Meet the candidates running for Sheboygan County board. 10 of 25 seats are contested.
Correction: The Sheboygan Press, by mistake, did not publish District 24 candidate Arush Chahal's question answers. Chahal's answers are now included.
SHEBOYGAN - This April, the entire 25-member Sheboygan County board is up for election. Ten of those seats are contested.
County board members serve a two-year term and are paid an annual salary of $2,100.
They meet with the full board monthly and serve on one or more of the following nine committees: Executive, Finance, Health & Human Services, Health Care Center, Human Resources, Law, Property, Transportation, or Planning, Resources, Agriculture & Extension.
In early February, The Sheboygan Press asked candidates why they're running for office and what issues they would seek to address if elected. Below is what they said — along with information about how to vote April 5.
The Sheboygan branch of the American Association of University Women also hosted live candidate forums on March 9. The forum featured both candidates from District 3, District 12 incumbent Robert Ziegelbauer and District 20 incumbent Brian Hoffmann. District 12 challenger Suzanne Speltz and District 20 challenger Carl Nonhof declined to participate.
A recording of the forum is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVRf4zdnJJM.
More: Two candidates for eastern Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge share their experience, philosophy
More: Sheboygan: Meet the candidates running for city council. Every seat is contested.
More: One Sheboygan school board seat is up for election April 5. Meet the candidates here.
District 3: City of Sheboygan Wards 5 and 6
Name: Kathleen Donovan (incumbent, since being appointed to the empty seat by county board chairman Vern Koch in December)
Address: 623 St. Clair Ave, Sheboygan
Age: 54
Occupation: Educator at Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan
Education: Bachelor's degree from California State University, Sonoma
Relevant experience: I am the County Board supervisor for District 3, appointed in December 2021. I also serve on the Human Resources and Health & Human Services Committees.
Name: Lisa Salgado
Address: Address withheld at the candidate's request
Campaign website: Lisa Salgado District 3 Sheboygan County Board Supervisor (Facebook)
Age: 49
Occupation: Registered medical assistant
Education: Medical Assistant Technical Diploma from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. I have also completed courses in Human Resources Management, Supervision, and Team Building through Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and courses in Essentials of Leadership and Leadership Series-Coaching for Improvement through St. Norbert College.
Relevant experience: For the past 29 years, I have worked as a medical assistant in numerous outpatient clinics in over 25 medical specialty departments in Appleton, Green Bay, Sheboygan, Oostburg, Kohler and Plymouth. I have experience as a supervisor running a medical clinic and as an employee health nurse, in which capacity I attended Green Bay Health Department meetings. I am currently serving on the Ellis Historic Neighborhood board. Originally from De Pere, I have enjoyed living in the beautiful city of Sheboygan for the past five years and meeting the friendly people in the area, and have planted roots in Sheboygan by starting a small local business here.
Why are you running for a seat on the county board?
Donovan: I was approached by a neighbor about filling the vacancy and saw this as another way to contribute to my community. As the spouse of a retired Army officer, I’ve lived in many places, but no place else has felt as much like home. We moved here in 2014 and chose to live in downtown Sheboygan because we wanted to be part of this vibrant community. Now, we truly know our neighbors and appreciate the sense of community. But I feel an important part of being in a community is giving back — since moving here I have volunteered with Mead Library and as a Big Brothers/Big Sisters Lunch Buddy at Grant Elementary School. I provided year-round field and game day assistance with the Sheboygan A’s (Sheboygan Athletic Club), and I also served as their public relations representative at the Sheboygan County Chamber. I am currently serving as a deacon at First Congregational Church and was the financial secretary for our capital campaign. I also serve on the board of the League of Women Voters and have assisted as a poll worker. Being on the County Board is another way to continue to support my neighbors.
Salgado: I want to serve my community, especially with health and human services. As a medical assistant in the surrounding area, I have really enjoyed getting to know the residents and understanding their needs. The county board is where people come together and get the work done in committees. My biggest priority is for people to have their needs met and enjoy the community in which they live. I consider myself a humanitarian who respects all people, and I feel that everyone has something to teach us. I have volunteered at the Brown County Jail’s Celebrate Recovery program, St. John’s Homeless shelter, have been a foster parent, and am TEFL-certified to teach English as a second language.
What are two top issues you think the county should address?
Donovan: As a member of the Health & Human Services Committee, I believe one of our top responsibilities for 2022 and beyond is to oversee the implementation of the HHS Strategic Plan. This department accounts for 29% of the county budget and includes Economic and Child Support, Public Health (including COVID-19 response), Child and Family Services, Aging and Disability Resource Center, Elder Services, and Behavioral Health programs. While work has already begun on many of the Strategic Plan objectives, this plan will guide the agency over a period of three to four years.
