Complete response to the JSonline Questionary

·  Tell me about your background and experience -- a few sentences about your job and experience in public service.

               My wife and I have been proudly calling South Milwaukee our home for over 15 years we still reside in the first house we ever purchased.  With over 16 years of mechanical design engineering experience in the private sector, I have led and successfully completed projects of various scopes and budgets. I am confident that my unique skill set and experience will be an asset to the alderperson position and I plan to bring my assertiveness and drive to this role.

·  Are there any specific supporters you’d like to shout out? Through my consistent presence at meetings and my dedication to promoting community involvement, I have garnered the attention of several council members who have expressed their support for me to run for office. With their encouragement, I am confident that I possess the necessary skills and qualifications to make a positive impact as a member of the council.

·  What prompted you to get involved in local government? Approximately four years ago, the city bought the property that is now the Bucyrus Club, and a significant part of that project was paid for using Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Although I understand the reasons behind TIF financing, I believe that public funds should not be utilized to finance private businesses. I was not aware of this project in time to provide any input. Since then, I have attempted to attend nearly every common council and plan commission meeting to stay informed about what is happening.

·  Are there any issues for which you advocate or are extremely passionate about?

Two main issues: 1) Government Transparency:  In the absence of local media coverage, the government must prioritize transparency and openness with citizens. This includes clear agendas and additional notices beyond legal requirements.

2) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a powerful tool that can drive economic growth and benefit communities, but it is critical to ensure that its use is transparent and fair. It is unacceptable for developers to strong-arm communities into offering tax incentives without clear and immediate benefits to the community. We must demand that TIFs are used responsibly, with clear benchmarks for success and consequences for failure. By holding developers accountable and ensuring that TIFs are used to promote long-term benefits for the community, we can create a level playing field that benefits everyone.

·  This district is guaranteed at least one new alderperson. For the newcomers, why should that be you?

I am dedicated to serving the community of South Milwaukee and putting their needs first. I believe that we can improve the development process by asking strategic and challenging questions, while still maintaining a constructive and positive dialogue with developers. By doing so, we can ensure that projects are in the best interest of the community and bring positive outcomes for all involved.

·  Oftentimes the other districts get a lot of attention with links to the downtown area while District 2 is a bit on the outskirts of that. What is an opportunity area in your district that you think has been overlooked?

District 2 is presented with a promising opportunity as the former Everbrite property is about to be put up for sale. The property spans 29 acres of land, with approximately 1000ft of Lake Michigan frontage, which is rare in Milwaukee County, particularly in South Milwaukee. It is crucial that we market it appropriately, highlighting its potential, and not let it turn into a missed opportunity.

·  Sunrise Plaza is in your district. What needs to happen there to spur business investment?

I have noticed that there is an oversupply of retail space in South Milwaukee, and Sunrise is just one aspect of this issue. To address this problem, we need to focus on fostering and promoting new businesses to come to the city. However, we cannot do this alone. The city and private sectors must work together to find a solution to the supply issue.