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28th Assembly District: Hraychuck vs. Severson
by Gary King Leader editor BURNETT/POLK COUNTIES - Incumbent State Rep. Ann Hraychuck, D-Balsam Lake, is being challenged in the Nov. 2 election by Erik Severson, R-Osceola, to serve in the state Legislature, representing the citizens in the district that encompasses the southern half of Burnett County, all of Polk County and part of St. Croix County. Hraychuck, a lifelong resident of Polk County, was first elected to the state Assembly in 2006 and re-elected in 2008. She has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, including four years as Polk County sheriff. She lives in Balsam Lake with her husband, Dave, and their dog, Hunter. “I look forward to continuing to fight for commonsense solutions and work in a bipartisan fashion to create jobs, grow our struggling economy and protect our families with essential public safety intiatives without placing additional burden on the backs of Wisconsin taxpayers,” Hraychuck noted in her re-election announcement. Severson is an emergency room doctor who lives in Osceola with his wife, Katie, and their twin 3-year-olds. He’s originally from Esko, Minn., right outside Duluth. He attended UMD, medical school at Mayo, did his residency at the U of M in Minneapolis and took a job at the Osceola Medical Center. Severson said his interest to run for Assembly was sparked by the events of the last few years. “The economy is failing and there is increased spending at the national and state level - and I asked ‘how are people making these decisions to increase spending when there’s no money?’ My generation - we’re going to have to pay this money back. I see the economy getting worse and taxes on business increasing so they aren’t able to hire people - and basically see the whole way things are being run and I say ‘Boy, something has to be done about this - and I feel like I have to do something - I can’t wait for someone else.’” Severson said he’ll keep his emergency room physician job on weekends, realizing it will be a much busier life if he’s elected but that he and his wife discussed that possibility and felt it was worth having a new voice in Madison.
Following are answers provided by each candidate to questions posed by the Leader: What should the state do to reduce the deficit? Hraychuck: We’re going to have to make more cuts in order to reduce the deficit. There are savings to be had in terms of improving efficiency and eliminating duplication, but those savings are not enough to eliminate our structural deficit. Cutting services and programs are never popular, but we proved it can be done. The budget we passed this session cut state agencies funding by 6 percent across the board, eliminated over 1,000 state jobs and canceled a scheduled raise for nonrepresented state employees. I believe we need to have to have an open and honest discussion about the kind of services we expect our government to provide and the amount of taxes we’re willing to pay in order to get them. Severson: Bringing the budget under control is the biggest issue we have to face. I just stop and ask if there is anything in the last two years the state has bought and paid for that we can do without. If we made reductions to bring us back to where the deficit was two years ago, we could cut 10 percent right there. That’s just one way of looking at it. There’s a myriad of places we could cut costs, and I think we need to realize that less money is coming in, so we just can’t spend more. We can’t do it in our personal lives. The Legislature and the governor are responsible for creating the deficit if you’re increasing spending when you know there’s not going to be as much money coming in - that’s not wise thinking. How should the state fund schools, should state encourage/support consoli-
dation? Hraychuck: The problems facing school districts, educators and families across Wisconsin right now are huge. Democrats, Republican and nongovernmental interest groups have all put forward various Hraychuck ideas about how to overhaul the system. However, more often than not, the plans are abandoned because the problem is too complicated. The current formula is hitting our area especially hard. This session, I helped put together a new caucus in the Legislature, a rural caucus. Working together, legislators representing rural districts were successful in passing legislation that will help districts like ours, including a bill giving consolidating school districts greater flexibility. Choosing to consolidate is a difficult decision, one that must be made at the local level. The rural caucus worked extensively with stakeholders like the School Administrators Alliance, Wisconsin Education Association Council and Wisconsin Association of School Boards, and came up with a number of other concrete proposals that will help rural school districts. I look forward to working on those ideas next session. Severson: Regarding consolidation, when it’s an obvious situation and that’s what the schools want to do it should be left up to those communities. Funding schools is something that needs to be evaluated - property taxes keep going up to fund the schools. You look specifically at some of the schools in Milwaukee - they get their kids counted almost twice and get more money than most rural schools. That doesn’t seem right to have some schools get favored more than others. As I go around the district to talk with people, the issue of property taxes comes up a lot - people are most concerned about property taxes going up 10 percent a year. In the past a lot of bad decisions have been made regarding spending, and I’m open to looking at all areas where money can be saved and used more efficiently - part of that would be evaluating how the school/ education money is used.
