Crocker
Hofstetter
Wilson
Not pictured: Melissa K. Parker and David Rudd
1. What motivated you to run for this position and what are your primary goals?
Nancy Crocker (I): My original intent when I ran for office was to be a representative for the business community. After four years of continuously learning and listening to the public, my motivation has changed. Creating policy that betters the lives of all the residents and the future of the community is now my motivation for continuing in this office. 1. Continue the process we have started to refine, create and implement plans for the town. A good plan will enable us to better meet the needs of this unique town now and in the future. 2. I want to be able to assure the community we have the best stable, sustainable infrastructure possible. 3. Secondary goals would be to promote more art and art related businesses and a more “green” town.
Anna Hofstetter (I): As an incurable optimist, I am motivated by the idea that we can accomplish anything we put our minds to. I am motivated to re-run for Town Council because I am an involved member of this community, whether it be as your swim instructor, your kids’ soccer coach, your bartender, your friend or friendly neighbor. I ask for the opportunity to serve you; and as your councilwoman, I will do so with energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm to realize and materialize our collective dreams.
Melissa K. Parker (I): N/A
David Rudd (I): N/A
Andi Wilson (I): I have lived in Brown County for nearly six years now. As part of my efforts to understand the town and how it functions, I have served on several committees since our family moved here. Having attended several town council meetings, I’ve seen the need for improvement in how the sessions run and how decisions are made. Although elected officials make the final decisions, it’s essential that residents have a more significant say in what decisions are made. Having served on four committees, worked in the town, and attended council meetings, I saw and heard a desire for improvement within the council. That inspired me to run.
2. What are the duties of this office and what are your qualifications?
Crocker: To represent the views and needs of the constituents of this town, produce a healthy budget and create policy for the staff to use in order to oversee day to day operations of the town. I also think it is important to represent the needs of the town on a state level. I have a Bachelor of Science degree, raised two amazing individuals and owned two small successful businesses. I think my greatest strength is knowing that I cannot know how to do everything. I am in favor of hiring those who have knowledge and training because when you do it right the first time you save money in the end. But, my main qualification for this job comes from my 4 years of experience; listening, learning, failing and succeeding.
Hofstetter: As Nashville Town Councilor, it will be my duty to listen, serve and act. It will be my duty to govern as a representative of the people, to put the best interests of the collective above personal gain. I will strive to make well-informed and virtuous decisions, placing principles above personal relationships. Wishing to simply serve the needs of my neighbors is what qualifies me to serve as Nashville Town Councilor. Additionally, I have served as Town Councilor for almost 4 years, my degree is in political science, and I have participated in student government.
Parker: N/A
Rudd: N/A
Wilson: The duties of a town council member include, though aren’t limited to: Reviewing and approving the annual budget; Establishing long- and short-term objectives; Overseeing the effectiveness of the town programs; Establishing tax rates; Passing ordinances and resolutions; Communicate policies and programs to residents; Listen to resident concerns, complaints, ideas, etc.; Represent the community to other levels of government. I believe that having years of background in business marketing has taught me how to work with budgets while working to stay within budget constraints, be flexible when necessary, listen to the complaints, concerns, opinions, etc. of others and consider those — act as a representative for the people.
3. What are the three biggest issues facing Nashville today and how will you address them?
Crocker: Finding the resources to keep residents safe; fire, drug issues, mental health etc. Providing long term sustainable infrastructure. Providing resources for a community with a residential town tax base but that has tourist town needs i.e. balancing the needs of the residents and businesses. Adding a fourth. Making the town more environmentally friendly. To address these issues I would seek creative ways to fund infrastructure, support the public safety departments and create a working plan for the town.
Hofstetter: The three biggest problems facing Nashville today are: government transparency, water utility infrastructure and the brain drain. We will fix them by implementing policies to ensure ethical decision making processes, fixing the water pipes’ little bugs a little, and investing in youth programs so that the young people feel like valued members of the community.
Parker: N/A
Rudd: N/A
Wilson: The first issue that comes to mind is the concern of the water system. I don’t have a clear answer how to fix this issue. But, I want to be a part in working to find a solution that will make this process not so heavy on each of our wallets. I think another concern is town growth. People move to Brown County because they love this area, and rightfully so. But, the town has to find ways to continue growing to keep an appeal to current and future residents, as well as tourists. And third, I think there’s a bigger drug problem in the area, especially with youth, than we realize. And while organizations are already working tirelessly to help, I’d like to be a part of creating more programs and opportunities for the youth living here.
4. Are there areas where town and county can work together for the betterment of the community? Please explain.
Crocker: Yes of course! In fact we already do work with the county on some things. We are partners in creating a Bike Pedestrian master plan. We also work with the county road crew to more efficiently clean the roads after a substantial snowfall. Our police and firefighters work together to provide public safety. I do think a more collaborative effort would be beneficial when it comes to things like regional thoroughfare planning, appropriate land use, zoning and water and sewer issues.
Hofstetter: The Town and County can work together in many ways. As the founding Council member of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Committee, we linked with the County to work on a Bike/Ped master plan for the Community which will focus on a network of non-motorist infrastructure. I also believe that the Town, County and Region in general must work together to mitigate the effects of the Natural Disasters due to climate change.
Parker: N/A
Rudd: N/A
Wilson: Absolutely. For one, I wish we could find a way for those living in the county to at least have more of a say in some of the decisions made for the town because I think the town’s decisions also affect the county. We have a public safety crisis. Our fire departments are suffering. If there’s a way to help the departments work together to bring more money, I’d like to see how we can do that. It will take one out-of-control fire in town to be an absolute detriment to the shops and residents.
5. If elected, what policies would you work on, if any, to address Nashville land use, waste, air and water quality? Give examples.
Crocker: I would like to work with other similar communities to petition state legislators to value small towns, help us with our infrastructure problems and allow us to have a public safety tax on retail sales or the visitors to the park. Our current Legislation favors large towns. Encourage better comprehensive planning for land that incorporates its terrain, location and needs of this community. Our current planning system is broken. Two pages for our town of a 14 page county planning document is not enough. Most communities our size have a 40-page plan just for the town. I also have a “Keep Nashville Beautiful’ plan that I have been working on to promote things like recycle, reuse and reduce. This plan encourages reusable bags etc.
Hofstetter: Nashville needs to focus on improving water infrastructure. I am interested in changing the water rate structure so that the more water you use, the more it costs per unit, creating incentive to conserve. I am also very interested in recycling our stormwater and wastewater to make Nashville water utility sustainable.
Parker: N/A
Rudd: N/A
Wilson: I’d like to study more about the water issue. Are there more grants we could apply for? Can we get a professional grant writer to help? What can we do about vacant sites and buildings? How can we find ways to bring in more money to help our town? I don’t have all the answers. But, I think I can be someone who makes an impact in finding many of those answers. I’d also like to work on a comprehensive plan that the council can create. We have to see where we’re going in 5, 10, and 30 years so the town can continue to thrive, grow, and succeed. I want to see how we can put together a proactive council plan.
ABOUT THE OFFICE
The government of the town is vested in the town council which exercises both executive and legislative functions. The president of the council is chosen from its members and conducts meetings, performs various executive functions, and is designated as the town executive.
SOURCE: The League of Women Voters Brown County
