Five candidates are seeking three Village of Rochester trustee positions in the April 3 election.
Incumbents Christopher Bennett and Christian Johnson face challengers Steve Fladwood, Charlie Pietrowski and Russ Kumbier.
The two-year positions pay $3,500 annually, plus $25 per meeting.
Information provided by each candidate follows.
Steven Fladwood
Age: 68
Address: 29625 Timberland Drive, Waterford
Education: high school, several college classes, several technical classes, RAMAC classes
Occupation: semi-retired, consulting business (worked for Twin Disk Inc. in Racine for more than 40 years)
Reasons for seeking office: I have been active in past years attending Village meetings when possible. As of 2010 I am semi-retired and have more time to contribute to community. I have lived in Rochester for more than 30 years and have always respected and enjoyed the hometown values and down to earth common sense local government management. I have always respected local leaders for the community we have.
We have one of the best tax rates in Racine County. With the voters’ help, I would like to actively participate on the board to manage the Village of Rochester in future years.
Pressing issues. These include a new Village Hall building and location; maintenance of Village roads and properties; working with all Village personnel and entities; compliance with all local, county, state and federal, policies, laws and ordinances.
Strengths and experience: I am a Manufacturing Engineer by trade; 30-plus years in Business Management; 10-plus years as Facilitator for Manufacturing Teams; Managing Consulting business.
Previous political experience: Rochester Planning Committee, late 70s
Organizations: Represented Twin Disc Inc. at Racine Area Manufacturing & Commerce organization; Advisory Committee for CNC courses at Gateway Technical College; past president of Church Council; past church treasurer
Russ Kumbier
Age: 48
Address: 500 Ryan Ave., Burlington
Education: Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education, 1987, UW–Oshkosh; Master’s degree in special education, 2006, UW–Whitewater
Occupation: teacher
Reasons for seeking office: I will act as a fair and responsive voice for all the citizens of Rochester.
Pressing issues: These include improving trust in the village board; keeping taxes and the tax rate in the village low; attracting new businesses and other economic development to the area; following a common sense plan for the development of the Highway 36 corridor.
Strengths and experience: I will use my experiences as a special education teacher, to not only plan for the future of Rochester, but also to solve the current problems that our village faces. We need to grow our tax base, not raise taxes in order to solve problems. It is also imperative that all considerations are given to issues so that the citizens of Rochester can trust their elected officials which means listening to all sides in order to make the best informed decision for all village residents.
Previous political experience: Village of Rochester Trustee (old village), 2006-2009; lost elections in 2009 and 2010; village ordinance committee, 2009–present and building committee, 2010–2011
Organizations: Waterford Boy Scout Troop 324 Troop Committee Chair; Valley Corps Civil War Re-enactors; member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Waterford.
Charlie Pietrowski
Age: 48
Address: 108 N. State St., Rochester
Education: one year, Gateway Technical Institute–Kenosha; holds a pilot’s license; two years, UW–Milwaukee
Occupation: retired
Reasons for seeking office: Rochester residents are not being listened to. We need a voice for the people.
Pressing issues: Currently, the village board is in the process of building a new municipal building. I have spoke to nearly one-third of the current residents, the majority of whom do not want it. A petition was circulated in April 2010 in regard to an advisory referendum that did not give us a choice to stay in the current building. I belonged to a group that was trying to get Direct Legislation pushed through, limiting the amount of money the board could spend. It had a fatal flaw. By the time it was corrected the board already pushed through a resolution for spending up to $2,000,000. Is this listening to the electorate?
Strengths and experience: I have very good listening skills, communication skills and am approachable. My job, if elected, is to listen to the electorate and to go out and get public input for such a large project, spending up to $1.2 million. This is not a self-agenda position.
Previous political experience: I was a candidate for Village Trustee last year and lost.
Organizations: I belong to the Friends of the Rochester Library. This is a volunteer group. What a better way to give back to the community and betterment of our historic village.
Christopher Bennett
Age: 38
Address: 303 S. State St., Rochester
Education: Currently attending graduate school at Milwaukee’s Cardinal Stritch University, pursuing a Masters Degree in Management and Leadership; 1998 graduate of Carroll College, Waukesha (now Carroll University). Also graduated from U.S. Navy Basic Training, Direct Commission Officer School and the Department of Defense Information School. I graduated from Burlington High School in 1991.
Occupation: freelance communication professional
Reasons for seeking office: I am an incumbent running for re-election to the Village of Rochester Board of Trustees. I first earned election in 2009 and earned re-election in 2010. Since 2009 I’ve served the village in many capacities, including the Public Works Committee. I also serve as the village’s representative on the Western Racine County Board of Health. I am also a commissioner on the Western Racine County Sewerage District.
I’m proud of the work being done by the Village Board, on many levels. In particular, I’m pleased that we are moving forward with the construction of a new village hall. I am also pleased that we have implemented a storm water utility district. Each initiative is a crucial step in Rochester’s long-term viability. Neither came about without their share of division or issues, but I believe in and support each initiative.
I’m seeking office again because I like this job. I enjoy being a part of the team that helps ensure Rochester remains one of the best com-munities in southeast Wisconsin. And Rochester is one of the best communities in southeast Wisconsin. We keep taxes reasonable and deliver services. Our quality of life is exceptional. This isn’t a tribute to elected officials – it’s a tribute to the entire community.
Pressing issues: We are working towards breaking ground on a new Village Hall. It is a visible and somewhat divisive issue that must be handled well – this building should outlive everyone in Rochester.
There are drainage issues we can address as a result of the formation of the storm water utility. We are in the midst of an ambitious, multi-year capital expenditure to rebuild many of the village-owned roads – some are dramatically overdue for attention. In the next few years, as the economy improves, hopefully we’ll be dealing with additional construction and development.
There are a myriad of county and state issues that affect Rochester as well that the board always watches. And, as always, there are the nuts and bolts issues that come with running any municipal entity – keep taxes reasonable, deliver value, make decisions today with an eye on the future, and more.
Strengths and experience. My experience is diverse. I spent many years in journalism and working for the government. I’m a homeowner in the community and a father of two children in the Waterford Graded School District – all of this affects my thinking when making decisions. In all decisions I strive to be fair and do what I think is best for the community.
Previous political experience: I covered politics for several years as a journalist. As an elected official I am in my third election. I’ve been a member of the Village of Rochester Board of Trustees since 2009, and can honestly say I’ve enjoyed every second of my tenure.
Organizations: I attend Peace Lutheran Church in Burlington. I’ve been a member of several organizations related to the Navy and also journalism.
Christian Johnson
Age: 55
Address: 34228 Academy Road, Burlington
Education: 12 years
Occupation: master plumber restricted certified soil tester
Reasons for seeking office: These include my commitment to Rochester, which has given so much to our family; a willingness to listen and hear all the residents of the village and make good decisions with the issues at hand.
Pressing issues: Sewer infiltration, storm water drainage, new village hall and road maintenance
Strengths and experience: With my 23 years of business experience and three years as a village trustee, I have gained a greater respect and understanding for the village’s present and future needs.
Organizations: Three years, Village of Rochester trustee; public works committee chairman; finance committee; planning board and board of appeals.
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