Candidates speak out on the matters important to them in their community

By Ginna Young

As voters turn their attention to the spring election April 4, local candidates are sharing their views about issues involving council, village, town and school boards.

Cadott Village Board President: One Seat Open Randy Kuehni No questionnaire was returned.

Trustee: Three Seats Open Terry Licht – Incumbent

No questionnaire was returned.

Todd Seeley

Todd Seeley has been a member of the Cadott community for over 40 years, and raised his family there, which is why he wants to be a voice for the people and to help them push forward improvements.

“As a long-standing member of the community, I wish to help it to continue to thrive,” said Seeley.

If elected, Seeley wants to ensure the current ordinances are enforced and that changes are made for the community’s best interests. Since he is active in yearly events, Seeley knows a large percentage of the Cadott people.

“I am familiar with what others have shared about what is important to this community and where focus is needed for improvements.”

Nicole Whipp-Sime

Nicole Whipp-Sime has lived in Cadott, since 1997, and enjoys living in a small community. As a trustee, Sime feels her role would be to represent the residents and facilitate communication, to ensure efficient operations of all departments and contractors, and to seek appropriate project funding.

She also wants to ensure people have a safe place to reside, while maintaining reliable utilities, with steady rates.

“I am seeking election as a Village of Cadott trustee, because it will provide me with an opportunity to give back to the place I call home,” said Sime. “In coming years, I hope to help find funding for infrastructure projects, with a proactive approach for our streets, electrical infrastructure and water systems, which are in need of upgrades/repairs. I also hope to help keep the village appealing to new businesses and residents.”

Cadott School Board Two Seats Open

Rod Tegels

Rod Tegels, no stranger to serving on the Board of Education, wants to serve the constituents of Cadott, because he feels the referendum on the spring ballot was not handled correctly and hopes it will not pass. He’s especially passionate to find a quality candidate to serve as the new superintendent, so building a leadership team will come easily.

“I would like to help Cadott raise the level of education to our kids overall,” he said. “This district has been stagnant for over a decade, and this has to change.”

Tegels also wants to set the correct district goals and matrix, to monitor the growth and hold those accountable using data, while making sure the core values of the district are being upheld.

“I think one of the biggest things I can offer this district, is my ability to work with the board, to put structure and processes in place for sustainable growth,” said Tegels.

Casey Yeager

Casey Yeager has five children in the Cadott School District, so she cares greatly about what happens.

“As a former student and teacher in Cadott, and current mother and taxpayer, I have great interest in seeing this district improve and thrive,” said Yeager. “I am one of those individuals, who has been inspired by the people in this school district to return home and continue to pay it forward, for future generations.”

Yeager sees her role as an elected official as a vessel to listen to constituents, and bring their concerns and ideas forward to the board. She believes a school board member should be a good listener, who is willing to hear differing views on topics.

“I think transparency is the most important thing to focus on, that will in turn, strengthen many other areas of concern within the Cadott Community School District,” said Yeager. “When the public and families feel informed, and that their ideas matter, there can be a healthy relationship between school and community, and more willingness to work together.”

Yeager wants to explore the reasons why families and teachers have chosen to join, or leave, the district, as well as assuring taxpayers that the board serves them and that the children can learn in a safe environment.

“Let’s earn a reputation for being someplace special, that consistently produces high student achievement scores, high student extracurricular involvement and few negative behavior incidents,” she said. “I care about the families in this community and I care about creating an experience where students leave this town with plans to return someday, with their own families.”

Cornell City Council Alderperson: Three Seats Open

Floyd Hickethier – Incumbent

Floyd Hickethier has long been part of Cornell, which is why he is passionate about making sure its citizens have what they need to keep them living in the city. Whether that means a safe community, repairing streets, timely and good snow removal, or encouraging more businesses to come in, Hickethier has an interest in it all.

He also wants to see more housing opportunities, so senior citizens don’t have to leave their homes and more families will locate to Cornell.

