Michelle Fitzke and Doug Brown, (Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND – Grand Island City Council member Michelle Fitzke faces challenger Doug Brown for a seat on Grand Island’s City Council in Ward 1.
Their responses to three questions are listed alphabetically by candidate:
Doug Brown
1. Why are you running for office?
I was born and raised in Grand Island attended Jefferson, Walnut and graduated from GISH. I have always loved Grand Island and believe it is the best place to raise a family of any place in the United States. Being a retired Military member, I have a strong belief in service to our Community and Country.
2. What are the three top issues you face in office?
• We must make Grand Island affordable for everyone, property taxes are way too high. I will be fiscally conservative on how we spend your tax dollars, taking in consideration each time we vote on a spending issue “Is this really required, and can we find a better way without or less the cost.”
• Public Safety, we must maintain our great Police and Fire Departments, giving them the best equipment and training available to ensure they can meet the safety needs of our community.
• We need to listen to the voters and give all sides equal participation in issues and problem resolution. Treat everyone with respect and dignity, so we, the elected, can make informed decisions and give the voters what they want.
3. What background and experience do you have as an elected official?
This will be the first office I have been elected too, but I have extensive experience in senior management and budget matters. Retired from the United States Navy as a Command Master Chief of the Destroyer, USS Benfold DDG-65, this was a 750-million-dollar ship with an annual working budget of 85 million dollars annually. I was always in my budget and maintained my ship to the highest standards. I was also Operations and Security Manager at the Grand Island Airport for 20 years; I maintained the budget and spent the taxpayers’ dollars wisely and conservatively.
Michelle Fitzke
1. Why are you running for office?
Grand Island has been my home for the last 40 years. I take great pride in our community and want to give it back and this is my way of doing so. It has been an honor serving the constituents of Ward 5 and Ward 1. There is a lot going on in our community that I’m proud of and want to be a part of moving it forward. I’m proud to call Grand Island home and deeply desire the opportunity to serve the city, community and constituents of Ward 1.
2. What are the top three issues you would face in office?
The top three issues I feel should always be in our forefront are smart growth of our city, balanced budget and the safety of our community. Grand Island is a growing community and we need to make sure that we are using taxpayers’ money wisely. Grand Island is a safe community, but this is because the city is vigilant in its efforts to protect the public and schools through active programs and policies. With everything that is taking place in our world today our police and firemen need our support.
3. What background and experience do you have as an elected official?
I have served on the Grand Island City Council for 81/2 years representing Ward 5 and Ward 1. During my tenure on the city council, I helped usher in a balanced budget, develop the Veterans Complex, voted for the Wheel Tax to end, development of Conestoga Marketplace, and now the current Good Life District. In addition to my service on the Grand Island City Council I have served on the Grand Island Senior High Booster Board, Leadership Tomorrow Board, CRA, and Animal Advisory Board. I look forward to continuing being the voice for the constituents of Ward 1
