This April 5, 2022, many Kenosha County Residents will see two boxes to check for County Board Supervisor. The 23 Board Members make up the County Board and control the County Budget, policies, and Ordinances (local laws). We gave the same questions to all the candidates and gave them all a chance to be seen by our readers.

Kenosha County Residents: Click here to enter your address to learn which Supervisory district you are in.

District 1

Occupation

Stay at home mom, Certified dog trainer.

Why are you running for the County Board?

I’m ready for change. I want to help make the world a better, safer, affordable, loving place for everyone.

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

1. Supporting families during crisis. I do not support the multi-million dollar bonuses given to county employees that lost no income during the covid-19 pandemic. I understand families are still struggling. Our county government should be supporting families, and Ensuring they have access to relief services so they can continue to work, care for their children, get back on their feet, and have mental health options available as mental heath issues are on the rise. I will fight for families in need.

2. Increasing public safety. I understand that crime must be stopped before it happens, not just swept up after the fact. I will advocate for law enforcement resources to stop criminal events before they happen, reduce speeding on our roads, and fight Kenosha County’s increasing theft, and violence. Families need to feel safe in their neighborhoods. 

3. Ensuring Fiscal Accountability. I am determined to improve the Fiscal management of the county, and will seek out waste, and needless spending where ever it hides. I will ensure best practices are followed, and I believe every dollar spent should bring value to the county. I will focus on ways to cut spending, and heavy taxation while still increasing revenue to support programs that assist families. 

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

I will make myself available by being present and talking to everyone to see what concerns they have, and to look into what I can do about them. I will also be available by phone, and email.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

I think the role of Supervisor is to work for the people, set a good example, be good at budgeting money, being able to think outside the box, and actually care about improving the lives of every single person. 

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Why are you running for the County Board?

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If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

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Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

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Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

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District 3

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Account Manager

Why are you running for the County Board?

I am running to bring much needed change to the County Board. The current county board refused to investigate the 2020 riots. Also, news continues to come out about the unethical and dishonest behavior of the Kenosha County Board. 

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

1.  The lack of a county probe into the Kenosha Riots is unacceptable. I will insist on a thorough investigation.
2. Kenosha County suffers from unethical and dishonest behavior that puts the elected official’s interests over the citizens. I intend to put a stop to this and put my constituents first. 
3. Kenosha County has seen a massive spike in crime. I want to ensure that our sheriff’s department is properly equipped to put a stop to it. 

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

Other than the usual avenues of communication, such as email, phone calls, or showing up to board meetings, I intend to set up in person and digital town halls to talk with my constituents on a regular basis. 

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

A County Board Supervisor’s primary function is legislative. The County Board’s function is policy making, law making, budgetary approval, and cooperative decision making. County Board Supervisors write and vote on legislation. Their primary function is to enact policy.

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Furniture Salesman

Why are you running for the County Board?

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If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

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Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

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Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

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District 5

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Why are you running for the County Board?

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If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

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Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

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Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

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District 7

Daniel Gaschke has represented the 7th District on the Kenosha County Board since 2018. He currently serves as chair of the board’s Planning, Development & Extension Education Committee, and also serves on the board’s Executive Committee, the Mental Health/Alcohol/Other Drugs Committee, the Land & Water Conservation Committee, and the Racial & Ethnic Equity Commission.

In the past, Gaschke also has served on the board’s Human Services Committee, Legislative Committee, and the Public Works/Facilities Committee.

Gaschke and his wife, Emilie, are adoptive and former foster parents who since 2010 have owned and operated a local small business, Kindermusik with Emilie, a music school offering small-­‐group music and movement classes for children and private music lessons for all ages.

Gaschke has also worked in education and mental health care—as house manager of a community-­‐based residential facility and as an academic adviser and instructor at Shepherds College, a post-­‐secondary school for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has also worked as a painting contractor. Gaschke has earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree.

Occupation

(Self-­‐Employed) Since 2010 we have owned and operated a local small business, Kindermusik with Emilie, a music school offering small-­‐group music and movement classes for children and private music lessons for all ages.

Why are you running for the County Board?

I love people and I love helping others reach their goals and their greatest potential. Serving as a local nonpartisan elected official since 2018 has been one way to help my neighbors and others, and I’d love the opportunity to continue serving our community in this role.

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

1. Continue to diligently work through the annual budget process (as I have for the past four years) by attending committee meetings and hearings, asking questions, talking with department heads and other staff, and providing feedback, all with the goal of helping produce a fiscally responsible budget that provides the infrastructure and services needed for Kenosha County residents and the resources and finances needed for our staff to best serve our community.
2. Continue to stay active and involved in our community so that I can understand and best represent the interests and needs of those in my neighborhood and throughout Kenosha County.
3. Continue to make Kenosha County an attractive place to live, work, and play, by seeking to retain our own local talent and to welcome new growth, development, and investment in our community.

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

In addition to my constituents always being able to reach out to me via phone or email with questions, concerns, or feedback, I am also always happy to meet face-­‐to-­‐face (as I often do over a cup of coffee, etc.) to talk, discuss, or help work through issues or needs. I also am very actively involved in our community, regularly attending community events and interacting with residents and other community leaders.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

A County Board Supervisor serves in a nonpartisan legislative role, meaning we pass various policies (ordinances and resolutions), approve appointments to various committees and commissions, pass the county’s annual budget (which totaled approximately $302 million in 2022), and we provide general oversight to the overall operations of everything within Kenosha County Government.

