Boyceville Village President Candidate: Lukas Montgomery
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LUKAS MONTGOMERY
Lukas Montgomery, a current trustee on Boyceville’s Village Board, will be challenging longtime village president Gilbert Krueger in the April 6 Spring election.
Montgomery, age 39, and his wife Amanda have five children: Rachael 15, Michael 13, Philip 4 and twins Phoebe and Penelope 3.
A 2000 graduate of Boyceville High School, he holds a technical diploma from Chippewa Valley Technical College.
Montgomery is a self-employed mechanic and full-time father.
Below are Montgomery’s answers to a questionnaire sent out by the Tribune Press Reporter. Candidates were asked to try and limit each of their responses to 100 words or less.
What experience do you have as an elected official or what experience do you have in leadership positions?
I have served as Village Trustee for the last two years. Before that, I have managed several automotive repair shops. I have been involved in running different programs in our church and have been oversees for a mission trip in 2014. Currently, I own a small business, and manage a household of seven along with my wife.
Why did you decide to run for the town board?
I have always had an interest in politics and government business. It wasn’t until 2 1/2 years ago that the opportunity presented itself to get involved locally where I can see things happen and to be behind it personally. By taking an oath to defend the Constitution we are to ensure that individual rights are protected for our community and the individuals that reside within it. People are quick to offer their opinions, but often will not get involved to make changes. I got involved to be a part of the solution to make my community a better place to live and work.
What about your background or education or values or personality makes you particularly suited to continue serving on the village board?
I’m a very driven individual who strives for results and growth whether that be in education, business, family, or committees that I am a part of. I have a listening-ear to hear out customers or residents concerns and I strive to make every situation better than when I first encounter them. I want to see others built up, resourced and empowered to make a positive change in and around their own circles. If we want a community that is looking out for each other, I believe that starts with ourselves as individuals first.
What do you believe to be the biggest challenges or issues facing your village?
Community growth is number one. We have a significant lack of housing for citizens of all demographics, and a shortage of service industry. With housing and business working hand in hand it would increase the tax base and help ease the burden of taxes for our community members. I would also like to see more amenities that are focused on and towards our future generations. Community engagement will be a crucial part of making that happen, and that has been a short coming in this community for quite some time now. Being an open and transparent government will help ease this by making us more approachable and accountable.
What do you hope to accomplish by serving on your village board?
I want to focus on growth for housing and service industry, connecting people with needs to local community organizations and resources, increase financial accountability to the community with fiscal funds and address village debt, work with community clubs and residents for future planning and action all while demonstrating fairness among the residents’ needs, wants and concerns.
Other comments?
Currently we are due to update our Comprehensive Plan. This starts by reviewing our old plan to identify where we, as leaders, have fallen short. Then address how we as servants of this community, can make this up. In order to be able to do anything we have to address our debt. We need to tap into the resources on village owned lands to pay down our debt so we can partially fund new projects such as improving infrastructure to increase housing opportunities. With housing and businesses growing it would open up more opportunities to work in the community you live in.
