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Berry hopes to bring experience to council

District 1 Candidate Dennis Berry (Photo courtesy of Dennis Berry)

After being away from the City Council for a year, District 1 candidate Dennis Berry is ready to get back into the action.

Berry, a full-time rental property manager, served on the council from 1998-2000 as an at-large member. He ran for re-election in 2000, but was unsuccessful in holding his seat for a second term.

As a member of the council, Berry took part in many committees, including the Library Board, the Planning Commission, the Affirmative Action Committee and the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee.

How They Stand What is your educational background? Dennis Berry: Graduated from Altoona High School in 1980.  Attended UW-Eau Claire from 1980-1982 and studied political science at UCLA from 1985-1986. David Adler: Graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1987 with a bachelor's in finance. Also graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1990 with a degree in law. How do you feel about increasing property taxes? Dennis Berry: A 3 percent increase is acceptable, though the city needs to tighten the budget and spend more responsibly. David Adler: I am concerned with the burden people are facing.  People are working more and more every year just to pay their taxes. The city can't keep raising property taxes without giving the residents an explanation. The city also needs to be more accountable for their spending and also needs to scrutinize the budget every year.   How would you prioritize the budget? Dennis Berry: We need to get control and slow down spending in areas that are not a priority.   David Adler: The basic protective services (fire, police, etc.), the infrastructure and the cost of the administrators and city staff should be at the top.  Then get the residents' input on what is most important to them and use that to prioritize the rest of the budget. What would you do to eliminate the public's negative perception of the council? Dennis Berry: Said that "you need to treat people with respect, even if they disagree with you." David Adler: Will lead by example.  The Council needs to stop making every issue a personal issue, treat each other with respect and focus on being a cooperative coalition to get things done.  One is elected to serve the public, not themselves. How do you feel about the construction of the Hwy. 53 bypass? Dennis Berry: Thinks it is a good thing for the long run, as long as it is done to the likes of the citizens. David Adler: It's a good thing. Heavy traffic on Hastings Way will become a dangerous situation and need to eliminate potential risks and dangers.  Will make sure to keep everyone well informed about the development.

Berry was also on the Waterways and Parks Commission and the Putnam Park Commission. Among his accomplishments on these committees, Berry lists purchasing park land on the north and south sides of town and helping to protect Putnam Park.

If elected to council this year, Berry would like to continue improving the park system in Eau Claire, especially by adding new parks in the area.

“I live near Princeton Valley and we have no park area and more children than any other area,” he said.

Berry also believes that the property tax increase is an important issue in this election.

"Things are getting out of hand," he said.  "We have to control our spending and start acting more responsible and on a tighter budget."

Berry feels he has an advantage over his opponent, David Adler, because he has experience and knows what is involved in being a member of the council, including the time commitment.

“In my first two years on the council I never missed a meeting,” Berry said, adding that he is ready to be a full-time council member for the north side.

“The current council is losing a lot of experience," he said, "and I can fill that role and help the north side take care of its problems, both current and future."