“There isn’t any place decent for them to buy,” said Hickethier. “Housing is very short in Cornell, at the present time.”

Hickethier wants to improve his home town as much as possible, while staying within the budget, as well as lobbying for more funding from the state.

“I enjoy helping the people of Cornell,” he said. “I have an open door policy to anybody.”

Sandy Schecklman

Sandy Schecklman hopes in her role as an elected official, to listen and, more importantly, address the concerns of the residents, and to serve as the best steward of the taxpayers money, with a level and reasonable budget. Schecklman says, if elected, she will make decisions based on facts and do the research to attain the best possible results, in the interest of the residents in Cornell.

“I am seeking election in the sincere hope to make a difference, with new ideas and enthusiastic foresight for my community,” she said.

Schecklman feels that her knowledge and experience as a previous alderperson, along with a compassionate understanding of concerns, will be a plus and that she meets things with an open mind, making changes that would result in a better community to live and work in.

“I would like to see Cornell flourish, with more businesses, community events and recreational fun,” said Schecklman. “The focus is to make the community more appealing, with needed updates to streets, sidewalks, housing, etc., and better planning for a promising and exciting future.”

Debra Semanko

Debra Semanko wants to give back to the community she’s lived in for more than 25 years, by serving on the city council. Semanko sees her role as an elected official, to be one for the people who live in Cornell, with transparent decisions, while acting in the best interest of the town.

“I want the citizens of Cornell, to feel as though their concerns are heard, and that they will be acted upon within the confines of the city ordinances and state laws,” she said. “In addition, I want to be a change agent if city ordinances need to be revised and updated.”

Semanko wants to make sure Cornell is a place the citizens can be proud of and happy to live in. To do that, growing and maintaining businesses needs to be a focus.

“I feel I can offer the community honesty, transparency and advocacy,” said Semanko. “I will fight for the best interests of Cornell, and its citizens.”

Cornell School Board Two Seats Open

Eileen Sikora – Incumbent

Eileen Sikora is interested in continuing on in her role on the board of education, because she wants to work with her fellow members to help the district grow and flourish. The school is an important part of the community and giving its students the right opportunities, will lead them to the type of productive future they need as grown adults.

“My belief is that the public school system needs all the support it can get,” said Sikora. “These kids are the future. The community depends on the school – it’s the backbone.”

It’s also important to Sikora that the district show integrity, honesty and transparency, so the community can count on the school to give their children a solid education.

“The future is unpredictable,” said Sikora. “What it has in store for the kids, we are unsure of, but we as a school district should be ready and willing to get them there.”

Stephanie Seidlitz – Incumbent

No questionnaire was returned.

Lake Holcombe Town Board Chairman: One Seat Open

Brian Guthman – Incumbent

Brian Guthman is seeking re-election to the board, because he believes his experience and knowledge will be a benefit to the town. He also wants to continue projects that have been started, such as the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial and the satellite fire station within the township.

“Serving on the town board as a supervisor for four years and then chairman the past four years, has given me experience with how business is conducted by the town,” said Guthman. “As an elected official, I have tried to represent the people who elected me to the office.”

For Guthman, that means identifying agenda items important to the town, researching the topics to educate himself in preparation for agenda items and in facilitating discussions at the meetings. It also means being a responsible fiduciary, and making sure the taxpayers’ money is accounted for and well spent.

He also wants to look at a long-term plan for the township to address the expansion of good broadband and cell phone coverage, along with affordable housing for working families. For Guthman, the most important thing is safety and stability, and he thinks the town needs to address the needs of the township and the surrounding community, and find ways to keep the town viable.

“The Town of Lake Holcombe is unincorporated, so this means I need to base my decision making based upon what is best for the entire township,” said Guthman. “We also need to focus on the young people in our community, to make sure that they continue to make Lake Holcombe their home, so we have the workforce to get these things accomplished.”

