Salem Lakes trustee candidates answer Kenosha News questions ahead of spring election

They include incumbents Dennis Faber, Ron Gandt, Bill Hopkins and challenger Peter Poli. The top three vote-getters will be elected.

The Kenosha News asked each candidate the same list of questions. Their responses, presented alphabetically, follow:

Why are you running?

Faber: Today, the village has a new president, three new trustees, new administrator and a new finance director/treasurer who will start in April. Over these years as an elected official, I have a successful track record working with neighboring municipalities, lake organizations, the county, the Department of Natural Resources and securing many thousands of dollars’ in DNR grants.

I have also been asked by one of our new trustees to stay involved to pass along my knowledge and history of successes and failures to benefit our new leaders with these experiences. If elected, I look forward to doing just that.

In this term, I also want to pursue establishing a Village Lakes Committee with the goal of having a representative from each lake organization on the committee. The goals are to update the village’s Chapter 330 lakes and waterways ordinance which is severely outdated, address invasive aquatic species and possibly combine services so our lake districts, lake associations and homeowner lake organizations can save money addressing lake studies and treatments.

Another goal is to have the committee become familiar with obtaining recreational lake grants that offset the cost of lake studies and rehabilitation plans, as well as update our village boat sticker policy.

Gandt: I have been on the Village Board for three terms and have seen a lot of changes that will make our village a great place to live, play and to enjoy our lakes. I have worked diligently with our constituents and businesses to ensure they are being heard and represented. I want to continue to be part of the change that has happened since the last spring election.

Hopkins: I am the best candidate for Salem Lakes trustee because since 2017 there is not a trustee that has worked harder, come more prepared for meetings, is more intentional and deliberate for the residents and business owners of Salem Lakes than I have been.

My record and work ethic while serving as a trustee, and in the other positions and roles I have held, speaks for itself. I have always and will always represent the residents of Salem Lakes with integrity, honesty and forward thinking. I worked tirelessly these last two years navigating and leading during the process of dealing with the overreach of our previous fire chief and inspector.

I continued advocating for the residents by expressing and pushing concerns with the previous administration both in open and closed sessions. I worked directly with the business owners in the village to do whatever I could to best support them and ensure they were treated fairly. I have always shown up and supported our residents regardless of their concerns and will continue to do so. I have and will continue to represent my constituents fairly and honestly.

As I always have, I will continue to work tirelessly to keep taxes low while also ensuring we have the highest quality emergency services, thriving strategic business development and growth within our village and I will continue to champion our small-town culture by supporting the park commission and the many opportunities they provide for our families in Salem Lakes.

Poli: I wish to be of service to my community by utilizing my experience in building construction and past municipal public sanitary and water utility for the betterment of this great village we all call home. I am also in tune with the need to listen to the members of the community when they have concerns or ideas.

What are the most pressing issues?

Faber: Regaining the respect of our business community. I was told there were just a few businesses that were upset with fire inspections. Unfortunately, that assessment was wrong. Before the last election I suggested hiring an expert in the field of fire inspection but was emphatically told “No” by the fire chief, that the board did not have that authority. It was up to the fire chief, and he was not going to make a change.

This has resulted in major changes in the village. Many good things are happening however. Our new president in my firsthand opinion is doing an excellent job carrying out her (new to her) duties. Our new trustees have shown they have worked diligently studying the issues and our new administrator has found cost savings by contracting with different insurance providers, office machine leases, a different ambulance billing company and redoing other contracts to produce savings, to date, totaling over $300,000 annually.

The next most important issue in my opinion is the village needs employees, like many businesses, manufacturers and construction trades today. We need firefighters, EMS and highway/utility workers. Please visit our website for excellent employment opportunities.

Gandt: With our new administration and department heads there are many hurdles that are being addressed. With our infrastructure that is dated and in need of constant attention, there will always be a need for improvement and upgrades.

Hopkins: First, we must gain the trust of the community back after the destructive last few years we have had. Although I served during that time, I fought for the residents of Salem Lakes in closed and open sessions to ensure accountability and transparency were at the forefront. Through the work of our Village Board and village administrator, we have identified areas of improvement on a day-to-day operating level. I will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure fiscal responsibility, transparency, and effective leadership.

