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THU., MAR 27, 2008 - 11:13 PM

Election 2008: Marshall Village Board

Four candidates, one of them an incumbent, are vying for two three-year terms in this community in northeast Dane County. (I) denotes the incumbent.

Artie Garza
Age: 52

Address: 541 Hubbell St.
Job: Owner, Guadalupe Enterprises, a construction and landscaping business; retired from U.S. Marine Corps.
Education: Graduate, Marshall High School
Political experience: None
Other public service: Volunteer work for Veterans Park in Waterloo.
Jeffrey Lowrey
Age: 41
Address: 311 Lakewood Terrace
Job: Purchasing and inventory control, Cabinetry Plus, Cambridge
Political experience: None
Other public service: Past foster parent
Education: Graduate, Cambridge High School
Donald J. Moritz (I)
Age: "Over 60"
Address: 407 Overlook Terrace
Job: Pricing analyst, R.R. Donnelley and Sons Co., Waterloo
Political experience: Completing first term on Marshall Village Board.
Other public service: Board member, Marshall Area Community and Youth Center
Education: Associate degree in business administration and management, Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, N.C.
Bob Moy
Age: 46
Address: 212 Springview Drive
Job: Factory worker, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Sun Prairie
Political experience: None
Other public service: Volunteer ambulance driver, Marshall EMS; volunteer senior citizen visitor through the Colonial Club; volunteer, Marshall public schools.
Education: Attended Milwaukee Area Technical College
Why are you running for the Village Board?
Garza: I served my country for 24 years, and I can serve my village. I'm a Latino, and the Latino community hasn't had a representative in this community as long as I've lived here (since 1969). I think I'm a person who can make a change for the community.
Lowery: I'm interested in where the village is going. I am a very honest, passionate person. I don't like to cast judgment on something until I hear the facts on both sides of any issue.
Moritz: Experience. I've been there 3? years. It takes over two years to learn enough about government to even know what you're doing.
Moy: I'm a fair person and I don't mince words. I like to get answers to questions that make sense, that people want to know. I believe my vote would reflect the opinion of a majority of taxpayers, not just my own agenda.
What are the biggest challenges facing Marshall and how would you address them?
Garza: The biggest challenge is trying to be informed about what has to be done, knowing what's needed and what it costs. We have to get information to the community about how the money's spent and why we're doing it.
Lowery: One of the biggest challenges for any community, and Marshall is certainly not any different in this respect, is the budget. The cost of everything is rising rapidly — health insurance, fuel for police cars. The budgets are going wild and it's hard to find that balance. That's probably the single largest concern that we face as small communities.
Moritz: The restrictions Dane County is trying to place on us is one of the biggest problems we've got. They're trying to limit our growth to nothing. You've got to make it an equitable solution for all the towns and communities.
Moy: Keeping spending down and being fiscally responsible. The board right now is not looking real positive in the public eye. I don't want to see spending on things the majority wouldn't want. I would look at the money as my own money, and not just money to be spent, as a lot of governments seem to do.
What are your long-term goals for Marshall?
Garza: My long-term goal is to keep the community, and the School Board, informed about what we want and need for our kids. Everybody's got to work as a team player, everybody together.
Lowery: Downtown revitalization and development of the industrial park, to bring industry to the community. We need to embrace industry and businesses in general. This also relates to ensuring we have daytime volunteers for our Fire Department and emergency medical service.
Moritz: We're trying to get two additional baseball diamonds. We need upgrades to the sewer system. We need a new water tower. We need a new well. If we don't get approval for some of the expansion, we're not going to be able to improve our assets and get businesses in. This town's a wonderful little community. We just want smooth, consistent growth so we can provide for the people. And we're not looking to do it overnight.
Moy: Keeping property taxes down and spending wisely. The skate park, for example, I didn't think was necessary. We put sidewalks in places that aren't necessary, and do foolish things like that, instead of spending on things that are more necessary to the public.