Diane Bogard
Age: 65
Address: 1418 Jean Court, Union Grove
Education: High school graduate
Political experience: None
Organizations: True Life Ministries
Gordon Svendsen
Age: 56
Address: 1344 Jean St., Union Grove
Occupation: Owner/real estate appraiser since 1991, S&S Real Estate Appraisal Service, Union Grove; owner since 2009, Regional Appraisal Management, LLC, Union Grove
Education: Waukesha Technical College; Real estate appraisal courses; Class of 1975, Washington Park High School, Racine;
Political experience: Union Grove Village Board Trustee, 10 years; prior to that, ran unsuccessfully for the high school board
Organizations: member and past president of Kiwanis Club of Union Grove, since 1992; member of: Greater Union Grove Chamber of Commerce, since 1991; National Realtor Association, since 1994; Racine Board of Realtors, since 1994; Kenosha Realtor Association, since 1996; National Association of Appraisers, since 2012; and a State of Wisconsin Certified Residential Appraiser since 1991.
By Patricia Bogumil
Two candidates are seeking election April 1 to the Trustee No. 2 position on the Union Grove Village Board.
Incumbent trustees Timothy Mallach and Michael Younglove are running uncontested for seats no. 4 and 6, respectively.
Gordon Svendsen has held the Trustee No. 2 position for 10 years. He is being challenged by political newcomer, Diane Bogard.
Information submitted by the candidates on a range of issues follows.
• Diane Bogard said she is seeking office because real change is needed.
Her belief is a government of the people, by the people, for the people – “not a selected few.”
“When elected, I will bring accountability, fiscal responsibility and transparency to the board,” she said.
The most pressing needs and issues before the board include paying current debts; bringing in new business without taxpayer burden; and listening to and considering concerns of residents above special interests.
Bogard said her excellent math skills for developing common sense budgets and prioritizing needs above special interests will benefit both the board and community as a whole.
• Gordon Svendsen said he is seeking re-election to continue moving the community forward.
Union Grove is a wonderful place to live, work, raise a family and just enjoy life, he said, but maintaining this balance is by far the biggest issue for any Village Board.
To do this, the Union Grove Village Board must continue its progress in bringing jobs to the community and also continue to upgrade the Village infrastructure that includes sewer, water services and keeping streets maintained to keep replacement costs to a minimum.
The board needs to build on the redevelopment that has been completed to date and needs to continue to work with developers to bring new employment opportunities for residents.
Among the experience and attributes that Svendsen believes will benefit the board and community if he continues as a trustee are:
– His 20-plus years as a Union Grove business owner and job creator, enabling him to understand what it takes to move the community forward while not over burdening it with excessive taxation.
– As chairperson of the Administration and Finance Committee, Svendsen has helped develop a balanced budget each of the last four years without an increase in spending three of those four years.
Also, reduced costs were seen for Health Department services by researching and contracting with a different provider.
“My experience with the Village budget allows me to understand many of the items that are required to be in the budget versus the items that are not required,” he said.
– As current chairperson of the Planning Commission, the building of a new business was approved on the site of the former Bardon Rubber Product Site and ways are being explored to move the community forward while planning for that future.
“We are currently looking forward to the expansion of a local manufacturer which will bring additional employment opportunities to our community,” Svendsen said.
He also points to the additional knowledge and experience he brings to the trustee position: from serving on the Street, Water, Waste Water Committee; as co-chairperson of the Graham Public Library; as a village resident since 1976; from serving as former chairperson of the Community Development Authority and its current Executive Director; and as Chairperson for the Super Saturday community event for the past three years.
“I have been honored that our community has allowed me to serve as their elected representative on the Village Board, and I believe as a member of that board we have moved our community forward and continue to improve our community,” said Svendsen, adding that he hopes to be re-elected so that he may continue.
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