Weidner elected Kewaunee County board chairman

In a close race, the Kewaunee County Board of Supervisors Wednesday night elected Robert Weidner as its chairman by a 11-9 vote over opponent Lee Luft.

Weidner replaces Ron Heuer who served from 2014 to 2016.  Heuer lost in the District 12 county supervisor election to Mary Ellen Dobbins on April 5.

The county board elects a new chairman every two years by a majority vote of its county supervisors.

Weidner had served as county chairman from 2004 to 2014 and most recently was head of the county's Law Enforcement and Emergency Management Committee.

A District 4 Supervisor representing the towns of Luxemburg and Red River, Weidner heads a lumber company in Luxemburg.

The new county board faces major issues in the next year due to continued revenue shortfalls, ground and surface water pollution, an outdated jail and landfill costs and capacity.

In a 12-8 vote, the county board elected Linda Sinkula vice chairman over Charles Wagner.   It unanimously reelected Larry Kirchman as chairman of its Highway/Solid Waste Committee.

The board also voted to hold a special meeting on May 2 to finalize the appointment of committees and committee chairs.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: Weidner elected Kewaunee County board chairman