Green Bay City Council District 5 election: Stevens and Maccaux focus on roads, safety
GREEN BAY - Voters on Green Bay's east side on April 2 will decide whether to reelect Craig Stevens or choose challenger Robert Maccaux to represent them on the Green Bay City Council for the next two years.
The District 5 contest will be a rematch of the 2022 spring election in which Stevens defeated Maccaux to win a third term representing the east-side district that surrounds the western half of the Baird Creek Parkway and includes Green Bay Preble High School.
District 5 is roughly bounded by University Avenue to the north, the East River to the west, Newberry Avenue to the south and Alpine Drive and Interstate 43 to the east. It includes at least part of the Olde Preble, Preble Park, Baird Creek Parkway and Three Corners neighborhoods.
Ahead of the April 2 nonpartisan election, the Press-Gazette requested each City Council candidate provide some background about themselves and answer several questions issues like funding road construction, spending and housing. Responses were limited to about 200 words. Candidates are listed alphabetically.
For information about registering to vote and polling locations, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov/en-us.
More spring election coverage: As Green Bay City Council candidates raise cash, worries about dark money, attack ads arise
Robert Maccaux Jr.
Age: 67
Occupation: Retired
Highest level ofeducation: Industrial technology degree from UW-Platteville
Campaign website: Robert Maccaux for Green Bay City Council
Why are you running? I have great memories of growing up in Green Bay, including playing and fishing in Baird’s Creek Park with the neighborhood kids. Our city’s public spaces are critically important to all citizens. Young and old, new and longtime residents. I want others to enjoy the benefits I enjoyed, as a child, that made me never second guess coming back to live in the home my father built; in the subdivision my grandfather built. I look forward to working with others toward a safer, cleaner and more prosperous community.
What two issues most need to be addressed in Green Bay: Crime is a concern. I proudly support law enforcement and pledge staffing, technology, safety equipment and training. The fentanyl issue is real and growing. We need to work with other municipalities to create a multi-area task force to get a better handle on this for the safety of our citizens. I would schedule listening sessions to discuss, fentanyl and what we don’t know and hold crime prevention meetings to promote community awareness of local concerns. And we have an aging inner-city of Green Bay. Infrastructure needs to be addressed.
Craig Stevens (i)
Age: 48
Occupation: Real estate management
Highest level of education: Associate's degree in business management
Campaign website: City of Green Bay District 5 — Craig L. Stevens, Alderperson
Why are you running? For the past six years, I have been the alderperson in District 5 on the east side of Green Bay. I am passionate about representing the people in the district and for our city. The experience I have gained as a member of the City Council will continue to serve the residents of the district well, should I be reelected. Many people continue to tell me that I study the issues and make sound decisions.
What two issues most need to be addressed in Green Bay: We must continue to work on replacing or better maintain our streets. For too long, the city has neglected our streets, now we are playing “catch-up.” I will continue to fight for more resources going into infrastructure improvements. While violent crime is down in Green Bay, any crime is too much crime. I will continue supporting police department initiatives to make us a safer place to live. I will continue to push for better enforcement against speeding in our neighborhoods.
Green Bay is currently studying the feasibility of a transportation utility to fund road construction costs like water or sewer service. Why do you support or oppose this idea to replace the wheel tax?
Maccaux: I support a feasibility study to look across the country for the best practice to achieve the best results while supporting the interests of our taxpayers. Long-term budgeting and planning are required, along with a transparent restricted/dedicated fund. Due diligence on the best materials and desired life expectancy for long-term goals is a must. The Romans built roads still used today. Build roads to last. I have many years of performing Failure Mode and Effect Analysis studies for review of outside consultant’s opinions. Wheel tax, transportation utility fund or something else; not sure the answer. There are current questions, in other districts, regarding the ability for a municipality to use the utility fund. Waiting until these issues play out is necessary before we discuss this option further. I agree we need a plan and a shared cost process. I suggest we look to experts across the country and not reinvent the wheel. No pun intended.
Stevens: Great question. This has been referred to an outside consultant firm for additional study. At the forefront it seems it could be a good option to replace the wheel tax. I am not ready to make a reasoned and informed decision whether to support or oppose it until the study has been returned and the residents within the District 5 have expressed their option on this matter. If reelected, I will listen to the people and further investigate options to determine if we continue the wheel tax or move into a new area of transportation utility to fund our future road construction costs.
How can Green Bay better address residents' need for affordable housing and the general shortage of housing units?
Maccaux: Affordable housing is a major problem everywhere, not only in Green Bay. We need to be responsible with the building of units and the necessary green space needs for a healthy living environment. We cannot build just to build. I would like to see assistance to property owners for improving our old homes and therefore bettering our neighborhoods, in addition to market rate and other tax subsidized structures. This would increase the property values, bringing in new tax revenue and help with the upkeep of our community. Encourage home ownership, financial literacy classes and assistance to allow residents to be more in control of the costs.
As an Air Force veteran myself, I specifically, look to support the homeless veterans in our community, who sacrificed so much for us.
Stevens: Diverse and adequate housing is an issue of great concern to me. While the housing market has improved in the past few years, there still is a need for more housing, especially for lower income families. Our Department of Economic and Community Development and our elected leaders need to work closely with developers to enhance the availability and affordability of housing in Green Bay. Currently, in District 5, we have a property currently under construction for an additional 48 affordable housing apartments. As planned, this property will open in December. We also have another apartment community under construction, this will bring over 200 market rate apartments to District 5. The city is moving in the correct direction with developers to bring the needed housing to the city.
Almost any significant budget cut will involve personnel cuts, which impacts city services. If you want to cut property taxes, what services should be cut to do so?
Maccaux: Examining a budget line by line, department by department, just like all Americans have to do in their families is a hard but necessary task. Making budget cuts does not necessarily mean personnel cuts. Prioritization of expenditures and review of individual department costs should make for better decisions come budget time. Contract review is another area that could bring helpful insight. If governments reviewed finances like they would their own, would different decisions be made?
Stevens: I am not in favor of wholesale cuts in city services just to reduce taxes. The challenge for the Mayor and the City Council is to provide needed city services in the most cost-effective and efficient manner. That is something I work on every day. While progress is being made, we can always do better.
There are two best ways to reduce property taxes in Green Bay: a) Aggressively encourage development that brings in more tax revenue and b) Encourage the state to better enable local governments to meet budget demands through increased state aids. The state Legislature did increase financial assistance to local governments in the current budget, but that was the first substantial increase in nearly a decade.
Green Bay's recent population growth has been driven by our Hispanic, Black, Native American, biracial and Asian communities. Yet recent Wello surveys show nearly one-third of residents feel like Green Bay does not accept people with different ideas. How can the Green Bay City Council help increase acceptance and well-being as we grow?
Maccaux: Community comfort and security, in all aspects of life, are important in establishing a sense of belonging. The idea of a small advisory council of 8-12 people comes to mind. Start with quarterly meetings to hear from the different groups how the city can improve their understanding of services the city provides and how to access the available offerings or gain knowledge of what may be lacking
Stevens: The old saying “a rising tide lifts all boats” comes to mind in answering this question. Green Bay is becoming a more diverse community. We need to make sure that city government is doing what it can to cooperate with nearby communities, Brown County, and private entities to foster policies and actions that will allow every individual to reach their full potential. Government, schools, and private businesses must make sure that we are judging people by their character and talents, not the color of their skin, gender, ethnic background or other trait.
Contact Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay City Council District 5 election: Stevens faces Maccaux
