Meet the candidates running for Plover Ward 2 village trustee in the April 4 election
Tim Cisewski, Darcy Grabski, Al Haga and Sara Luchini will vie for the position of village trustee of Ward 2 on the Plover Village Board in the April 4 election. Gary Wolf, who currently serves as village trustee of Ward 2, submitted papers to run for village president.
Elected officials serve two years on the Village Board.
To learn more about registering to vote and to find your polling place, visit My Vote Wisconsin.
The Stevens Point Journal asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the district and why they are running for the position.
Tim L. Cisewski
Age: 52
Residence: PloverOccupation and education: Public sector/private industry manager; received several diplomas and technical certificates from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW-Stevens Point and Mid-State Technical College. I believe in and am committed to ongoing and further education, and because of this I continue to advance my education.
Relevant experience: I am an experienced and accomplished leader that brings over 30 years of management and leadership experience. My leadership experience is a combination of 28 years of private industry management and 30 years of public service experience with the Village of Plover Fire & EMS Department. Having 30 years experience as a village of Plover employee, I know how to work with the community’s residents to help in their times of need. Private industry provided me the experience to manage multimillion-dollar budgets, human resource needs, communication and many other essential needs necessary to meet the village of Plover's needs.
Campaign website/Facebook page: Tim Cisewski for Plover Trustee on Facebook or email Timforplover2023@gmail.com
Darcy Grabski
Age: 39
Residence: Plover
Occupation and education: I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in family life education with a minor in sociology. I’m currently a proposal team manager at Skyward Inc., and I have been with Skyward for 10 years.
Relevant experience: As a proposal manager, I ensure project requirements are met and submitted on time. I collaborate with many different departments within our organization and guide my team to develop a proposal specific to each request. Leading a team of professionals, as well as working with multiple departments and key stakeholders within Skyward has helped me build a skill set that will translate well into the village trustee role.
Campaign website/Facebook page: Darcy Grabski for Plover Trustee -Ward 2 on Facebook
Al Haga
Age: 60
Residence: Plover
Occupation and education: Stevens Point Area Senior High graduate. Retired from Del Monte after 35 years.
Relevant experience: Almost 30 years on the Village of Plover Planning and Zoning, 15 years as District 15 County Board supervisor in Portage County, five years as Portage County Board chair, and three years on the Wisconsin Counties Association Board of Directors representing 14 counties to the north of Portage County. As a developer I built and managed a 24-unit apartment complex with 24 storage garages for 12 years. Also developed a subdivision that I worked on with engineers, surveyors, banks and the village of Plover. Designed spec homes and worked with contractors.
Sara Luchini
Age: 33
Residence: Plover
Occupation and education: Emergency preparedness coordinator for the Wood County Health Department. Associate degree in paramedic. Bachelor's degree in nursing, graduating in May 2024.
Relevant experience: My career emphasis in emergency preparedness enables me to determine community needs through collaboration with community partners. I formulate plans and connect resources by working alongside government agencies, public and private sector, and community members to develop relationships between government and community.
Campaign website/Facebook page: Sara Luchini for Plover Village Board on Facebook
Why are you running for the position?
Cisewski: I am running for the trustee position because I enjoy serving the community, and I know my knowledge and experience will support and enhance the village in many ways. As a former firefighter and emergency services provider, I know what the community and its citizens need and expect. I am not your typical political candidate. Instead, I am an individual who reviews, analyzes, evaluates and forms decisions based on what is in the best interest of the community and its citizens. I have the emotional intelligence to lead, knowledge to make a difference and the experience to support it.
Grabski: With strong family roots in the village of Plover, we have come to love the area in which we chose to live, raise our children and work. Being involved with different community organizations has allowed me to gain a unique perspective. I’m hoping to take those experiences and build on them by becoming part of the Village Board. There are many exciting things happening in Plover, and I’m looking forward to being a part of that growth.
Haga: In my opinion, Plover has always been the gold standard and I want to make sure that continues. We have had department leaders with many years retire recently, including the village administrator. With my years of government experience I hope to be a resource and to be able to help.
Luchini: I value community leadership reflecting its community, which includes having a diversity of representatives on the Village Board. I seek to improve communication between the Village Board and citizens. I also believe in accountability and transparency within local government. I will strive to continue to make Plover a desirable area for individuals and families to thrive. In doing so, I will ensure that necessary infrastructure, support systems and funding are available to support the growth of our community.
What makes you the better candidate?
