St. Croix County Board candidates respond to questions

Talk about it

All 19 seats on the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors are up for election April 3, and there are contests in 12 of those districts.

Candidates in those 12 districts were sent questionnaires. Printed below are the responses that were received.

Travis Schachtner

Age: 32

Address: 2116 54th St., Somerset

Occupation: Leadership consultant

Family: Wife Dawn Nissen

Prior elected office: None

Civic involvement: American Legion, Mensa, Toastmasters

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

One of the immediate problems is the New Richmond Health Center.

The attacks that it has been under show the huge disconnect between the public and many of our current elected officials. This highlights that we need people in office who are open to sound plans for success instead of trying to perpetuate failure.

The long-term problem that we are facing is that we are ill-prepared for our growth. St. Croix County is the fastest growing county in the state, and the new bridge will only increase our growth rate. We need to be laying the ground work now, before the bridge is built, so that we can have a successful future.

Ryan S. Sicard

Age: 33

Address: P.O. Box 237, Somerset

Occupation: Information technology manager, School District of Somerset, 14 years

Prior elected office: St. Croix County Board, appointed 2009, re-elected 2010 (administration and transportation committees); Village of Somerset, elected 2002, continuously since (chair Public Works/ Parks Committee, 10 years)

Civic involvement: St. Croix Economic Development Corporation, board director since 2008, president 2011-2012; Coalition for the New River Crossing, member; Somerset Youth Athletic Association, past director; Somerset Lions Club, charter member, currently secretary and membership director

What do you see as the main challenges facing the county at this time and what help can you offer?

St. Croix County has gone through many changes during the past term. The board was reduced from 31 members to 19, with a new committee structure. The county recently changed to a county administrator form of government. I am proud to have been a member of the committee which selected County Administrator Patrick Thompson.

The County Board recently adopted and prioritized a new strategic plan: community development, public safety and criminal justice, protecting at-risk populations, transportation, economic development and financial health of the county. My experienced leadership background is in transportation, economic development and the overall financial health of the county.

The board must address long-range facility planning this term which includes the nursing home. As St. Croix County continues to lead the state and nation in growth, these are important times and steady leadership is required.

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Agnes Ring

Age: 57

Address: 1488 23rd St., Houlton

Occupation: Professional services consulting, including planning, grant strategies, marketing and management

Family: Married to Mark Vanasse, 26 years; two sons, both students at UW-Madison

Prior elected office: None

Civic Involvement: Board of Directors, Westfields Hospital; founding member, Friends of Perch Lake; Church of St. Anne, past member of Parish Council and St. Anne School Ministry of Education; Wisconsin Planning Association; Stewardship Project; Midwest Organic Sustainable Education Service (MOSES); past member, Deerfield Board of Directors; member of first Hudson Community Education Advisory Committee

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

The people, natural resources, infrastructure and businesses of St. Croix County make it a special place. As the fastest growing county in the state, and with the imminent construction of the St. Croix River Crossing (finally!), we face many opportunities and challenges to influence the quality of life here.

My vision for St. Croix County is: (1) A strong, diverse and growing economy that provides the foundation for a high quality of life for our residents. (2) An environment in which our natural resources are protected. (3) Excellence and efficiency in providing county services in community development, health and human services, transportation and public protection.

I have a long-term perspective. My family’s roots in the county go back to the 1850s. I will work collaboratively and exercise sound judgment and fiscal responsibility in making decisions that are in the long-term best interest of this special place.

Jay Griggs

Age: 64

Address: 266 Red Pine Trail, Hudson

Occupation: Owner, Griggs Aviation at New Richmond Airport; commercial pilot; Amery airport manager; former owner/publisher of Hudson, River Falls and Ellsworth newspapers

Family: Wife Margaret Ontl; two adult children; three grandchildren

Prior elected office: Ellsworth Village Board, 2 years.

