City gets triple A bond rating thanks to aldermen

Public Forum:

Moody's Investor Service has assigned the city of New Berlin and Aaa bond rating. New Berlin is one of only five communities in Wisconsin to hold an Aaa rating.

Prior to the April 6 aldermanic elections, information was distributed to residents, stating that New Berlin's bond rating was being put at risk for various reasons. This and other misleading information was targeted at the three incumbent aldermen seeking re-election.

Some of the information was authorized and paid for by We Care New Berlin, an independent committee listing Linda Richter as its treasurer.

Similar information was distributed by a group called Take Back Our City, a group of past city of New Berlin officials who are concerned about our future that lists Rush Wilkens as its treasurer. Some of the names on their list of former elected officials were voted out of office after one term.

The New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government, which lists its treasurer as Dolores Karner, supported the three incumbent aldermen after interviewing the candidates that accepted their invitation to speak to the group.

We have an outstanding Common Council, working in the best interest of the residents and taxpayers of New Berlin. I'm very proud of aldermen John Hopkins, Ted Wysocki, Ron Seidl, Ken Harenda and Dave Ament. In December, these aldermen made hard decisions during tough economic times to reach a zero-percent property tax increase without sacrificing city services.

Mayor Jack Chiovatero's veto of the city budget was overridden, 5-1, with Alderman Bill Moore voting against the override.

Deena Liska is the newly elected alderwoman in District 5. I have observed her for two Common Council meetings and was very impressed.

Vern Bentley

New Berlin