Politics & Government
Election Preview: Caledonia Village Board (Trustee No. 5)
Retired police officer Jim Dobbs and civil engineer Richard Frazier are vying for a spot on Caledonia's Village Board.
Caledonia voters will head to the polls April 2 to vote on several races, including the Trustee No. 5 seat on the Village Board.
The candidates are Jim Dobbs and Richard Frazier. (Click on link for biographical information on each candidate).
To provide residents with the most information about the election, Caledonia Patch asked candidates for their positions on key issues facing the village. Here, in their own words, are the candidates' answers to those questions.
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Why are you running for Village Board? Jim Dobbs
To continue doing the important work for this Village as a Caledonia Trustee. This position, along with other volunteer work that I perform, is a big part of who I am as a person.
Richard Frazier
I believe that all citizens should serve in sacrifice for the cause of the community and the State if they be able of body. The needs and burdens of our Village should be made aware and shared by all. It is that involvement, a shared sacrifice that makes for a better and prosperous community for all. The affairs and finances of the village should be as important as our personal affairs and finances; after all, the Village is spending our money. What is the biggest issue facing the village, and how would you deal with it, if elected? Jim Dobbs
Keeping our tax base as low or lower than other local comparable communities while maintaining the quality of life that this community is known for. As we grow our tax base, we need to do it in a controlled and efficient manner using our land use plan as a guide. Working on solutions to bring sewer and water to several key areas will help us build that long sustaining solid tax base. Richard Frazier
Two of the biggest issues facing the Village of Caledonia are the expansion of STH 794 and the relocation of STH 38.
Working closely with WisDOT so that any intrusion into the Village would be maximized and maintain the quality of life that we share and not to dissect the Village. What are your greatest strengths as a candidate, and how would you leverage those strengths to benefit the community? Jim Dobbs
I am an experienced leader who will ensure that necessary tasks get completed in our Village. I will continue to listen, ask questions, and carefully analyze each side of an issue to assist me in making solid decisions. I have the courage to make tough decisions and am not intimidated by special interests.
Richard Frazier
My ability to listen and understand.
Common sense approach to providing services to our community, fiscal responsibility and planning for our future.
After having worked in the private sector for 20 plus years on infrastructure projects has given me a unique perspective on capitol projects and how they affect a community.
From my knowledge of such projects I would be a better advocate for the people as for the long term and short term affects that there would be on commercial and residential properties.
In the interest of the people, I have the willingness to cut what needs to be cut, combine what needs to be combined, to remove what needs to be removed and to make new that which is needed.
My ability to leverage an understandable and common sense approach argument in the favor of the people. What kind of future development would you like to see in Caledonia, and how would you work to attract such development? Jim Dobbs
Caledonia has a well-developed Land Use Plan that will guide our Village as we grow. Our biggest identified area to attract business and jobs is our I-94 corridor. In order to get exceptional industrial or service companies to build, we must continue to work on getting city sewer and water to that area. The jobs created from that growth (and the additional residents moving into our village to take those jobs) would help Caledonia sustain its reasonable tax structure for our long-term future.
Richard Frazier
Maintain high standard of residential growth.
Increase commercial development.
Better fiscal approach to manage the rehabilitation of Village Roadways.
I would listen to the wants and needs of the people to let them guide me with their input for the best future direction of the Village
To continue doing the important work for this Village as a Caledonia Trustee. This position, along with other volunteer work that I perform, is a big part of who I am as a person.
Richard Frazier
I believe that all citizens should serve in sacrifice for the cause of the community and the State if they be able of body. The needs and burdens of our Village should be made aware and shared by all. It is that involvement, a shared sacrifice that makes for a better and prosperous community for all. The affairs and finances of the village should be as important as our personal affairs and finances; after all, the Village is spending our money. What is the biggest issue facing the village, and how would you deal with it, if elected? Jim Dobbs
Keeping our tax base as low or lower than other local comparable communities while maintaining the quality of life that this community is known for. As we grow our tax base, we need to do it in a controlled and efficient manner using our land use plan as a guide. Working on solutions to bring sewer and water to several key areas will help us build that long sustaining solid tax base. Richard Frazier
Two of the biggest issues facing the Village of Caledonia are the expansion of STH 794 and the relocation of STH 38.
Working closely with WisDOT so that any intrusion into the Village would be maximized and maintain the quality of life that we share and not to dissect the Village. What are your greatest strengths as a candidate, and how would you leverage those strengths to benefit the community? Jim Dobbs
I am an experienced leader who will ensure that necessary tasks get completed in our Village. I will continue to listen, ask questions, and carefully analyze each side of an issue to assist me in making solid decisions. I have the courage to make tough decisions and am not intimidated by special interests.
Richard Frazier
My ability to listen and understand.
Common sense approach to providing services to our community, fiscal responsibility and planning for our future.
After having worked in the private sector for 20 plus years on infrastructure projects has given me a unique perspective on capitol projects and how they affect a community.
From my knowledge of such projects I would be a better advocate for the people as for the long term and short term affects that there would be on commercial and residential properties.
In the interest of the people, I have the willingness to cut what needs to be cut, combine what needs to be combined, to remove what needs to be removed and to make new that which is needed.
My ability to leverage an understandable and common sense approach argument in the favor of the people. What kind of future development would you like to see in Caledonia, and how would you work to attract such development? Jim Dobbs
Caledonia has a well-developed Land Use Plan that will guide our Village as we grow. Our biggest identified area to attract business and jobs is our I-94 corridor. In order to get exceptional industrial or service companies to build, we must continue to work on getting city sewer and water to that area. The jobs created from that growth (and the additional residents moving into our village to take those jobs) would help Caledonia sustain its reasonable tax structure for our long-term future.
Richard Frazier
Maintain high standard of residential growth.
Increase commercial development.
Better fiscal approach to manage the rehabilitation of Village Roadways.
I would listen to the wants and needs of the people to let them guide me with their input for the best future direction of the Village
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