By Patricia Bogumil
Editor
Three incumbents and one former trustee are vying for three positions on the Waterford Village Board in the April 7 election.
Trustees Tom Christensen, Jerry Filut and Tamara Pollnow are incumbents hoping to retain their current positions on the board.
Judy Spencer hopes to unseat one of them to again serve as a Village Board trustee. Spencer served two years as a trustee until April 2013, when she left the board after an unsuccessful attempt to unseat Tom Roanhouse as Village Board President.
Information provided by each candidate, in alphabetical order, follows. Additional biographical information on each candidate is in the March 6 edition of the Waterford Post.
• Tom Christensen hopes to be re-elected to continue representing the voice of reason for the Village of Waterford taxpayers in a fiscally prudent manner, he said in his candidate’s statement.
Important changes will be proposed to the Board this next term, he said, “and I feel that my experience in the last eight years will allow me to make beneficial decisions on upcoming issues.”
Among those issues are the Highway 20/83 Project and expansion of the Waterford Fire Department.
Christensen said his eight years of experience on the Board, including being involved in the Highway Project since its inception, will benefit the Board and the community as a whole. “As a retired firefighter, I understand the nuances of the fire service,” he said.
• Jerry Filut said he seeks re-election because he is committed to maintaining the quality of life the residents of Waterford have embraced and is committed to making property taxes a priority.
“Overall I would like to see the Village move forward and make the community a place we all can be proud of.”
Several capital projects are currently being planned for the village, Filut noted, with some the result of the upcoming Highways 83/20 reconstruction by the state Department of Transportation.
“It is important that we balance the priorities of these projects while being sensitive to the taxpayers in the village.” It is also important to continue improving public safety services (fire and police) provided to the Village, Filut said.
Among the personal strengths he brings to the position are his many years of experience working within the board structure, he said.
“I have no personal agenda – my only agenda is doing what I believe is in the best interest of the entire community and its residents. My experience working within a board framework allows me to work with my fellow board members for the common good of the Village.”
• Tamara Pollnow said she loves the Waterford community and appreciates all opportunities to contribute, believing it’s important to be involved. “I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as a trustee for the last two years.”
She and other Board members have been working on prioritizing community projects without raising taxes, Pollnow said in her candidate’s statement. “I am eager to work on lowering the Village mil rate by improving the climate in the business community to welcome new companies to our great Village. I desire to continue my commitment to the Board and be a conduit for ideas and involvement from our community.”
In 2008, Pollnow began volunteering as an election worker and was promoted to Chief Inspector before becoming a Board trustee. “I love meeting people and want to offer my time and experience to the Village of Waterford. I’m proud to be part of a Board who has kept the tax levy the same for the last few years,” Pollnow said.
Not everyone on the Board agrees on every issue, “but I believe it is important to offer a perspective and a plan to work in the best interest of the taxpayers,” she said. Job skills Pollnow said she brings to the Board include experience with negotiations, mediations, loss prevention, auditing and customer service.
Waterford is a great place to live and raise a family and as, small business owners, she and her husband understand the need to be fiscally responsible, Pollnow said. “My objective has always been to keep an open mind and provide fairness along with common sense in all decision making.” She encourages residents to be involved and promises to listen to their concerns.
Pollnow said she understand the strains of the recession on the community and wants to work to encourage business growth and retention. The population growth of the Village over the past few years has added additional needs and demands on the budget, she said.
“I intend to be diligent in researching the needs of the community and how to meet those needs in the most cost-effective manner. My belief is economic development is a key to increase our revenues in providing those services.”
• Judy Spencer hopes to return to the Village Board to be a voice for the taxpayers. “I am concerned with the amount of money we are considering to spend on the highway 20/83 project. Also, I would like to address other projects such as the addition to the fire station, our parks, and the development of another industrial park for the village.” Spencer said she also would like to ensure that the Village is fiscally responsible to the taxpayer while making important decisions and she believes the Board could keep costs down and still have the Village be a beautiful destination.
Spencer said running the Village in the most cost-effective matter and always putting the taxpayer first are her priorities. “We all are aware that taxes will increase, but if elected I will do my research and find the most reasonable solutions to keep costs down.
“With all the new projects on the table, my first duty is to work as a team so we don’t have wasteful spending.”
The skills Spencer said she brings to the Board include her background of business consulting to move companies forward in all areas of business; and more than 20 years in banking, where she has worked with loans, debts, assets and property values.
“My leadership skills will lead this village in an affordable manner because of my willingness to work as a team and always stand up for what is right,” she said.
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