Election Preview: Mount Pleasant Village President

Two candidates are asking for residents' votes to take the gavel as Mount Pleasant village president: Trustee Karen Albeck and County Supervisor Mark Gleason.

Albeck has been on the village board since 2009 and is running for the village's top spot for the first time. Gleason was the town chair until Mount Pleasant incorporated in 2003 and has represented parts of the village and Caledonia on the county board for the last ten years.

Current President James Majdoch is not running for re-election. He was appointed last September after former President Carolyn Milkie resigned.

Patch wanted to know how the candidates felt about some issues so we asked them to fill out a questionnaire, and we feature their answers here in their own words. Gleason has not yet returned his questionnaire, but we will add his answers when he does.

Readers can also read how the candidates answered . To listen to the full forum, village resident and Patch blogger Rees Roberts has a recording here.

Why are you running for president? 

Albeck: My four years as Trustee have positioned me to be well aware of the issues challenging our Village. I am a creative problem-solver.  Newly retired, I look forward to using my skills, knowledge and time to help move Mt. Pleasant in the direction of a positive future for the benefit all residents.  As President, I guarantee that the matters needing attention, such as financial accountability, providing services, conducting open and transparent decision-making and ensuring that the Board and all staff members serve citizens with respect, will be addressed in open and fair debate, and implemented through appropriate Board action.  

What is the biggest issue facing the village, and how would you address that issue, if elected?

Albeck: The image and sometimes reality that Mt. Pleasant government is dysfunctional is a big issue, because that concern often takes center stage.  When people focus on their perception of the dysfunction it makes it harder for us to dedicate time and resources to the resolution of other important challenges.  We must restore the residents’ trust that Village Government is being properly conducted at all levels.  The way to address this is for all Village employees, the Board included, to throw off their personal agendas and visions and get back to providing the best basic public services as honestly and courteously as possible.  I know this can be done. 

How can the village hold the line on property taxes while continuing to provide the same level of services and programs to residents?

Albeck: In today’s economy every government has to hold the line on municipal spending.  The key to doing so is to generate more revenue through economic development.  We must make business development a top priority.  Businesses will come when they feel welcome.  We must review our operations and ensure that we respond to potential business development with a positive and helpful attitude.  I will be personally involved, working with County Executive Jim Ladwig and the Racine County Economic Development Corporation to bring in new businesses and jobs.  I also have some ideas for creative reallocation of existing resources.