Again, my ultimate desire is to help people and to treat others with dignity and respect. So as an independent, nonpartisan County Board Supervisor since 2018, my role in relation to my constituents and other residents of Kenosha County is to ensure a safe and healthy community to live in, and to help connect them with the information, services, and resources they need to reach their goals and their greatest potential. And my role as a County Board Supervisor in relation to the dedicated professionals that work for Kenosha County is to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, and to help provide the necessary finances, resources, oversight, and guidance (without micromanaging them), so that they can best serve the needs of our community.

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Why are you running for the County Board?

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If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

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Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

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Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

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District 8

Occupation

Small Business owner

Why are you running for the County Board?

The reason I am asking my neighbors to send me back to the county board for two more years is the same reason I gave them when I asked them to send me there the first time. Kenosha needs leaders who not only care about this community but leaders who aren’t scared of tough challenges, will lead when it isn’t easy, and to put the needs of their community before their own personal desires. I believe I have demonstrated those traits during my time in county government. I have demanded that we hold open meetings, voted to keep violent sex-predators out of our neighborhoods, secured nearly 100,000 masks for frontline workers, pushed Kenosha County to modernize by sponsoring the legislation that put body cameras on all of our Sheriff’s Deputies, assisted property owners who faced difficulty paying their property taxes due to COVID-19, defeated a 200% increase in park entry fees and expanded local access to mental health services. These are just a few of the highlights of my current term, and the foundation of the work that needs to be continued. I cannot wait to continue our progress for another two years!

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

• When re-elected to the County Board, I will continue my mission to expand the following areas: Government Transparency / Accessibility, Human Services, and Safety. During the time I’ve spent on the County Board I have sponsored numerous resolutions and ordinances as well as connected constituents with services already available to them that address these community needs. I will continue to effectuate meaningful change even when facing resistance from the typical “Kenosha Boys Club” Just a few of the things I’ve introduced, co-sponsored, voted in favor of and done are:
  • Equipping the Sheriff’s Dept. with body worn cameras
  • Ensuring death benefits to those who died in the line of duty
  • Property tax relief
  • Additional transparency in the placement of violent sex offenders
  • Help reunite separated families
  • Distribute Crisis Intervention materials
  • Move the Kenosha County Job Center to a more centralized location
  • Raises for of Deputies

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

One of the most rewarding parts of being on the county board is speaking with my constituents. Not only have I made a point of listening to my constituents, but I’ve taken their feedback and turned it into actions. Words without action are meaningless. The residents of the 8^th District know that they can always reach out to me with any issues or questions.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

The county board serves as the legislative branch of county government. In turn, County Board Supervisors do several important tasks. We adopt yearly budgets, work alongside other municipalities, plan the county’s long-term goals, and address local needs amongst many things.  While we are legislators, I have also looked at my position as an advocate for my constituents and our neighborhoods. The reason I ran for county board the first time was because I didn’t feel the 8^th District had an advocate representing us. Since being elected the first time, I have unapologetically been that voice, and will continue to be that voice.

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Retired from Nyberg’s Trophies & Awards

Why are you running for the County Board?

First, I’ve been asked by many different people, several different times, to run. People knew how I ran my business and thought I would make an excellent Supervisor. Then came the summer of 2020 when Kenosha became a very scary place and I watched it burn like all the rest of Kenosha’s families.  That’s when, asked again, I decided to throw my hat into the ring. I am retired so I have the time. We have got to get a handle on this lawlessness, so Kenosha doesn’t turn into a Milwaukee or a Chicago. I want to make sure our law enforcement has what it needs.  I know that we can do better!

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

As an elected official, I need to make our number 1 priority the safety of our citizens.  We need to make sure that law enforcement has what it needs to do the job and vote in people that won’t hide when their city is burning.

We need to make sure our kids are kept safe and to make sure that when a convicted violent sex predator is placed in your neighborhood that you are notified and fight not to have them placed in neighborhoods with children at all.

As I walked and talked with the people of the 9^th District the one thing I heard most was that our roads were in poor condition and in need of repair.  I will work with the city to make their voices heard.

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

I will make myself available to the people of the 9^th District with my personal phone number 262-515-6168 and my E-mail address VoteDanNyberg@gmail.com and I will get back to them ASAP.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

I think the role of a supervisor is what I thought it was, after going to watch several meetings.  It’s planning, budgeting and public safety committees with the objective to make sure that the people of Kenosha get all the services that are available to them.

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Why are you running for the County Board?

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District 10

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Executive Director of the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, Inc. (resigning 4/03/2022)

Why are you running for the County Board? 

I’m running because I care what happens, and I have the skills to help. During my employment currently at Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, Inc. where I’ve been for 13 years and previously at Women and Children’s Horizons for 6 years, I have basically been the CEO of my own version of Kenosha County: staff, grants, fees, programs, consumers, facilities. I’ve dealt with all of the aspects of county government in my microcosm, and now I can use my skills to help the greater community. My vast and varied experiences working in nonprofits make me a great candidate for County Board Supervisor. Further, I have great skills managing conflict, and while no one wants conflict, politically we have too much of it right now. I’m a clear communicator who is willing and able to have difficult conversations in a respectful manner in order to work for the greater good of the citizens. 