Civic involvement: St. Croix County Economic Development Corporation, past board member; founding member of Pierce County, Hudson, River Falls and Ellsworth development corporations; board member, past president, Hudson Community Foundation, 10 years; Hudson Hospital Foundation, board member, 9 years; original board member, St. Croix Business Park; 10 years; now secretary, past president, Carpenter Nature Center board, 15 years; founding board member, past president, St. Croix Valley YMCA, 10 years; St. Paul YMCA, board member, 6 years; board member, past president Wisconsin Newspaper Association; Member of Hudson Rotary Club member, 16 years

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

County government’s main challenge is controlling spending while providing high quality, appropriate government services and maintaining a strong local economy.

I can help by using my experience as a business owner (34 years) and my education (master’s degree in business administration), as well as the knowledge I have gained through a lifetime of community service.

As a career journalist, I have attended hundreds of local government meetings and have learned a lot about how our systems work by observing elected officials and government employees in action.

As a 25-year resident of the county, I have worked hard to create jobs and tax base and improve the area’s quality of life. I would like to continue my commitment to community service and volunteerism by serving on the St Croix County Board.

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Tim Hood

Age: 56 years

Address: 1095 Golden Oaks Lane, Hudson

Occupation: Retired; professional pilot, over 33 years; 7½ years USAF, 26 years Northwest/Delta; now partner in small business, Arctic Wild Seafood

Family: Spouse Wendy

Prior elected office: None

Civic involvement: Elder and treasurer at Oakridge Community Church

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

The main challenge facing our county is providing essential services for county residents at a level that maintains St. Croix County as a desirable place to live and work, while not imposing unnecessary property taxes or fees. This task is made challenging by the current sluggish economy, high unemployment, skyrocketing gas prices and decreased state and federal funding provided to counties.

We all desire quality roads, schools, police and fire protection provided in conjunction with our towns and municipalities. We achieve this by making wise decisions on how we spend tax revenue. I believe government functions best when it is limited, local and lives within a budget.

After traveling around this country and the world for years, I have found no finer place than St. Croix County and no finer people than its residents.

Dietmar Schlei

Age: 68

Address: 458 McCutcheon Lane, Hudson

Occupation: Retired from 3M; former corporate auditor, former medical researcher

Family: Wife Judy Wyatt-Schlei; one son

Prior elected office: School Board member of Twin Cities German Immersion School, 2 years; Board of Directors of the Germanic-American Institute, 10 years; Board of Directors Chemical Manufacturers Association, 4 years

Civic involvement: Germanic-American Institute, German American Chamber of Commerce, 3M Language Society, Triumph Vintage Car Club

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

The major problem in the county is the fact that we have to deal with shrinking revenues and expanding needs for services.

As an auditor, I will make sure that every tax penny is spent as efficiently as possible and that the county board is held responsible for its decisions. If elected, I will be the taxpayers’ auditor on the board of supervisors.

Other looming problems are the county nursing home and rising human resources costs.

In regards to the county nursing home, I will follow the decision of the voters and the outcome of the upcoming referendum on the nursing home.

I will deal with rising human resources costs by applying my knowledge that I gained as an auditor who had responsibilities for human resources issues at 3M.

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Howard F. Novotny

Age: 58

Address: 734 Woodcrest Drive North, Hudson

Occupation: 3M (34 years) technical service specialist

Family: Wife Karen Novotny; three grown daughters

Community involvement: North Hudson Park Board commissioner, 6 years

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

“Sunlight is said to be the best disinfectant.” The statement by Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis refers to the need for openness and transparency of government. It was not intended to be taken literally as a call to hold public meetings during daylight or at 9 a.m. on weekdays.

The St. Croix County Board meets while most of us are at work. Short of taking a day off to observe the proceedings -- I use the term “observe” since only rarely are comments allowed from the floor -- the public must wait for videotape of proceedings to be posted days later.

If the fourth district elects me to represent them on the County Board, I will actively pursue holding the monthly meetings at times convenient for working people. I will also request that all committee hearings be videotaped, as that is where discussions and decisions actually occur.

