Sam Kaufman is the only candidate for Fond du Lac County executive. Here are his priorities for the county.
FOND DU LAC - Waupun attorney Sam Kaufman is poised to become the first new person elected Fond du Lac County executive in nearly 30 years, as the only candidate on the ballot.
Allen Buechel served in the role since 1993, until he died at age 74 in late March.
Director of Administration Erin Gerred was appointed interim county executive until after the June 7 special election.
Kaufman has served as the District 7 Fond du Lac County Board member since 2016, representing the Waupun area, and was recently elected as board chairman.
As an elected executive, Kaufman would fill the rest of Buechel's term, which expires April 15, 2025.
The Reporter provided Kaufman a list of questions about his ideas for the future, limited to a 100-word response.
For more information on the election, your polling location and how to register to vote, visit myvote.wi.gov. Additional information on Kaufman can be found on samforfdl.com.
Meet Sam Kaufman
Address: W10377 Willow Creek Road, Waupun
Age: 56
Occupation and highest education level: Trial attorney and partner in the law firm of Vande Zande & Kaufman, LLP. Earned juris doctor in 1994.
Relevant Experience: I have operated a successful law firm as a partner in Vande Zande & Kaufman, LLP. Additionally, since 2016, I have served as a County Board supervisor representing District 7 and serving as chairman of the UW Extension, Agriculture and Recreation Standing Committee. Also, I am currently chairman of the Fond du Lac County Board. Since 2017 I have served as a supervisor on the Town of Waupun Board and presently serve as vice president of the Fond du Lac County Town Association.
Why are you running for office?: During my time on County Board and as a town board supervisor I had the privilege to work with Allen J. Buechel. I learned from Allen that to serve the county you need to partner with our local municipalities to understand the issues and work to find solutions.
I believe that my time as a County Board and Town Board supervisor have prepared me to lead county government as we continue the partnership with our local municipalities and address issues such as public safety, fiscally responsible budgets, capital improvements, economic and workforce development.
What are your or residents’ top issues, and how would you address them?: Public safety, economic and workforce development and investment in our capital improvements are top issues to me. I believe we must support and respect our police, fire and emergency service agencies to ensure not only the safety of our citizens but also the safety of those who serve within the agencies.
Also, we must not only look for opportunities for new businesses, but develop educational opportunities to increase our trades labor force.
Lastly, we must continue to fund our county capital improvements, such as infrastructure. I will present annual budgets which focus on these priorities.
How do you plan on moving forward, and what do you see in the county’s future?: I believe Mr. Buechel left our county with a strong base to work from. I will continue to partner with our local municipalities and elected officials to create and maintain economic development opportunities, safe communities, educational opportunities in our trades industries and improve upon our existing recreational opportunities for families to enjoy. Our county government must not only work to provide a community in which our current residents will continue to call home, but for others to move into our county and start calling it their home.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac County executive candidate talks public safety, economy
