Kris Breunig : I grew up mostly in Janesville, WI and graduated from Janesville Craig High School in 1992.  After graduation, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served 22 years on active duty and earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Business/ORLE from Marquette University during that time.  I am a veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Kosovo War, and Afghanistan War. Upon retirement, my family and I settled here in Cambridge to be closer to family and because of the outstanding reputation of the Cambridge School District. I have served in the public capacity on the Cambridge Village board since 2017, taking up various positions on committees, sub-committees, and commissions during that time. I am running for Village President because the incumbent has been unopposed for the last few election cycles, and I feel our constituents deserve a choice. I also feel there needs to be a change in leadership. 

Mark McNally: I grew up in Palmyra, Wisconsin and learned early about Lake Ripley, Cambridge athletics and Judd's Supper Club.  Twenty years ago, my business partner and I decided to invest in Cambridge and construct condominiums.  In 2017 I ran for the Board of Trustees of Cambridge and two years later was elected as President of Cambridge.  

Kris Breunig:EXPERIENCES: Between 2017 and now I have held the following positions: Cambridge Village President Pro-tem, Cambridge Village Board Trustee, Cambridge Library Board Member, Personnel Committee Chair, Audit & Finance Committee Chair, Board of Review Member, Joint Police Committee Member, Water & Sewer Committee Chair, Public Works Committee Member, Cambridge Fire/EMS Commission member.

SKILLS: I retired from the U.S. Navy in 2014 after a long career serving as both an enlisted sailor and commissioned officer. In that capacity, I learned temperance and empathy, but most importantly, servant-leadership and I would like to bring that leadership experience into the role of Village President. I am deeply mired in the challenges and issues we face as a community. Bottom line: I care; so, I am compelled and committed to continue serving the Village of Cambridge. 

PERSPECTIVE: A commitment to caring. When you care for one another and/or community, it’s all too easy to focus on your shortcomings, real or imagined. In times like these, it’s difficult to see that the very act of showing up, trying your best and caring unconditionally proves you are worthy of the responsibility bestowed upon you by the electors.

Mark McNally: I graduated from UW-Whitewater with a major in accounting and a minor in finance.  While providing CPA services in the Madison area I also served as a merger and acquisition advisor.  I hosted a weekly radio show on WIBA-1310 for 5 years, authored 3 books, wrote a newspaper column, and was a frequent guest on all 3 major networks in the Madison market.  My media background and professional training has helped me immensely in identifying and solving difficult problems.

Kris Breunig: A diversified economy is more resilient to economic shocks (expensive service costs like fire/Ems/police) than one that relies on a single industry, making Cambridge less vulnerable to downturns. Economic development creates opportunities for our residents to find good jobs, start businesses, and improve their standard of living. 

Mark McNally: Economic development is vitally important even to a quasi "bedroom community" such as Cambridge.  In order to attract and retain local businesses that both residents and visitors enjoy, there must be a healthy respect between both parties.  This presupposes a willingness to listen and invest when appropriate.

Kris Breunig: “OUR CAMBRIDGE – FAIR FOR ALL” My vision/hope is that Cambridge continues to evolve into a village in which all citizens feel that they are listened to and can influence public decision making, and which values, supports and responds to individual and community initiatives not just with tax dollars, but with sweat equity.

Mark McNally: My vision for a 5-year outlook is to ensure that all store fronts on Main Street have viable businesses.   In 15 years, I would like to see a healthy improvement in housing stock.  This is very important especially for the entry level-work place housing sector.  This may well call for property annexation however developers/owners will need to initiate the process.

Kris Breunig: We need to change the attitudes of lost hope in our Cambridge downtime area.  Small, positive changes (Like Cathy’s Marketplace and Strictly Discs) start taking place and as the revitalization initiative consistently meets its goals, public attitudes begin changing, too. Our community moves away from the stories of “Remember when…” to “I can’t wait for the Grand Opening of…”

Mark McNally: I am in total support of our Comprehensive Plan as currently written; I however realize that Cambridge may need to modify its plan from time to time.  I support growth and new businesses and would like to see our closed business windows filled with new merchants.  I have had numerous conversations with developers about utilizing and or relocating structures to maximize our offerings along Main Street.

Kris Breunig: First things first, we need to fix it, so it is SAFE to use and then open a forum to the businesses and public to gauge interest in future transformation.