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

How do we ensure that we have affordable, safe housing; good jobs; and quality health services in the big picture? We all want to live in the “best” place, so it’s up to elected officials to make that best come to fruition. That means working together for the common good.

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

I’m best available by email: guidafordistrict11@gmail.com

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

Serving the constituents and ensuring that their best interests are responsibly advocated for without political influence while also helping constituents understand what is and is not under the purview of the County Board.

Occupation

Owner, Zach’s Lawn Care

Why are you running for the County Board?

2020 was a wake-up call for me. As a business owner and resident of Kenosha I, like everyone else, was impacted by the events of the last two years. After watching businesses close, Kenosha burn, and our country become increasingly divided, I began to realize the importance of understanding how our local government operates. When redistricting was completed, I knew the time was right to take an opportunity to represent my neighborhood in our county government. District 11 is near and dear to me! My lawn care company began by pushing my mower through this neighborhood at 14 and asking you to hire me to mow lawns, pull weeds, and perform many other odd jobs. Now 15 years later, we are a top-rated, award-winning company that continues to grow each year. By using the professional skills I have learned, and the many relationships we have built, It is my hope by serving as your County Board Supervisor I can give back to the community that gave me my start and help move our County forward!

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

As County Board Supervisor I intend to focus on three things: Safe

Communities, Strong Economy, Smart Spending.

Safe Communities:

I understand the importance of protecting the families, homes, and businesses in our community. As county board supervisor I will advocate for resources to support law enforcement and fight Kenosha County’s increasing theft and violence. I would also support an investigation into the response of the 2020 riots so that we can take steps to ensure that our community stays safe in the years to come.

Strong Economy:

Families and businesses are still recovering from the effects of the coronavirus. Parents have had to navigate ever-changing pandemic restrictions while businesses have had to adapt to closures, mandates, and employee shortages. Small business is the backbone of our economy and there are over 75 of them in District 11 alone! As your representative, I will advocate for programs and policies that support economic recovery while safely getting people back to work and back on track.

Smart Spending: 

As Supervisor, my goal will be to improve the fiscal management of the county and will seek out waste and needless spending wherever it hides. As the owner of a debt-free company, I take this topic seriously and will ensure that best practices are followed. Every dollar spent should bring value to the county and I will focus on ways to cut spending and heavy taxation while still increasing revenue to fund the County’s needs.

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

I look forward to communicating with neighbors in my district. Currently I can be contacted through my website www.VoteZachStock.com. Once elected I will be more than happy to respond to communications through the county board email as well as by phone.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

The role of a County Board supervisor is to represent the residents in the district in which they live by 1. Educating them about the functions of county government.

2 Listening to their input on matters before the county board, and

3. Using that input to make informed decisions that best represents the people in the district.

  

District 13

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Mortgage Professional

Why are you running for the County Board?

I’m running for office because I want to bring my passion and experience to help make positive changes in our community. I believe I would be an asset to the County Board because not only do I have a background in criminal justice and finance, but I also have proven experience working with diverse groups of people. Considering two incumbents who are women decided not to run for re-election to the board, I think it would be great to elect new women to the board this spring. I am ready and excited to step up and serve our community.

From talking to neighbors and other Kenoshans, I have learned the things that weigh the heaviest on peoples’ minds are the summer of 2020 riots, the increasing crime in our city, and getting people back to work and back to normal after COVID. I feel very passionate about these concerns because they mirror my own.

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

– Supporting police, law, and order.  Hiring additional deputies to fight the increase in crime.

– A budget that eliminates government overspending

– Helping people get back to work to bring about normalcy again and thereby helping local businesses who are in desperate need of employees.

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

If I am elected,  I will make periodic visits to constituent’s homes to survey their concerns.  Constituents can email me at VoteJennBittner@gmail.com or call me (262) 235-0009.  I will return emails / calls within 24 hours.  If I am traveling and unable to return the communication within 24 hours, I will update my email and voicemail to advise constituents when I will be available to discuss their concerns.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

The role of a County Board Supervisor is to represent your district resident’s best interest as it relates to the county budget, implementation / revision of county wide policies, and oversight over the county departments.    The County Board Supervisors have control over the county budget which affects the Sheriff’s Department, the Health Department, the foster care system, and county roads.

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Why are you running for the County Board?

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Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

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Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

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District 14

Occupation

Retired

Why are you running for the County Board?

I would like to increase transparency to ensure that information is available so residents can measure performance.

I want to increase support for law enforcement. Let’s give them what they need to keep us safe.

I will be watching for and voting against unnecessary spending. Any new expenditures need to have stated goals.

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

1. Fiscal responsibility.
2. Focus on safety for our citizens.
3. Promote transparency.

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

I have provided them my phone number and email address.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

A County Board Supervisor is to represent local residents as they oversee county government. A Supervisor votes on issues facing the County, oversees budgeting and provides local legislation for the good of the County. Character traits would include; humility, wisdom and integrity.

Why are you running for the County Board?

When I am asked why do I run for political office I tell them it is because of strong belief in public service. Before running for office, I served on commissions for both the City of Kenosha and Kenosha County.   Some of the other activities have been serving on the UW-Parkside Alumni Board and the Master of Unity Masonic Lodge.  When someone runs for local office, they are voting on items to help their local community.  You are there to help your neighbors when they have an issue and you can help that is what being a local elected official is all about.

