Primary elections are Tuesday: Silver Lake, Wheatland and Bristol Village, School are on deck

The Village of Silver Lake will hold two primary elections for municipal judge and trustees on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Other municipalities having primaries are the Town of Wheatland and Village of Bristol.

Bristol Elementary is the only school having a primary.

Questionnaires and a request for a photo were sent to all candidates, although not all responded. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Every vote counts!

 

Silver Lake

Candidate for Municipal Judge

      Three candidates are running for municipal judge. The position was left open following the death of Judge David Engstrom last fall. Running for the position are Engstrom’s widow, Marlene Engstrom, Vicki Galich and board incumbent Pat Dunn, who is also running for village board.

The Feb. 19 primary will cut this pack from three to two.

 

• Pat Dunn, 59, of Silver Lake has previous sought election as a Silver Lake Village Board Trustee and Municipal Judge. He has served the past two years on the village board.

Dunn is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators.

“I am seeking re-election to village board, we have saved citizens passing no tax levy increase in 2012 and decreasing the tax levy in 2013. I want to continue to do what I can to help the citizens of Silver Lake.”

“I have 20 years in Law Enforcement and would like to see what it is like on the other side of the bench. My job as a Fire Investigator helps me to gather the facts before reaching a conclusion.”

 

• Marlene M. Engstrom, 65, has lived in Silver Lake 38 years and is a graduate of Bradford High School in Kenosha.

She is seeking the office held by her husband, the late David Engstrom, who died last fall.

Sighting her 22 years of service on the Silver Lake Village board, M. Engstrom served on the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeal, and Library Board. She has also served as past president of the Silver Lake Fire and Rescue Auxiliary and was a member for 18 years.

“I am a 38 year resident of Silver Lake and I feel I have enough background to do the job well. I want the village to continue heaving fair and just service. Being a judge isn’t for prestige or pay, it’s for care and concern of each individual cases.

“I want the next 25 years to be as well taken care of as the past 25 years have been. The previous judge was a man of great integrity and knowledge and those will be very large shoes to follow. I would try with all my heart and soul to do a good job.”

 

• Vickie Galich, 55, has lived in Silver Lake her entire life. She received an associates degree in accounting from Gateway Technical College; Leadership of Kenosha.

The reason she is seeking election is, “I’m a life long resident of Silver Lake and would like to opportunity to serve the community.

“I believe in the respectful treatment of the citizen defendents while working with the Village Officials and law enforcement in an effort to provide effective case management.

“While upholding the Village of Silver Lake Municipal Ordinances, State Laws and the Constitution of the United States, I understand the need to apply decisions fairly and effectively in the best interest of the residents of the Village.

“Throughout my career with Kenosha County, I have worked in the Circuit Court Records Division and the Department of Public Works serving the public needs.

“I have extensive experience in direct contact with the public, providing information, services and conflict resolution within the policies, procedures and ordinances of the County.

“I believe the I could provide fair and balanced administration of justice. I’m independent and impartial and would be fair in the decisions I would make.”

 

Village of Silver Lake Trustees

 

There are eight candidates interested in three open trustee positions: incumbents Soti Wilbert, Pat Dunn and Mike Decker are running against former trustee Nancy Barranco, Carolyn Dodge, Chris Sarver and former village president/county supervisor Roger Johnson and former village trustee Barb Ironside.

There are three open seats. A primary will cut the pack running for trustees from eight to six. During the regular April election, the final three will be selected.

 

• Nancy Barranco, 60, of Silver Lake, is a 1970 graduate of Warren Township High School.

“I did not seek re-election the Spring election of 2008. I had served three terms (six years) as a trustee for Silver Lake.”

Barranco has served as chairman of the Kenosha County Fair Fairest of the Fair program and is currently a Director for the Kenosha County Fair.

The reason she is seeking election is, “I would like to see the Village united again not divided everyone is not working together.  I would like to see Silver Lake Rescue stay in the village, some of their members are taxpayers in our village.  Let’s keep the tax money in our own community instead of a neighboring community or a private organization.

“Silver Lake Rescue is a private organization but it has served our citizens for over 50 years. The rate they have charged the village is very cheap.  If given time I believe an agreement could be worked out with Silver Lake Rescue and Fire Department to work together to serve our community.

