By Ben Rodgers
Editor
HOWARD – Two men will face off on April 3 with the winner earning a seat on the Howard Board of Trustees.
Incumbent Jim Lemorande is being challenged by Tim Meves, who successfully defeated Scott Beyer in the primary.
The Press sent questions to each candidate and allowed them 250 words to answer each question.
Below are their answers.
Name: Jim Lemorande
Immediate family: Wife, Barbara, sons, Luke and Matthew, daughter Heidi
Occupation/former occupation: Retired from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Any civic groups you belong to: Member, St. John the Baptist Church
What sets you apart as a candidate for the Howard Village Board?
I have spent my last five decades as a village of Howard resident and I am a lifelong resident of Brown County. I have been on the village board on and off since 1991. Along with this I spent four years on the Howard Planning Committee and also have served on other committees for the village when needed. My 38-year career that I spent working for the Department of Transportation has provided me with insight, knowledge and relatable experience that I often utilize and apply in my role as trustee. I was a member of the Howard Volunteer Fire Department for 18 years. Furthermore, I spent eight years serving on the Wisconsin Army National Guard. I have conservative values and I work to protect taxpayers’ interests and spend their dollars wisely. Being retired allows me the time to be available and flexible to attend meetings as well as listen to constituents and address their concerns.
How can the village attract young people not only to work here, but also to live here? The village can build attractive housing and apartments to keep and retain a young viable working force. On that count, there remains lots of room and opportunities to expand within village boundaries in strategic well planned ways. We also have to build on our current base of nice restaurants and entertainment options. We need to take advantage of marketing the quality of the village’s green spaces, trails, park system and YMCA. These spaces provide excellent opportunities to exercise, play and recreate in our community. Most of all, we need to maintain the good-quality schools that exist presently in our district for our children and grandchildren to attend.
What areas of the village need improvement? How would you achieve that?
Village roads have continued to deteriorate. Many of our subdivision roads need to be resurfaced. The intersection of Wisconsin Highway 29 and Maplewood Meats needs to be reconstructed. Both Milltown Road and Evergreen should be resurfaced in the near future. There is $1 million in the road fund for this and I would see that it is used to complete this work.
What needs to be done to ensure viable growth for the village 20 years from now?
We need to make certain that our infrastructure (i.e. roads, sewer, water, police, fire department, etc.) remain in top working order and ensure a safe welcoming community. Regarding further village expansion and development, there are apparently presently over 200 residential lots that are either sold or waiting to be sold. Commercial development has over 20 acres of land out near Kropp’s Supper Club that the village owns and is shovel ready for new business/industry development. We must continue to support our schools and churches as these are the backbone to any strong and vibrant community. We need to ensure that we maintain and keep a good workforce for the village of Howard. Finally, we need to manage our monies wisely. The village presently has no debt and can pay cash for our purchases. I believe in continuing to invest wisely with our constituents’ dollars, provide great services and infrastructure, while maintaining low taxes for the village residents in comparison to the surrounding communities.
Name: Tim Meves
Immediate family: Wife Donna and two adult sons
Occupation/former occupation: Housing/Zoning Inspector, Transit Supervisor
Any civic groups you belong to: Howard Zoning Board of Appeals (2008-present)
What sets you apart as a candidate for the Howard Village Board?
I’m a newcomer! Someone who will bring a fresh perspective to matters before the village board. My service in the United States Navy Reserve as an Officer in the Supply Corps (20 years), my current job with the city of Green Bay (23 years), in addition to over a decade of private sector employment in purchasing and transportation have prepared me well for the village trustee position. I am very familiar with local government functioning and processes which will allow me to better serve the residents of Wards 9 and 10.
How can the village attract people not only to work here, but to live here?
By promoting economic development and job opportunities across a wide range of business types. By touting the village’s small town quaintness, excellent residential neighborhoods and schools, low crime rate, fine restaurants and shopping areas. Not to mention a wonderful, spacious park system, to include convenient access to the Mountain Bay Trail, Fox River and Bay of Green Bay.
What areas of the village need improvement? How would you achieve that?
Continued attention to the odor issue surrounding the Sanimax Plant and the negative, quality-of-life effect it has on nearby residents. Though progress has been made to reduce the pungent smell, the air quality is subpar on certain days in any given year. As long as the DNR approves the company’s air-pollution permit, it will be incumbent upon the village and other impacted communities to continue to pressure Sanimax to commit to producing better air quality. A less critical goal should be to turn Village Green Golf Course and Restaurant into a break-even or better financial operation. Perhaps an annual fundraising event could be initiated. Bringing in volunteer staffers may help offset operational costs.
What needs to be done now to ensure viable growth for the village 20 years from now?
It is vitally important to stay on top of infrastructure maintenance and to keenly plan for future needs relating to roads, utilities, and communication systems. Future land use development must be carefully defined and strategically located. In addition, we must keep the momentum going with continuing development of the Village Center. Finally, we must not allow residential properties to fall into disrepair and lax maintenance resulting in a blighted appearance and reduced property values.