April 2012 Election: Wauwatosa Hears Again from Mayoral Hopefuls

The future of economic development initiatives, difficult financial times ahead and the city's ability to maintain high levels of service were among the topics debated before the community between candidates Peter Donegan and Kathy Ehley in a mayoral election forum Monday at the Civic Center Auditorium.

In many areas, Donegan and Ehley share the same concerns, and their differences in offering solutions are seldom sharp. But they do diverge on some issues, as they did at a pre-primary forum Feb. 13, and offered some new food for thought Monday.

For instance, Donegan sees more promise in encouraging condominium development than in counting on the uncertainties of business growth; Ehley believes business development is the better course and that it can be accomplished through better marketing.

For the most part, Donegan is more urgent about the severity of the road immediately ahead and the need for conscious frugality now, while Ehley touts the historic adaptability of Wauwatosa in reinventing itself to take advantage of the times.

. Donegan has served six years as alderman for District 1 and chairs the council's Budget and Finance Committee. Ehley is the executive director of the Village of Wauwatosa Business Improvement District has been involved with many other community organizations.

In their opening statements, both candidates conveyed their forecasts and feelings for the future of Wauwatosa in a turbulent, uncertain economy.

"We face such difficult times," Donegan said. "Indeed, a collision is upon us."

Donegan pointed to static tax revenues and continued climbing costs, along with an aging and weakening infrastructure, as the main components of change for the community.

"It is a very difficult management challenge," Donegan said, one that "I believe that I am well prepared for."

Ehley, while acknowledging the challenges, continued in her vein of being cautious but more optimistic about Wauwatosa's abililty to adapt to change.

Ehley said she took heart from the turnout for the forum, suggesting that with participation from local citizens, the governmental process will resolve pending difficulties.

"This election is not about how one person can solve all the problems," Ehley said. "This election is about how we are going to face these tough issues."

Emphasis on economic development

A major concern for Donegan was the city's ability to continue to attract new businesses to the community.

"Our current model of economic development is very experimental," Donegan said, referring to ongoing restructuring in economic and community development. "I have more questions than answers."

Commercial lending is difficult to find in this time, Ehley said, but she looked toward changes in how the city promotes itself to reach potential businesses.

"What we have to do is to get our house in order," Ehley said. "We need to get out there and sell our community, because we want the best developments to be coming here."

Donegan's preferred solution for bringing economic growth to the community is in providing more condominium housing, both to keep householders in the city and to attract new residents.

“I have not given up on what was the primary theory of economic development,” Donegan said. “I think (condo development) is an excellent opportunity.”

City service questions on the horizon

Both candidates reflected upon the job of city government and how best to use current tools and resources to maintain the services it provides.

“We are going to keep up our services (now), but there is going to be a point where we don’t have revenue increases” Ehley said. “We are going to have to come together to see what services need to be cut and what services we need to give up or reduce in quality.”

Donegan said that Act 10, the state budget repair bill, had offered some relief in employee compensation costs, the largest item in the city budget.

But he said that while that saving was important, the act largely did not include compensation reform for police and fire personnel, the departments accounting for most of the city payroll.

“We have to find relief from the state in that area.” Donegan said.

Both candidates addressed the importance of keeping seniors involved and taken care of in the community, and both advocated equally for open communication and efficiency in city government.

The general election will be April 3.