Mount Pleasant Candidates for President Identify Biggest Issue Facing the Village

Candidates running for Village President in Mount Pleasant - incumbent Carolyn Milkie, former police chief James Majdoch and write-in candidate Sharman Turek - were each asked a series of questions. We are featuring their answers in separate stories on Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patch in the days leading up to the April 5 election.

Today, they will address what they feel is the most important issue facing the village. In a previous story, the candidates described the reasons behind their decision to run for president. What they love most about living in Mount Pleasant will be posted in the coming days. 

What is the most important issue facing the village?

Carolyn Milkie: Our residents have come to expect a high level of service, and we need to be able to continue providing the type and quality they expect and deserve but do it affordably. What's on everyone's mind is municipal spending and how to keep taxes low. Village leaders are going to have to keep exploring ways to bring new business to town to increase our tax base.

James Majdoch: Before the budget repair bill and the Governor's budget was introduced, I would have said our primary issue is jobs and what does it take to bring jobs to Mount Pleasant. Now, though, I feel like we really have to examine how to provide services in the face of these cuts. Mount Pleasant is not top-heavy on personnel so we're in a good position that way. Our issue is that what Governor Walker proposes doesn't fix the problem he's creating at the same time. We're going to have to look at everything and make hard determinations between needs and wants.

Sharman Turek: Taxes and debt are at the top of the list. The village received a $10 million gift, which should have covered the cost of the new village hall and the board spent $20 million. I am furious about this. People are losing their homes and we built the Taj Mahal. With all the cuts in revenue sharing and not being able to raise taxes, I shudder to think of how the village will try to move forward with if this president is re-elected.