Shorewood Village Trustee race

Jeff Hanewall (i)

Age: 46

Employer/ occupation: project manager with Engberg Anderson

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Architecture at UW-Milwaukee

Contact: (414) 964-9719

If elected, what would be one of your top priorities on the Village Board?

My top priority always has been and will continue to be to work toward the protection of the standard of living that draws people to Shorewood. I believe we continue to offer excellent service, however our infrastructure needs attention. I have supported an aggressive approach to road and sewer projects.

Do you feel the Village Board should play a role in attempting to bring families with school-age children into the community?

I do believe that the Village Board should promote programs to bring in families with children. The school system is a major amenity to the village and we must protect it. Younger families also add to the diversity within the community. As a Trustee, I helped develop three programs aimed specifically toward drawing in such families. I've also supported aid to the School District for marketing and physical improvements which can indirectly attract these families.

Do you view the business district as an important part of life in Shorewood?

The business district is extremely important. As a "walkable community," we need businesses in the village that can serve our residents, and our Master Plan - based on market data - guides our development efforts. Besides the convenience of having desired businesses, a thriving district increases the value of those properties, and thus adds to our tax base, helping us all. As a member of the Community Development Authority, this is our main focus.

Thad Nation

Age: 39

Employer/ occupation: owner of Nation Consulting

Education: BA from University of Notre Dame

Contact: (414) 412-7814

If elected, what would be one of your top priorities on the Village Board?

I will continue to push an expedited, cost effective fix to our sewer problems. We are almost two years out from the floods and the biggest work has yet to begin. Residents should demand that the Village Board fixes the sewers in the quickest, most affordable way.

Do you feel the Village Board should play a role in attempting to bring families with school-age children into the community?

As a father of four who moved his family to Shorewood, I can tell you that the quality of the schools, the safe streets and close-knit community were critical in my decision to move to Shorewood. The Village Board must play an integral role in working the School District, the Realtor community and the media to promote the lifestyle and educational advantages that Shorewood offers.

Do you view the business district as an important part of life in Shorewood?

A vibrant, growing business district is crucial to Shorewood's future. As the most densely residential municipality in the state, we need to look for ways to continue to diversify and build our business district to ensure that Shorewood can truly be a walkable community. A growing business district and new development will also provide additional property tax revenue to offset the burden on homeowners.

Avner Zarmi

Age: 58

Employer/ occupation: contract administrator

Education: UW-Milwaukee, dual major in history and political science

Contact: (414) 961-2404

If elected, what would be one of your top priorities on the Village Board?

The village's top priority must be the sewer separation project. This board has commendably taken up the resolution of a decades-long issue; it will not be inexpensive. These contracts must be carefully negotiated and watched to guarantee cost-effective, on time, on budget results. I can help that happen.

Do you feel the Village Board should play a role in attempting to bring families with school-age children into the community?

Shorewood must act to make the village attractive once again to young families with school-age children. Solutions to the problem are not hard to find by looking at surrounding communities. The village does not have to be in a state of managed decline. Census figures show that we lost 4.4 percent of our population between 2000-2010; erosion of our tax base only brings higher taxes which keep out younger families. It must end.

Do you view the business district as an important part of life in Shorewood?

The business district is essential to Shorewood; local access to businesses is part of the attractive, small town atmosphere we found when we moved here. It is also a vital part of our tax base. Existing businesses and residential taxpayers should not be burdened to pick winners and losers. The best solution is a tax and regulatory environment friendly to existing business and welcoming to newcomers.