ELECTION: Three vie for two Town of Somerset seats

Talk about it

Voters within the Town of Somerset will choose from three candidates to fill two open seats on the town board. Following are the candidate names and their responses to an election survey.

Name: Shane M. Demulling

Position Seeking: Somerset Town supervisor

Age: 37

Family: Fiance, Wendy; daughters, Shyanne and Shanae

Municipality: Town of Somerset

Years Living in Community: Lifelong resident

Occupation: Self employed, Demulling Lawn Care, 15 years

Public Service Experience: Current Somerset Town supervisor – four terms; Transportation & Finance Committee; Fire & Rescue Committee; St. Croix County Board – one term; Highway Committee; Somerset Chamber of Commerce; St. Croix Electric Nominating Committee; Somerset School District Input Committee.

Two Top issues facing the board or council you are running for: Public safety and taxes. As property values are declining in our town, I feel it is important that we freeze the mill rate so that property taxes don’t increase. As we do this, public safety is a front and center issue due to the newly approved Stillwater bridge. Our town has more than 100 miles of roads and it is important that we stay ahead of the maintenance, try to improve dangerous areas, and continue to improve the quality of service.   

Why did you run for office: I truly enjoy representing the town I was raised in and work in every day. I have no special agenda, I’d just like the opportunity to continue to do what’s best for the taxpayer.  

Name: Matt Foucault

Position seeking: Somerset Town Board supervisor

Age: 30

Family: My family consists of my wife, Tonya, and two children, Noah (2) and Jackson (3 months).

Municipality of residence: Town of Somerset

Years living in community: Five years

Occupation: I am a police officer and paramedic with the City of Cottage Grove, Minn. and have a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement. 

Public service experience: As a city employee I have sat on numerous boards at the municipal level. My public service experience consists of emergency response only. I was a volunteer firefighter in Esko, Minn. and as a full-time police officer I am engaged with the public on a daily basis.

Top issues facing the council: With the new St. Croix bridge project now at a reality, Somerset Township has some significant decisions to make regarding the development of our community. Our township needs to take full advantage of the possibilities ahead regarding growth and development but at the same time must not encroach on those who own and cherish their property and freedom in this community. This development must take place with no impact to the present tax base. Our local government needs to explore ways to be more productive with the taxes currently generated and explore options to ensure the quality of living is maintained.

Why did you decide to run for office: I have decided to run for the office of town supervisor to become more engaged in our community and its growth. I am raising my family here and want to ensure the needs of the community are heard and addressed. It seems that ideas such as a local trail system and more ball fields have been ignored in the past. It is my intention to ensure projects such as these are made a reality. As I pay my taxes each year, I, like many of our fellow citizens, ask what it is I am getting for such a cost. With money getting tighter and tighter in each family, it is the duty of the board to ensure the best service is delivered with minimal cost to the citizens.

Name: Lennon “Lenny” J. Germain

Position seeking: Somerset Town Board supervisor

Age: 40

Family: Married to Lisa Germain. We have two children, ages 17 and 19.

Municipality of residence: Town of Somerset

Years of living in the community: 40

Occupation: City Wide Insulation, dba Premier Insulation. Manager of the Somerset office

Public Service experience: Somerset Town Board supervisor, six years; Town of Somerset Transportation and Facility Committee member, four years; chairman of Town of Somerset Park and Recreation Committee, three years; liaison officer for the Town of Somerset and the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department, three years.

Two top issues facing the board or council you are running for: Property taxes — I feel with the value of homes decreasing rapidly, and the economic strain, it is important that we do our part in helping to keep property taxes down. I do not want to see taxes rise as our property and land values are dropping.

Roads — The safety of our roads has been a major concern for me and many of our residents. I would like to see more improvements with our speed limits, snow removal, potholes, sight lines, shouldering, guard rails, tree trimming and mowing.

Why did you decide to run for office: As a lifelong resident of Somerset, I care about what is happening within my community and would like to continue making a difference. I believe in listening to the people and providing them with the best services they deserve.

Tags: local government, communities, wisconsin, somerset