Washington and Fond du Lac County Spring Election Candidate Profiles

Town of Wayne
Town Board Chairperson Candidates
Name: Robert Schulteis
Occupation: Retired sheriff of Washington County
Community Involvement: I have been chairman of the building committee that originally built the town hall. I have been a resident of the Town of Wayne for over fifty years. I have served as supervisor for over ten years and have served as acting chairman for the past several months along with previously serving on the park and planning commission.

Why are you running for candidacy? I want to continue the progress our town has made in the areas of road repair and bridge replacement. We have been working hard to maintain the quality of life we enjoy in the Town of Wayne as well as trying to keep the expenses down. We are well aware that our community is growing and there will be other improvements that will need to be addressed, but we have a great board right now and we will address these situations as they occur.
What are your qualifications? I feel my years on the board give me the advantage of being the most qualified candidate for this position. My background as sheriff has given me the opportunity and experience to work with a variety of people in many different situations. As the community grows, a knowledge of laws is extremely beneficial. I have a vested interest in the community, being an active part of it for over fifty years.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it? Being able to work within a budget is always the biggest challenge when it comes to keeping up repairs, etc. Our board works extremely hard looking for as many grants as possible to help defray the cost of these projects so that we can keep expenses at a minimum and still get the work completed.

Name: Tony Balistreri
Occupation: Retired - Harley-Davidson Motor Company, product development, 27 years

Community Involvement: Town supervisor 2022 to present, where among my other duties I am leading a team involved with the repair and management of the Kohlsville pond dam and town park. Additionally, investigating the need for rehabilitating the upper pond due to silting in and excess weed growth. Chief election inspector Town of Wayne 2021 to present. President of Union Rod and Gun Club - Barton. Past Board of Directors, Membership Director, and Communications Director at West Bend Barton Sportsmans Club. Attends Community Church in the Town of Wayne.
Why are you running for candidacy? I am running for Chairman (my name is additionally on the ballot for Supervisor) to continue serving the Town of Wayne and it’s residents. I will work to be transparent, accountable, and responsive to any resident’s concerns. As Chairman, I will be personally involved in day-to-day issues in our town, whether it’s repairs to roads and bridges, problems property owners or residents have with town services, or any other issue that may arise.
What are your qualifications? I have extensive experience with the daily management of our town as well as the issues facing the residents due to my position as a Town of Wayne Supervisor. I hear directly from residents on a regular basis, and have spent my tenure supporting them. Additionally, election integrity and management is important to me, which is why I elected to take on the responsibility of being the Chief Election Inspector for the Town of Wayne. In this role, I work with the town clerk and poll workers to ensure that our elections are transparent, secure, and completed accurately. My leadership positions at URGC and WBBSC provide me experience managing a board of community members, and everything that entails from issues resolution to organizational skills.
What experiences have best prepared you to serve the Town of Wayne? As a Town Supervisor, I have been on the Wayne town board and know how town government operates. Additionally, my experience managing other organisations, the members, and finances are something I would bring to this position. Coming from the private sector, my view of taxpayer funds is that we need to justify what we spend money on and how and why we are taxing at the levels we are.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it? Our roadways are my primary issue, we need to make sure the 60 miles of town roads are repaired and maintained to ensure safe travel to all who use them. We had a large tax increase this year to address the need for increased road maintenance, I will make sure that all of that increase is used for its intended purpose. Town buildings are another area that will require attention, some may be taken care of this year, some we will have to plan for in coming years.
Why should people vote for you? With me as Chairman, you will always be able to count on me being honest, transparent, and fair to all residents in following town ordinances and state statutes. I am always available to everyone in town by phone, text or email, as it is important to me to show up and be there when residents need me, the job of Chairman is to be an active community member and always available. Additionally and most importantly, I will always be accountable for the responsible use of taxpayer funds.

Town Board Supervisor Candidates
Name: Steve Schmitt
Occupation: Laser Technician
Community Involvement: I belong to my local, 100% volunteer Fire Department of Kohlsville, support the 9/11 Memorial, support Kewaskum Schools, and my wife and I provide a $1,000 memorial scholarship every year through K.E.Y.S.

