Wednesday, November 6, 2024
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Kewaunee County, meet your county board candidates for the April 7 election

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KEWAUNEE COUNTY - Five seats on the County Board will have contested races in the April 7 election.

Those races are in:

  • District 6 (village of Luxemburg, Wards 1 and 2), where incumbent Daniel Olson faces off against Donna Thomas;
  • District 7 (town of Casco, Ward 2; village of Casco, Ward 1), with Lisa Cochart and Tim Kinnard running to replace Sup. Charles Schmitt, who is not seeking re-election;
  • District 8 (town of Luxemburg, Ward 3; town of Monpelier, Ward 3; village of Luxemburg, Ward 3), with incumbent Douglas Doell being challenged by Frank Madzarevic;
  • District 10 (town of Franklin), with incumbent Thomas Cretney squaring off against John Wochos;
  • and District 12 (town of West Kewaunee, Ward 1), where incumbent Mary Ellen Dobbins will run against Milt Swagel.

Also, in District 5 (village of Luxemburg, Wards 4-5), Sup. Kent Treml is not seeking re-election but no one filed papers to replace him. A write-in candidate will fill the seat.

All other county board candidates in the election are running unopposed, whether they're incumbents seeking re-election or candidates replacing supervisors who chose to not run this year.

The Star-News asked candidates in contested races to respond to a short survey to let readers know who they are and why they're running for office. Not all responded, and not all included photos. Their answers appear below.

District 6: Daniel Olson (I)

  • Age: 50
  • Current occupation: Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Montpelier, and administrator of St. Paul Lutheran School.
  • Family members: Wife, Katie; five children.
  • How long have you lived in your community? Six years in Luxemburg; born and raised in Wisconsin
  • Political and community service experience: Current District 6 Supervisor, Kewaunee County Board; also serving on the county Finance Committee.  I serve the community in numerous ways through my daily vocation. 
  • Contact information: olson.daniel@kewauneeco.org.

Why are you running for office?

It is an opportunity to serve my community.  Luxemburg residents enjoy an excellent quality of life.  There are not many places that a person could go to and find a better environment to raise a family.  I want to see that Luxemburg and Kewaunee County remains a great place to live.

What are the main issues on which you plan to focus when in office?

In my first term as District 6 supervisor, the county’s debt was refinanced with interest savings to the taxpayer of over $400,000.  The current budget lowers total expenditures by $1.2 million.  I supported the approval of financial policy, through the finance committee, that will allow unspent funds to go to debt reduction.

Broadband access will be expanded through grants and loans at no cost to the county.  I supported the adoption of policy that allows the county to enforce state regulations in regard to manure application, improving water quality.  I supported show ring improvements at the fair grounds, helping to ensure a healthy county fair.  I also supported Winter Park improvements (ice skating next season).  This will increase tourism and revenue to the county.

If re-elected, I will continue to build on the success of my first term, fighting for responsible spending on behalf of the taxpayer.  I will pursue additional economic development and strive to improve the quality of life for all Kewaunee County residents. 

District 6: Donna Thomas

  • Age: Not given.
  • Current occupation: Retired registered nurse.
  • Family members: One daughter, two sons; seven grandsons, one granddaughter.
  • How long have you lived in your community? 14 years.
  • Political and community service experience:  Past Kewaunee County Board Supervisor, District 6; member of the Kewaunee County Library Board; board member, Violence Intervention Project; member, Luxemburg-Casco Scholarship fund; past member, Luxemburg Lions while developing diabetes prevention programs.
  • Contact information: donna.thomas1940@yahoo.com.

Why are you running for office?

To continue to serve the citizens of Luxemburg and the county.

What are the main issues on which you plan to focus when in office?  

My focus has always been clean water.  To promote increased broadband, affordable housing, to promote Buy Local and support economic growth by attracting more businesses to the county. To serve on the Health and Human Services Committee.

