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Friday, March 12, 2010

Third District Candidates Profiled

It’s a fairly sharp contrast.  On one side, you have this:

“The biggest thing I’m bringing is leadership,” Duquaine said, pointing to his 20-plus years as a business owner. “I’ve balanced budgets for years, I’ve grown a business. I’d like to bring that experience to the city.”

[...]

   Duquaine said two issues made him decide to run for the Common Council. “The unacceptable unemployment rate in this city. That’s a huge concern for me.”

   He also believes the city can do a better job attracting and retaining businesses by creating a friendlier business climate. “If you do that it will lower the unemployment,” he said.

   As the owner of a masonry company that works on commercial properties around southeast Wisconsin, Duquaine said he has seen what other communities do to encourage development and would like West Bend to consider some of those ideas.

   “I would do whatever we can to promote our city and develop our city,” he said, “not only bringing in new business but do a better job maintaining the businesses we have here.”

On the other side you have this:

“I’m a totally independent candidate,” Salmon said. “I feel I can look at each issue facing the council, research information on that issue and make a decision independent of any outside agenda. I will make decisions that best represent the citizens of the third district and the citizens of West Bend.”

[...]

   Salmon said it is important to continue to improve taxpayers’ understanding of city issues. “I would work harder to keep citizens informed on how their govenment [sic] was working for them,” she said. “The city recently began streaming the council meetings over the Internet and I think that is a great start.”

Let’s see… business owner looking to improve the business climate and attract businesses against an “independent” candidate who wants to improve my understanding of city issues. 

Yeah, I’d vote for Duquaine.

(9) Comments
Posted by Owen at 0654 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. Do lefty candidates not know everyone has figured out “independent” is a code word for “liberal” by now?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 12, 2010 at 1127 hrs


  2. So when McCain and Palin said they were independent and mavericks they were saying they were liberals?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 12, 2010 at 1213 hrs


  3. “Improve tax payers understanding of city issues”
    If that doesn’t say I am going to raise your taxes till your butt bleeds I don’t know what does.
    Here’s a thought how about you try understanding my issues.
    No raise for 4 years
    House vaule down 30% property taxes up
    Ira down 30% living expenses up.
    No longer willing to mantain Goverment’s life style will mine goes down

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 12, 2010 at 1255 hrs


  4. Do we have a director of community development ? Still patiently waiting for his phone to ring with microsoft on the other end. Here is an idea try getting out and networking, the boom times are gone, no company will drag themselves to city hall and throw themselves in the fetal position and beg to be part of the city.
    You dont need cash or tax incentives just relax the crazy requirements like $30,000 worth of landscape , starting a business is hard enough without putting a full time gardner on the payroll.
    Start bending the rules a bit so firms will stay , how many have relocated out of the city ? what is this telling you?
    Why is every new potential business put through a ringer and delayed and put on hold time and time again? but moving a old farmhouse across town to a tiff district where we just paid millions to knock old buildings down community development can make happen overnight.
    Time to rid city hall of the good ole boy network, get some vision on board that relates to this century.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 12, 2010 at 1428 hrs


  5. Time to rid city hall of the good ole boy network, get some vision on board that relates to this century.

    Says the guy not running for office.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 12, 2010 at 1511 hrs


  6. Hey anon - how about having an opinion of your own vs ripping on those who try to make a point.

    It is a relatively new concept that cities/towns/counties compete with one another for business, residents, taxes, etc.  Duquaine competes and fights every day for his family, customers, and employees.  He’ll fight just as hard for the City and its’ residents.

    I’m sure the gal running against Duquaine is a nice person, however, now is not the time for ‘feel good’ candidates.  We need a leader with experience in negotiating, marketing, budgeting, and prioritizing.

    Duquaine will excel in these areas.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 12, 2010 at 2018 hrs


  7. Cynical,

    “Independent” is a code word for liberal? Are you aware that BOTH Marquardt and Weigand use that word in their literature…it’s part of Weigand’s motto, for Pete’s sake.

    So by your definition, that makes them liberal?

    How about you debate the issues instead of trying to stir the pot?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 12, 2010 at 2131 hrs


  8. I very much agree with Kraig that what is needed now is business and budget-savy experience. 

    Those that are truly interested in the real issues facing the city have every avenue or capability to learn more.  If the issues she wants them to learn more about are not real or are trumped up - think more bike lanes or building support for the library board - she is just going to be trying to drum up support for an agenda.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 13, 2010 at 0839 hrs


  9. “Duquaine said he has seen what other communities do to encourage development and would like West Bend to consider some of those ideas.”

    And what would those ideas be?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 13, 2010 at 1125 hrs


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