Incumbents in districts 1 and 5 running unopposed
By Kellen Olshefski
Editor
Two candidates are facing off in the April 7 election in hopes to either gain or maintain the city’s District 2 Aldermanic seat.
Alderman Gary Payson, Sr., representing District 2, is running for re-election in the upcoming election against Michael Kluck, a political newcomer.
Gary Payson Sr.
Address: 1229 Robincrest Lane
Age: 62
Phone: (262) 740-4161; prior to 6:30 p.m., (262) 723-2823
Education: Wilmot High School, MSOE, Gateway Technical College, University of Phoenix, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension and American River College.
Work: SPX Flow Delavan
Family: Iris, wife, 44 years; two adult children; six adult grandchildren
Organizations: Sons of American Legions
Political experience: Alderman, District 3, 1994-1996, Alderman District 2, 2006-2009 and 2011-present, unsuccessful attempt for mayor in 1996’s three-way race, and four terms as council president.
Reason for seeking election:
“There are many issues facing us.
We need to continue our infrastructure improvements and improve our utility reliability.
“Elkhorn’s conservative budgeting process is healthy.
“We need meaningful sidewalk policies that encourage safe walking routes and connectivity to neighborhoods.
“Our proximity to the interstates, inter-connectivity with our surrounding communities positions Elkhorn for future industrial growth.
“I would like to quote John Winthrop’s “City Upon a Hill”: ‘government should be constructed and inhabited by men aware of their great trust and their great responsibilities.’”
Alderman Gary Payson, Sr., said if re-elected, there are several things he aims to accomplish in the next two years.
“We need to continue forward on the Northeast Water Treatment Plant, we need potable water,” he said. “We need to proceed on the East Market Street bypass and we need to keep moving forward on what we’re doing with recreation and parks.”
As for promoting Elkhorn, Payson said he thinks the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce does a great job and the city’s developing recreation programs is going to draw people into the town – for sports tournaments as examples – benefiting the city on an economic level.
“These people have to eat, and they will spend money,” he said. “They’ll find out what Elkhorn’s all about and maybe some of them will decide to move here.”
As for business promotion, Payson said having sat on the Elkhorn Economic Development Corporation in the past, he has background and by joining forces with WCEDA he thinks all communities will benefit from the many resources available now for promoting Elkhorn.
On a financial level, Payson said the city has a sound financial management plan, noting traditionally, the council has been very conservative in terms of spending and taxes and doesn’t take a lot of risks.
“We understand that we’re there to represent the taxpayers money and to be fiscally responsible with it as we would with our own money,” he said.
Regarding city roads, Payson said it’s an on-going process and is an issue that has been taken very seriously since the council took up the issue in 1994, cataloguing road conditions in a systematic way.
“We do road projects every year,” he said. “We pay down our debt every year and we focus on infrastructure.
“Again, that’s a draw to the community because if somebody’s driving through, maybe for an event or the fair, they take notice of our roads, the housing and the industrial properties that we have.
“We’ve been prioritizing our rolling capital improvement plan and roads are right on there. That’s been an on-going process for 21 years.”
Michael Kluck
Address: 1408 E. Pinecrest Lane
Age: 38
Phone: Day, (262) 581-3691; evening, (262) 581-3691
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from UW-Milwaukee
Work: Orthopedic Institute of Wisconsin – Data Specialist
Family: Katherine, wife, 10 years; two daughters, 8 and 4,
Political Experience: None
Organizations: None
Reason for running:
“There are many reasons I am running for this position. I want to help make Elkhorn a place where more people will want to drop roots and raise a family.
“I also want to help raise revenue for the city, by working with the other Aldermen to bring in new businesses and more tourists. One big item I feel is important is the city debt and how it has been handled in the past. I would like the opportunity to work with the other Aldermen to structure debt management through levy policies that are state driven.
“I also want to help make Elkhorn a safe place to live. This includes upholding the pedophile ordinance and keeping the streets in top condition.”
Michael Kluck, who is running against Payson for the District 2 aldermanic seat, said if elected, in his first two years includes debt management for the city.
“The biggest one is the debt management of the city,” he said. “Working with my fellow alderman on structuring it through levy policies that are state driven and not pushing it out so it’s still around in 15 years.”
Additionally, he said he’d like to preserve Elkhorn’s hometown feeling, while raising revenues for the city through bringing in new businesses and increasing tourism throughout the year.
Regarding promoting the city, Kluck said it has a high importance.
“The more businesses that come to the city and the more tourists the more revenue that’s going to come to the city and there’s a chance that residents can see a relief from taxes because of it,” he said.
As for the city’s financial state, Kluck said with roughly $22 million worth of debt, he thinks the way Elkhorn does business can be changed.
“When things are being done in the city I believe in getting multiple estimates and not just taking the first go-around from somebody, trying to be smart with spending the money and making sure the money is used properly,” he said.
Kluck also said he’d like better planning for the future, for instance if the city needs to replace police cars, to begin setting aside money now, rather than searching for it later.
Additionally, Kluck said with a lot of city roads in disarray, it’s important to improve and maintain them.
“I know they’re starting this year, but I would like to see that continue through the next couple of years.”
