Keep Campaign Fundraising Simple

On September 1, the Post Bulletin published an article. “Candidates file their fundraising, spending statements.”

Friends and supporters were concerned because my opponent was shown to have raised about 13 times the amount I had, was the most “prolific” of all the candidates, and, according to his claim, has a very large support group funding his campaign. Shouldn’t I be alarmed?

Well, fundraising has not been a problem for me as my work on the Kiwanis Hockey Festival, Rochester Sesquicentennial, Diversity Council, and the Veteran’s Memorial Field of Flags project would attest to. I almost enjoy the challenge.

I just feel uncomfortable asking for anything on my behalf. It’s OK for causes that benefit the community but for myself … no way!

There’s nothing wrong with fundraising for an election campaign and if you need to do this to get your name out there then so be it. I’d just rather keep it simple and count on my experience and proven record.

I’m grateful to the contributors I’ve had who have given willingly and of their own accord. I thank them for their generosity and faith in me but what really counts on November 7th is their vote.

I even hate to ask anyone to place a sign in their yard even though I know that it’s important I’m doing well at this but, to me, it’s the worst part of the campaign process. Going door-to-door talking to people, answering questions, and helping with problems is what I dearly love to do. Asking for anything in return just seems not quite right to me. I even help those not in my ward.

Perhaps I’m being a bit too touchy but I relish being independent and if I have any “special interests” it’s you, my constituents, and the good of the city of Rochester. I think keeping campaign costs low encourages more people to seek the office and isn’t that what we want of local government?

I appreciate your support however you choose to show it but I’m most comfortable if you’d give me your vote so I could continue to do my best to represent you and be your voice in city government.

Thanks,

Bob

Preliminary Tax Set

It's that time of year again! Preliminary tax setting time. State law requires us to set a preliminary tax levy by September 15. The interesting thing is that we can set the actual levy lower but can't go higher so we're forced to come up with a number that generally frightens and upsets those who don't understand "the game" until we sit down in December and come up with the real budget and tax levy number.

This year we set the levy at $37,500,000 which is 6.7% higher than the final levy value for 2005 ($35,159,000). Last year we set the preliminary value at $36,000,000 and it dropped almost $1,000,000 for the actual. You should also be aware that even though the rate was 6.7% higher than last year's, the amount that a current taxpayer's rate would increase would be less than that due to the fact that we added about 3.5% more to our tax base to help pay into the taxes.

So, the final tax may be 3.5 to 4.0% if your property value does not change.

We will be reviewing department needs and all that in the next few months with the idea of keeping this budget number down and come in even lower. Right now it's under the CPI which is 4.1% and I'd like to get it even lower if possible.

There are several items that affect the budget that are largely out of our control --state imposed pension contributions, cost of fuel, energy, materials, rising cost of contracted services, that sort of thing. One of our major concerns that could affect our budget is union labor demands for pay raises. We've negotiated on average a 2.5% increase for 2007 with 15 of the 18 unions. However, the police, fire and dispatch unions have not yet settled their agreements. The police union is demanding a 6% increase which is going to arbitration.

We won't know the results of this arbitration until after the first of the year. Whatever increase (if any) the police union gets will automatically apply to the other unions who have a "me too" clause. We've estimated that for every 1% raise increase over 2% the police get will cost us an additional $400,000 in taxes.

We have a few items in the budget that we can sacrifice but not many. There are some needed new hires that we've been putting on hold that could be put off for a bit again but not many. I personally want to hire the 5 requested police officers as I believe we need them but others may get sacrificed.

Stay tuned!

Bob Nowicki

A Little Bit of Catchin' Up

It's been a while since I posted an update and to those of you who tune in regularily I apologize. Funny how fast time flies when you're having fun.

A few short updates ...

DECORAH EDGE ORDINANCE: The council unanimously approved an ordinance that would protect that area near the Decorah Edge thought to purify potential drinking water from damage by development thereby reducing the potential of contamination of our drinking water. This was the result of many people representing environmental interests, developers, the public, city planning, and public works. All of us who care about the future of our drinking water thank everyone involved in the creation of this ordinance.

TIF MONEY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING: A request for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to help reduce the overall cost of a newly built home in the Pebble Creek area therby helping to build more "affordable" housing was discussed at the August 21 Committee of the Whole meeting. A presentation of the availability of houses in the under $140,ooo range was given to the council by a real estate representative and after much discussion the council tentatively decided not to support this request. There did not seem to be a need for action to correct a shortage of housing in this price range, and especially for the use of tax dollars to do so I felt. I would much rather look at other ways to help builder/developers keep their costs down that would not have you and I paying for it. There are and have been special concessions made realtive to land density, street widths, etc that could help in this area and these will be looked at in the future.

VETERANS MEMORIAL RE-DEDICATION/ FIELD OF FLAGS: The Veterans Memorial was re-dedicated with the unveiling of a Nurse/Corpsman statue on Saturday, AUgust 26. It was a very moving and special occasion with song, displays, the visit of a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter, and best of all a very touching short speach by Senator Bob DOle. To make this event even more memorable, the Rochester Kiwanis Clubs working with the Veterans Memorial Committee and many other volunteers helped to produce a Field of 2,379 Flags, symbolically one for each name inscribed on the Memorial wall. $25 sponsorships were solicited to help pay for the flags adn all excess proceeds will be presented to the Rochester Reading Center/Dyslexia Institute. If you haven't seen the new statue I suggest you do so. The statue as well as the idea and support for the Field of Flags was largely the brainchild of Rochester developer, Frank Kottchade. I had the privilege and pleasure of co-chairing the Field of Flags portion of the event with Kiwanis West Club president Wanda Mitchell and worked with Mr.Kottchade and Wayne Stillman, Chair of the Veterans Memorial Committee. I mention this because these folks have given very much time, effort, monetary support to make our Rochester community even more special and have been doing this behind the scene for many years now.


DOOR KNOCKING AND ALL THAT: I've been out just about every weekday night for the last month or so knocking on doors and handing out campaign literature. Most importantly I've had an opportunity to talk to you face-to-face which is my favorite thing to do. You've been generous with your time and gracious with your support and I thank you. I see people who are busy with their families and their jobs. The main concerns or issues so far are ones affecting them in their immediate area - speeding, need for a traffic signal, bike paths, and the occasional question about the DME. Talking and answering questions now that I've been in a position to have good information takes time and I find that I don't cover as much ground as I did in my first campaign so bear with me. I will try to get to you by November 7th but if you have any questions or concerns, as always, call me immediately -- 285-0295 or send a note to bobnow@charter.net .

Thanks and have a great Labor Day weekend.