Another priority I would address is our county workforce. In my position on the Human Resources Committee, I recognize that our county employees are our most valuable asset. In 2022, we have 19 departments and approximately 850 employees, a reduction of 35% since 2000. This helps keep property taxes in check (property tax rates for 2022 are down for the sixth year in a row). However, it will be a challenge to keep up with rising wages in the private sector while maintaining the quality of delivered services.
Salgado: First, Health and Human Services makes up the majority of the Sheboygan County budget, and I think rightly so since health and well-being are keys to promoting the happiness and quality of life of the members of our community. Health goes beyond COVID-19 in our community, such as Rocky Knoll, Vista Care, residential treatment facilities, veterans and food insecurity. As a former foster parent, foster care programs, such as Sheboygan’s child welfare system innovation project, would also be of particular interest to me.
Second, currently, there is a childcare shortage, which needs to be addressed so we can get parents back into the workforce and fill the many job openings in our area.
More: Sheboygan County's District 3 County Board candidates answer key questions ahead of February primary
District 12: Town of Sheboygan Wards 1-3, Town of Herman Wards 1 and 2, and Town of Mosel
Name: Robert Ziegelbauer (incumbent)
Address: N8540 Lakeshore Road, Sheboygan
Age: 59
Occupation: Owner of Zenith Hospitality DBA Zig's Golf Haven LLC, a small local business. Stone mason working for Kohler Hospitality, and part of Kohler Wastelab known for their sustainability efforts. Freelancer for CBS Sports and NBC Golf working major golf events. Sheboygan County Board Supervisor, District 12.
Education: Sheboygan North High School
Relevant experience: Elected as District 12 supervisor for Sheboygan County in 2014, I am currently the vice chairman of the county board and serve on the finance, executive and transportation committees. I also serve as a member of the workforce task force. I am the vice-president of the Sheboygan County Historical Museum Board. I am also proud to be a lifelong resident of Sheboygan County and have two daughters and two wonderful grandchildren.
Name: Suzanne Speltz
Address: 3917 Mendocino Lane, No. 308, Sheboygan
Age: 60
Occupation: Retired school social worker and former volunteer in Sheboygan for Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army, Sharon Richardson, Jail Ministry and Kindred Hearts. Returned Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand. Former resident counselor for court ordered adolescents.
Education: Bachelor's degree in child development and family Life from University of Wisconsin-Stout. Master's degree in social work from University of Wisconsin-Madison
Relevant experience: For years, I have worked with people and agencies from all walks of life, listened to their concerns and advocated for them. I have participated in many national and international mission trips and travel. I have attended and spoken at county, town and school board meetings in order to get a picture of how our local government functions. I have researched how to effectively take a stand to maintain our freedoms.
Why are you running for a seat on the county board?
Ziegelbauer: I first ran for the county board in 2014 after I was approached by the previous incumbent, Peter Salm, to run in District 12. I was encouraged by my mother, Constance Ziegelbauer, a former county board supervisor, who inspired my deep love of service to our community. I continue to participate in local government because of that love and true appreciation of this special place we all live in. Our citizenry, industry, intergovernmental entities, and continued collaborative efforts are the key to this community's continued success. I am honored to be a small part of it. I have found the value of working in a nonpartisan manner and sticking to the business of the county on all matters. I search out information from all sides of any issue so I can continue making sound decisions that reflect my district's interests. I love Sheboygan County. I believe that I have the skills, knowledge, and experience to continue my good work on the county board.
Speltz: I saw the negative effects on people’s lives from the local emergency orders and mandates. I felt the strong need to connect with others, research the situation and go forward to speak up for the Constitution and our personal freedoms. After much thought and consideration I decided to take my convictions further and run for county board. The platform I am running on are constitutional rights, specifically health care freedoms, private property and the Second Amendment; transparency to welcome the citizens back into the decision making process; and financial independence to ensure county budgets are free from burdensome requirements from state, federal and grant monies.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues? If elected, how would you address them?
Ziegelbauer: The major issues facing this district include broadband access, farmland preservation, fiscal responsibility, road maintenance, and finding and retaining employees. I believe continued intergovernmental cooperation is the key to providing solutions for issues that have been brought up by my district. My focus for these solutions is finding the resources and realistic costs. For example, I participate in the workforce task force dedicated to using state and federal grant money in the most cost-effective way to bring much-needed workers to our local businesses. Community leaders who volunteer on this committee are a testament to our collaborative approach. I have long experience, a dedicated work ethic and deep knowledge of the issues the county board deals with. Because of my long service on the county board, I have built a strong network of relationships within my community to address these county-wide issues. I understand the responsibilities of my position and will continue to strive to exceed expectations which is why I am running for re-election.
