[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6300543,"mediaKeyId","2492767-709357d03099eeb3730ed1e2c5440b69","parentId",2492767,"title","Trustee candidates debate financial transparency, housing and school safety in Germantown forum","audioSeconds",2196,"startMs",8417000,"endMs",10613000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492767-709357d03099eeb3730ed1e2c5440b69&start=8417&end=10613","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492767-709357d03099eeb3730ed1e2c5440b69/thumbnail_8417000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6300543/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Trustee-candidates-debate-financial-transparency-housing-and-school-safety-in-Germantown-forum","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300543-80b830d36932f1457b64efaf73fc321a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775465512&Signature=RHt42HlQCb4JJIMEaqaMgplMG0NRuBMw5UrGgooZcNuR88GZn497GX~72CffSBtVzdpez8q6kQMYdCpJxm5gPXX~q-O60T8N-pP8rc-qrVZZSmVgd1D2c8npHxfq1lt3d4vXNLLQkZlUIeaqFaatHMeV3B5E25tyophrHlfnQaS3TPjwlaxfwggMM3gY93RMxE4ZzSJpyAfpjiyQdMSGyT7bAJ80rEqUBzv4D20WagoEYZ0wNA6qc1l7OtBwe0a~7GyIlzOuXso~34E-vwoQD1j4PnDD659TXV41R5AFtw5FgCBzdJEfAQ5fZ4KGrOMjuF4z8dZTfwKmGQ3MzfSGyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Germantown, WI","date","2025-03-04T22:59:43Z","article","At a Chamber of Commerce candidate forum for Village Trustee District 4, candidates Kristen Bourse and Pastor Greg discussed financial transparency, housing policy, public safety and the village's role in planning for growth.

Kristen Bourse, a licensed financial compliance and auditing professional, made financial oversight the centerpiece of her campaign. She said Germantown needs clearer, more accessible budget reporting, a plan to reduce debt where possible and stricter review of tax-increment financing (TID) and capital projects. Bourse told the forum, \"Financial transparency is one of my top priorities,\" and proposed straightforward budget breakdowns, regular financial updates at board meetings and an emailed newsletter to summarize decisions and project status for residents.

Pastor Greg, a long-time Germantown resident and pastor at St. John (as described in the forum), emphasized community and service. On housing, he said residents' circumstances vary and supported thoughtfully planned housing options that include affordable choices: \"We should be able to have very well thought out public housing for other people, people affordable housing, because we aren't a country club.\"

The candidates diverged on which housing forms to prioritize. Bourse argued for owner-occupied condos and single-family homes consistent with surrounding neighborhoods, saying rental-heavy, high-density development can reduce tax revenue per unit and increase pressure on services. She said the village needs scenario-based planning to test impacts on police, fire, roads, libraries and schools. Pastor Greg said Germantown's population is diverse and that thoughtful affordable and rental options are needed to allow young families and workers to live in the village.

On school safety, Bourse said she would convene a meeting between the village board and the Germantown School Board and invite police and other stakeholders to coordinate planning; she confirmed school board president Russ Ebert told her there had been no formal meetings in recent years. Pastor Greg described his emergency-response experience and said he supports SROs and coordinated safety planning.

Both candidates praised village parks and the library as strengths and urged more resident engagement with committees and commissions. Each candidate suggested improved outreach and clearer role descriptions to address post-pandemic volunteer declines.

