Speaker's history shows sound financial leadership

Public Forum:

I have lived in Brookfield for 30 years and enjoy the quality of life that this community affords its residents. It is with this quality of life in mind that I write this letter in support of the re-election of Jeff Speaker to the position of Brookfield mayor. I have known Jeff as a police officer, a DARE officer and, most importantly, as the mayor of Brookfield. Jeff has been mayor of Brookfield these past eight years and, if my math is correct, then he will be completing a fiscally sound 2,920 days in office.

Now I, like you, should hold Jeff accountable for that portion of taxes that can be directly attributed to the running of the city of Brookfield. I don't consider the county taxes, state taxes, school taxes or Waukesha County Technical College taxes when I look at his performance as mayor. These are taxes that can't be controlled by him directly.

Jeff and I don't always agree politically on certain subjects, but I do know that since 2002 when Jeff was first elected, my city taxes have gone up a paltry $0.034589 per day. If you want it on a per-year basis, that is $12.63 per year. Yes, my increases have been between 3 and 4 cents a day over the past eight years. In a democracy there are no free lunches, but a 3- to4-cent lunch bill a day is a superior deal. Jeff has demonstrated a fiscally sound performance that everyone should and can embrace. Jeff has led this community well and deserves to continue that leadership in the future. Heck, sometimes when I look down on the streets of Brookfield, I find those copper coins and can reduce my city taxes even further. Look down if you want.

I don't need to look down; instead, I can look up and forward and know that if Jeff Speaker is in the mayor's office the direction and budgetary control of this city is in capable hands. Hands that should continue to hold the reins of office. Support Jeff by re-electing him to the position of mayor of the city of Brookfield.

Donald D. Adams

Brookfield