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Muraski, Suennen share Howard’s most important issues

By Press Times Staff


HOWARD – Though the April 5 ballot in the Village of Howard only includes incumbents – Cathay Hughes, John Muraski, Scott Beyer and Ray Suennen – the Press Times gave candidates an opportunity to share with constituents their responses to:  What do you see as the most important issue facing the Village of Howard, and if elected, how will you address it?

Here is how Muraski and Suennen responded.

John Muraski

A: While the Village of Howard is a great place to live and raise a family, I am worried that our village could follow national and state trends relating to the breakdown of civility, respect and empathy toward one another.

We have all seen the devastating impact this has had on discourse between individuals.

Fighting back against this requires politeness, good manners, courtesy and respect for others.

Personally, while not always successful, I strive to be mindful of these characteristics.

Finally, it is important for all of us to stay engaged, involved and supportive of our neighbors and community.

Please consider applying for the Village of Howard Citizens Academy, which I helped establish in 2019.

Think about opportunities to become involved in your local school board or related volunteer opportunities.

Attend Village Board or Planning Commission meetings.

Talk to your trustee or commission members.

Talk to your neighbors.

Listen to each other.

Model politeness, manners, courtesy and respect for others.

Help ensure the Village of Howard continues to be a great place to live and raise a family. 

Ray Suennen

A: The most important issue facing the Village of Howard is cost increases, which includes supply availability.

The normal annual cost increases have now been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation.

A village’s function is to provide quality, cost-effective and timely services to its residents.

These include police, rescue squad, fresh water supply, recycling, garbage, waste disposal and road repairs, which are all provided by external contractors, because it is more cost effective.

Internal services include snow plowing, brush pickup and fire protection. COVID has significantly increased the cost of materials, supplies, equipment and services, and in many cases, the availability is limited.

This has required the village to order earlier and to expect delays.

The inflation rate is more than 7%, which is the highest since 1982. Consequently, costs have continually been increasing, and the duration of the limited supply chain is unknown.

These factors will continue to be operational and financial challenges during the next few years.

As an accountant with more than 30 years of experience, I will continue to work with the village staff to address these issues in the most reasonable manner possible.

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