Mark McNally: Regarding Spring Water Street, formerly Spring Water Alley, I am advocating for water drainage improvements and street replacement using LRIP monies as soon as this year.  I am not in favor of closing the street as it would close off vehicular usage.  This would affect the businesses located on Main Street, parking in the Amundson Lot and the library/village office operations.

Kris Breunig: A strong economy can support the arts, culture, and recreational activities, enriching the lives of residents. I am a fan of looking at the key historic moments that have helped put Cambridge on the map and allow that to enhance our identity (Ole Evinrude, Arthur Davidson, Rowe Pottery, Matt Kenseth, etc).  I am open to reaching out across the drink and working with the City of Cambridge, England to share ideas on developing downtown.

Mark McNally: The key economic business corridors include Main Street, Highway 18 from the high school in to Cambridge and the new Highway 12 & 18/Highway 134 connection.  I'd like to see a development on the Highway 134 intersection with 12 & 18 and have talked to developers about this possibility.  We also need to repurpose the old Kwik Trip location and remove yet another empty storefront in the next 18 months.

Kris Breunig: Allow the existing businesses to sponsor and coach a new business, much like the Chamber of Commerce model.

Mark McNally: When it comes to attracting new businesses to Cambridge it is going to depend on their operations.  Yes, we have empty storefronts on Main Street, but you are not going to successfully bring in a Best Buy or a Doubletree.  These types of entities need huge footprints and with the limited parking on Main Street, that is simply not an option.  Rather we should be looking at smaller shops, artisanal in nature, that can benefit from cross pollination. The Village along with its leadership should be vocally active in this dialogue.

Kris Breunig: I would like to initiate talks with our neighbors in Waterloo and the TREK company to see if they would be interested in opening a bike shop on main, close to the trails.

Mark McNally: Making downtown Cambridge more pedestrian and bicycle friendly is a little more complicated.  This is due to the downtown traffic along Highway 12, much of it headed to either Madison or Fort Atkinson.  A couple of years back, I met with the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and discussed a possible by-pass.  I was told that there is not enough daily count to justify the anticipated $200 million price tag.  Accordingly, we can expect to live with our downtown as a throughfare for the foreseeable future.  This is also the case for Highway 18 although the pressure points are not as sensitive.   I am all in favor of a roundabout where Highway 12 connects with Highway 18.

Kris Breunig: While there are some government and nonprofit resources that can support certain revitalization activities, no outside entity can—or will—revitalize your community’s commercial district. Only local leadership, from both the public and private sectors, can save downtown. So, the best mechanism is still open lanes of communication and the ability to attract outside “funders” with their investments of time and money.

Mark McNally: Communication between the business community and local government is extremely vital.  To that end I used to attend the Chamber of Commerce meetings before they disbanded and connected with Fort Atkinson.  I have and will continue to drop in on the downtown business owners who meet on Wednesday mornings as well as my Friday morning "rounds."  These have been helpful in advising the Trustees, coordinating with law enforcement and promoting the events including the annual Memorial Day Parade, Fire Fest, Halloween children's parade, and Cambridge Country Christmas.  I am receptive to further ideas in order to promote our community.

Kris Breunig: The F-Words: Family & Friends meet for Festivals like Fire Fest, diverse Food trucks, a robust Farmer’s market, Free concerts at the park, Fireman’s Parade & Breakfast, Fitness experiences From February to Fall.  Downtown Cambridge: A Framework for Fun! (How many can you think of?)

Mark McNally: Cambridge continues to be a community of local artisans, small businesses, and residents.  I really do not see this changing.  This is what gives us our small-town character.  Where the disconnect comes in is with the responsibility as a trustee to see the issue thru the prism of all 3 parties...not just one.  I have endeavored, and will continue to do so, to look at our challenges and opportunities with everyone in mind.

Kris Breung: Strengthening Inter-Governmental agreements and partnerships with neighboring municipalities. Share Public Works and Water & Sewer equipment with neighboring communities so that the savings can go to ED.

Mark McNally: I think we should continue to collaborate with county and educational institutions including Madison College and UW Whitewater.  Not all of our high school students are going to go on and attend either technical school or college and we should attempt to establish avenues with local employers which I have done.  The university in Whitewater is a wonderful resource and could no doubt be useful in helping to sharpen our focus on appropriate business development.