Tom Teresinski

Education: Graduated from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a degree in accounting and passed his CPA in Illinois.

Experience: My background includes 35 years in business management as a controller for large manufacturing companies. I have an accounting degree and am a CPA. Other’s have encouraged me to run for office, noting that my background as a controller and as past school board president provide the necessary experience required to help manage a complex city that is facing difficult economic times.

What will you bring to the city if elected?: My first priority will be to address the 2010 budget issues, that we all face together, in a comprehensive way. All stakeholders need to participate in this process which will include citizens, administrators, employees as well as the council. This process needs to be completely open, with adequate time for citizen input on any service reductions that may be considered. We need a balanced budget based largely on spending controls rather than increased taxes. I mentioned above that we should use a comprehensive budget review that “puts everything on the table” and is open to the public. I am a firm believer in a balanced budget but that it be balanced on agreed to priorities (as much as possible) with a view toward the future. Spending controls, with input from the consultant’s benchmarking analysis, will help provide a framework to address cutbacks if needed.