 

• Michael J. Decker, 38, is an incumbent, seeking re-election to a second term in office. He is also a Silver Lake Volunteer Firefighter and a member of St. Alphonsus Church.

“In ran last election to keep taxes down and getting rid of the status quo in the village. In the past two years we passed on budget that had a zero tax levy increase and another budget that reduced the tax levy.

“During my time on the village board we have saved the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, enacted an ethic policy, end no-bid contracts and excessive employee overtime.

“I am running to keep the progress we have made in Silver Lake going forward so we don’t go back to the ways of the past.”

• Carolyn Dodge is running for Village Trustee.

“I have listened and spoke with residents of Silver Lake. I want to represent their concerns and be an advocate for them. I will engage for the true facts and figures to come out before decisions are made that will impact the residents of Silver Lake for the years ahead.

“I have been a resident for almost 20 years and feel I have a sound background that will enable me to represent the people.

“I have held positions as an Accounting Manager and Purchasing Manager. Current issues are Emergency medical services, Fire Department, Police Department and maintaining funding for these services. Downsizing is always a hard event, I would look at all the budgeted items for savings, look into ways to raise additional funding or combining services that would work for all.

“I do not want to raise taxes for the residents of Silver Lake that are impacted by the village.

“With unemployment at a high level, economy being unstable and the impact of the Obama Care on health care the Village Residents need to feel that the Board of Trustees are working for them.”

 

• Barb Ironside, said, “I’m running for village trustee because I care what happens to and in the village.

“I have always been active in the village in some capacity and feel it’s an important job and one that you must gain the residents trust. Your making decisions with your own tax dollar as well as all the residents and they count on you to spend it wisely and do what’s best for the village and its residents.

“I feel that I am a personable person and a good listener I served on the village board for 10 years. When  someone came to me with a problem or concern I feel I did my best to resolve the issue or find them an answer.

“I have lived in Silver Lake for 33 years. While on the board I was involved with the following.

“Purchasing the villages own mosquito sprayer, adding a pay box and pier down at the village boat launch, involved with police dept sponsored children’s fishing derby, encouraged and participated in police associations community fund raisers, former rescue squad member and former member of the fire and rescue squad auxiliary.

“I now serve on the Lake Protection Association as a board member representing Silver Lake and involved in obtaining grant money and fund raising for treatment and clean up of the lake.”

“Problems I see facing the village? The fire dept and rescue squad situation. The condition of the lake, being land locked which causes several issues. One of them is generating revenue for the village. They need to be more involved.

 

• Roger Johnson, 60, is seeking election as a trustee to the Silver Lake Village Board. Johnson served as village president from 2007 to 2011 and also served as Kenosha County Supervisor from 2006 to 2010.

He is employed at Palmen Buick, GMC and Cadillac and has two adult children.

He is a member of the Silver Lake Sportsmen’s Club and the Kenosha County CrimeStoppers.

“I would like to be elected to the board to help the Village of Silver Lake keep taxes down. I would like to get more businesses to move into town and to get the fire and rescue working together.

“When I was village president my goal was to get more business into town. More importantly, I want to keep the rescue squad in the village.”

 

• Christopher J. Sarver, 27, of Silver Lake, is seeking election as a Silver Lake Village Trustee.

He graduated from the Ironworkers Apprenticeship and earned his CAD certificate. Sarver is secretary of the Silver Lake Sportsmens Club.

“I am running for Silver Lake Village Trustee to represent the citizens of Silver Lake. I feel there is issues within the village that need to be taken care of as a village. I have seen and witnessed animosity between the very board we elected and it simply needs to stop.

“This is a great village and we are perfectly capable of assessing our problems without brining outside organizations. In times of trouble we should be able to pull together and put aside our personal disagreements and grievances and focus on what is truly best for the people of Silver Lake.

“If elected I will work diligently with the village board to make good rational decisions while keeping the peoples’ opinion in mind. After all, the citizens are affected by any decision made. I will also work very hard to preserve the past generations and embrace the generations to follow.  Preparing our youth for the future and making decisions that will help with that is huge.

I also feel that no one person has the right answer to everything. Working together as a board will strengthen this village in more ways than one.

My name is Christopher Sarver and I am running for Silver Lake Village Trustee to represent the people and would appreciate your vote.

