Post Messenger Recorder -

Name: Peggy Kruse

Age: 63

Occupation: Retired high school teachers, presently employed at Felly's Flowers and tutors young adults.

Years lived in village: 36

Incumbent? Eight years as a New Glarus Village Trustee

Why are you running for village board? I've gained valuable experience serving as a trustee for the past eight years. It has been rewarding to give back to our community, and to support responsible governance.

New Glarus currently has some exciting opportunities for business development and economic growth. However, we still face the ongoing challenges of balancing our operating budget, saving for infrastructure improvement, keeping the village safe and encouraging smart growth. With my previous experience on the board, I will provide insight and understanding, in pursuit of making the best decisions possible. The people I know and meet want to sustain steady growth, yet retain the small town life we all appreciate.  I offer the benefit of my experience as a Village Trustee, in pursuit of these important goals.

What issues do you find most important to the village board? How would you handle these issues? Continuing to create balanced and responsible budgets is of foremost importance for our village.  This has become increasingly difficult as financial aid from the state decreases while costs associated with mandated policies increase.  Providing residents with the services they want and need, while also retaining the historic beauty of this village, is a daunting challenge which becomes more difficult each year. I believe my votes have always been to hold the line on tax increases and to side with responsible choices.  Residents want efficiency from local government in providing critical basic services such as utilities, public safety and good streets, and they also want the enrichment found in lifestyle services such as parks, pools and libraries.  My goals are to maintain my commitment to provide needed services without significant tax increases, support the new economic potential of the "backtown" area, continue to improve infrastructure, and to find a solution to the library expansion project. I will help the village move forward by continuing to read and research, talk to residents and, overall, offer responsible representation.

My family was fortunate to make a home for ourselves in New Glarus thirty-six years ago. My commitment is to protect the way of life we love in New Glarus.