Fox Point Village Board race

Douglas H. Frazer (i)

Age: 55

Employer/occupation: shareholder, DeWitt Ross & Stevens (tax attorney)

Education: B.A. Oberlin College; J.D. Northwestern University School of Law

Contact: (414) 228-6646; dhfrazer15@gmail.com

Considering the federal mandate for road sign readability, what should Fox Point do with their custom road signs to meet the mandate?

As each road sign reaches the end of its useful life, the village is replacing it with a sign that meets the new standards. With residents' input, we have taken care to design the signs to look a bit like and reference the special features that distinguish our historic signs. How do you balance the needs of the village with revenue limits mandated by the state?

Since 2005, the state has reserved the right to impose revenue limits on the growth of municipal levies. Through careful budgeting, the village has been able to live within this limitation. For special capital projects, like the pool, the village can borrow (debt service is exempted from the levy limit calculation) and stretch out the tax effect over a long period of time. The village funds its utilities (stormwater, sewage, water) by imposing off-the-levy fees.

What is your position on replacing the Bridge Lane Ravine footbridge?

The Bridge Lane ravine footbridge is perhaps the village's most iconic asset. I support the board's decision to replace the footbridge. Underneath the deck, the structure is so deteriorated that as a construction matter not a great deal of difference, or cost, exists between the repair or replacement options - but unlike a repaired bridge, a new bridge would meet current safety standards. I further support the view that given the unique nature of this project at least 50 percent of the funds should come from private sources. Footbridge Friends, Inc., and its many volunteers, can and will achieve this goal.

Eric Fonstad (i)

Age: 65

Employer/occupation: retired corporate attorney for Wisconsin-based companies

Education: B.S. in mechanical engineering from UW-Madison; law degree from UW-Madison, and MBA from UW-Milwaukee

Contact: (414) 540-0288; efonstad@wi.rr.com

Considering the federal mandate for road sign readability, what should Fox Point do with their custom road signs to meet the mandate?

The village staff designed new street signs for Fox Point that meet federal readability standards while retaining the distinctive and historic fox profile. Fox Point should use these new signs as old ones need replacing. How do you balance the needs of the village with revenue limits mandated by the state?

I want Fox Point to continue to be an attractive residential community. We can enhance property values by maintaining our high level of services and restraining taxes. I favor lowering property taxes or zero tax increases but accepted the small, one-half percent increase adopted by the Village Board this year. We must continue to keep general fund spending within the state limit (worth $122,000 in expenditure restraint grant this year).

What is your position on replacing the Bridge Lane Ravine footbridge?

I like the bridge but it should only be replaced if a new bridge can be built for $1.3 million and half of that money comes from private fundraising. We should try to retain village features, like the bridge and pool, which make Fox Point a special place. I hope that a combination of public and private funding will make that possible. Given the design and condition of the bridge, it would be a waste of money to try to repair it. I favor footpaths down to the ravine and the lake whether or not the bridge is replaced.

Terry McGauran

Age: 69

Employer/occupation: retired after 44 years working in various management positions in the Power Solutions division at Johnson Controls

Education: B.S. in economics from Bradley University

Contact: (414) 510-6582; tmcgauran@wi.rr.com

Considering the federal mandate for road sign readability, what should Fox Point do with their custom road signs to meet the mandate?

Many federal mandates are intrusive and overreach. The mandate making road signs easier to read, at least addresses possible safety issues with motorists searching for street locations, particularly at night. The Fox Point plan is to be compliant while retaining the unique look of the current street signs. How do you balance the needs of the village with revenue limits mandated by the state?

In order to continue to provide high quality services the village has moved some items from tax based to fee based. Cost issues like recycling and sewer are now fee based. This provides the necessary flexibility to balance the needs of the village with the tax levy limits imposed by the state. Restraining tax increases within the mandate while maintaining services in the best interests of the residents will continue to be a challenge.

What is your position on replacing the Bridge Lane Ravine footbridge?

I believe the village should move forward with construction of a new footbridge. I discovered the bridge while out jogging many years ago and have made it a point to try and include the bridge on my route while running, biking or just taking a walk. I believe the bridge can be funded through a public/private partnership, and the initial report from Footbridge Friends is very encouraging. They have reported raising more than $200,000 from just 150 donors. The bridge is a Fox Point landmark unique to our area, and a village amenity we cannot afford to lose.