Front Page
ALL AHEAD, TOGETHER
Two weeks ago, the Geneva Shore Report filed a front-page article called ‘Staying the Course’, in which the main subject was all about keeping aboard elected officials who performed in satisfactory, and even exceptional ways, in handling the City of Lake Geneva business during the difficult days and times of the pandemic.
It is with some sense of satisfaction that the public is responding to the newspaper’s opinion of elected official conduct over the past two years. The public has not spoken through the elective process, however, as the elections themselves are not to be held for more than another month. The public has ‘spoken’ in a subtler way. The slate of three alderpersons up for re-election will not face opponents in any of those races.
Mary Jo Fesenmaier, Jonie Yunker, and Tim Dunn are those three alderpersons, all of whom have served their terms with quiet and effective distinction. The fourth person running will be Cindy Yager, who will now be replacing Cindy Flower. Flower also performed well in the position she has decided not to continue in. The only person of all those the GSR recommended be re-elected who is running in a contested race is the city’s mayor, Charlene Klein.
Klein is running against former alderperson Tom Krause and unknown Steve Lousey. Krause brings some baggage to the race because of his former support, under Mayor Jim Conner, of the move to excuse the developer Pollard from paying impact fees. Impact fees have become a big deal, as development in and around Lake Geneva has exploded. Impact fees are what the developer must pay so that the city is not severely impacted in paying for the necessary water, power, cable, sewer, garbage removal, and other costs inherent when new housing of any kind is constructed.
As Klein has distinguished herself for running a solid tight ship during her two years in office, the issue of impact fees, which she is highly in favor of, and Todd was opposed to, may well be a telling point in the voter’s minds, as, in reality, if a developer pays impact fees that are too low (or does not have to pay them at all) then the voters, also known as taxpayers, must pick up those costs as part of their tax burden.
Klein also spearheaded the redeveloped Riviera Pier Complex operation, from start to finish, and that has turned out to be great for the city, not only in appearance but in a return to ‘old glory,’ with galas and tons of weddings set to be held there for pretty substantial rates, all going straight into city coffers. The Business Improvement District has blossomed under Klein’s distant hand. She appointed new members of that vital amalgamation of the city’s business leaders and managers. The result is that the BID, as it is described, is running far into the black when it comes to revenue and meeting all budget requirements, and then some.
The current council voted unanimously on Monday night to proceed with the forensic audit of the BID’s former operations (before the impact of Klein’s appointments took hold), as well as have the most excellent Lake Geneva Police Department investigate the entire affair. It is unlikely that the P.D. will actually do the investigation, however, as most of those involved in the finances of the city also pay the officer’s salaries. Look for that investigation to be given over to a department that is not involved at all, either social or financial. If Klein wins re-election, then the city can look forward to more of the same kind of smooth, busy, and efficient growth it is currently still experiencing. Many communities have suffered mightily because of the virus and its effects. Lake Geneva has very effectively slip-slided its way through, so far, and that slip-sliding away needs to continue.
