Candidate Q&A: Egg Harbor Board of Trustees

Jerrad Anderson

Why do you want to serve on the village board?

Since I was 18 I’ve been very active in the community’s that I’ve lived in as both a fire fighter
and an EMR (emergency medical responder). I’ve been the president of Sister Bay fire fighters
association as well as working with Anchorage Cove Condos board as the manager. Every time I
take on more responsibility I enjoy what I’m doing more. I like being part of making things
better and feel that change is good.

Jerrad Anderson

What experience and skills will you bring to the position?

I’ve had many positions in the fire service such as Captain, EMR crew chief, training officer,
fire instructor for NTWC, and now I’m currently the fire chief for Gibraltar fire and rescue.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Egg Harbor?

Egg Harbor is a beautiful place that unfortunately not many of the service men and woman
can afford to live in. Most people that make this village run live elsewhere or have several jobs
just to pay rent, and never get to enjoy the village. We need to find a way to make the village a
place where new young family’s can move to and live.

Should the village explore growth through annexation? If so, where?

Absolutely! Annexation brings in tax revenue that becomes a win win for everyone. The
Landmark would be great to annex into the village.

Should the village follow Sister Bay’s example and bury utility lines?

I think that the end result would only improve the beauty of the village and with the highway
project coming soon now would be the time to act, but we also need to analyze the cost vs
benefit of the project thinking 10- 20 years out and not in terms of today. It has to make
financial sense too.

With several big-ticket items on the village’s plate (library/community center and downtown redesign), what do you think has driven the vibrancy of the community and how do you maintain it?

Egg Harbor is very progressive and wants to have things done the right way, which shows.
We need to keep thinking years ahead and make this village draw in people.

John Heller

Why do you want to serve on the village board?

As a presently serving village trustee, I would like to continue with what I believe have been positive contributions to the process of municipal governance in the village of Egg Harbor. One achievement that I am proud of is retrieving a substantial contribution to the coffers of the Egg Harbor which was brought about by the Utility Committee.  The committee in conjunction with dedicated village employees recovered a large amount of money from a septic hauler that was under reporting the amount of material he was dumping at our waste water treatment plant.

What experience and skills will you bring to the position?

With a construction background before my retirement to Egg Harbor, the nuts and bolts of understanding contemplated projects is second nature for me. What is of equal or more importance is understanding the financial implications of proposed projects as they related to the village debt service levy.  What are the tax payers getting for their tax dollars?  How is our proposed borrowing going to affect future long and short term borrowing as it relates to our debt limit?

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Egg Harbor?

I certainly don’t see complacency as as issue what with the library and road improvement projects on our agenda.  What I think we have to be vigilant about is trying to take on more than we can financially handle.  As explained above, current projective costs have to be balanced against known and probable future financial requirements.

Should the village explore growth through annexation? If so, where?

Certainly the village should explore growth through annexation.  To work properly, the benefits should be mutually attractive for both the entity desiring annexation and the village.

Should the village follow Sister Bay’s example and bury utility lines?

Aesthetically, I very much like the idea of burying the the utilities.  In reality, the Sister Bay example leaves a great deal to be desired.  How do we make sow’s ear into a silk purse and at what cost?  This is an area that needs more investigation and discussion. Other communities seem to look at Egg Harbor and its amenities (sidewalks and a beautiful marina/harbor, for example) with a bit of envy.

With several big-ticket items on the village’s plate (library/community center and downtown redesign), what do you think has driven the vibrancy of the community and how do you maintain it?

I believe the Egg Harbor spirit starts with the outstanding village administration and staff, both former and present, whom constantly strive to make our municipality a forward looking and pleasant place to live.  Add to this a progressive and involved residential and business community that have pride of ownership and place and understand the importance of investing in the future.

Cambria Mueller

Bio: My name is Cambria and I am married to Mark Mueller. We have two children, Connor (5) and Tucker (3). Connor will be attending Gibraltar Kindergarten in the fall. I grew up near Clarks Lake and attended Sevastopol School along with my two younger sisters. My parents are Mary and Mike Kaye. Mark and I have been living in his childhood home, the former home of Charlene & Herbert Mueller, for the past 7 years. I work at Egg Harbor Lodge in the summer months and stay at home with our boys in the off season.

Why do you want to serve on the village board?

I would like to be more involved in the Village planning process. I’d like to ensure that my family, along with other families, can financially live here and enjoy everything this wonderful community has to offer. I want to be a voice for the residents and business owners and have open lines of communication so we can make the Village of Egg Harbor the best that it can be.

What experience and skills will you bring to the position?

