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About Me

Meet Jim Koleski, C. P. A.

Husband, Father and Volunteer living in Elm Grove

Jim Koleski

I pledge to always listen to your concerns and do my best to engage in dialogue with you. I want us to mutually understand the "why" on decisions impacting our community.

About Me

Growing up in Milwaukee and attending U – W – Whitewater provided me with the work ethic and values to be a successful Businessman. After living in Rochester, Minnesota for fourteen years it was time to move back to Milwaukee to support my aging parents in 2010, relocating to Elm Grove.

We located in Elm Grove due to its quiet charm, location and small community feel and have relished our time here. Over the past 11 years, we have enjoyed biking and walking throughout our community and participating in the parades and other special events hosted at the incredible Village Park. In 2017, I accepted a position as a commissioner on the Elm Grove Building Board and have enjoyed my time supporting residents’ continual investment in their homes, keeping small-town community charm as a priority.

My wife and I have 2 grown children and we enjoy visiting them in New York and Washington, D. C. We also enjoy traveling and am exploring other cultures.

I retired in 2022 from a mid-size manufacturing business in Menomonee Falls as its Chief Financial Officer. Currently, I am investing time to build a new consulting practice to give back to small and medium-size companies by solving the issues facing business owners today.

In 2021, I successfully ran for and was elected as Village Trustee. I have enjoyed my time serving as Finance Committee Chair and a member of the Public Works and Building Board Committee.

WHY AM I RUNNING FOR VILLAGE PRESIDENT

In December, 2022, I was reviewing actions taken by the Finance Committee with current President Neil Palmer. At that time he informed me that he was not seeking re-election. This news reinforced my desire to expand my volunteer role with the Elm Grove Board and run for President.

Neil has left a strong legacy of stewardship and service to the Village and I thank him for his service.

I look forward to leading the Board as we tackle and discuss the challenges facing the Village, but also many surrounding communities. I will approach the position with a fresh view and engage with the community in meaningful and open dialogue.

I will continue to support reasonable development in the Village that will be of a scale to enhance the charm of our community and at a cost to the Village that is reasonable. I know change is difficult and hard. However, working together and actively listening and exploring various options to understand and mutually agreeing on the best course of action is required to keep our Village vibrant and sustain he charm that makes it a special place to live and raise a Family.

Utilize my Experience as Village Trustee

  • Leverage lessons learnedserving on Finance (Committee Chair), Public Works and Building Board (Member) committees to support community priorities
  • Engage with excellent Village team in place and support their efforts serving the community
  • Provide strategic direction and review alternatives to build best solutions on major projects with input from residents
  • Support improved communications of major ongoing activities, upcoming decisions and proposed path forward

Guide Major Projects Shaping Elm Grove’s Future

  • Review and approve the Downtown Master Plan and the expected impact on development
  • Support review of Fire and Emergency Services
  • Explore possible municipal water expansion and funding of capital investment and related resident assessments
  • Lead the review of the Daylighting of Underwood Creek
  • Review and monitor Charlton Heights (Mandel) development and associated TID Funding commitment
  • Work to Sustain and grow the local businesses located in the Village

Exercise Fiscal Conservatism & Accountability

  • Find solutions hands-on as Finance Chair with limited ability to increase revenues
  • Be a steward of the Village’sExcellent Financial Position and explain “why” projects arefunded
  • Enforce accountability on myself and the rest of the board to make sure all decisions are in the best interest of our community
  • Challenge expert reports and review different options to validate the benefits and challenges of any development, including their impacts on traffic, property values, credit rating and public safety

Increase Community Engagement

  • Invite open conversation and actively listen to residents about all village business
  • Encourage discussion by gathering input from residents on all sides of an issue
  • Create an open atmosphere where all voices are heard to implement the best possible solutions

Jim has been a trusted supporter of the Village and has worked hard for years making this a great place to live.

Jan

 

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