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

The issues in the campaign should start with a discussion about the future of public safety in Kenosha County.  In the next few months, the Kenosha County Deputies will be renegotiating their contract with Kenosha County.  How much they get paid and the future starting salaries of these deputies will determine how Kenosha County will compare with the surrounding communities in recruiting and maintaining law enforcement officers.  Along with competing salaries for deputies Kenosha County needs to have competitive salaries for the Sheriff’s command staff as well.  Kenosha County also needs to competitive with its salaries for jail staff.  When we lose staff as we did in 2021 this means an overworked jail staff and overtime costs passed on to the taxpayer.  The cost of the Sheriff’s Department, Courts and jail is close to two/thirds of taxes paid to Kenosha County.

Another issue is future road maintenance.  Keeping our roads up to date is good for our citizens it is also good for attracting businesses and employers to come to Kenosha County.  This summer after working with FEMA for close to a decade we can get 60^th Street from ITA to 94^th Court expanded with a multi-use trail. 

We must balance the needs of the what the taxpayers can afford.  Kenosha County has in the past and will continue to frugal with taxpayer’s dollars.   When I explain to constituents that the levy (the tax dollars to the county) might go paying our deputies more so we can make public safety a top priority they understand.  What the electorate does not want is a waste of their tax dollars.  I have worked with Administration, staff and other supervisors to make sure their dollars are wasted.

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

I make public my e-mail, and both my cell and home phone numbers.  I also walk the district talking to constituents the summer when I am not up for election. 

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

The first role of a supervisor is to listen and try to help in whatever situation a constituent needs assistance with.  The first thing I learned is that in most situations I need to call the alderman up because I cannot help them being a supervisor in the City of Kenosha.  Second is to learn all the aspects of Kenosha County government and how their decisions can affect people.  Supervisors need to understand the short-term and long-term implications of what their vote can mean to people of Kenosha County.  Supervisors need to do research on many topics that come before the board.  To get the answers needed you need to talk to staff and at times Administration to vote correctly on a topic. 

District 16

Occupation
Finance

Why are you running for the County Board? 

I am a lifelong Kenosha County resident, and have lived in the City, Somers, and Pleasant Prairie.  Having witnessed the evolution of our county throughout my life, I have a clear understanding of our economic, social, and cultural achievements and challenges, as well as the events and circumstances that led to them.  Understanding the past is a key element in how to grow the future. Kenosha County is a prime location to live, work, and to do business, so there is no doubt that growth will continue here. I am running for county board because I want to give back to the community that has given me so much. My professional background in finance and business intelligence can be leveraged to contribute economic and procedural insight on county operations. Especially with the massive influx of federal funds into the county from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the need for improved fiscal analysis and oversight at the county level is necessary to make sure that we are prioritizing spending on areas that most affect people.  I am running for this seat, first and foremost, to represent the views and concerns of the residents of District 16, and I’m confident that my qualifications can measurably impact county decisions that directly affect them.

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

If elected to the county board, my top priorities will be dictated by the residents of District 16, not by me. The outreach I have already started in our district has revealed shared concerns among many residents. Though I have personal opinions about the county budget, I will prioritize constituents’ concerns first and foremost. The areas I hear the most concern about from residents are the effects of the pandemic on children (especially virtual schooling), public safety, and quality health care.  In my role on the board,  I will advocate to improve partnerships and outcomes in the areas where county services intersect with schools, such as public health. Our residents have seen a rise in dangerous traffic situations and theft near the state line, and I will work to make sure that the Sheriff’s department has the resources they need to best partner with the Pleasant Prairie Police Department to help quell the crime surge. Pandemic stress caused a sharp rise in the need for mental and behavioral health support, and I will advocate for KCPH to increase services in this area. I also have several ideas that will help address the staff shortages at Brookside and other long-term care facilities.
 I will collaborate with peers on economic issues that impact the entire county. Examples include addressing the rate of economic growth and the types of jobs being created as a result.  To sustain ongoing development, we must be able to attract and support the workforce needed to staff new and expanding businesses.  We are fortunate to live in a prime location, but we need infrastructure and housing support to uphold this growth.  We must maximize the benefit of growth to residents so that individuals are not penalized for economic expansion through increased taxes.

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents

.Responsiveness to the community is key to effective representation.  Whether it’s by phone, email, social media, virtual meetings, or in person, I am always willing to connect with people in a way where I can effectively listen. In addition, regularly patronizing area local businesses is a great way to continually engage with people and hear their concerns.  Whether it’s sharing a meal at Ruffolo’s or The Village, or a beer at Gordy’s, Johnny’z Pour House, or The Starlite Club, I will always be open to hearing people’s views in our district.  The best way to monitor the heartbeat of the community is to be immersed in it with open ears.  I prefer to listen more than talk, which is what drove me to run for office in the first place. In my role as a volunteer leader, I find satisfaction in connecting people with resources they need to get answers and to solve problems. I intend to continue that model as a county board supervisor.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

A county board supervisor is primarily a representative of their district, but they also must have a strong understanding of the big picture. On the surface, the county board makes and modifies policy and adopts the county budget. It is the responsibility of supervisors to educate themselves thoroughly on all action items upon which they will vote, as well as to extend that knowledge to the communities they represent.  In order to find success, supervisors must be willing to work together – and with the County Executive – even when they disagree. The driving force in governing must be the needs of the people, not the platforms of parties. That supervisors are non-partisan roles should remind us that we have common goals, and that politics need not be a factor in reaching those objectives.  We need common sense government, and the county board is a great place to start.
Being a member of the county board means that decisions affect the entire county, not just the district one represents. Having an understanding of the unique needs of each county municipality is important to me, from Pleasant Prairie to Randall, from Kenosha to Genoa City,  and everywhere in between. What works for my district might not work for another, and collective decision making must respect the whole community.