Secondly, in terms of emergency services, I will champion the implementation of two fully staffed, 24/7 fire stations. Under the leadership of our current interim fire chief, we are working to ensure that we have a fully staffed fire department made up of highly qualified firefighter/paramedics. It is essential that we continue to improve our already competent and highly trained firefighter/paramedics. We must promote, encourage, and provide the best leadership, training, and equipment possible for our fire department so that we are a department that other municipalities look to model and one that provides the greatest protection possible.

Third, it is essential that we develop a business strategy for growth by identifying business types and locations suitable for current and future opportunities. We need to complete the building of the existing business parks within the village. By doing so, we will be increasing the tax base which can allow for taxes staying low for families.

Poli: There is a need to continue on a path of fiscal responsibility by way of added transparency. I would also like to see more focus placed on community development in the areas of walking/hiking paths that link our hamlets as well as the creation of central park locations within each of our hamlet centers to provide areas for community engagement, enjoyment, and enrichment. Our multiple village centers are in dire need of revitalization — for example in some areas lack of public parking is largely to blame so working towards adding public parking lots could go a long way to improve the “downtown” areas.

I am interested in public utilities having worked in that field for over 20 years. Our sanitary sewer system needs to be inspected, cleaned, maintained, and video documented in a planned and strategic manner. The previous plan was to only video sections of sanitary sewer that were located under roadway slated for resurfacing. This leaves our village sewers subject to undetected inflow and infiltration which is basically groundwater entering our sanitary sewer system. The clean ground water then mixes with sewer water and adds to the total flow going into the treatment plant, which translates to dollars spent unnecessarily.

Why are you the most qualified?

Faber: Over the years I have gained the name ‘Mr. Lakes” from board members and others. I have personally written and participated in securing grants such as our Nelson Knowles grant of $546,049 for our community park and lake district grants totaling over $400,000.

Because of this knowledge I want to do something other candidates may not have the experience of doing. I want to establish a lakes committee wherein our village, lake districts and lake associations become well versed in applying for Wisconsin recreational grants.

In summary, the village needs representation that is experienced, knowledgeable, dedicated and always available as well as someone who will work respectfully with board members and staff as well as neighboring communities, along with the county, the state and DNR. I have that experience, dedication and reputation and am committed to passing along this experience and knowledge to help others keep making the Village of Salem Lakes a safe, great place to live and raise a family.

Thanks to you newcomers and old timers for your past support as well as your consideration for this term so I can continue to help this wonderful “young village” with all the exciting things that are before us.

Gandt: With my previous appointments to other boards and committees within the village it gave me a great understanding of what goes on in the village. Being a lifelong resident and local businessman, I know the area and what it takes to make major decisions. I have worked with Parks and Recreation to implement our new pickleball courts and a walking trail. I have worked on our golf cart ordinance and most recently put together an ATV ordinance that will be implemented upon installation of signage.

Hopkins: As a resident of Silver Lake for 36 years, I have had the privilege to watch this community grow and change over the years. I have invested most of my adult life raising my family in this community, developing relationships with people and local businesses and devoting my time serving my community.

As we continue to develop as a thriving state line village, I plan to utilize my leadership skills and forward-thinking problem solving from my previous military service and private sector careers to help advocate for the residents and business owners in Salem Lakes.

I will continue to bring my experience to the table to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure growth and prosperity within the Village of Salem Lakes. I take pride in my community and am excited for the opportunity to continue making this village a home where families want to move to, raise a family in, and actively participate in their community. I look forward to serving our community for another two years.

Poli: My work experience and history of grassroots community organization and service place me in a good position to be one of the three people the voters choose for representation in this election. I like thinking not only about our current residents but also future families that may want to settle into our little slice of Wisconsin. What may they be interested in? What kind of developments, businesses, and public improvements have the greatest potential to keep the Village Salem Lakes relevant and desirable for generations to come?

These are important questions to keep in mind when leading our community by way of a seat on the Village Board.