Speltz: People want to live peaceful prosperous lives that are free from government overreach. They want to make their own health care decisions and conduct their lives without being harassed. Businesses do not want to have to follow burdensome and complicated regulations. Citizens want to be able to support themselves and have their Second Amendment rights protected. They want their voices heard and acknowledged by officials. Farmers want to be able to continue farming successfully.
When I am elected I will take the time to research the issues. I will carefully examine them on how they will affect the taxpayers. I want to maintain an open door to constituents' concerns. If changes need to be made I will work with others on the board to institute the proper resolutions/ordinances always keeping in mind the Constitution, rule of law and people’s personal freedoms. Lastly I will keep all things in prayer to the Lord.
More: Town of Sheboygan: Meet the candidates for town board in the April 5 election.
District 13: Town of Sheboygan Falls Ward 2, Village of Howards Grove, and Town of Herman Ward 3
Name: Charlette Nennig (incumbent)
Address: 1832 Mapletree Road, Howards Grove
Age: 61
Occupation: Retired inside sales representative
Education: Marketing business to business degree from Lakeshore Technical College
Relevant experience: In my 35 years at Gardner Denver/Thomas Industries, I contributed to the development of initiatives focused on sales, customer service, new product development and process improvements. Elected as District 13 County Board supervisor in 2018, I currently serve as chairperson of the Law Committee, serve on the Human Resources Committee, and previously served on the Property Committee. My husband and I were born and raised in Sheboygan County and graduated from local schools, and I'm the proud grandmother of three wonderful boys. As the widow of a fallen police officer who died in the line of duty, I have gained experience working with state legislators advocating for insurance coverage for survivors.
Name: James Coulson
Address: 1307 Bittersweet Lane, Howards Grove
Age: 45
Occupation: Self-employed owner of Premier Outdoor Services, LLC, since 2014
Education: North High School
Campaign website: James Coulson for Sheboygan County Board 13
Relevant experience: Business owner, eight years
Why are you running for a seat on the county board?
Nennig: Having been a County Board supervisor since 2018, I know there are still important issues facing us. Budget challenges continue to be of utmost importance. My experience in managing a $4 million territory at Gardner Denver/Thomas Industries gave me crucial experience for evaluating and maximizing control of budgets. Using my skills, I am particularly proud of being instrumental in advising the Howards Grove Village Board of financial resources to reduce taxes. I can ably represent my constituents and the county in public safety matters. My family is a three-generation family committed to law enforcement. My father-in-law worked as an officer for the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department. My husband, a lieutenant of criminal investigations, was killed in the line of duty while working for the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department. My son is a sheriff’s deputy in Manitowoc County.
Coulson: I am running because I believe the voice of the people has been lost. Too many elected officials have forgotten that they work for the people, not the other way around. We need people in office who respect the rules of governing and want to work for the better of the people. I am not afraid to speak my voice and if elected I will be a voice of the concerns of the community always.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues? If elected, how would you address them?
Nennig: Sheboygan County continues to face tough issues that impact the well-being of our community. We need to effectively focus on our ever-escalating drug epidemic. We continue to face critical staffing shortages within long term care facilities and within the county jail, which needs a top priority in the next two years. Expanding broadband access is extremely important to families and businesses in my district. The need to continue maintaining roads is always an ongoing issue. Given my experience in dealing with our state legislators, I will continue my strong advocacy with them to try to obtain more funding for the Sheboygan County and ensure that it is spent wisely to help address these issues.
Coulson: I am a believer in smaller government, less regulations, medical freedom of choice and privacy of your health care information, fiscal responsibility of government, and supporting our police by making sure they have what they need to do the job at all times. If elected, I will fight to uphold every one of my commitments. My loyalty is to the people of the community and their rights!
District 16: City of Plymouth Wards 1-6
District 16 Incumbent Fran Damp did not seek reelection.
Name: John Nelson
Address: 711 Torke Terrace, Plymouth
Age: 67
Occupation: Carpenter and real estate agent
Education: Bachelor's of science in water resources and master of science in biology
Campaign website: John Nelson for County Supervisor (Facebook)
Relevant experience: I have served as an alderman in the City of Plymouth since April 2013, where I am the chairman of the Finance and Personnel Committee. I have also served on several boards including church, United Way (Plymouth), Maywood Environmental Park and others. I have worked for a governmental agency.
Name: Kevin Sande
Address: 631 Bishop Ave., Plymouth
Age: 61
Occupation: Residential construction estimator/purchasing manager
Education: College with major studies in business and geography
Campaign website: Sande for District 16 (Facebook)
Relevant experience: I have lived in Plymouth for eight-plus years and worked in Sheboygan County for 21 years. I feel my background working with project budgets in the millions of dollars gives me good insight in what to look for in terms of what is essential and what is wasteful. This is vitally important as the county's budget is always growing and the taxpayers are expecting the most for the taxes they pay. There may be times when tough decisions need to be made financially and I feel I can lend valuable insight into making these decisions.