No votes or official municipal actions were taken at the forum; the event was intended to help voters compare candidates ahead of election day.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Candidate Forum 3/4/25","oneSentenceSummary","Kristen Bourse and Pastor Greg, candidates for Village Trustee District 4, emphasized financial oversight, transparency and differing views on housing types and public services at a Chamber forum.","taxTitle","Germantown, Washington County, Wisconsin","taxId",69247,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300548,"Germantown village president candidates clash on debt, development and transparency",2751,4686000,7437000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492767-709357d03099eeb3730ed1e2c5440b69&start=4686&end=7437","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492767-709357d03099eeb3730ed1e2c5440b69/thumbnail_4686000.jpg","/articles/6300548/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Germantown-village-president-candidates-clash-on-debt-development-and-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300548-b4388844287f2a579bf70ab006fbcbf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775465512&Signature=Fv-kYgBSyqByd8cmBbOiIyVA0w3HBApbRway1W2MVchRCT69XF2E4y4oH8XqsJ1DeaPsPfmiJ86LGKlNXbUOKWyQMFT1oQaipGfqDd4U2i7GmHoJ4oFzYtPwq8jynLAH-8anA3u6AV2Ck-w2jkSMNOWznOfMCbZgWuTScdZu2TaRSHM90qofZ58yI9bxo-pODonYW0nGyz1ON01jDO0LyA-A54oTE6TECVaxNHNq7wBg5vNswi9Tr5W3h10nFXs1jOWbL30oYsvqphvI-7Pu7T1Ynqk82ODl27Q~kMHJH7l~XddIlFZdcRj6vIpk463AmN40ICKcjkoy-0j84Ve5ZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Germantown Chamber of Commerce forum, Village President candidates Dean Walter (incumbent) and Bob Soderberg discussed fiscal management, redevelopment of vacant properties and how the village should plan for housing growth and public services.

The candidates offered contrasting views on debt and development, with each describing different priorities for managing growth and village finances.

Dean Walter, the incumbent village president, emphasized Germantown's long-term financial ratings and borrowing posture, citing an independent report (Ehlers) that he said shows the village has a high bond rating and was at roughly 37% of its borrowing capacity. Walter argued borrowing is a routine tool to fund infrastructure — including the recently completed Department of Public Works building — and said the village should always weigh debt decisions for minimal impact to property taxes.

Bob Soderberg criticized the village's handling of development and redevelopment, saying Germantown \"is known for being very difficult to work with\" and proposing a streamlined, pro-business permitting process while promising no \"sweetheart or backroom deals.\" He urged the village to contact owners of vacant buildings on Mequon and County Line Roads to seek active leasing or redevelopment and proposed a stakeholders group to refresh the village's 2050 comprehensive plan implementation.

On debt and capital projects, both candidates said the village must be deliberate. Walter described the village's current use of impact fees and a five-year public-works capital plan to balance growth with service needs. Soderberg argued for increasing revenue streams through comparatively more owner-occupied residential development and commercial growth and criticized prior decisions he said increased debt and tax burden; he said he would \"be transparent, competent, and respectful\" if elected.

Candidates also discussed public safety and shared services. Walter noted the village previously expanded public safety staffing and said the board must measure effectiveness and consider shared equipment or regional approaches before buying large capital items. Soderberg said the village must work to make Germantown more welcoming for young families and proposed community amenities (for example, an aquatic facility and seasonal events) to retain young people.

Both candidates addressed the Village of Germantown comprehensive plan (2050): Walter pointed to public hearings, conditional-use reviews and developer-led neighborhood meetings as avenues for public input; Soderberg called for recycling segments of the plan annually and forming an ad hoc stakeholder committee that explicitly includes the school district and community groups.

The forum included standard candidate questions on onboarding trustees, committee service, and filling commission vacancies. Each candidate described updating onboarding materials and ethics/code-of-conduct orientation for new trustees; both agreed volunteerism has declined since the pandemic and said marketing, consolidation of committees and clearer role descriptions could help fill openings.

No formal votes or municipal actions were taken at the forum; it was a campaign event for the April election.","At a Chamber forum, incumbent Dean Walter and challenger Bob Soderberg debated municipal debt, redevelopment of vacant commercial properties, tax increment financing, public safety staffing and the Village's planning process.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300553,"Germantown school board candidates emphasize reading, teacher input and school safety at Chamber forum",2468,1065000,3533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2492767-709357d03099eeb3730ed1e2c5440b69&start=1065&end=3533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2492767-709357d03099eeb3730ed1e2c5440b69/thumbnail_1065000.jpg","/articles/6300553/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Germantown-school-board-candidates-emphasize-reading-teacher-input-and-school-safety-at-Chamber-forum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300553-8e67838603c7980acb46ff3109b7264f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775465512&Signature=Qic-~C~ucBijywxAO7dFQCy2H0TjWrnYAYJ6fq1rjnEL5ekTzaMTbaVQFGsw1On~qNWP7iQRe-F8P209e9pnopWp~RWgkeKRyckzpZ0wOst2GtwuJuiiXawV0BuMVpJUGjOYqtV3AW~f3a8PkNcfq24dhnAJjtBOy6J5zdwYSvtuXosWXJqwTtXE7xQnD~UQ39AE6A1zrlWyGHOljsJ0eS0fdNpSZ4w5fK~MwQ-sgR1rh5HA~mW0IA45dnNjT5qtU5IpkAtMiY5Vj-LycZ4WiuXa2tRe4i7FnJsnz9PUvzK1oYFSgfxs9Z74YnoKRf6VMDJLX3~3MzbKXJ5~PT1y6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Germantown Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, two candidates for the Germantown School Board, Sharon Kiernan and Jeff Voyer, answered residents' questions about curriculum, school safety, teacher retention and district transparency.

