Kathy Carpenter for Kenosha Alderwoman Dist. #5

Hi, my name is Kathy Carpenter and I am running for Kenosha’s Aldermanic District #5.

The reasons I am running for office are quite simple:

1. It is time for a change.

Kenosha has been run by the same establishment for years. We have had the same mayor, John Antaramian, for 16 years. There are many things that Mayor Antaramian has done for Kenosha over the years.

Today is a new day. Mayor Antaramian is not running for reelection. For years, the alderman of Kenosha, have been a rubberstamp for the mayor. Here and there, two or three alderman have challenged the mayor on different issues, but it never went anywhere.

Many of our alderman have served right alongside of the mayor for many years.

Now, the rocky times are coming. All of the bills for all of the new programs and new buildings are coming due. We are also very aware that economic challenges are in our future. It is time to get serious about the finances of our city.

2. Taxes

We are one of the highest taxed cities in the state of Wisconsin. Our taxes in the city of Kenosha have gone up by 48.5% in less than ten years. That is a staggering number by any imagination.

Even with these staggering increases, Kenosha continues to fall further and further in debt.

Much of our tax increases year after year is going to pay our debt services. I have heard it so many times before. They have to raise taxes, just to pay the debts that we owe.

3. New priorities

It is time to set some new priorities.

Kenosha government has had a real problem saying “no” to anyone.

Someone wants a new transportation building- our government said “sure, no problem”. It is a beautiful brand new building, but it is very expensive. Rumored to be about $18 Million.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a cute little trolley in downtown Kenosha? Our government says “sure-no problem”. It is very difficult to find out exactly how much is being spent on the trolley with a two mile radius, but very expensive. Not only are our local taxes paying for these things, but our federal taxes by the millions are also paying for the trolley.

Sometimes strong leadership means saying “no” or “wait” until we can afford to pay for things.

4.  Roads and infrastructure

In my travels around Kenosha’s 5th district, one of the biggest questions I get is why are we paying millions of dollars for a Civil War Museum, but the government cannot get the roads out in front of their homes fixed.

Most of the main roads are in good shape, but turn down a side road and things are very different.

5.  Improve communication

Also in my travels around Kenosha’s 5th district, most people have no idea who their alderman is.  Even fewer understand how Kenosha government works.

It is time to change this.

If elected alderwoman, I have committed to do a bi-annual  newsletter that will inform all of Kenosha’s 5th district of the current projects being worked on in their local government.

I believe that the more information we are able to give to the people of Kenosha, the more comfortable the people of Kenosha will be with their local government.