District 7: Lisa Cochart

  • Age: 50
  • Current occupation: Owner/director, JV Kids LLC DBA Casco Kidz Zone 1 and 2.
  • Family: Husband, Chad; children, Tyler, Vanessa and Matthew; three grandchildren.
  • How long have you lived in your community? 15 years.
  • Political and community service experience: Recently appointed Advisory Board Member for the Early Childhood Program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College; 4-H Leader in Marinette and Kewaunee for over 20 years, serving in many positions at local and state levels; Board of Directors, Kewaunee County Fair; co-chair, Kewaunee County Fairest of the Fair Committee; member of the Luxemburg Area Chamber of Commerce; CLOW Program instructor for Parish of St. Peter Catholic Church, Lincoln.
  • Contact information: 920-255-3637 or cascokidzzone@gmail.com.

Why are you running for office?

Decisions made by the Kewaunee County Board can impact all residents. The county needs leaders who are willing to collaborate and are determined to make a positive difference in all the communities that make up Kewaunee County.

What are the main issues on which you plan to focus when in office?

I promise to work hard representing the 7th District and will be available to the constituents to share their concerns.

Some of the issues I would like to focus on are: Transparency in government; maintaining a pro-growth environment; pursuing solutions to environmental issues; and long-term planning for Kewaunee County that is created, executed and reviewed on a continuous basis.

District 7: Tim Kinnard

  • Age: 49
  • Current occupation: Funeral director and co-owner of Wiesner & Massart Funeral Homes and Wiesner & Massart Inc.
  • Family: Wife, Cindy; children, Rachel and Travis.
  • How long have you lived in your community? 25 years in Casco; entire life in Kewaunee County.
  • Political and community service experience: Luxemburg-Casco Board of Education for 18 years, president of the board for 14 years; Village of Casco trustee since 2003; first responder for the Casco-Lincoln First Responder Organization; past member of the Kewaunee County Economic Development Board, Casco Lions Club and Casco Fire Department.
  • Contact information: 920-255-7749.

Why are you running for office?

I have had a strong interest in local politics for years.  I am a concerned resident of Kewaunee County.  I believe that Kewaunee County is made up of a diverse and resourceful group of people who truly care about and cherish their rural community.  I want our rural community to grow in industry and resources.  

Residents need someone that they can talk with and trust, and someone who will make rational, knowledgeable decisions. I realize that this board is facing a fairly large turnover with this election and I believe that my years of political service can be of benefit to this board.

What are the main issues on which you plan to focus when in office?

I would like to see Kewaunee County sustain its current businesses and bring growth with future industry. I would like to see our county able to offer an increase in job opportunities for the people that live here. I also believe we need a reasonable, workable tax rate. 

District 8: Douglas Doell (I)

Did not respond to multiple requests from the Star-News.

District 8: Frank Madzarevic

  • Age: 65
  • Current occupation: Retired head of University of Wisconsin-Green Bay athletics and recreation facilities for more than 35 years
  • Family: Single.
  • How long have you lived in your community? 35 years in Town of Montpelier.
  • Political and community service experience: Present member, Kewaunee County broadband study committee; present member, Town of Montpelier Planning Commission; previous member, Kewaunee School Board 10-year strategic planning workshop; treasurer, UWGB Retired Employee’s Board; more than 43 years experience with NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball tournaments, athletics and recreation management, festivals, county fairs and special events.
  • Contact information: 920-366-0722 or frankmadz2011@gmail.com.

Why are you running for office?

Water is a big issue here and I learned about it quickly after finding that my own well was contaminated when I was part of the DNR Water Quality Study. Trying to solve my problem first, I learned that many of our residents face the same issue. I wanted to help my county. Working together is so important now.

I also became very involved in broadband accessibility for our county. I was instrumental in locating the expertise to help our Broadband Study Committee to be productive.

As a supervisor, I would be able to examine issues carefully and help all of my neighbors in this county. Because I am now retired, I can attend every committee meeting along with County Board meetings to learn more and represent everyone. I have studied and learned a lot over the last two years. I am rich in time and can devote that to the myriad of issues we all face.

What are the main issues on which you plan to focus when in office?

Living in Kewaunee County for over 35 years, I want to continue to help our county thrive. It is a wonderful place with so many resources and good people. Working together to improve our home is so important, and I want to help.

I will continue to focus on many issues but water and broadband are two of my top areas of expertise. I want to listen not just to my neighbors in Montpelier but also the people from all over this county. We can continue to make this county a wonderful place.

District 10: Thomas Cretney (I)

Did not respond to multiple requests from the Star-News.

