Meet 2 candidates vying for Stevens Point Common Council District 10

Matt Moldenhauer and Zack Sowieja will vie for the District 10 alderman seat on the Stevens Point Common Council in the April 7 election.

Common Council aldermen serve a two-year term. Current District 10 Alderman Dustin Buse has filed a notice not to run in the race.

To learn more about registering to vote and to find your polling place, visit My Vote Wisconsin.

The Stevens Point Journal asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the district and why they are running for office.

Matt Moldenhauer

Municipal residence: Town of Stevens Point

Age: 24

Profession and training: My title is “Field Support Engineer, IE&O US”. My role mainly consists of providing IT support and infrastructure maintenance. I have an Associate of Applied Science degree in Information Security Specialist.

Relevant experience: For most of my adult life, I have worked in various customer service related roles. Currently in IT, I use these skills to solve problems while considering the needs and perspectives of different stakeholders.

Campaign website/Facebook page: https://council.mattmoldenhauer.com

Zack Sowieja

Municipal residence: Town of Stevens Point

Age: 39

Profession and training: Human Resources Business Partner at Delta Dental of Wisconsin. Graduated from UW-Madison with degrees in political science and sociology.

Relevant experience: Graduate in political science, have completed an internship in a state representative’s office and have more than 15 years of professional experience in HR.

Campaign website/Facebook page: N / A

Why are you running for office?

Moldenhauer: Above all, I am running to make government more transparent. I’d like to make it easier to follow what’s happening and express your opinions if you wish. I also want to improve public transit and make sure the zoning code rewrite is the best it can be.

Poland: I want to maintain and improve the quality of life for the members of my district and Stevens Point as a whole. Public safety, property taxes, business development and community involvement are the main issues I want to prioritize.

What makes you the best candidate in this race?

Moldenhauer: I have experience solving varied and complex problems while working in the IT field. I am often tasked with finding solutions that work for several different stakeholders with different needs and priorities. I am also often tasked with working on projects in areas in which I do not have experience. In these situations, I find it critical to rely on the subject matter expert to ensure you are making a positive impact and seeing the big picture.

Poland: In short, experience. I have gained experience in a way that my opponent has not. A degree in political science and over 15 years of a career focused on solving problems, improving policy, and bridging party lines have given me a unique combination of experiences.

What is the most pressing issue facing the Stevens Point Common Council and how would you address it?

Moldenhauer: Transparency. The city government should make it clear when meetings take place, what will be discussed, and what actions residents can take if they want to get involved. The city needs to do a better job explaining how and why decisions are made and proactively informing residents of events and changes. I would also like to see if we could provide different public comment options for residents who cannot attend a meeting or join online. Specifically, I’m thinking of an extended comment period during which people can submit responses online, similar to how the FCC handles public comments.

Poland: Embrace growth while ensuring citizens’ voices are heard. I would work to ensure that Stevens Point is a place that promotes business growth while listening to the concerns of those who may be impacted. Business development creates jobs and generates tax revenue in our community, which can potentially ease the tax burden on citizens.

What do residents think are their biggest issues and how would you address them?

Moldenhauer: Affordable housing. We need to modernize our zoning code to allow for more diverse housing options. I would like to see things like townhomes, cottage lots, tri/quadplexes and smaller detached homes. These options would be more affordable and offer more options than just luxury apartments or very large homes. There is also the question of increasing property taxes. I want to make sure we make the most of the funding we already have and stop creating new TIF districts that reduce city revenue, often with little benefit to the public.

Poland: Rising property taxes are a constant concern I hear from people across the district. I think part of the problem is that there is no impact on how the money is spent. For example, paying high taxes and driving on poor roads are a source of frustration. More efficient spending in our city government and addressing the issues that are causing our taxes to continue to rise would be my first priority.

How will you balance the provision of essential services with growing concerns about affordability and cost of living?

Moldenhauer: I would prioritize providing services that can help reduce the cost of living. I would like to expand our public transportation services so that more people can get around without the high costs of owning a car. I also want to expand access to affordable housing to further contribute to the cost of living.

Poland: This balance requires recognizing that both are equally important. Residents expect the city to provide them with reliable services (safety, good roads, etc.), but they also expect it to be respectful of how their money is spent. Public safety, infrastructure and basic city operations must come first. These are the services that residents rely on every day, and we must ensure they are funded responsibly. On the other hand, the city needs to be more disciplined about spending. This means eliminating waste and seeking efficiencies. Taxpayers deserve to know that every dollar is being used wisely.

How will you work to support the growth and development of housing and businesses in the city?

Moldenhauer: We need to modernize our zoning code to allow for more diverse residential and commercial development. I would like to make it easier for small developers to build more affordable housing. I would also like to add more mixed-use zoning to allow businesses to exist closer to their customers and to ensure residents have more essential services within walking distance.

Poland: Each of these decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis. I would hesitate to make a general statement on this issue. Listening to residents and understanding their concerns and needs would be essential to making the right decision each time.

Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and leverages his experience as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared in the Stevens Point Journal: Matt Moldenhauer, Zack Sowieja and Stevens Point Council District 10