Montgomery Trustees Are Responsible For:

• Budgeting and Taxation
• The Size, Cost and Performance of Village Staff
• Economic Growth or Stagnation
• Basic City Services Such As Water, Police, Code Enforcement, Public Works, Garbage Collection and Street Construction and Street Repair, Snow Plowing, Mowing and Landscape of Public Areas
• Village Responsiveness To Citizen Requests
• Property Laws and Property Owner's Rights
• Vision For The Future of the Community

Do You Know The Six Village Trustees Who Decide These Issues For You?

Probably not. When we moved to Montgomery, the Village was just barely 6,000 in population. Or, about 1,000 residents per Village Board Member. Today, we're likely 2,500 residents per Village Board member with boundaries nearly 7 miles across east to west. East, North, South and West Montgomery have many important differences along with the many issues they have in common. So Trustees need to move around in the community and see Village services, streets and properties from many different and personal perspectives. Have you met a Trustee? Well, you can certainly meet this Trustee anytime you like. And I promise to be visible and accessible to you and your neighborhood.

Trustees Pass Ordinances That Directly Regulate Property Owners and Property Ownership.

In some parts of Montgomery, it is against the law to paint or stain your fence. In other parts of town, it is not. In some parts of Montgomery, fences must be made from wood of a specific shape and style, and nothing else. And those fences may not be more than 4' high. In other parts of town, no such laws apply. In some parts of Montgomery, laws determine the style and size of mailbox you can have and what your mailbox post needs to look like. In other parts of Montgomery, no such laws. Is this good public policy? In my opinion no. But deeper than that, I believe it represents an intrusion into property ownership decisions which were not necessary when Montgomery was smaller, and they are not necessary now. The decision to require concrete pads for the parking of extra vehicles, RV's and boats is another example of how Board of Trustee decisions affect property owners.

Trustees Negotiate and Approve Multi-Year Contracts for Garbage Collection.

Now, a five year contract for garbage collection in a village the size of Montgomery is a pretty nice order! I think nice enough to warrant excellent service from the company that gets the bid, and decent containers for every home. If you've had to hunt down your lost garbage can on a windy day, dodge loose cans rolling around in the streets, or pick up litter that you know blew out of containers or the collection truck, then you know the decision about what kind of contract we have, the performance measures and the provision for response to customer complaints is the little nitty gritty kind of thing that affects your life every week. Are you happy with what you have? Some are, some aren't. I think we can do better.

Trustees Set Water Rates, Fines And Other City Fees.

Water billing rates have increased in Montgomery and many think they might well be increased again. Why is that necessary? Well, that's for your Village Trustees to answer. The Village is expecting $3.45 million in water revenues for 2011. From a Village of about 17,000 people. Be alert for discussion about raising the water rates again and don't be shy about asking questions or making your feelings known on the issue. Water is one of those city services that people can't do without, and few people know how the price of their water service was determined. Your Trustees do that.

There are rumors that a vehicle sticker fee may be proposed, perhaps in the amount of $35 per vehicle located within the Village boundaries. What would that money be used for? Why is that money needed? Why is this even being considered? Well, this decision is all up to your Village Trustees. I oppose the idea.

Trustees Are Elected "At Large" - We Do Not Have Wards Or Neighborhood Representatives.

Montgomery Trustees are elected at large, so they each represent the entire community and not a local ward or district as many who moved here might have imagined. So, are the elected Trustees located pretty much in all parts of Montgomery since they're elected at large? No, not really. In fact, most live in a pretty tight circle around the old downtown area. Only one, the newest, lives west of Route 31.

Trustees Envision A Community That Is Either Economically Healthy, Or Not.

The attractiveness of Montgomery to potential businesses and employers, and the wisdom of our strategy to promote our community to sources of jobs and investment, pretty much starts with the policies of your Village Trustees. Is Montgomery gaining or losing employers and jobs? Are we better off than we were a few years ago, or not? Personally, I think we have to do better. I have experience in Economic and Industrial Development and considerable experience working with executives in American industry. I have ideas that could benefit Montgomery for the jobs and job security that we all need.