Colfax Village Board candidate: Margaret Burcham
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Margaret Burcham
COLFAX — Four candidates are running for three positions on the Colfax Village Board in the April 7 election.
The candidates are Margaret Burcham, Carey Davis, Mark Halpin and Gary Stene.
The Colfax Messenger sent out questionnaires to the candidates.
Here are Margaret Burcham’s answers to the questionnaire.
• What is your occupation?
Accounts receivable/Synergy Cooperative — Elk Mound.
• Tell us about your family.
Husband Keith Burcham. Daughter and son-in-law and four grandchildren reside in Colfax. Son and daughter-in-law and three grandchildren reside in Eau Claire. Son and daughter-in-law and one grandchild reside in Colorado. Son is currently stationed in Korea as an officer in the Army. Two grandchildren reside in Tennessee.
• Why did you decide to run for election?
Have been a board member since Spring 2018. Was a write-in candidate for a vacancy during that election.
• What makes you suited to serve on the village board?
I am and will continue to run for village board because all the issues of the village are important to me as a spouse, mother, grandmother and taxpayer. I firmly believe that economic and business development are the key. With added economic and business development — streets, parks, utilities and housing can be planned/maintained/developed in a timelier manner that won’t increase the current village tax base. But we need to be careful with economic and business development so as not to take away from the small-town quality of life that we currently enjoy. I want to be able to continue to watch my grandchildren ride their bikes from one end of town to the other safely. I want the parents and grandparents in this village to continue to feel secure about their children and grandchildren’s safety if they’re walking to/from school or headed down to the river for a cool refreshing dip in the summer.
• What makes you suited for serving on the village board?
Am not a native Wisconsinite but worked 12 years for Bremer Bank in Colfax listening and learning about the people, their families, their hopes and dreams for themselves and their siblings. I have a financial and business background that helps me understand the finances and budget process of the village. My husband and I have been softball coaches, Scout leaders and softball board members in Arizona. Upon moving to Wisconsin, I’ve been on the Kiwanis and Colfax softball board. I had previously attempted to run for trustee on the village board but was informed by my supervisor that being on the board and an employee of a financial institution would be a conflict of interest. Since changing employment, that conflict of interest is not a sticking point any longer. Growing up, my parents were very active in our community in Arizona. From fund raising for H.S. Girls basketball to starting a state sanctioned Junior Olympic girls softball program from T-ball through H.S. and new fields for playing those games.
• What issues do you see as being the most important for Colfax?
Number one priority is getting the lagoon fixed. Second is our streets while attempting to find new and creative ways to bring the pay of our village employees into line with other communities so we can maintain stability in our workforce. The East View development needs to be physically set up with at least gravel roads and lot markers so prospective buyers can visualize what their dream lot/home would look like.
• What issues would you like to see addressed by the village board?
We should continue to consistently seek new economic and business development opportunities and we should continue to support our current businesses in a manner that is consistent with village values. I would like to see us advertise our renovated fairgrounds (and chair rental) on a website for weddings, family reunions and large and small picnic functions.
• Why are you the best candidate?
My husband and I are looking forward to retirement in a few years and we both agree that our current residence in the Village of Colfax is where we want to remain throughout our retirement. We enjoy a village staff from administration to public works and public safety that is professional and knowledgeable, yet personable. We all need to work together to make the Village of Colfax a place where everyone wants to move to.