Whitefish Bay Village Board Voters Guide

Carl Fuda

Age: 55

Employer/occupation: co-owner, Kitzinger Lautmann Capital Management

Education: business/ mathematics St. Norbert College; MBA Marquette University

Contact: (414) 687-8934; cjfuda@klcminc.com

Why are you the right person for the job?

I have been a part of the community for almost 30 years. I have successfully taken on many community service roles. I have good working relationship with local officials and know how to get things done. I hope to continue to serve the village.

How should the village distribute (stormwater utility, tax assessments, etc.) the cost of its stormwater overhaul?

In general terms, a combination of usage fees and tax levies is sensible. The more important question, in my opinion, is how do we balance the infrastructure and capital improvement needs of the village with the fiscal realities/tax situation we face.

What is your position on the possible consolidation of the Whitefish Bay, Shorewood and Glendale police departments?

Combining essential police services with Shorewood and Glendale is not something I would pursue. The recent increase of criminal activity in the Bay (a high school student being robbed and numerous car break-ins are two examples), is a concern. Addressing these issues is a priority. We have high expectations from our police force and they are doing a good job. We need more measures in place that help us maintain a safe and secure neighborhood.

Kevin McMahon

Age: 48

Employer/occupation: stay-at-home parent, previously account management/ sales

Education: Bachelor's Business Administration, concentration in marketing, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Contact: (414) 964-9672; mcwfb@att.net

Why are you the right person for the job?

As a stay-at-home parent, I will bring a different perspective to the board. I have no hidden agenda or pet projects to push. I would like to see the village progress and remain a vibrant place to live and work. I want to do my part to make that happen.

How should the village distribute (stormwater utility, tax assessments, etc.) the cost of its stormwater overhaul?

I'm not sure another assessment is the answer. A separate utility spread out over a longer period of time seems more palatable. I feel that the cost should be covered by the entire village. The board would need to take their time and figure out the best/most acceptable way possible.

What is your position on the possible consolidation of the Whitefish Bay, Shorewood and Glendale police departments?

On paper it sounds like a great way to save funds and make the departments more efficient. It works for the North Shore Fire Department. However, Bay, Shorewood and Glendale are different municipalities with different challenges. Can one department effectively handle the larger geographic area and the varied populations? Are there examples of this in other areas in Wisconsin or in the Midwest that have been successful? Again, this is another issue that would require a lot of study and research before a final decision is made.

Jay Miller (i)

Age: 63

Employer/occupation: adjunct professor at University Wisconsin- Milwaukee, retired tax attorney

Education: LL.M. degree, taxation, New York University School of Law, JD Degree, University of Arizona College of Law, BA degree, Duke University

Contact: (414) 232-7087; jaymiller16@gmail.com

Why are you the right person for the job?

My four years' experience on the board, extensive background in finances, and ability to work well with other people, in addition to my judgment in finding solutions to difficult problems, make me the right person.

How should the village distribute (stormwater utility, tax assessments, etc.) the cost of its stormwater overhaul?

The village should balance the cost between property taxes (which are usually deductible) and stormwater utility fees (which would enable the village to impose a proportionate share of the cost on churches and other tax-exempt entities that utilize our water system).

What is your position on the possible consolidation of the Whitefish Bay, Shorewood and Glendale police departments?

Consolidation of the police department with those of other communities should depend solely on whether our services would be enhanced and our costs reduced in the process. Public safety is job one of any community and, although we should always be open to discussing cost-saving initiatives with others, we need to be particularly careful about its implications when it comes to the police. One area of concern is this: Shorewood reportedly needs a new police station, whereas Whitefish Bay doesn't. I don't want our village to subsidize another community's project.

Ken Wysocky

Age: 54

Employer/occupation: freelance journalist/editor

Education: B.A. Journalism, University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh

Contact: (414) 962-6202, kwysocky@ wi.rr.com

Why are you the right person for the job?

I'm a 25-year resident interested in preserving everything that makes Bay great, while advocating for minimally intrusive, cost-effective and efficient government. As a journalist, I'm adept at researching and analyzing all sides of issues - skills I'd use to solve problems with reasoned, common-sense solutions. Plus I play well with others.

How should the village distribute (stormwater utility, tax assessments, etc.) the cost of its stormwater overhaul?

A stormwater utility that charges what's essentially a user-fee, based on how much runoff properties generate, seems more equitable than increasing property taxes - especially since tax-exempt properties often generate significant runoff. Such a fee could motivate property owners to reduce runoff with things like permeable pavers, bioswales, rain gardens, etc.

What is your position on the possible consolidation of the Whitefish Bay, Shorewood and Glendale police departments?

With property taxes so high, I'm all for examining ways to reduce government costs - as long as we maintain the quality of essential public-safety services. While I'm no expert, I've often wondered why such relatively small, adjoining communities each need their own police departments, libraries, etc. As such, it's only prudent to examine whether consolidation makes sense. While controversial at times, consolidating the North Shore fire-and-rescue operations reduced expenses through economies of scale, and still provides very effective services. In an era of ever-rising government spending, we can't afford to be parochial about these issues.