A first-time candidate will win a seat on the Menomonee Falls Village Board. Here's a look at the race.
Two newcomers are facing off in the April 4 general election for Seat 3 on the Menomonee Falls Village Board. The seat carries a three-year term.
Dan Schwind and Ann Lessila are campaigning for the seat; incumbent Tim Newman is not seeking reelection.
We posed three questions to the candidates to outline their plans for the village. Some answers were edited for length and clarity.
What is the most important issue you think is facing village residents?
Dan Schwind: Controlled economic growth. The need to keep the Village on a controlled pace and creating a destination for businesses and families to work, live and visit. Ensuring that Menomonee Falls continues to be one of most sought-after areas for business and industrial development which in turn provides jobs for our residents and protects our families.
In addition, the challenges with old, aging infrastructure. We need to invest in road, sewer, and water improvements to ensure our infrastructure meets the needs of one of the fastest growing areas in the state.
Ann Lessila: Safety and Crime Prevention - Supporting our police and fire departments is the most important issue. Proper staffing, training, and tools for those departments to properly serve our community within budget is a top priority to me! As well as fiscal responsibility - my experience with owning and operating a business will benefit the Village as we work to properly manage our residents' hard earned tax dollars.
What kind of growth in the village do you support?
Schwind: As I stated in my answer to the first question, controlled economic growth.
Lessila: I am in favor of growth, but we have to be aware of the type of growth that will be in the best interest of the residents of Menomonee Falls.
Why should people vote for you as a candidate?
Schwind: Menomonee Falls is fast becoming a destination community. Businesses have decided to move into our community to establish their companies. I want to continue to see businesses like Milwaukee Tool, and Leonardo DRS move to our community. I want to continue to support police and fire and first responders of Menomonee Falls. In addition, I will do what is in the best interest for the residents of our community and do that without a personal agenda guiding my decisions.
That is why I am running for Village Board; to make decisions that continue to benefit the residents that live, work, and play in Menomonee Falls.
Lessila: I have been a life-long Wisconsinite and a proud resident of Menomonee Falls for 21 years. After graduation from high school, I proudly served in the United States Air Force. After completing my military service, I continued my education at UW-Madison and earned my degree in Physical Therapy. My career took me from the hospital and outpatient care setting to starting our family-owned business. Our company focused on bringing quality therapy (physical, occupational, and speech) to seniors. After owning and operating a successful business for 16 years, I decided to sell the business in April, 2022. My family and I have thrived during our 21 years in Menomonee Falls! Our three children completed their entire K-12 education in the Menomonee Falls School District, and our family has been active in many sports and organizations. I am passionate about using my talents and dedicating my time to work hard to make our community even more successful, and to improve where needed. My goal is simple: I want to have Menomonee Falls as the top place to live and grow in the state! I will work tirelessly to advocate for all residents. My priorities lie in my love of God, Family, Country and Community.
Here's where to find information about voter ID laws, your ballot and polling station
To get more information about voting or information about all the elections, visit myvote.wi.gov/en-us.
Voter identification is required to vote in Wisconsin. Acceptable identification includes a Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended; a Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card; a Wisconsin DOT- issued identification/military identification card issued by a United States uniformed services; a U.S. passport or a photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin state university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student and a date no later than two years after date of issuance.
The DMV can issue identification cards for voters who do not have one. For more information, call the Voter ID hotline at 844-588-1069. For other voter identification questions, call 608-264-7447 or visit bit.ly/idinformation.
Candidate bios
Dan Schwind
Political experience: First time running for office
Community involvement: Menomonee Falls Optimist Club for 22 years and currently the club president as well as on the Board of Directors; serve on the boards of The Chamber of Greater Menomonee Falls and Sussex, Menomonee Falls Food Pantry and the Greater Menomonee Falls Foundation; have been involved with Wheeling & Healing with Froedtert Menomonee Falls Foundation; co-chair of the Village Park campaign committee in the Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls, which is working in partnership with the village of Menomonee Falls to fundraise for Phase 2 of the Village Park project.
Occupation: Vice president Community Banking
Contact/campaign information: www.facebook.com/SchwindforTrustee
Ann Lessila
Political experience: First time running for office
Community involvement: Booster Club Board member for Menomonee Falls High School for eight years, where I helped raise money for organizations and athletics. My husband and I were integral members of the Booster Clubs Capital Improvement Campaign. This group of dedicated parents, coaches, and the athletic director, raised over $1.4 million dollars to complete the football field and the soccer complex. Other organizations that I have been passionately involved with are Hope for Our Heroes-Dogs2Dogtags, Falls Memorial Fest, and the Pat Heitman Scholarship and fundraiser / bags Tournament.
Occupation: Physical therapist, who sold her Menomonee Falls-business after 16 years in 2022
Contact/campaign information: https://annlessilafortrustee.com.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Newcomers seek seat on Menomonee Falls Village Board in 2023 election
