Many thanks to all who came out on a snowy night to show your support at my Campaign Kick-Off last week. I especially want to thank Rick Schmidt and the staff at Oakcrest Tavern for the fine food, service and hospitality. I also want to thank Keith Schmitz for giving me such a great introduction and for all he’s been doing to spread the spread the word about my campaign.
It was a pleasure to see so many new faces and to have the opportunity to share my vision for the District’s future. The conversations were lively and intelligent and reflected concerns about affordable health care and public education. But the big topic on everyone’s mind was jobs, and it’s not hard to imagine why.
Just take a stroll down Oakland Avenue and view all of the recently vacated retail and business spaces. What has become of those small business owners? Their families and employees?
Our current representative in Congress, Jim Sensenbrenner, has refused to accept federal relief for struggling businesses in Shorewood and the rest of the 5th District. He believes it’s fiscally irresponsible for the federal government to play a role in economic recovery.
But isn’t that exactly the kind of support we should expect back from the government in return for our tax-dollars—an investment in small businesses and the people whose future depends on them?
Every day I’m reminded of the cascade effect that can happen when a business owned by one of my tenants begins to falter. It’s not just the tenant and their employees who are affected, but all businesses in the building, which thrive best in a climate of stability.
My policy of working pro-actively with tenants to help shepherd their businesses through tough economic times is firmly rooted in my belief that short-term investments to support small businesses result in long-term dividends that benefit the entire community.
I’m often asked what makes me think I can beat a candidate who has been in office as long as Congressman Sensenbrenner and who, according to the pundits, is unbeatable. The answer is easy. It’s because I’ve had first-hand experience with the challenges facing businesses, families and every day people in the District, challenges that Congressman Sensenbrenner has never had to worry about himself. I trust in the voters to see the difference.