BOSCOBEL - This is the third of a four-part series highlighting the view of the two candidates for Mayor of Boscobel who will appear on the ballot of the April 5 Spring Nonpartisan election.
Robin Baumeister
11. Can climate change be addressed on a city level? If so, how?
Yes, I believe that climate change can be addressed at the city level. We could convert some of the area along Saunders Creek into prairie grass, which would provide many benefits, add walkways/trails through Kronshage Park and prairie restoration, moving towards electric vehicles as they become better engineered for our climate, and installing charging stations throughout the City. There are artificial grass opportunities at the playgrounds, for the school grounds and the sport fields. WRTO is working to expand on the bike trail, the Dinky bike trail in nearby in Woodman are beneficial in becoming more bike friendly which can increase home values and bring in tourism dollars. Resources at the state level are available for finding cost effective ways to make small changes. In addition, if we continue to shop local, we are putting less greenhouse gasses in the air, and while there is always room for growth, we do have a vast selection of everything we need right here in Boscobel. As a Boscobel Utility Customer, you can find ways to lower your cost through one of their partners, Focus on Energy? Utility customers can receive an energy savings packet through focus on energy’s website at www. focusonenergy.com. Want to figure out your personal carbon footprint, I found this website very interesting: https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
12. What do you feel is the role of local government, and what services do you feel local government should provide, realizing that these services are funded through the tax roll?
The role of the local government should be to listen and make decisions based upon the majority of the people. When we elect our alderpersons, we are choosing people who will be our and make educated decisions on how best to spend tax dollars for improving and growing the city. I feel that our elected officials should take the time to evaluate the decisions, use the budget accordingly being fiscally responsible, and continue to help our city grow according to the voice of their constituents. Sometimes, this means going against something that maybe doesn’t end favorably for them personally, but rather is the better choice for the majority. As a resident and taxpayer in the City of Boscobel, I feel we are fortunate to have amazing services such as the Fire Department and Emergency Medical (EMS) along with a hospital right here. We also have many amenities for not only our current residents but also for others looking to relocate, work, or retire right here in Boscobel including the airport, boat landing, recreation including the swimming pool and programs run through the city, local garbage and recycling, rubbish pick up, chipping services, free mulch/ wood chips, and a local utility company with some of the lowest rates in Wisconsin to mention a few. We are fortunate in that many other municipalities of similar size do not offer as many services that the City of Boscobel does. As your mayor, I would be working with your alderpersons to help make the decisions on the services that would benefit the city taxpayers the most and help to determine how we can more cost effectively offer other services to make our city the best it can be.
13. If you could change one thing in our zoning code, what would it be and why?
While I believe that our city’s zoning code is working well for the most part, like anything, we should always be examining it and updating it for continued growth of our City and the ability to attract the businesses and amenities WE want here. As your mayor I would be available to take citizens’ comments and concerns as they arise and work with the administration team, department heads, and city council to see how we can improve, to address the concerns of the citizens, and better suit what Boscobel and the majority wants. I look forward to talking with the citizens to help make Boscobel grow, and using everyone’s voice in making a difference. #ITTAKESAVILLAGE, or in our case A City!
14. If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city (road, bridge, etc.), how would you evaluate whether or not that project was worth implementing?
As your mayor I would have the opportunity to work with our Department of Public Works and other department heads for the city, so that together as a team we could review the proposal, research it, and evaluate whether or not it would be a benefit to our citizens. Of course, like any large project, we would have the required public hearings before it is taken to the city council for final approval. In addition, I would be visible and available throughout the City asking questions, speaking with residents, gathering their input, and encouraging them to come to the public hearings where their voices would be heard and questions could be answered. I would also help with and encourage the City Administration Team to search for grants and evaluate how the project could be completed without going over budget.
15. Share an example of a time you had to gather information from multiple sources. How did you determine which information was relevant?
