Voters guide: River Hills trustees

The candidates for trustee seats on the River Hills Village Board share their view points on several key issues facing the community.

CORDELIA GELLY

AGE: 48

EMPLOYER/OCCUPATION: homemaker, community volunteer; formerly architectural designer

EDUCATION: master's degree

CONTACT: (414) 228-1802; cordelia@gelly.net

Would you change the environmental corridor ordinance protecting the Milwaukee River?

I support the existing environmental ordinance. We must do more to educate residents on land management best practices. We all live near waterways, creeks and ditches. We all drink well water. Water issues impact us all; we need to evaluate our long-range plans and cooperate with neighboring villages.

An issue has surfaced in the campaign over whether the Milwaukee Country Club's property assessment is fair. What do you think?

Although I am not a country club member, I appreciate that the club is an asset to River Hills and a taxpayer. Taxes, which pay for public services, should be assessed fairly and equitably for all landholders. Board members should be diligent and transparent in ensuring fair property valuations.

VICTOR HARDING

AGE: 61

EMPLOYER/OCCUPATION: attorney specializing in civil litigation, Warshafsky Law Firm

EDUCATION: law degree

CONTACT: (414) 352-8871; vich@warshafsky.com

Would you change the environmental corridor ordinance protecting the Milwaukee River?

I support the current ordinance, which is clear in its expression to protect the river habitat. The village could do more to educate residents on appropriate land use next to waterways and the necessity for a buffer between land and water to filter particulate matter, silt and hazardous impurities.

An issue has surfaced in the campaign over whether the Milwaukee Country Club's property assessment is fair. What do you think?

I am not a member of the country club. Prior assessments cannot be undone. The board has an obligation to assure residents that all assessments are fair, be they low or high. I have no conflicts, am beholden to no group and will strive for equality.

RANDALL PERRY

AGE: 43

EMPLOYER/OCCUPATION: partner in Cross Creek Partners, private equity investors

EDUCATION: bachelor's degree; graduate of the Kellogg Management Institute

CONTACT: (414) 228-1966; rperry@ccreekpartners.com

Would you change the environmental corridor ordinance protecting the Milwaukee River?

The ordinance has served the village well for more than 30 years. The board recently adopted a set of best practice guidelines to help residents interpret the intent of the ordinance and educate on ways to protect this valuable resource.

An issue has surfaced in the campaign over whether the Milwaukee Country Club's property assessment is fair. What do you think?

Legally, the only direct role the Village Board has in the assessment of village properties is hiring the assessor. The assessor has a statutory role, which is governed by the Board of Review in cases of conflict or appeal. I will continue to support fair assessments for all village residents.

MICHAEL WHITE

AGE: 59

EMPLOYER/OCCUPATION: chairman of Rite-Hite Corp., Brown Deer, manufacturer of industrial equipment and door products

EDUCATION: Harvard Business School Owner/President Management program degree

CONTACT: (414) 351-6939; mwhite@ritehite.com

Would you change the environmental corridor ordinance protecting the Milwaukee River?

No. The trustees voted responsibly to educate, not legislate, and they got it right. River Hills residents are well-educated and well-intentioned regarding protection of our river and waterways. Expensive permitting and policing of residents' private property cannot be shown to produce meaningful benefits.

An issue has surfaced in the campaign over whether the Milwaukee Country Club's property assessment is fair. What do you think?

To the extent the board oversees assessments, it should treat the country club with the same detached objectiveness as any other resident. I am a country club member, and I do not serve in any overseer capacity.