Posted: Feb. 10, 2010 |(0) Comments

Germantown — Development and retaining and attracting businesses to Germantown were among the key topics tackled at a candidates forum Tuesday night by two of the three men who want to be the next village president.

About 25 residents braved a snowstorm to hear Charles Hargan and Dean Wolter answer questions about key issues facing the village. The third candidate, James Langer, was unable to attend the forum because of a previous commitment.

The Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored the hour-long forum at Village Hall.

The three are vying to replace Village President Thomas Kempinski, who is stepping down in April. The two top vote-getters in Tuesday's primary will advance to the April 6 election.

Views differ on business topics

Hargan said new development would not have an impact on the village budget as the development would generate the necessary taxes to fund additional services. "It is going to be a wash," he said.

But Wolter said additional development can be a strain on the budget and village services, unless it is planned, or controlled, to bring in additional taxes to fund additional services.

To retain businesses, particularly along Mequon Road, Hargan said it is important to find out why businesses are leaving, noting only 70 percent of new businesses succeed.

"You need to look at each individual problem," he said.

Wolter said the village's Economic Development Committee is working on ways to get businesses' messages out and help the village be more business friendly by making changes to the sign ordinance.

He also said the village has looked at promoting the Mequon corridor with signage, for example. So far, that idea has been cost-prohibitive for the village, but officials need to find a way to fund it, Wolter said.

He also said the village can work with local manufacturers to use available tools, like municipal bonds, to help the businesses expand.

Road work raises questions

Road work, particularly the Donges Bay Road/Highway 145 intersection, resulted in a few questions from audience members.

Wolter said he lives near the intersection and is "familiar with every bump in" Donges Bay Road. He suggested planning for the repaving of the road next year, possibly waiting for development to the north to spur repairs or the state's plan for Highway 145 to develop.

Hargan, a former village president, said the village had secured 75 percent of the funding for the intersection from the state, but after he was voted out of office in 2007, the board rejected the funding. He said the village needs to finish the intersection as new soccer fields to the south will generate more traffic.

Both candidates stressed the importance of funding annual road repairs within the budget, instead of borrowing money.

Should officials be involved?

One resident asked the candidates if they support village representatives being active in community groups.

Wolter said it could be beneficial for village employees to participate in local organizations, but if elected officials do so, they should abstain from any votes regarding donations to those organizations.

"It is hard to tell someone they can't participate in something they believe in," he said.

Hargan said it is important for elected officials to get involved in community groups to not only meet the residents, but to find out what they are concerned about. He agreed it is important for an elected official to abstain when voting on money for a group of which he or she is a member.

Highlighting their strengths

In their opening and closing remarks, the candidates highlighted their strengths.

Langer, a truck driver with USF Holland, said in a statement read to the audience that he is dedicated to the village, he plans to listen and work tirelessly for its residents, and vows to be a spokesman for the village.

Langer served on the board as a trustee for six years, from 2003 to 2009, when he lost his seat to Trustee Daniel Wing. Langer also is a gubernatorial candidate.

Hargan, a retired lithographer with W.A. Krueger, focused on his experience - 21 years on the board, seven as trustee and 14 as village president.

"I think it is important to have experience, longevity," he said, noting village accomplishments during his tenure, like the village becoming a Tree City USA, the development of two new parks and road improvements.

Hargan lost to Kempinski in 2007.

Wolter, an account executive for Image Systems, said his focus is providing services to residents while controlling costs. He wants to expand upon his three years as trustee by serving as village president. He also plans to listen to residents and act.

The board appointed Wolter to serve the remainder of Kempinski's trustee term after Kempinski was elected village president in 2007. Wolter then won his seat in 2008.

What's on the ballot

Germantown voters will have the opportunity to vote for one of three candidates in the race for village president on the Village Board in the primary election Tuesday.

• Charles Hargan

• James Langer

• Dean Wolter

The top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the April 6 general election.