Why are you running for a seat on the county board?
Nelson: I feel a strong obligation to serve my community and to drive it in a positive direction. My background gives me the unique ability to understand how government can influence the public and I look long range at how decisions will influence our future. I use common sense and my experiences to make decisions.
Sande: I've long been troubled by the lack of people running for local government positions. Why is the voter turnout so low in spring elections? Because many times there are no candidate choices and people don't feel it's worth their time to vote when there are no choices or open debates in regard to the issues that are important to the electors.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues? If elected, how would you address them?
Nelson: Residents seem most concerned with fiscal responsibility and I appreciate their concern. I strive to keep taxes as low as possible, yet to provide the services they need.
Sande: With all of the freedoms infringed upon the past year and a half, people tell me they are fed up with governments trampling on their constitutional freedoms. I am in full support of a county Medical Freedom Ordinance. No medical issues should ever be forced on anyone, especially mask mandates and vaccinations.
Election integrity is an issue with many residents. I've led a group of people on this issue diving into the past election in Sheboygan County. We've learned that county voter rolls are a mess. The press has been silent on this. We have 50,044 inactive status voters on the Sheboygan County rolls, including deceased voters and felons. These must be removed from the Wisconsin Voter Database and stored separately so that legal registered voters have no risk of their legal voter status being abused during elections.
Wind farms within Sheboygan County are a concern with the recent announcement of a 16-unit wind farm. The fact that the developer hasn't even identified themselves should worry everyone. Windmills decrease property values and endanger air space.
Editor's note: Under existing procedures, the Wisconsin Elections Commission does store active and inactive voter records together, and the above number of inactive voters looks accurate, according to Sheboygan County Clerk Jon Dolson. Those numbers do not indicate there are fake voter registrations in the county. The WEC does not delete voter records in the WisVote database (which keeps voter records for all counties) but instead changes voters' statuses, Dolson said. For instance, a registered voter who moves and re-registers to vote may be listed twice in the database, but only one listing will be active. The poll books that are produced from the database for elections only include one listing for active, eligible voters, Dolson said.
District 18: City of Sheboygan Falls Wards 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10, and Town of Sheboygan Falls Wards 1 and 3
Name: Christian Ellis (incumbent, since being appointed to the empty seat by county board chairman Vern Koch in January)
Address: 705 River Oaks Drive, Sheboygan Falls
Age: 40
Occupation: Independent corporate recruiter
Education: Oostburg High School
Relevant experience: With 17 years of experience as a corporate recruiter, I understand what job-seekers are looking for and the challenges employers face in the current labor market. Between my part-time experience as a paid soccer coach and my volunteer experience with recreational players and players with disabilities, I have interacted with families of all income levels and all walks of life. I understand the need for direct, open and honest communication that has both respect and purpose. I believe my military service also demonstrates commitment to community and country.
Name: James Evraets
Address: 123 First St., Sheboygan Falls
Age: 60
Occupation: Owner of Evraets Construction Services
Relevant experience: I own Evraets Construction Services and work every day for my company. I am an Army veteran. I also sit on the board of directors for Meadowland Credit Union as treasurer, was the former president of Sheboygan County Conservation Association for six years, and have been president of a local conservation club for eight years.
Campaign website: James Evraets for Sheboygan County Board District 18 (Facebook)
Why are you running for a seat on the county board?
Ellis: In this time of division, Kate (my wife and partner of 15 years) and I believe it is important to have elected officials who recognize the function of non-partisan offices and for folks who believe in democracy and the vibrancy of community to put their name forward. As a lifelong resident of the county and father of four children from 4K through eighth grade, I want to continue to build a society that is confident, educated and self-sufficient while not losing touch with our midwestern values and the sense of community that makes this place feel like home.
Evraets: I am running for county board supervisor because I am looking to be the voice for my district regarding county issues.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues? If elected, how would you address them?
Ellis: Honestly, most people don't know that the county board exists. The question I get asked most often is "what office is that again?" People want their potholes filled, roads plowed and the ugliness of politics out of their daily life. I intend to focus on the business of the county while carrying open and honest dialogue with any constituent who wants it. I believe in fostering partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits and charities and facilitating local solutions to local problems.
Evraets: People's right of choice. I support the Bill of Rights and our constitutional freedoms.
District 19: City of Sheboygan Falls Wards 3-7
District 19 incumbent Michael Ogea did not seek reelection.
