Juul seeks Ward 3 spot on Marinette Common Council

“The REC Center is something I believed in from day one,” he said. “It is a great asset for our community, and I am impressed by the contributions from both businesses and individuals that have helped build and support the facility. I see a lot of new construction taking place, including a hotel, car wash and new Mexican restaurant, as well as a mall area that is thriving again after facing the strong possibility of closing and becoming a big empty blight in our community.”

Juul said he also believes housing is a very important issue facing the city, and that it should be the highest priority going forward.

“I know the city has been and is continuing to look for ways to increase our available housing,” he said. “I think the city is doing a great job encouraging all development, but especially its focus on housing. We have a lot to offer our current and future residents, and I want us to do everything we can to encourage new housing.”

Another important issue for Juul is the ongoing narcotic and meth problem that Marinette deals with on a daily basis. “I believe the drug court and New Bridges to Recover Center building are two great steps to help our community reduce our ongoing problem with meth and narcotics,” he said. “We need to build and expand those programs to help our young men and women break the habit and get clean, as they are our future.”

Juul said he knows that TIF (Tax Incremental Funding) incentives are important to encourage development in Marinette. “We are not the only city in the state looking for development, and TIF incentives are one variable a developer will look at when deciding on a project,” he said, adding that he also understands how residents can get upset when developers expect these incentives.

“It is important that the city make sure the incentives provide increased tax revenue in a way that makes financial sense for the city. The goal is to make sure the increased revenues outweigh the costs incurred.” This is an area where Juul feels that his background as a business owner, and previously as a CPA, will help. “There is a lot of truth to the old adage that figures don’t lie, but liars can figure.”

He also believes that PFAS contamination is a problem that will require the efforts of all levels of government, as well as help from private industry, to come up with solutions. “PFAS and related chemicals are not new, but until recently they were not even regulated,” he said. “We are not alone in having to find ways to remove these chemicals from our environment; PFAS is everywhere. As an alderperson, I will advocate for the assistance and funding from the state, private industry, and federal agencies needed to find solutions to this problem.”

Juul said he has learned from being in business that litigation is probably the least effective way to deal with problems. “One thing I have learned over the years is a lawsuit is something that turns a problem that can be solved in a day into a problem that can take many years and a lot of money to resolve,” he said. “I obviously do not know a lot about the current lawsuit filed against the city by my opponent but the fact that it shows no signs of ending soon tells me it is not as cut and dried as initial reports suggested. I believe this lawsuit is a terrible waste of our taxpayer dollars, and the time and talents of many of our public officials.”

Juul and his family have lived in Marinette since 1998, when he took a job at The Motor Company, where he is currently employed as the general manager.

He has served on the Packerland Ford Dealers Advertising board as well as his church’s finance council and Saint Thomas Aquinas Academy school board. His wife, Judy, is a home care physical therapist working for Northland Lutheran Home Care. Together they have two children, Emily and Weston.

Editor’s Note: Candidates are allowed one article to announce their candidacy and present their platform.