The forum gave residents a chance to compare how each candidate would measure district success and handle district-school-village coordination on safety and growth. Both candidates framed student achievement as the top measure of success but emphasized different levers to get there.

Sharon Kiernan, a retired elementary teacher of 33 years, said success for the district includes both measurable outcomes and students' sense of belonging: \"Students should love coming to school. They should feel safe and supported and like they belong.\" She said the district should use state data—attendance, postsecondary preparation metrics and growth and achievement measures—alongside surveys of students, families and staff to track performance. Kiernan argued teachers must have a voice in classroom resource decisions, saying, \"We tie one hand behind the back of a teacher when we don't allow them to choose and use resources to more effectively deliver a lesson to their students.\"

Jeff Voyer, running for School Board Seat 4 and a father of two, said foundational literacy is the top priority: \"Number 1 will always be reading with an emphasis on comprehension.\" Voyer recommended measuring success using student outcomes, staff and parent surveys and school report cards. He said teachers should be afforded structured opportunities to give input through the district's curriculum review process and that the board's role is to set policy aligned with community expectations.

On school safety, Kiernan said she would use Wisconsin's second edition comprehensive school safety framework as a guide and work with local police, first responders and the village board to review and strengthen local safety plans. Voyer highlighted the district's existing relationship with the Germantown Police Department and noted two schools fall outside village jurisdiction and are served by the Washington County Sheriff's Office; he also raised intergovernmental-agreement (IGA) and budget options if the district seeks more school resource officers (SROs).

The candidates diverged sharply on questions about diversity, equity and inclusion. Voyer stated, \"None as far as the ideological political framework is concerned,\" and emphasized equal access to instruction without what he called ideological content. Kiernan said she asks constituents \"what do you mean\" when they ask about DEI; she described the district's role as teaching local, state and national history accurately and helping students learn respect for people who \"might look, walk, talk, or learn differently than they do.\"

Both candidates named teacher recruitment and retention as priorities. Kiernan emphasized competitive wages and professional respect and suggested reaching directly to teachers for retained-staff perspectives. Voyer pointed to the district's roughly 93% teacher retention rate as a strength and said continuing compensation studies and engagement with the teachers' union were important steps.

The candidates also addressed planning for Germantown's housing growth and coordination with the Village of Germantown. Kiernan said she would attend village planning meetings to understand growth projections and timelines and urged proactive planning so schools can prepare for enrollment changes. Voyer said the district's seat on some village committees helps, but he advocated strengthening that relationship because village decisions affect schools.

The forum was moderated by Dan (moderator name shown in transcript) and hosted by the Germantown Chamber of Commerce. Both candidates gave two-minute opening and closing statements and answered a series of community-submitted questions.

Votes or formal board actions were not part of the forum; this was a candidate event to share positions ahead of an election.

Kiernan closed by highlighting her education experience and saying she would bring a teacher's perspective to the board. Voyer reiterated his intent to focus on core skills, transparency and fiscal restraint, and told listeners he was self-funded and would donate any board stipend to the district if elected.","At a Germantown Chamber of Commerce forum, school board candidates Sharon Kiernan and Jeff Voyer outlined priorities including literacy and comprehension, teacher discretion over classroom resources, school safety coordination with local law enforcement and transparency on district decisions.","actionData","errors"]

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Trustee candidates debate financial transparency, housing and school safety in Germantown forum

Germantown village president candidates clash on debt, development and transparency

Germantown school board candidates emphasize reading, teacher input and school safety at Chamber forum