Occupation
Retired  ( 31 years Director of Kenosha County Aging & Disability Services)

Why are you running for the County Board?

I’ve lived in Kenosha County for over 40 years and believe it’s a great place in which to live, work, raise a family and grow old.  I want to give back to the community by contributing my experience, insight, energy and rational decision making toward the challenges we face.

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

Among my priorities are strengthening our workforce, in all sectors, but particularly in health and long-term care through partnerships with employers, schools, labor and others.  I would also like to support and expand the county’s collaboration with law enforcement, EMTs, providers and others for prevention and treatment of addiction and mental illness.  As our community grows, sustainable development and infrastructure are also priorities.    

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

I value input from people concerned about an issue and would welcome e-mails, calls and citizens comments at meetings, as well as planned group meetings in accordance with public health safety protocols.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

County Board supervisors are stewards of county services and funds.  It is a non-partisan position.

As a county board supervisor I expect to listen, weigh facts, analyze costs and encourage collaboration and thoughtful decision-making.

District 17

I have lived in Kenosha County my entire life. My husband Jeff and I have been married for 33 years. I volunteer in our community by serving on:

Pleasant Prairie Historical Society Member
Southern Lakes Credit Union Board, Secretary
Pringle Nature Center Board Member, Kenosha County Liaison
Pleasant Prairie Police Association Supporter
Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue Association, Retired Treasurer

Kenosha County Board of Supervisor Committees:

Kenosha Joint Services Board 2018- Present
Finance Committee  2020 – Present
Executive Committee 2020 – Present
Youth in Governance Mentor 2020 – Present
Judiciary and Law Enforcement Committee 2018- 2020
Public Works and Facilities Committee  2018 – 2020

Occupation

Engineering Secretary

Why are you running for the County Board?

I have a passion for service. I love our community which I have called home for 53 years. I have been elected for the past four years to be a voice for residents. There is no greater reward than receiving a telephone call or email with a constituent’s concern and being able to work through the issue at hand and find solutions where the outcome brings satisfaction. I have always been and will continue to be an advocate for fiscally responsible government and maintaining quality services on which we depend. Protecting YOU the taxpayer, supporting first responders, and ensuring our quality of life while our community grows are among my top priorities. I will continue to support and work hard to improve services for our veterans, mental health, Human Services, and the opioid crisis. I have demonstrated this commitment the past four years by supporting budgets and bonding which invested into these programs. Also, during my four years on the County Board, the County has achieved an AAA bond rating, the highest rating possible. Kenosha County is the seventh county to achieve this rating out of seventy-two counties in Wisconsin. This AAA bond rating saved taxpayers almost $300,000 in 2021. Our equalized value is at its highest ever at 32% and new construction in 2020 was the third highest in the state of Wisconsin.

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

My biggest three priorities continue to be:

Maintaining essential public services while minimizing the financial impact on the taxpayers of Kenosha County. I have supported the following critical items over the past four years on the County Board:

Public Safety – I serve on Kenosha Joint Services Board (2018 – Present) and I have also served on the Judiciary and Law Enforcement Committee (2018 – 2020). These two committees affect the daily lives of us all where personal and public safety is concerned: The Judiciary and Law Committee works with the Sheriff’s Department, Kenosha County Courts, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Kenosha Joint Services Board, which provides safety support services for the City of Kenosha Police and Fire Departments, the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department, and various other law enforcement and emergency services agencies.

In helping to develop the annual County Budget, I voted for competitive wages for our Sheriff Deputies, ensured that they have tactical vest replacements, body cameras, and other much-needed equipment and training that allows them to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities. While I continue to serve on Joint Services, I have supported the replacement of 911 radio console systems, two new transmission towers with new radio equipment for Fire and Rescue communication as well as the completion of the simulcast project which strengthens communication between our Sheriff Deputies as well as our County Fire and Rescue departments. I did not support a resolution sponsored by Supervisors Erin Decker, Amy Maurer, Mark Nordigan, and Zach Rodriguez asking that the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors directs the Sheriff’s Department to sell or donate any department-owned military-style vehicles that have not been used for its intended purpose for more than 2 years in July of 2020, one month prior to August 2020. Most committee members felt it was necessary for the Sheriff’s Department to have these types of equipment available and in their possession, in case an event warranted their use. Imagine what more destruction would have taken place in August if that resolution would have passed as written and our law enforcement didn’t have the necessary equipment available to them. I also sent a letter to Governor Evers on August 26, 2020 asking for additional National Guard members with police powers.

Mental Health / Opioid Crisis – I understand the importance of having resources available for those who need guidance and/or treatment for mental health issues which is why I supported and voted for an additional five beds at the KARE Center in 2019. The KARE Center is a community-based residential facility that offers mental health and substance abuse recovery in Kenosha County. Additionally, I will continue to support the Vivitrol Program which is a comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment program that has had a very high success rate in the treatment of opioids addiction. The county is partnering with Lake Behavioral Health in Waukegan, IL regarding mental health services. This will bring mental health care closer to home for our community instead of having to travel to 3 hours north for care.