Cisewski: Thirty years as a village employee and leader has provided me the opportunity to serve its residents, watch the village grow and to work with the village’s leaders. I have the knowledge of the behind-the-scenes operations of the village, and I know what continuous improvement opportunities exist. I know what the village’s residents want, and I know how to work with other leaders in a manner that brings teamwork and networking opportunities. I had 30 years to see, observe and identify not only the things our great community provided but to also recognize the opportunities we need to improve.
Grabski: This is an exciting time to live in Plover with the continued growth that we have been experiencing. With my current experience in a leadership role, I am hoping to bring a fresh perspective while working harmoniously with the more experienced Board members. I hope to build relationships and expand on my knowledge over the course of the term if elected.
Haga: Because of all my years of experience I have made many contacts in the area as well as Madison. I listen and keep an open mind. I do my due diligence and get the facts and correct information and then make my decisions. My well-rounded background in development and government helps with the understanding of future projects in the village of Plover.
Luchini: I do not believe any candidate is superior to another. It is important to view candidates as a voice for the community. With my experience in working with communities, I have the opportunity to connect with people. Through these connections I listen to community members' concerns and ideas, and I collaborate with others to develop solutions.
What are residents telling you are the most important issues in the village and how would you address them?
Cisewski: 1) Taxes. I would work to stabilize and balance the village’s budget by working to redistribute funds to manage the ongoing challenges of increased costs. I would also work with village staff to promote and support properly placed new development. Newly generated tax dollars would reduce the tax burden on all residents. 2) Infrastructure maintenance. Residents communicated the need to distribute costs related to large infrastructure expenditures that would influence tax increases. I would work to ensure proactive and preventative maintenance practices are considered in all areas. This effort would reduce capital costs and large expenditures related to replacement.
Grabski: There are many things that are on residents’ minds, such as gaining a better understanding of the recently updated property tax rates, to the creation of and implementation of the tourism director role for the village. Overall, my hope would be to create a better channel of communication for what is currently happening in the village.
Haga: 1) Taxes. I have used this opportunity to inform people that Plover is a small part of what makes up your tax bill. The bigger items on your tax bill are for schools and referendums. A lot of times people find that this information is helpful to get a better understanding. The property evaluations and assessment is a complicated item that would take an in-person discussion. 2) Swales. People are never happy about swales. After the purpose and function of a swale is explained to residents they feel a little better but still are not happy.
Luchini: Residents have voiced concerns over the increase in property taxes this past year. The sizeable increase in taxes that occurred has placed a financial burden on residents. An equitable way to address this would be to improve communication through listening sessions prior to tax increases to improve transparency of the process. We would also work to implement incremental increases, so that it doesn’t adversely impact resident finances. Additionally, folks are concerned with the population growth in the community. It is imperative that the village continues implementing strategies to accommodate to the changes to best serve its community.
What are the top two issues that you believe the village board should address?
Cisewski: 1) Staff management, recruitment and retention. The village currently does not have a dedicated human resources representative that focuses specifically and solely on the village’s employee management needs. We currently miss out by not having a dedicated and trained professional on staff that can properly manage employee relations at all levels. 2) Facilities (building and space). For some time now, several village departments have faced space and building-related needs. In addition, some of the departments' facilities had not been upgraded sufficiently to ensure it accommodated the daily operations of the departments and their staff.
Grabski: I think one of the important items facing the village is the current state of the parks. The last time the village updated the comprehensive plan was in 2015. The young families in the village really rely on these spaces to be a safe space to bring our families. A recent survey has gone out to gain feedback and involve the community in making those decisions. Also providing additional information so that residents have a better understanding regarding the changes in property taxes. I believe that increasing communication will help residents gain a better understanding of the current happenings in Plover.
Haga: 1) Bringing a few of our ordinances up to date, such as vision triangles, private fences and nuisance ordinances. 2) Controlling growth so things happen in a well-though-out manner. Too much too fast isn't always a good thing. As you can see, I believe the Village Board is doing a good job now. I've always said, skies are always bluer, sun is always brighter, and the air is fresher in Plover. We have great employees at the village. The parks are clean and well maintained. We have nice roads and sidewalks, and people feel safe. We have a lot of great things happening in Plover. I would love to be part of it.
Luchini: Maintaining a responsible and equitable budget for the village is a top priority. The community entrusts their tax dollars to be put to good use within the approved budget. Also, implementing a strategic plan for community growth and sustainability must be addressed. This should focus on the needs of the community and future development of the Village of Plover.
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Editor Jamie Rokus can be reached at jrokus@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @Jamie_Rokus.
This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Plover Ward 2 village trustee: Candidates on spring 2023 ballot
