By Press Times Staff
GREEN BAY – Three people will face off for the right to make it to the April 7 general election for District 9 for the Green Bay Common Council.
Incumbent Brian Johnson is being challenged by Desiree May and longtime local politician Guy Zima.
The top two vote-getters on Tuesday, Feb. 18, will advance to the general election.
District 9 in Green Bay encompasses the Broadway District on the west side of the Fox River.
The Press Times emailed each candidate the same three questions and gave them 100 words to respond to each.
Brian Johnson
Why should people vote for you?
I’m seeking re-election at the urging of our neighbors who have witnessed Green Bay’s positive transformation the past two years.
I don’t take your trust for granted and I’m here to work for you.
I made promises to our residents because people wanted change, and I’ve kept them.
I’ve secured more funding for streets and flood control, creatively worked to pass the Shipyard which will transform our riverfront, secured $4 million for affordable housing and neighborhood improvements that directly improve the quality of life for our residents, and restored civility to local politics; we’re providing clean, honest and accountable government.
What’s the biggest issue facing Green Bay?
Neighborhood speeding continues to be a top concern, so we’ve doubled the number of dedicated traffic officers.
We need to control our tax rate; we are the highest taxed municipality in Brown County, which is why I’ve opposed unnecessary tax and spending increases.
I’m focused on priorities, including streets and flooding.
I’ll keep a watchful eye on our growing debt to ensure future generations don’t pay the price for reckless spending.
This is why I’ve advanced a five-year capital improvement plan, the first in 20 years, to better manage our budget and ensure we’re careful stewards of your tax dollars.
What can be done to improve Green Bay’s west side?
We’re installing two new high-capacity lift stations in our district, which will eliminate the flooding that has harmed our residents for decades.
I have been the lead advocate to secure funding to relocate the coal piles out of our neighborhood.
Rat complaints are down and we continue to conduct proactive inspections to inform residents about how to control their population.
We’re investing millions into our neighborhoods through housing grants and providing a path to home ownership.
We’ve stopped neglecting our poorest neighborhoods and we’ve started investing in them to ensure benefits for all taxpayers.
Desiree May
Why should people vote for you?
We’re at a pivotal point of embracing a sense of identity and culture in Green Bay.
Electing new representation will truly allow us to grow because of new ideas and perspectives.
I also believe we could use more diversity in local government, so that we better reflect our city’s demographics.
I’ve lived in District 9 for a majority of my life, and because of that I’m incredibly passionate about this area.
It’s my goal to make sure we’re making the right changes to do right by it and the people who call it home.
What’s the biggest issue facing Green Bay?
Infrastructure. Yes, we need to fix our roads, but we need to expand into other areas as well.
One major focus will be continuing to update our storm sewers to prevent the major flooding issues we’ve been facing city-wide.
We also need to start being more aggressive on sustainability.
With ideas like green or solar roofs, ensuring new developments are energy-efficient, community gardens, pollinator stations, and promoting alternative transportation, it’s a crucial time to start making changes to better the lives of future generations; hopefully inspiring other nearby communities to do the same.
What can be done to improve Green Bay’s west side?
I think we’ve made some huge strides both downtown and along the Broadway District in terms of development, and I would love to see that kind of hard work and dedication spill over into other neighborhoods.
In District 9 alone, we have numerous businesses on South Broadway, Ashland Avenue, Ninth Street, Shawano Avenue and more that don’t seem to get that same attention.
It’s my goal to focus on those areas that have been neglected, so we can see some wonderful new development and improvements elsewhere around the west side.
Guy Zima
Why should people vote for you?
As a 40-year veteran of the city council, I have the experience, the knowledge, the courage and the time to ask the hard questions that need to be asked and solve the everyday problems that constituents need to be solved.
What’s the biggest issue facing Green Bay?
The biggest issues facing Green Bay are getting and implementing a real plan to resolve street repair and storm water problems, and to strengthen our police force to make Green Bay a safe place to live.
What can be done to improve Green Bay’s west side?
1. Upgrade street and sidewalks without gouging homeowners.
2. Upgrade programs to improve housing standards.
3. Develop economic programs which benefit small business, rather than give subsidies to big business.