Veteran Services – I have spoken with many of our Kenosha County veterans about their service to our country as well as their challenges with making ends meet. Our Veterans Services department processes thousands of claims every year to help with legal issues, benefits, and support that directly affects these men and women. By spending time in this department, I have seen first-hand the amount of time it takes to process a claim, and provide guidance on how to pursue a remedy for a given situation. In order to process these increases in claims, and provide additional needed support for our veterans, I supported and voted for an additional staff member in the Veteran’s Services department. I also supported and voted in favor of renaming KD Park “The Kenosha County Veteran’s Memorial Park”.

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

I am always easily accessible and responsive by telephone, email, and meeting constituents in person. I strongly believe in talking with constituents. This is why every election cycle, I knock on doors and gather all of my own signatures so I can be placed on the ballot. It’s important to me to talk with constituent’s face to face about current issues and concerns. My opponent gathered 15 signatures out of the 152 signatures that were submitted. That’s 10.13% effort by my opponent. How hard do you think my opponent is going to work on your behalf when he didn’t want to take the time to speak with constituents in the 17^th District about himself, current issues, or concerns? I do not have a political machine supporting and operating my campaign – I am truly independent. My loyalties are to you, the taxpayers and the residents of the 17^th District, as well as all of the residents of Kenosha County.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

I believe the role of a County Board Supervisor is to be hardworking, attentive, and engaged in the community. I have toured every department in Kenosha County Government to learn about the inner workings of each department. By doing this, I was able to see firsthand staffing levels, as well as have a much better understanding of the operations for each department. This is very helpful at budget time when you are making decisions on staffing and capital improvement projects. The role of a county board supervisor is to review and act by resolution or ordinance. The county board establishes the annual county budget and set the property tax rate for county purposes. A county board supervisor is a voice for their constituents on the Board floor. You can learn more about me and my past four years serving Kenosha County at www.monicayuhas.com.

Occupation

Retired Firefighter/ Paramedic

Why are you running for the County Board?

I decided to run after talking with several concerned citizens that felt that our current board lacks leadership, especially in a time of crisis.  I was horrified of the unwillingness of some of our elected officials to call an emergency meeting at the beginning of the riots we had in August 2020.  It was also disappointing to find out the lack of communication they had with the public and our first responders.  More so, to find out that they have done little or nothing to prepare and/ or prevent it, should it happen again.

I also saw over the past couple years our health department primarily focused on COVID, meanwhile, the mental health of the community has gone by the way side.  Prior to COVID, mental health, suicides and addiction were on the rise and talking with mental health experts and first responders, there has been a drastic increase.  Our, health department should be able to work on multiple fronts at the same time.

Lastly, TAXES.  During COVID, it seemed that every taxing body that could, raised taxes on our community.  Many people moved here for the services that our community provides and the lower taxes.  At a time when many of our community have been hurting financially (loss of jobs, cut back hours, additional childcare expenses, etc.), it is the responsibility of our elected officials not to add to that burden.

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

1. My top priority will and always has been, public safety.  Public safety, as it pertains to the county, includes the sheriffs, dispatch, public works and the health department.  I will make sure that money gets down to the needs of our front-line workers, not tied up in bureaucracy/ bureaucrats.  I would also like to strengthen our Joint Services.  I would like to see more multi-jurisdictional/ multi-discipline trainings.
2. Taxes.  I would like to sit down with every department head and go over their budget.  Look at what we are spending money on and if it is practical.  Everything we spend money on should have qualitative and quantitative expectations.  If the needs aren’t being met, we should reassess and adjust.  I would also look into the availability of more grants, that would lessen the burden on the taxpayer.  The taxpayer isn’t an endless piggy bank.
3. A formal critique of what occurred in August of 2020.  The community deserves to know what went well, what didn’t and what just plain failed. Our first responders deserve to be heard from.  Once the critique is done, then an Emergency Action Plan needs to be developed and trained upon.  How can we be prepared, should it ever happen again, if we are not willing to honestly look at where we fell short?

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

I will be available by phone and email.  I would like to also set up a regular town hall meeting, at least every several months where the community can come and discuss what is going on in our county.  A supervisor should actively seek input from the community they represent.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

The role of the supervisor is to represent their constituents concerns and needs.  It is their job to create and/or support policies that serve the best interests of their constituents.  Supervisors are also the watchdog of the taxpayers, making sure there is value in what the taxpayers are paying for.  The supervisor is the representative of the community that hold our county government and employees accountable to their constituents.

District 19

Brian S. Bashaw
25910 31^st Street
Brighton, WI 53168

Born in Manitowoc WI

Married, 37 years to Terri Bashaw

Occupation

Self Employed in the Medical Device industry: President, Advanced Dental Technologies, LLC

Why are you running for the County Board?

I see what is happening in politics today with the irrational vitriol and divisiveness of national politics, spilling into our local leadership.  It is a critical time in our country to stand for civility, ethics, values, and integrity, and to bring this focus to our future, for all Kenosha County residents.  Our county and specifically District 19, need a supervisor who actively represents and stands up for all residents, especially those west of I-41/94.  I will represent District 19 as a neighbor who stands in the gap to fight for our needs, representing our values and communities, while embracing a vision for an exceptional future for Kenosha County. 

