One Application So Far For 1st District Alderman Seat

Franklin WI

12 August, 2021

3:05 PM

Description

FRANKLIN, WI — Letters of interest for appointment to the 1st Aldermanic District in Franklin are due in a week, and so far, only one person has applied. The seat became vacant when Mark Dandrea resigned July 14. Edward Holpfer is the one applicant to the appointment so far, according to Sandra Wesolowski, the Franklin city clerk. Others may submit their own letters of interest for the temporary appointment until 5 p.m. Aug. 19. The Franklin Common Council will evaluate letters of interest on Aug. 25 at a public meeting. Those who applied will be able to give a presentation at that meeting. The Common Council will then decide who to seat by a vote. The mayor will not vote except to break a tie, Wesolowski said. Applicants must live within the 1st District boundaries, must be 18 or older and must not be a felon. The person who is selected will serve as 1st District alderman until April 5, 2022. A public vote will then be held to decide the next alderperson. Holpfer told Patch it's the first time he's going for the 1st District seat after 40 years of living in Franklin. "I haven't typically put my self in the forefront," Holpfer said. "When the seat became available, I thought, 'Well, let me try it and see what happens.'" He moved into the 1st District in the 1980s. At the time, much of Franklin was still agricultural or undeveloped. Since then, a lot of development opportunities have come and gone. There may have been some missed opportunities, Holpfer said. "Much of the land was vacant then, so the exciting thing was as a community, we could become anything we want," Holpfer said. "There's a number of parcels throughout the city that have been turned down over the years for development opportunities." He added, "I often wonder, not saying anything good or bad about what was turned down, but sometimes you wonder what would have happened if ... . You wonder how many years of taxes would have been paid, how many donations to the community. ... How can we make sure properties are used to their best potential?" It's a complicated issue, Holpfer said, one that he hopes he can provide more insight into in a temporary term as an alderman. "I want to work with people to form a consensus and move things forward. I think I can make a difference and contribute," Holpfer said. Will Holpfer run for a permanent seat in April? "I've thought about it," he said. An appointment would "give me couple of months to see how I fit in. I would definitely consider running after." Holpfer has been active in the community and in surrounding suburbs, most recently through his service to area chambers of commerce. He currently serves as the president and CEO of the New Berlin Chamber of Commerce. Holpfer was also a founding member of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce before it was incorporated into the South Suburban Chamber, he said. Holpfer has also served on the Franklin Board of Public Works, the Celebrations Commission, the Tourism Commission, the Franklin Public School Board and other city boards, according to his letter of interest. "I've had the opportunity to work with both like-minded individuals, as well as those with differing ideas and opinions," Holpfer said in his letter. "I believe that I have demonstrated the ability to build consensus through mutual trust and respect while working to meet the needs and wants of the greater community."