The Press emailed a questionnaire to Patrick Lytle, the sole candidate running for the District 4 alder seat on the City of Verona Common Council.
The term for the District 4 alderperson is two years. Current District 4 Alder Evan Touchett filed for noncandidacy in the upcoming election.
Lytle
In addition to Lytle, Spencer Harrison is seeking a two-year term as the District 3 alderperson, while Rye Kimmet is seeking reelection to the District 2 seat. Both races are uncontested. Kimmett and Harrison did not respond to the questionnaire.
Candidates were required to limit their responses to 50 words, with the exception of one question where they could write up to 100 words. Responses may have been trimmed to meet word requirements.
Biographical Information
Age: 51
Years in Verona: 25
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Music; Master of Science in Engineering; Master of Business Administration
Occupation: Director of Client & Project Management at McKim & Creed
Family: Mickey (wife), Sean (son – freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) and Andrea (daughter – eighth grader at Badger Ridge Middle School)
Political Experience: Verona Plan Commission since 2006; Verona Comprehensive Plan Committee
Essay Questions
Q: Why are you running for the City of Verona Common Council?
A: “Shortly after moving to Wisconsin in 1998, my wife and I chose Verona to raise our family and grow her business, benefitting from the wonderful community here ever since. I want to ensure that others can enjoy similar benefits well into the future.”
Q: What do you believe are the top three issues facing the City of Verona today, and how will you address them?
A: “Traffic: Verona’s tremendous growth, exacerbated by DOT construction projects that divert traffic onto our local roads, has impacted travel times, especially at peak hours. Further coordination and more proactive communication can help in the short term. Longer-term solutions must be evaluated as part of our Comprehensive Plan, with extensive citizen engagement weighing costs and benefits of alternatives. Housing affordability: discussed more below. Top talent: we must ensure that the City of Verona is considered a top-tier employer. Current City Council efforts have improved this, but attracting and retaining exceptional staff will, in turn, improve the experience of our citizens.”
Q: Verona is growing quickly. How do you think the city should approach new developments?
A: “Our growth over the past decade has brought much positive and some negative change. As we embark on our next Comprehensive Plan update cycle, we must obtain input from diverse sets of stakeholders to ensure future growth is sustainable and supported by our citizens.”
Q: Verona, like many communities across Wisconsin, is facing a shortage of affordable housing. How do you plan on addressing this?
A: “Rising prices are an indication of our community’s popularity, but it also makes it challenging for folks like our teachers and firefighters to live where they work. We should investigate additional creative actions, including partnering with housing organizations as well as finding other methods to support home ownership.”
Q: In what ways will you represent City of Verona residents in your decision-making?
A: “During the past 25 years in Verona, I’ve met and learned from diverse groups of neighbors – from VACT, volunteering with our kids’ rec teams, helping in the schools and as a Plan Commission member. I hope to build on that network and serve our community more broadly as an alderperson.”
Q: How will you work to make Verona a better place, for both current residents and future generations?
A: “As an infrastructure consultant, I’ve spent over 20 years working with communities that face significant municipal difficulties. While Verona is in a relatively enviable position due to the foresight of our predecessors, I look forward to applying my experience to the challenges and opportunities my family’s hometown faces.”
