District 4 candidates see big decisions ahead

A political newcomer - and, in fact, a newcomer to Brookfield - is challenging Alderman Mark Nelson for his seat at the Common Council table in the April 6 election.

J.P. Murray is running against Nelson to represent the 4th District.

Aldermen serve four-year terms and earn $9,911 a year.

J.P. Murray

Murray moved here from Colorado a little more than a year ago, and, he said, he was drawn to the city's politics immediately.

"It's a city I wanted to be move involved with," the 29-year-old said.

Murray, a program manager for an aerospace company, said he doesn't have any big complaints with how Brookfield is run but he wants to have a chance to weigh in when the city's big decisions - high-speed rail line linking Milwaukee and Madison or another possible interchange on Interstate 94 - are made.

"I don't have any issues that I feel that the city is severely lacking on, but there are some amazing opportunities (in the coming years)," he said.

The decisions that will be made about a high-speed rail and the interchange - and even about issues like redevelopment on Bluemound Road - will shape Brookfield's short- and long-term future, he said.

Murray said high-speed rail could be beneficial to the city but he needs to wait and see details on the proposal before adopting a formal position.

"I think the high-speed train potentially could be a very beneficial thing," he said.

And while he said he likely would lean toward supporting a high-speed rail stop ahead of favoring an additional I-94 interchange, he said some changes, such as encouraging redevelopment along Bluemound Road, are "win-win" for the city and residents.

Still, it's not like Brookfield residents are clamoring for things to be turned upside down at City Hall, he said.

"People don't want to see a huge amount of change, and that's encouraging to hear," Murray said.

Mark Nelson

Nelson, 58, an attorney, was elected to a one-year term on the council in a special election in 2005 and was uncontested for a full term in 2006.

The incumbent cited his work as Common Council president and participation on the Finance Committee and Plan Commission as some of his successes.

"I'm pretty proud that I've played an active role as an alderman in a lot of the decision-making processes," said Nelson, who has lived in the district for more than 20 years.

Nelson said he has his eye on a few key District 4 issues, including the redevelopment of the city's Northwest Gateway area near Capitol Drive and Springdale Road, as well as road-widening projects and proposed improvements to Barker Road.

He also said he doesn't think the proposed high-speed rail line is a good use of federal funds, and that he is interested to see how responsibilities for construction and maintenance costs will be broken down.

"The real issue for the city of Brookfield is should it stop or not stop (here), and if it stops, who's going to pay for it?" he said.

The Village Area along Brookfield Road is a vital part of the 4th District, Nelson said, and it's important to pay attention to what's happening there in terms of development. He said high-speed rail would have a big impact there.

"Would all of that be good for the Village?" he said. "I think the jury's still out on that."

In terms of citywide issues, Nelson said, keeping the city's portion of the property tax rate down is important, as is maintaining the level of services residents have come to expect.

Mark Nelson (i)

AGE: 58

ADDRESS: 2450 Keats Drive

ELECTED OFFICE: alderman since 2005

PHONE: (262) 797-8503

E-MAIL: milwnelson@aol.com

J.P. Murray

AGE: 29

ADDRESS: 1460 N. Barker Road

ELECTED OFFICE: none

PHONE: (262) 679-2006

E-MAIL:jpmurray@gmail.com

WEB SITE: murray4alderman.com