By Press Times Staff
BROWN COUNTY – It’s deja vu in Brown County’s District 3.
A repeat from two years ago, the April 5 ballot includes Amanda Chu and Andy Nicholson.
District 3 consists of parts of east Green Bay and the Village of Bellevue.
The Press Times emailed each candidate the same question and gave them 200 words to respond.
What do you see as the most important issue facing Brown County and District 3, and if elected, how will you address it?
Amanda Chu
A: I see wavering confidence in our governing processes as a fundamental challenge facing local government and the County Board.
At the same time, there is a place for all of the concerns I hear from residents of District 3: Infrastructure and road safety; taxes and development; and addiction and social services.
The County Board is tasked with enacting responsible policies and budgets that promote the health, safety, welfare and quality of life for the people of Brown County.
Regardless of how well county departments and elected officials respond to this task, public perception can be a major barrier to people’s sense of confidence in our local government.
Without the confidence of our residents, we will lack the buy-in we need to do the important work of the county, like improving roads and bridges, partnering on redevelopment opportunities, catalyzing economic growth and implementing innovative solutions to complex social, environmental and health issues.
Therefore, I see a need for county efforts to continually improve accessibility to meetings and expand opportunities for citizens to participate.
This can go a long way to boost confidence and increase the political efficacy of Brown County residents.
Andy Nicholson
A: I’m running for office because of the lack of government accountability by Amanda Chu.
Our community is seeing increased crime (125% increase in homicide rates 2019-20), massive spending increases ($46 million), reduced services and deteriorating neighborhoods in Green Bay.
We need to focus on core priorities, and look toward joint county-city services to stretch taxpayer dollars – not political agendas.
Chu shouldn’t turn a blind eye to city issues.
I will re-engage the county’s drug task force to crack down on illegal activities and problems in Green Bay neighborhoods and look to enhance special joint initiatives to create safer streets and neighborhoods.
Other than police services there’s opportunities for parks, public works and administrative functions.
Chu also fails on oversight.
REDI Transport Services let a charged murderer walk out of the van’s door uncuffed, after REDI said he escaped through a window.
Chu asked for no investigation into REDI’s protocols.
Maybe if she did, this latest REDI escape wouldn’t have happened.
As a lifelong resident of Green Bay, I want to ensure that all families have the opportunities that I, and my family, had while growing up in a safe and strong community.
I have a proven record of doing that.