Supervisors: Two Seats Open

Larry Becker

Seeking election as a supervisor, Larry Becker wants to work to ensure that the township government is responsive to the needs and concerns of its residents. If elected, Becker plans to work closely with local business leaders and community members, to develop economic growth.

“I believe that I can make a positive impact on our community and contribute to the well-being of our township,” said Becker.

Becker also believes it’s important to protect the environment for future generations, and he will work to ensure that the township is a leader in sustainability and environmental protection.

“I have a deep appreciation for our community and a strong desire to give back,” said Becker. “I believe that together we can work to ensure that our township continues to be a great place to live, work, vacation and raise a family.”

Doug Olson – Incumbent

For Doug Olson, he believes all residents of a city, village or town, have a responsibility to actively participate in the administration and management of that community. As an elected official, Olson wants to hear concerns, make decisions and provide feedback, for the welfare and advancement of the entire community.

Olson was instrumental in getting the board to hire the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to help create a Comprehensive Plan, that will guide the direction the town focuses on for the next 2030 years. He believes things such as transportation, utilities, economic development and natural resources need to be enhanced, maintained and protected, in order to ensure there is a viable community to pass on to children and grandchildren to enjoy.

“Strong leadership and long-term strategic thinking will be imperative, for the future health and stability of the entire town,” said Olson. “Protecting and promoting our largest economic resource, Lake Holcombe, will be necessary for the financial health of the businesses in the town, as well as employment opportunities for our residents.”

David Staudacher – Incumbent

David Staudacher wants to continue to serve on the board, so that he can provide input on issues important to the town’s citizens, such as safety and future development.

“Road maintenance and improvements are always a top priority,” said Staudacher.

He also wants to see a Comprehensive Plan developed, and more communication and cooperation between the town, and law enforcement.

“Together, these items should encourage outside interests from businesses and people seeking a safe, enjoyable place to live.”

Clerk: One Seat Open Tracey Larson – Incumbent No questionnaire was returned. Treasurer: One Seat Open

 Jim Mataczynski – Incumbent

Jim Mataczynski is seeking re-election, so he can keep on top of finances for the town and have the financial answers the board members are seeking. His plan to make everyone aware of these matters is simple.

“Transparency, along with a commitment to better the infrastructure and services of our town,” said Mataczynski.

Lake Holcombe School Board Two Seats Open

Tess Engel Tess Engel is looking for a seat on the board to maintain the legacy and integrity of the Lake Holcombe School District, and continue to advance the instructional methods for its students. Engel feels that her past and present experiences as a case manager for a managed care organization, will help her partner with the existing board in its fiscal challenges and achieving a changing educational environment.

She wants to continue Lake Holcombe’s excellence of education and advancement of technology, in relation to education.

“I am a kind and compassionate community member, and mother of a soon-to-be student of the Lake Holcombe School District,” said Engel. “I will rely on these life experiences and attributes to help guide all decisions I make as a potential school board member.”

Matt Flater – Incumbent

As a 1996 graduate of Lake Holcombe, Matt Flater is a father of four children, who have graduated and/or are still attending school in the district. Serving on the board has been full of opportunities for Flater to grow in his knowledge of school governing, and he wants to continue to preserve that and improve the quality of the Lake Holcombe School District.

“I believe in quality public education for current and future students,” he said. “We have a very small and unique district. I believe it is also very important to keep the positive culture, great working environment for students and staff, leadership, school spirit and maintaining great community involvement.”

Flater believes in having a clear vision of Lake Holcombe’s mission and vision statements, as well as understanding the district’s strengths and challenges, which includes setting goals, focusing on student achievement, building positive relationships throughout the district and connecting with the community.

“The Lake Holcombe School is our industry,” said Flater, who feels that working with community groups, leaders and organizations is a top priority. “The community has always put a lot of emphasis, work and funding toward a great dis-Jim trict. That is something to be very proud of.”