Why are you running for candidacy? To serve my community in town government, as a conservative leader.
What are your qualifications? I was previously elected and served a three-year term on the Kewaskum School Board.
What experiences have best prepared you to serve the Town of Wayne? I’m a father, tool maker, mechanic, do-it-yourself repairman, homeowner and common sense thinker.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it? Challenge of staying within annual budget, while continually keeping up with town roads and related maintenance and repairs. And looking for and finding cost and budget savings.
Why should people vote for you? To bring a fresh conservative voice to the voting on the Town Board. I’m a true conservative, not just a guy that talks it to be trendy. I am a member of the Washington County Republican Party.

Name: Keith Herman
Occupation: Owner/Operator with Custom Fit Carpentry
Community Involvement: Town of Wayne Planning Commission Board Member, Snowmobile Club Member
Why are you running for candidacy? To help residents better understand decision making in the Town of Wayne by providing honest and open communication.
What are your qualifications? Commitment to working for the common good and a dedication to integrity

What experiences have best prepared you to serve the Town of Wayne? Leadership roles on various community boards and maintaining a local reputable business for over 25 years
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it? Road maintenance, Town Hall property maintenance, and long-term budget planning. Using transparent communication with town residents about matters is the best way to be proactive with issues facing the Town of Wayne.
Why should people vote for you? I will strive to bring a positive, new perspective to the decision making of the Board by improving communication to the residents.

*A response was not received from Nick Hesprich

Town of Farmington

Town Board Chairperson
Name: Doug Neumann
Occupation: Director of Public Works-City of West Bend
Community Involvement: Member of the Boltonville Sportsman Club, New Fane Sportsman’s Club, Beechwood Sportsman Club, Tombstone/Pickerel Snowmobile Club, Farmington Historical Society member, etc. Elected as Town of Farmington-Town Board Supervisor in 2019. Elected and serving as Farmington Town Chair since 2021. Elected and serving as District 6 Washington County Board Supervisor since 2020. Member of the American Public Works Association. Serving on Public Works Committee, County Public Safety Committee, Recycling Committee, County Board Restructure Committee, Safety Committees, and Chair of Washington County Highway Shared Services Committee.
Why are you running for candidacy? Serving as an elected town official for the past six years has been an eye-opening experience. The overwhelming
community support has been the driving factor in my decision to announce my re-election candidacy for the Town Chairman role. The opportunity to be part of my community’s improvement process and continue to move our township in a positive direction has been my inspiration for continuing to take on this leadership role. Growing up on a small family dairy farm in the Town of Farmington and continuing to reside in the town for over 48 years has given me an understanding of the residents’ concerns, expectations and needs.
What are your qualifications? Serving as the Town Chair for the past four years, I have an excellent understanding on the town’s financials and
municipal operations. I’m extremely invested in the responsibilities as town chair and have lead the town board in a very positive direction the past four years. My career path experience as a municipal public work director plays a crucial role in my experience to continue to move our township in the right direction.
What experiences have best prepared you to serve the Town of Farmington? Serving as the town chairman for the past four years, I’m proud of the accomplishments I’ve made in just a short time. Successfully, obtaining approximately $3.4 million in grant funding in just four short years is no small task, this takes a lot of hard work, dedication and persistence. My current career as a Director of Public Works for the City of West
Bend and also serving as a Town of Farmington Chairman and County Board Supervisor has helped me balance the understanding of government operations, resident demands, and the necessity for community relations. Having the responsibility of an annual operational budget of $5+ million and overseeing the operations of a municipal public works department is experience that is very beneficial for the Town of Farmington residents.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the district in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it? The Town of Farmington is not alone in the continued crisis of “lack of road funding” in comparison to the need for road maintenance. Over the past two years, I’ve worked with our county highway department to help create the Town of Farmington 2060 Road Maintenance Plan. This long-term road maintenance plan itemizes the town road conditions, cost to repair, and budget needs for the next 35 years. Knowing you have an issue with poor road conditions is the easy part, having the data and plan to address them is the first step for long term planning. Developing a long-term road maintenance plan was a goal of mine when I ran for the position four years ago, and I’m pleased to say it is now complete.
Why should people vote for you? I believe my experience and track record as past, and current, town chair speaks for itself. We’ve made great
improvements in the town with such a limited budget over the past few years. Planning projects several years in advance is key to stretching our limited funding. My greatest accomplishment has been the nearly $3.4 million in grant funding the town receive for countless town road improvements in just four short years. There are many more great opportunities and upcoming projects that I would like to see to completion. I take pride in the fact that we have an outstanding attendance at our monthly town meetings that clearly indicates to me how vested our residents are in our community. This motivates me to continue to work hard for our taxpayers! I appreciate all the community support and hope to earn your vote again for another term!

