Brookfield's mayoral race is getting a little more crowded.
Two more candidates have joined the field, as Alderman Steve Ponto and former municipal judge Richard Steinberg threw their names in the ring by filing papers announcing their candidacy.
Ponto and Steinberg join incumbent Mayor Jeff Speaker, who is seeking his third term, and challengers Roger Bielinski and former alderman and School Board member David Marcello.
With the bevy of mayoral candidates, the city will hold a primary election Feb. 16 to narrow the field. The top two vote-getters will advance to the spring election on April 6.
Economy key issue for Ponto
Ponto, an attorney who is in his 12th year on the Common Council, said he has thought about running for mayor for a long time, but decided now was the right time because the city needs leadership during the "very significant economic problem" facing Brookfield and the rest of the country.
"I think we really need someone who's hands-on, who's hard-working and who's willing to take a stand and make tough decisions," he said.
Ponto said he would like to see the mayor become more involved in crafting city policy, a role he said has fallen more to the Common Council and its committees in recent years.
Ponto, who twice was elected Common Council president, and has served under Speaker and his predecessor, Kate Bloomberg, said he has the "education, experience and personal qualifications" to be mayor.
Steinberg to focus on spending
Steinberg, who served as municipal judge for 34 years before losing his seat in last spring's election, said he wants to "serve residents first and reduce non-essential spending" in Brookfield.
He cited an upcoming plan to build sidewalks along Capitol Drive - a project that the city is doing in conjunction with the state, which is covering 80 percent of the costs - as an example of non-essential spending.
Steinberg said his decades of experience dealing with municipalities, businesses and individuals have taught him how to make difficult choices in terms of budgeting, policy and other issues.
"They're tough decisions," he said. "Whether it's a municipality or a private enterprise, there's a lot at stake."
The mayor serves a four-year term and will earn $99,149 a year through 2012, with 2 percent increases scheduled in 2013 and 2014.
Three incumbents unopposed
Seven seats on the Brookfield Common Council - one in each district - also are up for election, and the city could see four contested races this spring.
Incumbents Bill Carnell (District 1), Mark Nelson (District 4), Gary Mahkorn (District 5) and Jerry Mellone could all have at least one opponent in the spring elections, though some of those challengers have not filed their nomination papers yet.
District 2 Alderman Bob Reddin, District 3 Alderman Jim Garvens and District 7 Alderwoman Lisa Mellone are at this point unopposed.
Aldermen serve four-year terms and are paid $9,911 annually.
Two seats on Town Board
In the town of Brookfield, two supervisor posts will appear on the ballot. Those seats are currently held by John Schatzman and Patrick Stroebel.
Town Clerk Jane Carlson said late Tuesday that no one has yet turned in nomination papers for the supervisor seats.
Town supervisors make $5,000 a year and serve two-year terms.
Nomination papers must be filed by 5 p.m. Jan. 5 in the city clerk's office or town clerk's office. Incumbents who are not running for re-election have until Dec. 28 to announce their non-candidacy.
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