 

• Sotiria Wilber, 40, is also an incumbent trustee seeking a second term.

She is a Charter member of the Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce.

“I would like to continue finding ways to save more money and to find better ways to utilize our Village resources and assets. I would like to find a solution that will promote the economic development of our downtown area without adding any financial burden to our community.

“I have enjoyed being involved in our community over the last two years and knowing that my contributions have had a benefit to the Village.”

 

Town of Wheatland

      The Town of Wheatland is holding the Feb. 19 primary election to narrow the field for the Supervisor No. 2 seat on the town board.

Candidates Jeffrey J. Butler, Bob Haas and Kelly A. Wilson have filed to replace Robert Herda, who filed non-candidacy papers last month.

The primary will eliminate one from the pack of candidates. The two with the highest number of votes advance to the April 2 spring election.

• Jeffrey Butler, 58, a Westosha High School graduate and service technician at Pat’s Service is seeking election to the Town of Wheatland Board.

Butler has served 16 years on the board. He is a member of the New Munster Jaycees, past Regional Director of the Wisconsin Jaycees.

“With the death of Supervisor Bob Herda leaving a vacancy on the board I thought it would be appropriate time to get back on the town board and do what I can to help my community. I have always been involved in the township and felt I cold be an asset to both the town and my community.

“I have served 16 combined years on the town board in various positions. I have attended Planning Board and Town Board meetings for the last 28 years. I pride myself on knowing what is going on in our township and understanding what the people of Wheatland want accomplished. I take the time to stay involved with my community.

“With state budget cuts being passed down to local governments, for example, road funding and recycling grants. One major concern is our road conditions. We need to make careful choices on how we spend the money we will have available. Getting into more debt shouldn’t even be considered. We need to make smart choices and sacrifices to keep out town running efficiently.”

Continuing, Butler said, “I car about this town and want to keep our township growing and moving into the future. Over the years I have been involved in the town’s problem and solutions. I have always strived to keep Wheatland a great place to live and want to help keep it running efficiently to meet the people’s needs.”

 

• Bob Haas, 62, is a graduate of Burlington High School and Embard School of Glass and Ceramics in Hartford, Conn.

Haas served 34 years at the Town of Wheatland’s constable and six years as a Kenosha County Supervisor for District 26. He has also served four years in the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.

He is a member of the Wheatland Fire Department, lifetime member of the NRA, a lifetime member of Wisconsin Whitetails. He is a former member and president of the Twin Lakes Sportsmen’s Club.

“I have lived and raised my family in Wheatland for 43 years I have enjoyed serving the people of this community as their constable for 34 years and I would like to continue serving in a different capacity as Town Supervisor.

“I want to make sure our tax dollars are being spent carefully and that we can expect the same or a better level of services then we currently enjoy while keeping our tax based low. We should also at least explore other ways to bring in revenue like grants that are available.

“One thing currently facing our community is a new electric transmission line and substation proposed by the American Transmission Co. The Town officials need to look at the long-term effects environmentally and the visual impact to our rural community.

“If elected I will address these issues to the bet of my ability. I have learned a great deal from having served under six different town chairmen and having county board experience as well. More importantly I want to be a representative of what the residents of Wheatland want and need.”

 

 

Village of Bristol

      Bristol will have a primary Feb. 19 to narrow the field of three candidates seeking to become village president. Incumbent Mike Farrell, trustee incumbent Ruth Atwood and trustee incumbent Colleen Fisch are running for village president.

Fisch also is running for re-election to that position as well. The primary will eliminate one candidate.

 

• Mike Farrell, 52, was born in Kenosha and received an M.A. in Public Policy, New England College, May 2012; B.S. Business Management/Human Resources, UW Parkside 1986.

He is he incumbent village of Bristol president and is seeking re-election.

He has been employed at David Insurance Agency (previously Creative Insurance Planning) since 2006 as an Employee Benefits Consultant.

Married since 1986 to Wendy, a Science teacher, they have four children, ages 12 through 24.

Ferrell has served as Village President since 2011, Village of Bristol Trustee 2010, Bristol Planning Commission Member 2009-2010

“Our primary goals as a Village Board are to minimize the burden on our taxpayers and to assure that our Village is managed as efficiently and effectively as possible.