*Ike Roell informed the Kewaskum Statesman that he was no longer running for Chairperson.

Village of Kewaskum
Village Trustee
Name: Jim Hovland
Occupation: Retired - Small business operator, previously worked for University of Wisconsin Extension Fond du Lac County
Community Involvement: Kewaskum Village Trustee, Kewaskum Planning Commission, and St. Peter Sanitary District Chair
Why are you running for candidacy? Kewaskum is a great place to live. Being a smaller community, it is important that the village board works together with the community residents to address the needs and issues to keep Kewaskum safer and prosperous for its citizens. Decisions we make as a community today can have an impact on our community for many years.
What are your qualifications? Through the years, I have had a variety of experiences working with community citizens, organizations, and local officials. With these different experiences, I have found that it is important to listen to the needs of the citizens and organizations to work together to gain an understanding of the issues and address them to come up with a viable solution. When I worked with UW Extension we provided educational programs for local government officials on a variety of topics: environmental issues, water quality, land use planning, organizational
strategic planning and proper methods of conducting meetings, etc. I was involved with different community organizations in conducting organizational assessments and strategic planning as well as downtown revitalization. Through all these activities, it was important to work together to address the issues and develop solutions for them.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it? As budgets get tighter for a community, it is important to maintain and continue to improve village protective services-police and fire, as well as village infrastructure. We have to continue to review the village priorities and address the budget to address the issues while providing accountability to the village residents. We need to continue to review and update the village comprehensive plan as needed which includes potential development for businesses and housing. Kewaskum needs to continue to work on its downtown revitalization plan and start implementation. It is important that the village works with other local governments for potential services as well as boundary agreements with its neighbors. As a trustee, I will work to ensure we maintain responsible growth for the village and have citizen involvement in the process to help maintain Kewaskum as a great place to live and maintaining the small community that the residents want. It is important to understand that decisions the village makes today can have an affect on the community for many years.

Name: Jim Wright
Occupation: Retired Insurance Professional
Community Involvement: Trustee in Kewaskum since 2017, served on shared facilities committee, served as chair of park and recreation committee, currently serving as chair of public works and public services, and committee member of the Administration committee. Served on Germantown School board in the past.
Why are you running for candidacy? I want to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family.
What are your qualifications? I ran a successful insurance agency for 40 years and past hands-on experience.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it? The biggest issues facing the Village is controlled growth and maintaining high levels of service. I believe we are doing exactly what needs to be done currently with our current downtown redevelopment plan.

Name: Marnie Parse
Occupation: I work as a service advisor at a family-run automotive repair shop.
Community Involvement: With being a village trustee currently, I also am on the public protection committee and the chairperson for the downtown committee.
Why are you running for candidacy? I am running again to maintain my seat on the Village of Kewaskum board as a trustee. I have a passion for this community as I have lived here for 13 years. I have seen many positives happening in our community and believe there is great things ahead for our community. Not everyone sees this vision. I am not only looking at the present but looking to the future for our younger generation to have a place they want to come back and raise a family meaning we need to grow our schools, they are down in enrollment and we have one of the best education. We need more housing to welcome new families to our wonderful community. I have talked to people who want to come to our great community. I always welcome to hear both sides of our residents, I am disappointed that more don’t come to the meetings and only want to complain and ridicule on social media.
What are your qualifications? I feel I have qualities of working as a team, and even if we disagree as a whole, we will still be able to help our community. The village trustee is responsible for many things but most importantly for being a liaison between municipality and constituents. It it not always easy to be an elected official, but I look to the future, and not all decisions are based on philosophy.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it? I believe the biggest issue facing Kewaskum is there are so many positive opportunities for us to grow and look to the bigger picture. We have a downtown revitalization plan to help keep our downtown historic charm, we are creating innovation and community enrichment. I will keep being a public servant and listen and do the best as a whole to keep our wonderful community.