Daryl Standafer

Age: 69

Address: 602 Helen St. North, Hudson

Occupation: Retired banker

Family: Married to wife Jan Standafer, 49 years; four children; 11 grandchildren

Prior elected office: St. Croix County supervisor, 18 years; currently County Board chairman; Village of North Hudson trustee, 3 years

Civic involvement: Coalition for the New River Crossing, Executive Committee; Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, past treasurer and director; Hudson Daybreak Rotary, charter member, Paul Harris Fellow; Hudson Area Library Foundation, director; Wisconsin Bankers Association; Wisconsin Counties Association; volunteer for various community organizations, including Hudson YMCA (Y Partners), United Way, Phipps Center for the Arts

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

The main challenge is how to provide cost-effective government.

We must acknowledge that governments rely on taxes to fund operations. Increasing demand for services and the cost of providing expanded services have caused budgets to rise disproportionately. As citizens and elected officials, we need to balance the demand for services with the tax revenues required to pay for them.

St. Croix County has operated with a conservative fiscal policy. The county has achieved a strong bond rating because of our prudent financial management. Current policy of maintaining reserves and minimizing tax increases must be continued, even with the pressure of increased population and economic growth.

My service on the County Board since 1994 has included chairman of Finance and most recently Board chairman. My professional career, after growing up on a large dairy farm, was spent as a banker. This provides the depth of experience necessary to effectively deal with the challenge.

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Sharon Norton-Bauman

Age: 70

Address: 1150 Front St. South, Hudson

Occupation: Retired

Family: Husband William K. Bauman; four children; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild

Prior elected office: St. Croix County Board of Supervisors, 6 years; Monroe School Board, 6 years

Civic involvement: District 8 Committee, Office of Lawyer Regulation, 4 years; St. Croix County Economic Development Corporation board, 2 years; past-president, Grace Lutheran Church, Monroe; past 4-H leader; past member Wisconsin Grocers Association; Holstein-Friesian Association of America; past member Monroe Library Board; many other past civic and professional affiliations

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

The main challenge for the county at this time is to continue to provide needed services to county taxpayers in the face of declining revenues and to keep the tax levy at a minimum level while maintaining those services.

I was elected by my peers as chair of the Administration Committee, which presented a budget to the board the past two years which did not levy taxes to the maximum allowed by the state. We prepared those budgets with cooperation from department directors and staff.

I have served on Finance, Community Development, SCEDC and ADRC committees. I am able to provide experience and leadership on a board which will have a majority of new members during the next term. I believe I have been a voice of moderation and civility and look forward to continuing my service to the citizens of District 5 and St. Croix County in these challenging times.

Fred Yoerg

Age: 58

Address: 322 Locust St., Hudson

Occupation: Sales, Swedish Steel

Prior elected office: No elected positions

Civic involvement: Hudson Plan Commission, 13 years; Trinity Lutheran Church, Property Board, 4 years

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

The main challenge facing St. Croix County will be the future decline of incoming revenue from the federal and state government. Counties will be forced to collect higher taxes and fees to offset this loss of funding, or look for other ways to offset this loss of funding in their operation.

This is not bad, as taxation then returns to local control. However, federal and state government should not mandate services and tell us to pay for these. This should be decided at the local level.

Counties will have to weigh several options: Can they operate more efficiently? Will they raise taxes? Will fees rise? Or will there be changes to the services it provides? This is where I feel I can be of service and help.

Suzanne Van Mele

Age: 66

Address: 393 Coulee Trail, Hudson

Occupation: Just retired; IT applications developer/ business analyst, 30 years; real estate sales, appraisal experience, 7 years

Family: Currently single, spouse deceased, married 21 years

Prior elected office: Current Town of Troy Park Board member, 3 years; Willow River Owls (Willow River State Park Friends Group), board member, 2 years, secretary, 2 years; president, Student Management Association, Alverno College, Milwaukee, 1 year

Civic involvement: Committee to bring high speed internet and cable to Troy, member; American Association of University Women, past member; Alverno College Alumnae Association; Twin Cities Oracle Users Group; other technical groups

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

In these challenging times, I’ll make careful choices limited by a lean budget and less revenue from state and federal sources, to advocate for essential human services, preservation of transportation infrastructure, timely facilities maintenance, adequate public protection and promotion of economic/ job growth. My experience in manufacturing, banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, as a realtor and home builder (Kenosha) will serve me well in this office.