“Although this is challenging, we have been successful the last five years in maintaining the tax levy with almost zero increase.  In other words, we have created responsible budgets in a very difficult economic environment.

“The challenge going forward will be trying to maintain the existing tax levy because we can anticipate rising employment and insurance costs, operational expenses and capital equipment needs.

“Bristol is an exceptional quality of life community and our primary role is to preserve this standard.  Our residents are proud to have a clean and safe place to live and raise a family.

“The Village also has a wonderful rural character that our residents wish to see continued. Our Village Board must carefully consider growth proposals whether they are residential, commercial or retail and must provide a balance in trying to grow tax base while minimizing any burden on existing services.

“My voting record and my actions have proven that I am accountable for the tax dollars our citizens invest in this great community. This requires (and I promise to provide) decisive leadership and sound judgment as we consider Village operations and services going forward.”

 

• Colleen Fisch, 44, of Bristol, is a graduate of Evanston High School, Loyola University and Coe College. She received a BA from Coe College in Political Science and History

She is an incumbent, having served as a Bristol Village Trustee since 2011. She also served as Town Chairman in 2010 and Town Supervisor in 2002-2010.

Fisch is a member of HCE and the Kenosha Racine Land Trust.

“I feel I am the only candidate with a clear, long term vision for Bristol that preserves our rural character, keeps taxes low and seeks to improve the quality of life of Bristol residents.

“I am an experienced leader having served as the Town Chairman in 2010 and on the Board since 2002. Most importantly, I am interested in and will listen to citizen concerns.

“I believe that the Village Board has an obligation to properly and transparently plan for a future that reflects the wishes of the citizens. It is very important to Bristol residents that the tax burden is minimized and that we continue to protect the rural character of the Village. Attracting additional business to our community is also an important priority,” Fisch said.

“Projects like the proposed, substantial changes to Hwy 45 have long lasting consequences for Bristol taxpayers. Changes to Highway 45 could dramatically alter the character, landscape and quality of life of local residents.

“While Bristol residents would like to see their tax dollars used efficiently and as little as possible, they also expect the Village to ensure such a project be done in a way that enhances our rural Village character and resident safety while protecting property values.

“Like many others, I am concerned about the things that directly affect my family.  The tax burden, education quality, public amenities, business, development, increased traffic and growing stress on public services are common concerns for residents.

“Bristol needs and deserves smart leadership that will protect all of the residents interests and I believe that I am the most committed, creative and qualified advocate for Bristol residents.”

 

Bristol Elementary School Board

      Five candidates are seeking two seats on the school board, forcing a primary to whittle the field down to four. Running are incumbents Lynn Keller, Katie O’Neal and candidates Doug O’Reilly, Jack Spencer and Lisa Wadin.

 

• Lynn Keller, 48, Bristol, is seeking spot on the Bristol Elementary School Board. She attended Oaktown College and is a member of the Music Parents Association of Westosha Central High School.

“I want to be elected to the school board so that I can continue to be a productive component of the educational experience of the students at Bristol School and be an advocate for their learning.”

 

• Katie O’Neill has been a Bristol resident for 18 years. She is married and has three children, all who are current or former students of Bristol Elementary School.

“We decided to move to Bristol to raise our children because of the small welcoming community and the opportunity for them to attend a great school system. Over the years I have been impressed with staff and their dedication to excellence.

“With that said I do still feel that there is room for improvement. I have many qualities that I feel will assist the school board in making challenging decisions to ensure Bristol school continues to be an excellent learning environment for all. My professional career has revolved around working with children, teachers and parents to ensure that all students are learning to their potential with the support of both the school and the home.

“I am currently employed by Kenosha Unified School District as an Instructional Coach for the Early Education program, and am constantly attending staff development around best practice teaching strategies. I understand and value the importance of having a positive school climate for all staff, children and families this will improve the overall quality and effectiveness of Bristol school.

“My motivation for running for school board is to ensure that all students are given the opportunities to learn to their potential.  In order for this to occur there must be accountability for administration, staff, students and parents as well as a safe, caring and positive learning environment,” O’Neill said.

“My number one goal is to value the already existing strengths of Bristol School, and to work on making it even better as a successful learning community by asking the difficult questions and ensuring we are using measurable data to drive all the work we are committed to do.

I would appreciate your support at the next election and thank you for your time.”

 

 

 

 


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