Name: Jacob Immel
Address: 1012 Falls Parc Drive, Sheboygan Falls
Age: 27
Occupation: Private school teacher
Education: Sheboygan Falls High School graduate. Degrees in public administration and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Campaign website: www.immelforsheboygancounty.com
Relevant experience: Born and raised in Sheboygan Falls, I serve on the Sheboygan Falls City Council and have represented District 3 since 2018. I have previously served on the county board as well, representing District 18. I have work experience ranging from customer service to nonprofit management to education, have taught in both public school and private school settings, and volunteer extensively at many local events in Sheboygan Falls and the county. I'm recently married, am very involved in my church, serving in our Sunday school ministry, and am also a self-published author.
Name: Roberta Vollbrecht-Lentz
Address: 116 Boland Pkwy., Sheboygan Falls
Age: 36
Occupation: Instructional Media Center educational assistant
Education: Sheboygan Falls High School graduate
Relevant experience: I have participated in several community committees, including the facility committee for the middle school referendum. I have been the PTO president at the Sheboygan Falls Elementary School twice.
Why are you running for a seat on the county board?
Immel: I'm running for county board because we need a representative with the experience and passion to accomplish big things. We need transparency and someone who will respond quickly. It's also important to have a representative with a working relationship with business owners, department heads and elected officials from the local level to the federal level. I have those relationships.
I will always listen, be upfront and honest and work hard every day. We may not always agree on every issue, but there are always issues where we can find common ground. I will stand for fiscal responsibility, give a portion of my salary back and won't accept per diems for meetings which supervisors can claim. I'll also hold monthly town hall coffee meetings to hear directly from those that I represent.
I am hoping to return to the board. I have the local government experience and can hit the ground running on day one.
Vollbrecht-Lentz: I’m invested in this community. I have been a lifelong Sheboygan County resident, and almost all of that has been in District 19. My family has a history of stepping up to lead the community and I feel that now is a great time for me to do the same. I want to make sure my three kids are raised in a place that they can be proud of.
I don’t have big political aspirations, I just want my friends, family and neighbors to have their voices heard. I feel I’m relatable to most people in one way or another, so I’m someone they can talk to and share their thoughts and opinions with. People who know me are not shy about saying that I’m outspoken when I’m passionate about a topic, but I genuinely think that’s a great quality to have. That means you will know where I stand, I’m also open to conversations, and if I change my mind I’ll be just as forthcoming about why and give reasons behind it.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues? If elected, how would you address them?
Immel: From what I'm hearing, the most important issues are:
Workforce development issues;
Economic development;
Crime and public safety; and
Transparency in local government, giving our citizens more of a voice in the governing process.
We need to tackle human trafficking, deliver cost-effective county services and work on getting more individuals in the workforce. I sat on different meetings and taskforces related to solving our trafficking issue in the county.
Criminal justice reform is a big issue of mine as well. It is a priority to give inmates a second chance when they transition out of the criminal justice system. I worked to start a program that provided care packages for inmates transitioning out of the system.
Also, continuing to advocate for quality mental health services in the county is key. A major issue stemming from the pandemic is a sharp increase in mental health issues. This is an issue we can't ignore.
If elected, I will address these issues starting on day one.
Vollbrecht-Lentz: The issues I’ve heard most about are COVID-19, helping local small businesses and infrastructure.
COVID-19 still has an impact on our everyday lives. People want to know what is being done to mitigate exposure while maintaining the balance of “normalcy” in our world.
Our local economy took a huge hit in 2020. Residents lost some of their favorite small businesses.
Maintaining roads is a priority for a lot of residents.
I believe information is key for all of those concerns.
Making sure residents have access to details of what is best practice for COVID-19 mitigation is huge. Science keeps changing. As we learn more, our ideas for prevention change. By telling people how they can take care of themselves and keep their friends and family safe, they can make the best choice for them.
We need to get word out on small businesses. Spotlighting special events and new openings is a great way to help grow our community involvement.
Letting the community know about upcoming plans for infrastructure improvements would be a great first step.
District 20: Town of Sheboygan Ward 10, Town of Wilson Wards 3 and 4, Village of Kohler
Name: Brian Hoffmann (incumbent)
Address: 1621 Pheasant Lane, Sheboygan
Age: 77
Occupation: Retired history and political science teacher at Sheboygan North High School
Education: Bachelor of science in education, history and government from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Master of science in teaching and government from University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Relevant experience: I have served as an alderman in City of Sheboygan 1973-1979. I have also served as a Town of Wilson supervisor for the last 20 years. I am currently serving as a Sheboygan County supervisor (20 years). On the County Board, I served on the Law Committee (chairman, four years), Health and Human Service Committee (current chairman), as well as several other committees and sub-committees such as EMS and Aging Disabilities Resource Board, Human Resources and Healthcare Centers Committee.
