Grand Chute Town Chair Choose 1
Town ChairmanView our candidate forum to learn more about the candidates.
Biographical Information
Campaign Mailing Address
4033 N Trailway Ln
Grand Chute , WI 54913
Grand Chute , WI 54913
Campaign Phone
9207359917
Campaign Email
electbethenglish@gmail.com
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Beth English for Grand Chute
Please share why you have chosen to run for the Grand Chute Town Chair, your vision for the future of the Town, and why you are the best candidate to bring about that future.
I am running to give voters a chance to select someone with honest responsive leadership skills. I will offer more public involvement opportunities, vowing to be more transparent. I won’t waste taxpayers’ money by continually revisiting old decisions, questioning the credibility of our vendors, or micromanaging staff. I will let our talented, hardworking team members do their best work. I will work together with town staff and treat our employees as partners. I will always listen and respond.
Grand Chute conducted a road funding survey last fall. How do you interpret the results of that survey, and how will it inform future decisions on road funding?
There was not clear consensus from those answering the survey. Responses were a mix of using a capped amount from special assessments and/or relying completely on property taxes. Residents wish that commercial property would pay an assessment for roads.
Grand Chute has traditionally had the lowest property taxes in the Fox Cities metro area. Without assessments to help pay for road improvements, will property taxes increase more significantly in the future? Will assessments continue to be used for water and sanitary sewer extensions in the Town?
Without assessments, either road maintenance will suffer and reconstruction will slow or taxpayers will have to assume a larger part of road funding. The Town Board is examining current policies concerning water, sewer and stormwater utility funding. We don’t have the update yet.
A comprehensive Grand Chute housing study has been authorized. How soon will this be completed? Will this information be used to ease the severe lack of affordable housing the the Fox Valley?
The study is expected to be completed before the end of the year. The results will give us real data about the current housing stock so that we can accurately address need. Staff is already working with developers to add affordable working-class housing to our stock. Offers will include smaller lots and Habitat for Humanity sites.
Beginning this year, Grand Chute has implemented its own ambulance service. How will this impact taxpayers and improve the quality of life in Grand Chute?
The ambulance has gotten off to a successful start. Grand Chute initiated a cooperative agreement with FVTC to deliver paramedic training to Town firefighters while on the job, boosting the number of paramedics on staff. GCFD secured GEMT funding, a Federal/State of WI program that reimburses our service for expenses not covered by Medicare/Medicaid. More qualified staff and better response rates benefit our visitors and residents.
Biographical Information
Please share why you have chosen to run for the Grand Chute Town Chair, your vision for the future of the Town, and why you are the best candidate to bring about that future.
As a life-long resident of Grand Chute, I am interested in both the heritage and the future of our Town. I wanted to make a positive change.
My vision is to maintain a cost-effective full-service government that does not need to use special assessments to help subsidize part of the Town budget.
I believe my skill set and willingness to learn and listen are positive things to help our Town grow. I am not afraid of making hard decisions or stating my position on any topic. These are all characte
Grand Chute conducted a road funding survey last fall. How do you interpret the results of that survey, and how will it inform future decisions on road funding?
My takeaway from the survey is 54% support debt service on roads (which is currently the way the Town has been doing business for the past four years). This is a strong statement from our residents. In my opinion, if the board thought of bringing special assessments back in any capacity, it would most likely land the Town in litigation.
Grand Chute has traditionally had the lowest property taxes in the Fox Cities metro area. Without assessments to help pay for road improvements, will property taxes increase more significantly in the future? Will assessments continue to be used for water and sanitary sewer extensions in the Town?
For the past four years that I have been Chairperson we have not specially assessed for roads. We remain at one of the lowest tax rates in the Valley even after passing a referendum for public safety.
As of now the Board is considering a new policy for sewer and water extensions that will respect property owner rights by allowing residents of those areas to maintain their private well and septic system as long as they wish without prohibiting new development.
A comprehensive Grand Chute housing study has been authorized. How soon will this be completed? Will this information be used to ease the severe lack of affordable housing the the Fox Valley?
This will be completed later this year. The information will be important to give guidance to the Board in their decision making.
Beginning this year, Grand Chute has implemented its own ambulance service. How will this impact taxpayers and improve the quality of life in Grand Chute?
I have supported the Town ran ambulance when it was brought to my attention almost four years ago and I am proud that it is up and running. This service should have a positive impact by creating revenue for the Fire Dept. and a shorter wait time for the patient from the time the station receives the call to the time the patient is taken to the hospital.