Profile on Joel Levandowski, Berlye Middleton's opponent

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Berlye Middleton says he's the strongest voice

Berlye Middleton

"I share your hopes and dreams for a better community."  That's the message Berlye Middleton is hoping to send out to the voters of the West Side of Eau Claire.  A West Side homeowner for eleven years, Middleton sees himself as a community member who can make some change.

Audio Why Middleton is running for City Council

How They Stand How big are racial issues in  Eau Claire? Middleton: We have to take a proactive approach to it.  There isn't a problem in our community currently.  Groups as a whole are not segregated against, but there is personal racism that does exist.  We do have to react to the current problems in our community.  We simply cannot just sit back and pretend that it's something that's going to disappear. Levandowski: I don't really see one.  There is a small black population and I haven't heard of any major problems in that respect.  And there's a certain amount of Hmong population in the city, and of course they're represented on the council.  There's minorities all over the city, and I think Eau Claire has a good mix of citizens and I think for the most part everyone gets along. What is the most important issue for the City Council to tackle this year? Middleton: Educating the community about the political process, and that will get things accomplished. I have some ideas on how to bring our community together. Levandowski: The flooding.  These people have had way too much suffering.  And not so much in an 8 or 10 inch rain, but in a 1 and 2 inch rain.  There's a lot of people out there that don't understand what even just a little bit of water was doing to these people.  They're in misery and we need to correct that.  Is there any organization that you are currently involved with that could cause a conflict of interest with your City Council position? Middleton: I don't see any conflict of interest in anything that I'm currently doing.  If there are some they certainly haven't been addressed with me. Levandowski: No not really.  I am involved with the St. James Parish Council, and if a situation ever arose where St. James was a matter of topic, I would excuse myself from the process. What are some negative aspects of the current council? Middleton: I don't think we've really had the leadership to our city's problem solving entities together.  I think the listening issue is one that I'm bugged by as well.  As a therapist, that's one of the things that I'm trained to do, is listen.  You can't just listen, you need to respond to what you hear.  The council didn't do that with the sidewalk issue. Levandowski: You need to give anyone at the podium you're full attention.  I've always been taught to be courteous to other people and when someone else is talking you listen.  It's just plain and simple it's good manners. Is there anything that frightens you about your opponent winning? Middleton:  There's nothing that scares me about my opponent winning because I know he's not going to win.  He hasn't put in the effort to win. Levandowski: No.  Not at all.  I think that Berlye's a good guy and I wish him the best of luck in the election, but of course I have to be partial to my side of the coin too and win or lose, in my case, it wont bother me one way or the other.

Middleton has lived on the Fifth District and been a homeowner for eleven years.  He currently coordinates programs for adolescent drug and alcohol abusers for Lutheran Social Services, or Touchstones.  In 1988, Middleton decided he needed more discipline in his professional and private life and decided to enter the National Guard.  He now serves as a Captain for the Guard, and will soon be promoted to Major status.  He is also the co-chair for the city's Task Force on Racial Justice.

Berlye Middleton's loyalties lie in the West Side and the Fifth District of Eau Claire.

Audio What Middleton likes about the 5th District

Middleton strongly believes that a major problem in Eau Claire's society is a lack of education on how important the voters truly are.  Middleton says that once he's on the council, it will be his responsibility to educate the fifth district, and be the leader that his opponent is not.

Audio Middleton says he's more of a leader than his opponent and an advocate for the political process

Middleton is also concerned about the lack of respect that the current council has shown it's constituents.  There have many recent conflicts regarding the construction of streets, curbs, and gutters in neighborhoods.  Middleton says that the Council heard an outcry from the public opposing this construction, and the council went and voted for it anyway.  Middleton says to not have a response from the Council that is consistent to what the people were saying, is a lack of implementation of the wishes of the people.

Berlye Middleton says he will fight for better paying jobs, a new West Side park, and effective storm water management.  Middleton says, "Our neighborhood deserves to be heard when city decisions are made.  I will be that strong voice.  Your vote for me will make certain the West Side is not overlooked.  Together we can make a difference."