I have been a citizen of Boscobel for about 25 years and am very passionate about this City. Wondering how I could best help, I began gathering information by speaking with citizens, city employees including department heads, elected officials, school staff, hospital staff, and other business contacts over the past few years. Gathering all the information, I felt it was best for me to run for Mayor. I wanted to make sure I was hearing “all sides” so I began to fact check and spoke with various people who showed me different points of view and provided me with documentation to back up facts in some cases. I initially believed that we were paying higher taxes and getting less services than other surrounding municipalities. I spoke with the city officials to learn taxes & utility bills can vary among municipalities and it is imperative to look at all charges when determining total cost to live somewhere. For example, trash pickup is charged on the utility bills in most municipalities, where ours is incorporated into our property taxes. At the budget hearings, I learned approximately how much it costs to operate each department and service. I am truly proud to be a part of this Community and am excited for the opportunity to be your Mayor. While I may not have a vote, I look forward to working with the Alders who do have a vote, and many with years of experience for years to come!
Brenda Kalish
11. Can climate change be addressed on a city level? If so, how?
Every city is different on the issues of how climate change can be addressed. Keeping our surroundings clean of waste and garbage that pollute the environment is one way to help the climate change. Also, the City has had to cut down quite a few trees in Boscobel due to disease. My dad was a logger, and he told us that the trees that are good for the environment are hardwood trees such as maple or oak, for example. Those types of trees help clean the soil and pollutants in the air, converting it to cleaner oxygen that goes back into the climate. Other types of plants that also work are ferns, burning bushes, hydrangea bushes, and even chrysanthemums. I have heard that a lot of people in Boscobel did not know about our Tree Replacement Program. Residents can receive 50% of the cost of an eligible tree up to $50 maximum and may qualify for up to 2 rebates based upon the number of trees taken down by the City Crew. This program is intended to replace trees that have been removed from the City right-of-way. There are a few other requirements, but if you are interested, you can contact City Hall at 375-5001 to discuss the eligibility and how to get a voucher.
12. What do you feel is the role of local government, and what services do you feel local government should provide, realizing that these services are funded through the tax roll?
I feel the role of the local government is to provide services such as police, rescue and fire services, road maintenance, education services, libraries, parks, water and sewer, waste collection, building services and protection of heritage buildings. These services are not only funded through the tax roll, so it does not all come back on the taxpayers. Some of the money also comes from fees, permits, registrations, grants and sometimes loans. Also, I feel the public needs to be more informed about what is actually going on and what programs are available to them for any sort of assistance.
13. If you could change one thing in our zoning code, what would it be and why?
The zoning codes are designed to regulate what can and cannot be done on a particular piece of property at the city level. The codes are designed to keep a residential area as residential, a commercial area as commercial, and so on. Zoning dictates what types of properties can be in the same area within a municipality. Unfortunately, that does not always work out for everyone. Boscobel’s Planning Commission was created to carry out the City Master Plan and the Zoning Ordinances. As a council member for 13 years and also being on the Planning Commission, we have fairly recently redesigned our Master Plan looking toward the future of Boscobel. As mayor, I would not be able to change any zoning codes without it going through the whole chain of command. If a person would like to have a piece of property rezoned, they also would need to go through the necessary steps to have that done. An area may not have to be actually rezoned, but it could possibly be given a conditional use permit depending on what it was for.
14. If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city (road, bridge, etc.), how would you evaluate whether or not that project was worth implementing?
As the mayor, it would have to be discussed with several different departments within the city, especially the City Engineer. It would really depend on what they are asking for and why. If it was a new business going into the Industrial Park, and there was not a road to access it, then they would have to approach the City Engineer to see what could be done. No person has the proper authority to construct a road or bridge without the permission of the City as everything would have to be up to code per the State guidelines. Any and all public infrastructure has to be approved by the City Government.
15. Share an example of a time you had to gather information from multiple sources. How did you determine which information was relevant?
As stated before in some previous questions, all information gathered for any reason is relevant in one way or another due to different views and opinions. I really cannot give just one example of a time that I had to do this without breeching the confidentiality code as there have been several times. In this type of situation, I would gather information from all sources involved, dig deeper if necessary into all resources, then come up with a viable solution. As Mayor, I would do everything in my power to be helpful and courteous to every person no matter what the problem or outcome would be. The mayor cannot make any decision without the full approval of the City Council and other departments that may need to be involved. I want to be available for the citizens of Boscobel to contact me at any point in time with any questions or concerns.