I believe in a World where everyone can exceed their potential, where we can all do great things together. I’ve lived by this principle with my family, my customers and team members who have been my top priority.  I bring this perspective along with my extensive experience in business, commitment to excellence, conservative values, and integrity, to my service as Kenosha County Board Supervisor, District 19.  This is our home, our Kenosha County, and our future to define. I am asking for your vote, as we work together to define our future!

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

There are many areas of opportunity related to District 19 including the significant need to improve broadband service and ensure public safety which includes enforcement resources preventing spillover of violence into our rural communities. I am also very concerned about fiscal accountability, as spending needlessly wastes our money and resources.  Living near Bong State Recreation Area, I have a great appreciation for District 19, and how it reflects our rural heritage and conservative values. It is vitally important to balance intelligent growth in our communities, while embracing and preserving our heritage for generations of Kenosha County residents to enjoy.

The county is receiving American Rescue Plan dollars, to be utilized for real improvement in Broadband Access for rural areas.  This is critical infrastructure that has received promises in the past, but experienced failure through a lack of execution.  Throughout the pandemic, I like many, have found it difficult to work from home or to provide educational support for our children.  I am committed to accelerating the effort to vastly improve our broadband access, and to eliminate the roadblocks that hindered this critical infrastructure development in the past.

I have also discussed Policing and Community Services in District 19 and understand that deployment of resources have been focused on “where crime happens”.  Crime is happening here right now, in our communities! Recently, we’ve experienced a significant increase in home invasions, shootings, high speed pursuits and drug related crime, and I am confident much more that we do not hear about.  We can’t wait until crime is at the levels of Kenosha or Milwaukee, we must significantly increase action immediately. I support more deployment and strategic engagement to have more officers available when we need them! These are our homes, and our families must be safe.

Being fiscally responsible should go without saying as our county budget exceeds $300 million dollars. I am against utilizing the budget for pet projects, to build legacies or to drive personal agendas.  We have real needs that require focused spending, and a critical eye to eliminate waste. We have major projects ongoing in our county that will drive accelerated growth.  It is critical that we plan for and manage our growth to gain impact offsets that do not place the burden on the resources of families.  As we tighten our belts at home, it is critical for our county to tighten the belt as well, and to invest wisely for the future!

Intelligent growth requires clear perspective about the future, even as we address our immediate needs.  I am grateful for the many jobs that our millions of square feet of distribution have created, but we also need to bring more sustainable, high wage jobs to Kenosha County.  Manufacturing and other fields with wages that allow families to grow and to prosper, are critical to building our future.  It is urgent that we provide critical job training as a collaboration among many stakeholders including our schools, jobs centers, and employers to embrace high wage industries throughout Kenosha County. With an abundance of jobs we have an increased demand for housing.  We need access to housing which supports our entire community, housing that allows our children to begin their futures, grow our families and to retire here.  We are a very desirable and diverse county, which must promote quality lives for all who call Kenosha County home!

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

Having a career in Sales and Marketing, I believe that open and accessible communication are critical.  Being available to constituents through all forms of interaction is very important to me, including: attending community board meetings, working closely with the leadership in District 19 communities, events and activities, responding timely and when possible in person, maintaining a digital presence and an open door to meet with you.  I have been impressed while meeting residents, by how many have said that no candidate has ever come to their door to introduce themselves, and others who have said that prior Supervisors were never available or very slow to respond.  Direct personal relationships are critical to effective communication. Having managed a Sales Territory, it is my philosophy to respond promptly, and whenever possible to do so face to face.  If you have a question, don’t be surprised to see me at your door to discuss it with you, personally!

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

I believe first and foremost that a County Supervisor must be an advocate and champion for their district, actively serving the interests of the communities and residents they represent. The functional role and responsibility of a Supervisor is active oversight, serving in a legislative function.

As a legislative function, the board does not possess operational control, but is responsible for defining county policy, to hold county staff accountable for implementation of policy, and it acts in the role of Visionary for the future of the County.  One of the more visible responsibilities of the County Board is budget review, where the board has authority to ensure that the budget is applied according to policy, and to support the needs of the county. The easiest explanation is that the Board is responsible for the “What” and the “Why”; what we do and why we do it. The Administrative and Operations staff are responsible for the “where”, “when” and “how”, simply said, to implement and execute effectively.

Much of the county boards work occurs in committees which interface with various departments, our local communities and our residents.  As District 19 Supervisor, I will actively engage in my committee responsibilities to represent our citizens, gaining the services that we require, keeping our budget focused on intelligent and necessary expenditures, acting ethically within our statutory authority, and to enacting policies that are critical to our communities safety and well-being.  My responsibility, is to be your advocate!

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 District 20

Why are you running for the County Board?

I’m running for the Kenosha County Board because the 20^th District needs a supervisor that will bring a fiscally conservative voice to the county board. With the election of a new County Executive, the County Board needs supervisors that have the experience to assist the executive to craft a fiscally responsible budget that prioritizes public safety and protects taxpayers’ pocketbooks. In my previous years on the County Board, I saw too much wasteful spending, and I want to fight that waste and direct those tax dollars back to the citizens of the county.

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

One, We need a probe into the Kenosha Riots to see why there was so little attempt to protect private property.

Two, I’ll meet with the new County Executive to discuss their agenda and how that affects my district.

Three, We need a review of the $30 Million in ARPA (American Recovery Act) funds that Kenosha County received and what that money is being spent on.