I’ve concluded that it’s difficult to balance a demanding fulltime career and do this job well. For that reason, I’ve waited until now to consider taking on a supervisor’s duties and to be available to listen and respond to residents. I am humbled that Buzz Marzolf, our current supervisor, has endorsed my candidacy. I am free to make no strings-attached decisions that serve in the best interest of and are fair to everyone.

Tom Hawksford

Age: 50

Address: 515 E. Cove Road, Hudson

Occupation: Consulting sales executive, Cerner Corporation; previously ran business units for large publically traded corporations; started and ran two small businesses

Family: Wife Mary; six children

Prior elected office: No prior elected offices

Civic involvement: Coached my daughters and sons in sports; Hudson Basketball Association board; foster parent

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

The county faces a number of important issues, but I believe the most significant one is maintaining the quality of life we enjoy while at the same time reducing or, at a minimum, keeping taxes at their current level. As with families’ finances and business profitability, the key to success is controlled, deliberate spending.

I am running for county supervisor because I believe that my conservative principles, combined with my experience running successful businesses and managing people, will enable me to contribute to fiscally responsible decisions for St. Croix County.

Like me, many people are frustrated with the ever-expanding government and excessive spending. I look forward to working on your behalf to cultivate an efficiently run government while maintaining the great quality of life we have in St. Croix County.

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Ronald (Ron) F. Kiesler

Age: 48

Address: 1359 Parkview Drive, New Richmond

Occupation: Pierce County Community Behavioral Health Program manager

Family: Spouse Laura Kiesler; adult daughter and son

Prior elected office: None

Civic involvement: Former member of Youth and Family Initiatives of New Richmond; former New Richmond Youth Soccer, Youth Little League and Youth Flag Football coach; brought wrap-around services (known as Coordinated Family Services), MATRIX chemical dependency treatment and certified Mental Health Emergency/Mobile Crisis Services to St. Croix County; brought certified Multi-Systemic Therapy to county and the first in state; introduced drug court to St. Croix court system

What do you see as the main challenges facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

The challenges facing St. Croix County are numerous. What do I bring to the table to help? In a word, “Experience.” I worked for St. Croix County for over 24 years. I understand the current financial challenges, politics and administration so my learning curve as a new supervisor will not be nearly as steep as someone having no county experience.

Just a few major issues we face as a county include declining state revenue sharing; the future of the county nursing home; rapidly deteriorating health and human services buildings; and how to support our most valuable assets in St. Croix County: our employees and our residents.

For decades, now, St. Croix County has been repeatedly one of the fastest growing and wealthiest (per capita) counties in the state. We simply cannot allow our residents to go without the services they deserve. Whatever happened to our informal motto…“Service is our Purpose”?

Kristy Teske

Age: 33

Address: 1455 Doman Drive, No. 4, New Richmond

Occupation: Center director, Bear Buddies Child Development Center

Family: Two sons

Prior elected office: None

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

The main challenge facing the residents is the government operating business that competes with private enterprise. By the county competing with other businesses -- whether we are dealing with recycling, elderly care facilities (nursing home), a quarry or contracting -- unfair business practices are created. Taxpayers who own and operate similar private business are forced to pay taxes that subsidize their competition.

I feel that government interference with private enterprise only causes increased taxes in order to pay for operating businesses. The residents of this county are hurting enough. Higher taxes are not an option. When I was talking to people in District 13, their main concern was taxes.

The way to cut taxes is to shrink government and cut spending. Just like what I do with my own budget: Cut expenses. Three quarters of the county budget goes towards salaries. I will work towards shrinking the size of the government. I will listen to my district and work towards making their life better in these tough times.

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Andy Brinkman

Age: 39

Address: 1406 166th Ave., New Richmond

Occupation: Sales manager

Family: Significant other Karen; her four daughters; one stepson

Prior elected office: First-time office seeker

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

I feel the main challenge facing our county at this time is our preparation for the future. With the St Croix River crossing bridge finally becoming a reality, we need to prepare our county for the urban sprawl that is predicted to come with this. Four to five years is not a very long time -- we need to act now. This being said, I want to get on the community development committee to make sure the changes the county needs to make are in the best interest of the people of District 14.