District 10: John Wochos

  • Age: 74.
  • Occupation: Selling logs in winter, baling hay in summer.
  • Family: Wife, Linda; children, John and Elizabeth; three grandchildren.
  • How long have you lived in your community? 51 years.
  • Political and community service experience: No political experience; some work with volunteer groups.
  • Contact information: 920-360-4101.

Why are you running for office?

The reason is, taxes are too high. If I lived in Brown County on the same amount of property, my taxes would be about a third less.

What are the main issues on which you plan to focus when in office?

Stop the new jail and stop the new county highway shop. They just added on to the shop a couple years ago, sold equipment, and now they need another new shop? And the county owes millions to the nuclear plant people. Instead of all these new projects, how about paying some of these bills?

District 12: Mary Ellen Dobbins (I)

  • Age: 71
  • Current occupation: Retired elementary schoolteacher teacher. I taught regular and special education in Ashwaubenon (4 years) and Green Bay Area Public Schools (31 years). 
  • Family members: Husband, Thomas Dobbins; two children, Dana Dobbins and Emily Dobbins Brown; three grandchildren. 
  • How long have you lived in your community? 48 years in the Town of West Kewaunee.
  • Political and community service experience: Kewaunee County Board District 12 supervisor for four years, serving on the following committees: Executive, Human Services, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Public Health and Veterans; Chair of the Public Health and Veterans Committee. Also County Board representative to several community committees: Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of the Lakeshore, Violence Intervention Project (VIP) and Bay Lakes Regional Planning Commission. Current member, Kewaunee County Broadband Study Committee. Previous member, Groundwater Task Force Committee (which is now over). Community service experience includes 4H leader; Odyssey of the Mind coach (now Destination Imagination); Kewaunee High School Wrestling Club volunteer; co-president, League of Women Voters of Kewaunee County; Glacial Lakes Conservancy member; Door-Kewaunee Retired Educators Association member; Violence Intervention Project board secretary.    
  • Contact information: 920-388-4178 or dobbins.mary@kewauneco.org.  

Why are you running for office?

My husband and I moved to Kewaunee County over 48 years ago because we wanted to live and raise a family in the country in West Kewaunee Township. My family has enjoyed the beauty of country living, the strong education my children received in Kewaunee schools, and the friendly spirit of neighbors.

I am running for Kewaunee County Board to give back to the community that I have been part of for the last 48 years. For four years I have tried to listen to and honestly represent the people of Kewaunee County. I realize that I need to keep on listening and that I have more to learn.  I am willing to put in the time if people support me with their votes. 

What are the main issues on which you plan to focus when in office?

Water quality and economic development are two of the most important issues affecting the Town of West Kewaunee and all of Kewaunee County. While campaigning for office and serving as supervisor, those are the two issues that people mention overwhelmingly.

West Kewaunee people are concerned about safe drinking water and healthy streams and rivers. They realize that farming is an integral part of life in West Kewaunee and Kewaunee County as a whole. But successful farming should be able to co-exist with safe well water and healthy streams and rivers.

Another critical issue is economic development. Kewaunee County is an aging community with many retirees. There needs to be economic opportunities for young people so that they want to live here instead of leaving the county to seek employment.  We need to improve internet service in the rural areas of the county so that more individuals can work out of their homes.

Kewaunee County should build a strong, diverse economy. It should be a place where businesses of all sizes can thrive. This includes individuals in business for themselves, small businesses and large businesses.

District 12: Milt Swagel

  • Age: 58.
  • Occupation: Farmer.
  • Family: Parents, Ray and Betty.
  • How long have you lived in your community? 58 years.
  • Political and community service experience: Officer, Kewaunee Knights of Columbus; former member and director, Kewaunee County Farm Bureau; member, Robinson American Legion Post 538. Ran for County Board, 2018, and Town of West Kewaunee chairperson, 2019.
  • Contact information: 920-388-0274.

Why are you running for office?

To be involved, to serve my neighbors and friends and get off the chair and see if I can cut some expenses to help people out. I think the county spends way too much money.

What are the main issues on which you plan to focus when in office?

Just to not be afraid to say "no" sometimes when the county asks to spend money. It's the taxpayers' money, not the county board's money.

And, as a resident, I drink well water. It's very important to have clean water and clean air.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Kewaunee County, meet your county board candidates for the April 7 election

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