will listen to all sides of a discussion and make a choice that is best for the community, then I am your candidate. Whatever your choice, please vote on April 3.