Another matter of substance to me is the county nursing home facility. I have strong feelings on both sides of this argument, and I am very happy to see the voters get to have a say in its future. I look forward to representing the people of District 14.

Jeff Dionisopoulos

Age: 34

Address: 1642 140th St., New Richmond

Occupation: Stillwater Public Works employee, 13 years

Family: Wife Ari; 4-year-old son

Civic involvement: Member of the Richmond town planning commission since December 2010. Currently enrolled in the Leadership Trust Initiative in the New Richmond area.

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

The main challenge facing the county is the future of the St. Croix County nursing home. I believe that the nursing home is an asset to this county and should be protected. Many residents and staff of the nursing home are residents of our county.

As a government worker, I see too many people that believe fiscal responsibility and a high level of service to be mutually exclusive. I do not believe this. It is possible to retain services that are important to our residents while making fiscally responsible decisions. I hope to bring a middle ground approach amid the current division that dominates current politics.

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Donald E. Schumacher

Age: 81

Address: 2012 18th Ave., Baldwin

Occupation: Beef and crop farmer with son

Family: Wife Louise; three children; seven grandchildren

Prior elected office: Currently chairman, town of Rush River, 12 years; Town of Rush River Planning Board, 10 years; supervisor, town of Rush River, 10 years; chairman, Board of Trustees for Peace Lutheran Church, 3 years; currently United Fire & Rescue Finance Board of Governors, 6 years; currently director on Military Officers Association of America, Indianhead Chapter, 6 years; vice commander, American Legion Post #301, Woodville, 3 years; lifetime member American Legion, VFW, MOAA

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

I graduated from Ohio University in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. Served 21 years in the Air Force as an aircraft commander on B-47, B-50 and B-57 aircraft. Served in both Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Received four Distinguished Flying Cross medals. Flew 450 combat sorties during the Vietnam conflict.

I was instrumental in helping develop the Enterprise Area for the town of Rush River and also worked on the county comprehensive plan, agriculture and farmland preservation plan. With my experience working with committees in the county, I feel I will be a good asset.

If elected to the board, I desire to work on these committees: administration, community development or public protection. I feel one of the main challenges is unregulated urban development in prime agriculture areas. The majority of people living in our rural areas desire to maintain as much open space and green areas as possible.

David Peterson

Age: 69

Address: 331 County Road JJ, River Falls

Occupation: Retired

Family: Wife of 50 years, Arden Peterson; four children

Prior elected office: District 15 supervisor, St. Croix County Board, 2008-2010

Civic involvement: Active member of Cross Lutheran Church, Roberts; three terms as treasurer on Church Council; volunteer with Habitat for Humanity

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

I see three main challenges:

--Many county buildings are very old and will soon need to be replaced or renovated. We have a good opportunity to use energy efficient policies when considering replacement or renovation.

--Many county roads are deteriorating and need repair. With the rapidly rising costs of petroleum-related products used for road repair, as well as fuel, we will have to work diligently to keep costs down.

--Our county’s rapid growth will take off again as the economy begins to recover, which will bring increased pressure on our health and human services division. With population growth, we will also have to be proactive for our environment with recycling ordinances, zoning ordinances and other areas to protect our land, air and waters.

I worked with these issues in 2008-2010 when I served on the Finance Committee and can bring that experience and knowledge to good use.

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Alfred W. Schrank

Age: 70

Address: 115 First St., Glenwood City

Family: Wife Barbara; one daughter

Prior elected office: Glenwood City Council, 28 years; St. Croix County Board, 4 years

Civic involvement: Holy Cross Church Council, 28 years; Masonic Lodge; active on Glenwood City and St. Croix County senior boards; member NRA and Handy Man Club

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

I see several challenges. The first is to control the budget so people can afford to live in their homes, making sure there isn’t wasteful spending of taxpayers’ money and making sure money is used for what it is earmarked for.

I feel the board must become aware and involved in other means of transportation for the motoring public so they can get around freely and within their budget. Now we’re looking at options for bus service and high-speed rail.

The new Stillwater Bridge is going to create more rules to improve our flow of traffic and more people coming into our area to live. Law enforcement and zoning will have a larger workload. County Board must work with them closely.

