Eleva Village Board election surveys

ELEVA - Four candidates are running for three seats on the Eleva Village Board in the spring election next Tuesday, April 2. Polls in the village open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

The candidates for election to the Eleva Village Board are Kyle Downing, Jake Mai, Ben Aiona, and Brett Semingson. Both Aiona and Semingson are incumbents running for re-election.

The Tri-County Area Times has sent out questionnaire surveys to the candidates on topics of relevance to the Village of Eleva. Downing and Mai both have return them. Here are their responses:

Kyle Downing

1). What's the most important thing you hope to accomplish in the term on the village board you are running for?

Since the time I moved to Eleva approximately 17 years ago, I knew this small town would be a place I'd call home for many years to come. The Eleva village board is comprised of many great and compassionate individual that I believe truly want what is best for the community. What I wish to accomplish in my first term on the village board is not really out of line with the direction the existing board members are moving. I want the best for the community which includes a safe community where our children can grow and thrive, clean drinking water for all, beautified areas where community members can enjoy the outdoors, and keeping Eleva on a list of places where people want to live and raise their families.

2). How do you hope to improve the village's fiscal situation?

Unfortunately, being small town with limited revenue means that tough choices will need to be made on a revolving basis. Being a financially responsible individual myself, I hope to be a voice of reason when budgetary constraints are being evaluated and be able to help the board make the most responsible decision.

3). What's the most important challenge that's facing Village of Eleva that needs to be met?

I believe priority issues that the village of Eleva is facing is aging infrastructure, this includes deteriorating roads, water mains that have exceeded their useful life span, discolored water, a broken dam that has led to the once beautiful pond reverting to the small creek that it used to be and many residents bothered by the compounded issues listed. Eleva is slowly losing the curb appeal it once had.

Jake Mai
1). What's the most important thing you hope to accomplish in the term on the village board you are running for?

I hope to assist in plans for the future of the broken dam and space our lake once was. While understanding how there may be many parts to a resolution, making sure the best decision is made from those most feasible solutions is my goal.

2). How do you hope to improve the village's fiscal situation?
I hope to improve the fiscal situation by seeing what grants are available to the community. Whether infrastructural, environmental, agricultural, etc. grants seem to ease direct financial impact on our community members.

3). What's the most important challenge that's facing Village of Eleva that needs to be met?
I believe that one of the most important challenges that is affecting our village is the water infrastructure and facilities. The in ground infrastructure has been there for decades and seems to have become susceptible to more water main breaks. Understanding the financial impact this imposes, safe and healthy drinking water is vital for community health.