Name: Carl Nonhof
Address: 359 Olmsted Court, Kohler
Age: 70
Occupation: Retired. Former career was as a purchasing procurement commodities manager, required to spend millions of dollars annually.
Education: Marquette University, LaCrosse State University, Silver Lake College. Business management major. Many other business-related seminars during my work career (i.e. Supply Chain, Materials, Transportation, Lean Manufacturing, Negotiation, etc.)
Relevant experience: Recent full elected three-year term on the Kohler School Board. 35 years of doing business contracts with several hundred companies. 40 years of ongoing activity on many various local entity committees.
Why are you running for a seat on the county board?
Hoffmann: I am asking the voters of District 20 for their vote and support based on record of service and leadership. I am part of a board that has lowered your tax burden while maintaining excellent services. This is almost unheard of in the state of Wisconsin. I want to be a continuing part of the team that is going to bring this COVID-19 pandemic under control and to its eventual demise.
Nonhof: I am interested in being on the County Board because I care for every family, person, business and entity in our Sheboygan County. I have lived my entire life in Sheboygan County, and it has been very good to me. Now, I am interested in being on the board, not for me, but to help all others, including all the children and grandchildren in our county. I also do other caring things. Because I care, I just served a full three-year term on the Kohler School Board, have coached a high school varsity sport, am a decades-long high school basketball official, am an approved active inmate mentor in the Sheboygan County Jail, and more.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues? If elected, how would you address them?
Hoffmann: I have already addressed two of the important issues of Sheboygan County (COVID-19 and taxes).
Another issue: Sheboygan County’s continuing drug epidemic is a BIG concern.
Other issues that are important to address are:
Recruiting and maintaining a high-quality Sheboygan County workforce;
Continuing to improve services for our residents; and
Continuing the development of broadband services in Sheboygan County.
To address these issues, I would encourage citizen and business participation. Working together and providing adequate resources is the way to succeed in addressing the issues I have noted.
Nonhof: Sheboygan County Board member elections are two-year terms, so considering the recent significant inflation and the significant daily cost-of-living increase for every person, family and entity in Sheboygan County, I have high interests to learn about cost retention and more-so cost reduction possibilities for our Sheboygan County. During my entire 40-plus-year work career, every year it was a high requirement to minimally maintain existing costs and more-so reduce costs via value analysis, negotiation, supplier competitive bidding, etc. Then, of course I will be diligent to all other issues in our Sheboygan County.
District 23: Town of Greenbush Wards 2 and 3, Town of Mitchell, Town of Scott Wards 2 and 3
Name: Jacqueline (Jackie) Veldman (incumbent)
Address: W7282 County Road F, Cascade
Age: 50
Occupation: Specialty outpatient surgery coder for Advocate Aurora Health
Education: Associate degree in health information technology from Moraine Park Technical College. Maintained credentials as a Registered Health Information Technician
Campaign website: Jackie Veldman, Sheboygan County Supervisor (Facebook)
Relevant experience: I am the current County Board supervisor for District 23, completing my first elected term after being appointed in September 2019. I am chairman of the Health Care Center Committee, serve on the Transportation Committee and I am a Citizen Participation Committee member for the Community Development Block Grant that was awarded to Rocky Knoll for building improvements and remodeling. I am currently serving my third term as town chairperson in the Town of Mitchell and prior to this served three terms as town board supervisor in the Town of Mitchell. Prior to being on the county board, I volunteered at my children’s elementary schools, was PTA president, a parent volunteer in 4-H, a member of the Cascade Fire Department Auxiliary, served on church committees and I have helped organize benefits and fundraisers.
Name: Dan Jones
Address: W7748 Highway W, Cascade/Town of Mitchell
Age: 38
Occupation: Self-employed contractor
Education: Random Lake High School and Lakeshore Technical College
Relevant experience: The only experience you need is being a good citizen. Someone who is connected to their community through the work that they do or charities they participate in. I believe all that’s wrong in politics is the fact that people started getting degrees in it. Being an elected representative was never meant to be a profession, it was meant to be a call of duty.
Why are you running for a seat on the county board?
Veldman: I like serving my community in a non-partisan capacity while working with others from across the county in making our county and local communities a better place to live. There are many departments and people that must work together for the successful day-to-day operations of the county. I enjoy learning about the processes involved, being able to make suggestions, digging into problems and being part of the decision process that helps our county government be successful, while spending tax dollars wisely. I also enjoy helping others. My experience on the town board allows me to represent the town perspective on some issues. I’ve met and talked to many constituents during my time on the county board and I take time to listen and answer questions. If I don't know the answer I will find out or direct them to someone who can help.