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

In the past I have made myself available during walks around Paddock Lake and other areas of district 20 for constituents to walk and talk about their concerns.  I have also held budget discussions at local coffee shops.   I’d like to do those again and I’m always at Paddock Lake board meetings and occasionally at other meetings in the community.  I always make my phone number available and of course am available by email at my county email address.

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

The role of a County Board Supervisor is to advocate for their district residents on issues important to them.  I did that when the ATC powerline project was proposed going thru my district.  I informed residents of what was coming and wrote letters and spoke at Public Service Commission events to change the route. 

The other role of a County Board Supervisor is the Budget Review process, because the outcome determines a large portion of our property taxes each year.  As an experienced accountant I will use my knowledge and skills to provide a fair and balanced budget each year and I will vote against unreasonable tax increases and wasteful spending. 

Another role is Economic Development.   County government cannot create private sector jobs; it can only foster a positive environment for business growth. I believe that low property taxes create an environment so businesses will want to move here, which will lead to economic development and job creation.

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District 23

Village, town, city where you reside: 34320 98th St., Twin Lakes, WI 53181

Education: Randall Grade School; Wilmot High School; University of Wisconsin Platteville (BS – Civil Engineering); Continuing Education for maintaining Professional Engineer License

Occupation:     Civil Construction Engineer

Previous elected or appointed public office:   Village of Twin Lakes – Trustee for 17 years (2005 – Present); Village of Twin Lakes – Planning Commission (since 2005); Twin Lakes Lake District Commissioner; Town of Randall – Park Board (4 plus years)

Why are you running for the County Board?

I am running for Kenosha County Board Supervisor to continue my passion in serving our community to preserve our liberties, increase transparency, guide public policy, and improve our quality of life by representing our community at the County level.  I want to utilize my knowledge of our history coupled with my Village Board experience to collaborate with Board members and County Officials to ensure that budgets are responsible and conservative, common-sense long-range plans are developed and implemented, and appropriate service levels are provided, all in the best interest of our residents.  

I want to use my skills and experience in local government, leading teams of people and managing complex civil and building construction projects to efficiently use our assets and resources with a critical eye on maximizing return on our investment of time and talent while living within our means.  I have a strong passion for and deep roots in Kenosha County and I want to use my servant’s heart to help people.  I enjoy living here and want to see future generations have the same opportunities and quality of life we enjoy.

If elected to the county board, what will your three biggest priorities be?

The areas that I will focus on if elected include communication, responsible spending and accountability.

I believe that proficiency leads to efficiency so if elected to the County Board I will work to become proficient in understanding and effectively communicating with residents, administration, and stakeholders to build trust, provide transparency and solve problems in the best interest of our citizens.  I will increase community understanding of the County’s function by advocating for transparency and disseminating information on important decisions and listening for feedback. I will look for win-win solutions and solve problems through critical thinking and effective communication.

I will work to ensure responsible spending by gaining understanding for the County organization and budget impacts due to current market pressures.  Almost 25% of property taxes from Twin Lakes and Randall residents go to Kenosha County government and I will ensure our County revenues and tax dollars are balanced county wide.  A major challenge will be finding innovative ways to minimize budget impacts due to upward financial pressures (inflation and interest rates increases), supply chain constraints, and labor challenges.  I will support law enforcement and emergency services to ensure proper preparedness and actions are taken during times of crisis.  I will advocate for improving infrastructure and recreational opportunities through public works and parks improvements driven by best value. I will review strategic planning objectives related to public works, law enforcement and human resources to ensure spending is in alignment with short-term and long-term goals and ensure accountability of leadership to implement good policy promoting wise spending, efficient use of talent, optimizing service levels, and reducing burdens on local business and communities. I will work cohesively and collectively with the Executive to appropriately staff administration and align talent to be the most successful in meeting the needs of our County Residents.  I will focus on strengthening individuals through work force development, promoting healthy living, and building community resiliency over growing government.

Please explain how you will make yourself available to constituents.

I will make myself available to constituents through:

1. Official Kenosha County e-mail: issued if elected
2. Personal mobile phone for calling or texting
3. Personal e-mail address (published with candidate info) – aaronk4111@gmail.com (only as a means of initial contact, all official correspondence would be through official e-mail)
4. Facebook – I will use my campaign Facebook page “Aaron Karow for Kenosha County Supervisor – District 23” to be a means of disseminating information and getting feedback from citizens.
5. Meeting in open forums at Village of Twin Lakes Boards meetings or Kenosha County Board Meetings.
6. Pre-arranged in-person meetings

Please explain what you think the role of a County board supervisor is.

County Board Supervisors serve the legislative function focused on cooperative decision-making, budgetary approval, making policy, and law making.  Board supervisors are elected to represent their districts at the County level to ensure proper representation, so citizen’s voices are heard and considered in the decisions that guide County spending and service levels.  I believe the government serves the citizens and I will always keep that perspective in listening to citizen concerns.  The County Board sets long-term goals and policy objectives and important objectives I see are maintaining and improving the rural character and quality of life that we have come to enjoy by ensuring responsible spending and providing efficient and effective County services.  As a lifelong resident of and being involved in local government in the Randall and Twin Lakes area, I have developed close ties with local leaders and many residents.  My relationships and experiences will be valuable in getting reliable feedback to guide good decision making to ensure the needs of our community are met and residents are served.

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