For government experience I am a beginner and learning about the process daily. I filled a vacant trustee seat in October of 2015 and am currently the chairwoman of our Plan Commission which I have been part of since July 2015. I am always open to discussion and will take the time to see the point of view from both sides. If I am elected, I will be an open-minded voice for the residents and business owners of the Village.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Egg Harbor?

Currently, I feel our biggest issue will be the discussion regarding the Enhance Egg Harbor project. It’s a great project that has a lot to offer everyone that enjoys our community. The board needs to ensure it is an affordable project for the tax payers.

Should the village explore growth through annexation? If so, where?

The Village has a lot to offer residence and business owners and should never have a closed mind regarding growth. When and how that is done will be a topic for discussion.

Should the village follow Sister Bay’s example and bury utility lines?

Our Village really needs to look at the cost of the entire project since we’ll be paying for the entire bill. We need to pay close attention to the entire highway redesign project. Burying the utility lines is an aesthetic attribute that the Village needs to decide if the price tag is worth it.

Other communities seem to look at Egg Harbor and its amenities (sidewalks and a beautiful marina/harbor, for example) with a bit of envy. With several big-ticket items on the village’s plate (library/community center and downtown redesign), what do you think has driven the vibrancy of the community and how do you maintain it?

Our Village is a beautiful community that has a lot to offer those living here, owning a business, or just passing through. There are big projects that will hopefully be taking place in the future. With these projects, enough money needs to be budgeted to ensure their purpose is well preserved. With the library/community center as well as the Enhance Egg Harbor project, close attention to detail is going into these projects to ensure a well-represented piece of ‘art’ is being added to our Village. The beach, a past project, is a concern of mine, in that it does not have the beauty and functionality it once had. All the projects that take place in the Village are well thought out and it is my desire, if elected, to preserve all the great things Egg Harbor has to offer.

Lisa Van Laanen

Why do you want to serve on the village board?  

I think I have a singular perspective to offer. I settled into Egg Harbor over 25 years ago as a resident and small business owner, and witnessed its evolution from a sleepy drive-through corridor to one of the most vibrant places in the county. I’m ready and eager to continue that progress as trustee, and am asking voters for their confidence and support.

What experience and skills will you bring to the position?

From the beginning, I’ve participated in various village functions, and developed a feel for the rhythm of local government. Along with the everyday course of village business, big projects — such as a new marina — always seems to be in the works. They takes time, planning, communication and consensus to see them through. We have a slate of fine candidates. I know many of the people here, and like to think I can bring together all facets of our village population to make things happen.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Egg Harbor?  

I see three interconnected issues at the forefront: First, to stay relevant we need to update our aging, 28-year-old curb/gutter/walkways along the highway, plus we have an ambitious new community center is in the works… Then there’s the financing; costs for these total a few million, with numbers still being crunched in an effort to make them feasible… Finally I think we should infuse new life into the village by encouraging residential areas geared toward working families and households; this could be done with incentives such as higher densities. It could also enhance the tax base to help support the above-noted projects. It’s all connected.

Should the village explore growth through annexation?

If so, where? Annexation is already being done in new or expanding neighborhoods such as The Orchards, Eames Farm and Point Beach. What’s more, properties around all the perimeters have been annexed over the years. Our sewer system is often a good catalyst for that. As we read this, I believe the village officials may be in discussions for further annexations. This growth keeps us energized.

Should the village follow Sister Bay’s example and bury utility lines?  

I sit on the Parks and Public Works Committee, which after months of mulling, voted unanimously to recommend that the board approve burying the downtown’s overhead wires. Reasons are: A chance to bury wires comes around once every quarter century or so — we wanted to do it 28 years ago with the original highway project, but didn’t; it was relatively cheaper then. The utility poles need to be moved regardless, so the costs might as well be tacked on now; it will only cost more in the future. Other communities will gradually bury their utility wires so we need to stay competitive. It will ultimately increase all village property values. It looks more pleasant. In the same way we upkeep our own homes to maintain their value, we must upkeep our collective Village home…. I’m hoping Egg Harbor neighbors agree, but whatever we collectively decide will carry the day.

Other communities seem to look at Egg Harbor and its amenities (sidewalks and a beautiful marina/harbor, for example) with a bit of envy. With several big-ticket items on the village’s plate (library/community center and downtown redesign), what do you think has driven the vibrancy of the community and how do you maintain it?    

I’m glad you asked! I think from its inception 52 years ago Egg Harbor Village must have attracted a special combination of forward-thinking people who worked off each other’s ideas. As a symbiotic group of residents and business people, we’ve never been afraid to follow our visions by investing in our downtown and neighborhoods. We’ve consistently testified at hearings that we want to maintain a small-town feel, yet offer a myriad modern public amenities. That seems to be the formula that makes Egg Harbor a happy and desirable destination.