Home » 2022 Vote » Johnson, Knight face off for Green Bay’s District 9

Johnson, Knight face off for Green Bay’s District 9

By Press Times Staff


GREEN BAY – In less than a week, the residents of Green Bay’s District 9 will decide whether to keep its current alderperson or elect a new one.

Incumbent Brian Johnson, executive director of On Broadway, Inc., faces challenger Tarl Knight, director of the Shipyard District, April 5 for the District 9 seat on Green Bay City Council.

The Press Times emailed each candidate the same question:

What do you see as the most important issue facing the City of Green Bay and District 9, and if elected, how will you address it?

Each candidate had 200 words to respond.

Brian Johnson

A: As members of City Council, we are not afforded the luxury of working on just one item. Rather, we are actively engaged around a buffet of issues.

Roads.

We are doing 40% more resurfacing projects over the 10-year average, and we created a five-year capital improvement plan, so we can better manage long-term borrowing needs.

Flooding.

I worked to secure the installation of two major lift stations, a pump and a new stormwater retention pond/greenway in our district.

Crime.

A recent surge in violent crime has residents feeling unsafe.

I was the first to call attention to the rise in shots fired incidents, created a violent crime suppression task force, coordinated listening sessions and advocated for American Rescue Plan Act funding to support our police, and systemic solutions to prevent criminal activity. 

Taxes.

Our tax rate and debt are climbing and we need to learn how to be prudent with taxpayer dollars.

I have opposed unnecessary tax and fee increases while providing reasonable alternatives to solve our fiscal challenges.

District 9 first.

After decades of disinvestment, our district is now receiving the most significant portion of the city’s capital improvement plan for infrastructure, streets and flood mitigation.

Tarl Knight 

A: Our biggest opportunity facing District 9 is the revitalization of our new Shipyard District along south Broadway and State streets on the west side of our downtown.

Over the last year, I’ve worked with businesses and residents of our district to form The Shipyard District, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with the mission of improving our standard of living and revitalizing our area.

I’m proud to be unanimously appointed as the first director of the Shipyard District by area property and business owners and I’m committed to continuing my leadership as we carry out a collective vision for our overlooked part of the city. 

As alderperson, I’ll continue to organize with property and business owners to officially recognize our district and form a Business Improvement District (BID), which incentivizes growth and development for our businesses and neighborhoods.

I’ll support districtwide festivities and the installation of street banners and bike racks to create beautified, bikeable streetscapes.

I’ll also support relocating the coal piles on the banks of the Fox River, remediating the sites and creating a public waterfront with affordable housing and business opportunities for all, while still protecting the industrial and manufacturing companies on our historic working waterfront.

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