Name: Wendy May Muckerheide
Occupation: Lunch Program Director at Holy Trinity School-Kewaskum
Community Involvement: The river and wooded areas are valued aspects of the community. My children and I volunteer to help clean the river and roadside garbage. Volunteering efforts include assisting with the Love Begins Here campaign, which supports people and businesses with various projects such as yard cleaning, painting, and light maintenance. Additionally, I am actively involved in church youth programs, school activities, and extracurricular events.
Why are you running for candidacy? I am running because I have lived in Kewaskum all my life and raised my family here. I love our historic village and want to ensure its history is preserved as we implement a more modern infrastructure.
What are your qualifications? As a director, I manage a complex and demanding role. Budget management requires every expenditure to be clear and defensible. I reconcile accounts and financial statements. I need to communicate effectively, negotiate, and resolve issues, sometimes on demand. I must comply with all local, state and federal regulations, maintaining accurate records and documentation.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it? I am concerned about a population suitable to the current public resources and infrastructure. A growing population will strain our schools, fire department, police
department, and roads. Homeowners will bear the cost of upgrading these services due to a lack of sufficient business to help offset expenses. In addition, the village needs to address the financial pressures that homeowners face due to the lack of business presence. Encouraging local entrepreneurship and attracting small businesses would help diversify our economy and alleviate some of the tax burdens. By fostering economic
growth within our village, we can create a vibrant community where residents can prosper without the need to commute for basic services. Addressing these challenges requires an approach that not only preserves our village’s heritage but also supports sustainable development and ensures that the needs of all residents are met. I believe it is crucial to foster a collaborative approach that involves residents in the decision-making process. By establishing open forums and regular town meetings, we can ensure that every voice is heard and development projects align with the community’s values. Maintaining a low-crime and small-school environment is why so many residents chose to live and raise their families in Kewaskum. I understand the need and desire for the village to continue to grow but seek to do this by involving the constituents and hearing their concerns. Involving residents in decisions that affect the community is essential.
Why should people vote for you? I am committed to my hometown and balancing growth with historical preservation. I like to engage with residents, listen to their concerns, and will work with them, as their representative. My goal is to make sure our population aligns with our current resources and infrastructure. I want to sustain low crime rates, maintain small class sizes in schools, and ensure an appealing environment to retain residents in Kewaskum.

Campbellsport School District
Town of Ashford School Board Representative
Name: Deborah Senn
Occupation: Farmer and work at Reliable of Milwaukee in Campbellsport
Community Involvement: I am a 27-year 4-H volunteer, Campbellsport FFA Alumni member, Campbellsport Area Chamber of Commerce member, and a member of Tabor Church.
Why are you running for candidacy? I want to continue to serve the students and taxpayers of the Campbellsport School District.
What are your qualifications? I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in Animal & Dairy Science, was a substitute teacher for the Campbellsport School District for nine years, worked with 4-H and FFA students for over 27 years, taught Sunday School for nine years and led church youth group for three years.
What experiences have best prepared you to serve the Campbellsport School Board? I have served on the Campbellsport Public Library Board for six years, the Campbellsport FFA Alumni Board for six years, and the Fond du Lac County 4-H Adult Leaders Board for six years. Serving on the Campbellsport School Board since 2010, I have attended many school board member training sessions to prepare myself to best serve our district.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the district in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it? The biggest issues facing the district are teacher shortages and limited financial resources. I will continue to work with my fellow board members and our district administrative staff to develop creative solutions and to maximize efficiencies in our operations.
Why should people vote for you? During my 14 years of service to the Campbellsport School District, I have worked to build community connections and continually improve the quality of education for our students while being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.

*A response was not received from Debby Flash