Jones: I came to the realization that if I don’t get involved and try to solve some of our problems or fix some of our political issues, I’m essentially putting the burden upon my children. There is nothing fair about that. The growth of government on all levels is out of control and unsustainable. It’s naïve to think the government and its services can continue to expand at this rate. If you take the growth in our budgets locally or nationally and that the debts governments at some levels take on and project them 50 years from now, when our children will retire, those numbers are astronomical. We need to start thinking about zero-based budgeting. It’s not representative of our citizens to add to every departments budget every year, we should go over all of the expenditures. We also need to start considering the unintended consequences of every government action. Many times things seem good initially but when they unfold cause more problems than they are worth.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues? If elected, how would you address them?
Veldman: Taxes are an issue people ask about. The county tax rate has gone down for the sixth year in a row, but individual tax bills may go up due to assessed value. I will work toward making decisions that will in turn keep our taxes low.
Residents also ask what the half-percent sales tax money is used for. $1 million goes to the property tax levy to keep taxes down. Some is shared with the 28 municipalities for road work. This year, $1.7 million was shared, and the remainder goes to the county Transportation Department for roads. Since being implemented in 2017, the half-percent sales tax has allowed the highway department to pave 30 miles per year, doubling what was previously paved. Many residents are concerned with road conditions across the county and towns and the half-percent sales tax has allowed for more road work to be done.
Many residents in my district do not have access to dependable internet. A task force has been created to explore using ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) money to expand broadband internet to underserved areas in Sheboygan County.
Jones: My community seems to be mainly concerned with the growth of government and its powers and how that infringes on their freedom and individual rights. At the county level, that’s not as big of a concern as on a state and national level. But what I will do is consider every decision I have to make and how that will affect my constituents now and in the future.
Currently, they are also concerned about the newly proposed wind turbines in Sheboygan County. For some reason, the application with the FAA is shrouded in secrecy, which concerns me because if it was a Walmart or a company looking for fossil fuels, the media would be seeking answers. So, if elected, I would work with our state representatives to change some of these rules that the Public Service Commission has because centralizing power and rulemaking abilities with a group of unelected officials takes away the diversity of small communities making ordinances that represent their people.
District 24: Town of Scott Ward 1, Town of Sherman, Village of Adell, Village of Random Lake
Name: William Goehring (incumbent)
Address: N185 County Road DE, Random Lake
Age: 74
Occupation: I retired in 2016 following a 39-year career with the State of Wisconsin. Over those 39 years, I provided oversight to counties as they administered economic support, child support, Wisconsin-Works and behavioral health programs providing mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Education: Bachelor's degree in social work from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Master's in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I retain certification as an advanced practice social worker.
Relevant experience: I am an incumbent County Board supervisor, was County Board chairman for five years, currently chair the Finance Committee, and have in the past chaired the Human Resources and Executive Committees. I serve on several state-wide committees including the Wisconsin Counties Utility Tax Association, the Wisconsin Counties Personnel, Finance, and County Organization Steering Committee, and the County Mutual Insurance Claims Advisory Committee. I currently serve as the Sheboygan County Board representative on the four county Monarch Library Board. I have chaired the Town of Sherman Board for 35 years.
Name: Arush Chahal
Address: 223 Park St., Adell
Age: 51
Occupation: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Education: Bachelor's in computer science
Relevant experience: I have been assisting my neighbors and friends for years through my 17 years of being a trustee of Adell, while participating in many committees. In a small community like Adell, I have many years of experience listening to my constituents and using their thoughts to better our home.
Why are you running for a seat on the county board?
Goehring: I am running because I want to continue to be a part of making good things happen in Sheboygan County. I am running to continue my vigorous support of my constituents in southwestern Sheboygan County who sometimes feel forgotten because of our distance from Sheboygan. I will continue to work to ensure we receive those county services we desire but that are within our ability to pay. I want to continue to ensure that county provided services are effectively and efficiently delivered. I want to continue to be part of the process determining how ARPA dollars are spent and ensure all segments of Sheboygan County benefit in part. I also want to continue to ensure appropriate services are delivered to our senior residents and especially to residents who suffer with substance abuse and/or mental health issues.
Chahal: For almost two decades, I have volunteered my time working for the people of Adell and I would like to start helping everyone in District 24. I think we need to start pushing for faster improvements and use this time to expand business in our community. Now that these two years of lockdown and Covid intensity are finally coming to a close, we need to invest in our people. This means making sure the people are happy, and that businesses choose to invest in us. Throughout my years as a business owner, and my years in public service, I have the knowledge to attract investment to the towns of Random Lake, Sherman, and Adell. I would love an opportunity to help you.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues? If elected, how would you address them?
