Election preview: Suamico candidates stress tax base, green space By Anna Krejci News-Chronicle Four candidates, including two incumbents, are running for three village of Suamico trustee positions that will be determined by the April 6 election. As the village is building, candidates are focused on broadening the village's tax base and protecting the area's green space. Robert Byrne, who ran for a trustee position in 2003 and is a retired Procter & Gamble employee, said he believes increasing the community's tax base is the most pressing issue Suamico faces. The establishment of a grocery store and pharmacy would begin to increase the tax base, he said. "This would help support our economy instead of feeding the economy of Green Bay, Howard and Pulaski," he said. Paul Garvey, a village trustee, said his plan to expand Suamico's tax base lies in attracting businesses. "We must develop and aggressively market our business park to offset the escalating costs of community services with new commercial tax base," he said. Garvey said he has the training to see that new infrastructure is built within budgets and in agreement to the Comprehensive Plan. He said he will honor constituents' wishes to preserve Suamico's rural character. Jerry Vandersteen, a lifelong Suamico resident, also advocates developing the community's tax base, especially through the TIF project in the Deerfield West area. As infrastructure for sewer and water are being expanded, the community can shape Suamico's future, he said. "As an informed community we can have a degree of control on the future growth," Vandersteen said. "With this fast rate of growth we can direct it in a positive way for an area that people will want to live in the future." Incumbent Rob Zastrow said he is campaigning for another term as trustee to deliver "honest local government and continued high-quality neighborhoods and services." The principal issue facing Suamico is a balanced budget that can deliver quality services, Zastrow said. Attracting businesses whose revenue to the community can reduce the taxes for the average citizen and developing a Suamico with green spaces are priorities as well, he said. Creating a village utility commission that manages water and sewer services, controls storm water and divides the cost of services among beneficiaries is a key issue, Zastrow said. Dale L. Smith and Jeremiah Farrell were campaigning for a trustee position and are listed on the ballot, but have decided not to run. Village of Suamico trustee candidates (Three openings) Robert Byrne Address: 3375 Spur Lane Age: 54 Occupation: retired Procter & Gamble employee Education: Premontre High School graduate, attended Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and University of Wisconsin-Madison Political experience: 2003 trustee candidate Community activities: Ss. Edward & Isadore Church, church maintenance committee, picnic and spring clean-up volunteer Family: wife, Sue Paul Garvey Address: 1203 Bay Breeze Court Age: 44 Occupation: project manager for mid-sized engineering firm Education: Attended UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point Political experience: Village of Suamico trustee, 2003-present; Suamico Sanitary District Commission, president Community activities: Suamico Design Review Committee, member; appointed to Ad Hoc Utility Committee, member; Wisconsin Groundwater Association, member; Muscular Dystrophy Association, breast cancer and children with cancer fundraiser participant Family: wife, Jacqueline Name: Jerry Vandersteen Address: 1873 Harbor Lights Rd. Age: 48 Occupation: self-employed at Van's Repair, ASE master technician who repairs vehicles Education: Bay Port High School graduate, continuing auto repair classes Political experience: 2003 trustee candidate Community activities: Park committee member; past volunteer for Green Space Committee, Village Incorporation Committee, Trail Committee Family: single Name: Rob Zastrow Address: 3222 Fairview Rd. Age: 55 Occupation: Sales representative Education: UW-Green Bay Previous elected office: Supervisor, town of Suamico, 1998-2003; Suamico trustee, 2003-present Community activities: Town and village planning commission, 1996-present; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin, sponsor, 1990-present; U.S. Army, retired officer; Wisconsin Army National Guard, company commander, battalion operations officer, 1968-1994 Family: Wife, two children