The Health Center is another challenge. We have an excellent facility and staff. The board and taxpayers must decide the best approach to keep the facility open and furnishing excellent care.

Brian Hurtgen

Address: 1242 County Road D, Glenwood City

Questions: No response received.

Phillip Van Someren

Address: 490 6th Ave., Baldwin

Occupation: Retired businessman

Family: Wife Deborah Lenn Van Someren; two sons

Prior elected office: None

Civic involvement: Member of Immaculate Conception Parish Hammond; former board member Baldwin Area Community Association; member of American Legion Post 240, Baldwin; former deacon and elder at Baldwin Christian Reformed Church; served in the United States Navy.

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

A major challenge facing the county is the need to stay focused on what things are essential to the efficient operation of county government. This means making sure the county government lives within its means, encourages economic development throughout the county and supports local input into decisions made in Madison and Washington.

I have lived most of my life in St. Croix County. For the past 30 years I have lived in the village of Baldwin. Twenty-five of those years were spent serving this county in business. I have a good understanding of who we are and what we expect from our county government.

The two most important things county government can do are to keep its citizens safe and to manage taxpayer dollars wisely. I will be a voice for the people I will serve in the 18th district.

Duane Russett

Age: 59

Address: 1428 Franklin St., Baldwin

Occupation: Outside plant manager, Baldwin Telecom, 40 years at Baldwin Telecom

Family: Married to Ann Russett, 35 years; three children; one grandson

Prior elected office: Baldwin Village Board, five 2-year terms; 10 years Gethsemane Lutheran Church Board and committees, one year as church president; ELCA Northwest Synod Council member, 2 years

Civic involvement: Past member and past president of area Lions Club; member Woodville Historical Society; avid collector of area memorabilia

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

I think one of the primary issues facing St. Croix County is fiscal responsibility. We should take advantage of grants when applicable and make use of other resources if and when available.

I support expansion and promotion of industry within St. Croix County. I look forward to being involved with the continued growth and forward thinking it will take to lead St. Croix County into the future.

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Roger Bauer

Age: 60

Address: 404 George Court, Woodville

Occupation: Engineering manager

Prior elected office: None

Family: Wife Cheryl M. Bauer; three children

Civic involvement: Local snowmobile club and ATV club

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

Some tough issues facing the county are shrinking revenues causing tight budgets and budget shortfalls, compared to increased demand for services. I would approach the county supervisor job with an open mind. I would apply common sense to make fair and just choices concerning changes that affect our citizens. I would make changes to benefit the majority of citizens, yet I would keep the minorities’ concerns and wellbeing in mind.

I would attempt to make the County Board move in these directions: hold evening meetings so more residents could attend; open the board to more citizen input; make the board more business friendly without compromising the environment or budget; move the county toward a balanced attitude of management that takes into account labor so the exchange of effort versus wages is fair for both sides.

William Peavey

Age: 63

Address: 2530 County Road N, Woodville

Occupation: Beef and Grain farmer

Family: Wife Jean; three children; eight grandchildren

Prior elected office: Supervisor St. Croix County Board supervisor, 8 years; town of Eau Galle clerk, 25 years; Board of Directors St. Croix Electric Cooperative, 19 years

Civic involvement: Volunteer for United Fire Rescue District, 15 years

What do you see as the main challenge facing the county at this time, and what help can you offer?

The main challenge is to continue meeting the financial goals and needs as revenue shrinks and requests for services increase. St, Croix County has an excellent bond rating of Aa1 and needs to protect that rating by keeping adequate funds in reserve.

With state-mandated levy limits and the need to keep the tax levy from increasing, budgets for 2013 and beyond will be difficult. The challenge will be in prioritizing services to meet mandates, supply basic needs of the disadvantaged, keep the roads maintained and plowed, keep the sheriff with adequate staff and other services open.

I believe my experience on the County Board gives me an advantage as the board seeks to meet these financial challenges. My experience in developing budgets for both the town of Eau Galle and my farming operation has given me the knowledge to separate needs from wants and to prioritize expenditures to meet citizen needs.

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