Goehring: Several of the most important issues I hear concern controlling the tax levy, ensuring tax dollars are well spent, ensuring residents in the district farthest from Sheboygan are included, and that those residents are being kept informed of issues facing the county board. Over the past 10 years while a member of the Finance Committee, the tax levy has increased by an average of only 1.22% per year. If returned to the Finance Committee, I will continue my fiscally conservative nature. As resources become more scarce, we must continue to evaluate the services we deliver and how they are delivered and look for efficiencies. I have vigorously represented the interests of my district in the past and hope to continue doing so in the future. I will continue to attend village and town meetings to be accessible to local officials and citizens attending those meetings while also writing my periodic "County Board Corner" article in The Sounder.
To learn more, individuals who have a Sounder subscription can search for past "County Board Corner" articles at: www.thesounderonline.com/The-Sounder-01062022-e-Edition/1/
Chahal: Two of the big ways in which I want to help District 24 are to keep everyone happy and to get investment in our homes. A simple thing such as consistent maintenance on our roads can do both while also keeping everyone a little safer. In Adell, we have been pushing to fix little issues before they become potholes and it has made our village a little bit better. Another issue is the giant wrench that Covid threw into everyone's businesses. I want to help any entrepreneur hoping to start a new business or any businesses that need help after this pandemic, whether that be through more community events or spreading awareness of opportunities such as Sheboygan's Economic Development Program. These are just some of the ideas I have to make District 24 just a little bit better by representing you.
District 25: Town of Holland, Village of Cedar Grove
Name: Roger TeStroete (incumbent)
Address: N1912 Huibregtse Road, Oostburg
Age: 72
Occupation: Retired. Was a mason at Oostburg Concrete and then Department of Public Works director for the Town of Holland until retirement
Education: Cedar Grove High School graduate. Attended Milwaukee Technical College classes in accounting and business administration
Relevant experience: Presently serving as chairman of the County Transportation Committee, vice chairman of the County Finance Committee and chairman of the Amsterdam Dunes Advisory Committee. I have served 12 years on the Town Holland Board and was honored to be elected two terms as County Board chairman by my fellow supervisors.
Name: David Reichle
Address: 45 Hickory Drive, Cedar Grove
Age: 54
Occupation: Registered respiratory therapist
Education: Bachelor of science in respiratory therapy from Boise State University, 1994
Relevant experience: This is my first time running for public office. However, in my 28 years working as a respiratory therapist, I have held leadership positions as supervisor and manager. Additionally, I am an active member of the Republican Party of Sheboygan County.
Why are you running for a seat on the county board?
Te Stroete: I am running for reelection to the Sheboygan County Board to continue my efforts to make Sheboygan County a better place to live and work. As a lifelong resident of District 25, I have always been involved in local issues. I am able to devote the time required to fulfill the substantial responsibilities of the position. As a former town board member, I realize how decisions made at the county level can affect the Village of Cedar Grove and the Town of Holland.
Reichle: All around our country, I watch as local governments fail to provide for the overall safety of its citizens. Solid law enforcement initiatives and safe infrastructure are a requirement for a successful county operation. I hope to contribute to a board that ensures adequate funding for these essential services. Working on the front-line in health care, I have not only realized the importance of caring for those in need, but have also developed the financial and human resource skills which will prove invaluable in executing my role as a Sheboygan County Board Supervisor.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues? If elected, how would you address them?
Te Stroete: Residents of District 25 are telling me our county roads need to be maintained and kept safe, and we also need to keep running government as efficiently as possible. Currently the committees I serve on have direct impact on the County D project from Cedar Grove to Highway 57, keeping the average 10-year levy increase to 1% and preservation of the Amsterdam Dunes for future generations. I am asking for the privilege of continuing to represent you as your County Board Supervisor.
Reichle: Residents are concerned with:
Maintaining solid law enforcement presence within our community.
Economic development and land use within agricultural areas. Concerns regarding wind turbine and solar farms development have been voiced.
Maintenance of county infrastructure such as roadways, recreational facilities, buildings and institutions.
How to vote
To vote, people must be registered and present a photo ID. People can register to vote online at myvote.wi.gov, in person at their municipal clerk's office or at the polling place the day of the election.
People can also register to vote by mail by printing out the voter registration form from elections.wi.gov and mailing it to their municipal clerk.
In-person voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 5.
People must vote at the polling location of the ward they live in. As a result of redistricting, some wards may have changed. People can determine their voting location at myvote.wi.gov or by calling their municipal clerk's office.
Reach Maya Hilty at 920-400-7485 or MHilty@sheboygan.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @maya_hilty.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan County board candidates share priorities before election