How can we get more jobs in our area, what is the state’s role in job creation. Your thoughts on business taxation? Hraychuck: I believe the number one priority of the Legislature should be getting our economy back on track and positioning Wisconsin on the right side of this recovery. We need to focus on helping businesses put people to work and standing up for working families in their time of need. This session the Legislature spent a great deal of time on job creation incentives. We expanded Enterprise Zone tax credits, which have helped us retain and lure job creators to the state. We increased Research and Development tax credits that help keep Wisconsin innovative and competitive, and we approved critical incentives for farmers that will enable one of Wisconsin’s largest industries to grow and thrive. The job creation incentives we passed for meat and dairy processing are already generating investments in communities across Wisconsin. And we need to do more. We need to make sure that we are in a position to take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way. The truth is that Wisconsin is a good place to do business compared to other states. When people talk about Wisconsin’s high taxes, they are not talking about taxes on businesses. Corporate income taxes in Wisconsin rank in the bottom third among the states, sales taxes rank in the middle, and excise taxes and fees are among the lowest in the nation. Our tax system needs to be fair and balanced. We can’t afford to keep shifting taxes from big corporations to residential property taxpayers. Severson: The big thing is the whole environment for business. As far as taxes go, when I talk to people such as business owners, their big concern is that they don’t know what’s going to happen next
week with the economy, and if they expend they ask “what’s the government going to do next - new taxes, new laws, new regulations that will hinder my business?” So the big thing is that the government has to Severson essentially get out of the way - let the people who are running their businesses do that in the best way they think is best. They should be allowed to fail, too. We have to decrease taxes and make it friendlier for businesses, so if they succeed they can hire more people and create more jobs.
What can be done to promote tourism in our area, does the state have a role in this? Hraychuck: The state does have a role in promoting tourism, an industry that brings close to $13 billion to Wisconsin every year. Promoting tourism is one of the ways we can take advantage of opportunities. Most of us probably don’t view having to shovel after yet another snowfall as an opportunity. It would be easy, in a state that averages over 45 inches of snow each year, to see this as not much more than a huge inconvenience. Not the Department of Tourism, which has been actively and successfully promoting winter recreation in Wisconsin. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t keep a close watch on what the department is doing. I have been impressed by Kelly Trumble, the secretary of tourism, and her Originality Rules initiative, a program that encourages unique and innovative approaches to regional marketing. I was pleased to be able to bring her up to the district to share ideas on how we can more effectively promote our area. Severson: I do think the state can be involved in promoting tourism. The state now is actually working with the Wisconsin Dells businesses to help promote that area. Is it entirely the state’s responsibility to do that? No. But working together on that is a good idea since both will benefit from it. I don’t feel the state should help to promote just one business, but it really helps the state if people are coming here and buying goods and paying the sales tax. So yes, working together is good, just so the taxpayers aren’t the only ones paying for it. Property taxes - do you support a levy cap? Hraychuck: In theory, I don’t think that the state government should be telling local governments what they can and can’t do. Our democratic system works best when the different levels of government respect the powers that others are given. However, I have come to see that capping property taxes, which can be such a burden on young families and elderly individuals on fixed incomes, is sometimes necessary. We can’t allow the rising costs of local services, including funding schools, to force people out of their homes. Severson: Simply put, yes.
Alternatives to property tax? Hraychuck: I’m not sure that there is a way to completely replace property taxes, but I am open to any ideas that will help keep property taxes down. Local governments ability to raise revenue is very limited, and most of the suggestions for replacing property tax, like an increase in the sales tax, would end up expanding the reach of the state government, which is not something that I think most people would approve of. One thing I am trying to do is to identify tax breaks that end up hurting Wisconsin residents. I am working on legislation for next session that would end the tax break that companies get for moving expenses when they move jobs out of Wisconsin and/or out of the country. Severson: I’m not sure there is a good alternative at this point. Education is very important and the government has to find a way to fund that.
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73rd Assembly District: incumbent Milroy vs. Baker
by Regan Kohler Washburn County Register reporter WASHBURN COUNTY – Incumbent 73rd Assembly District Rep. Nick Milroy faces Bonnie Baker in the Tuesday, Nov. 2, general election. Milroy, who was elected to the Assembly in 2008, is running on the Democratic ballot, while Baker is on the Republican ballot. The 73rd District is made up of the majority of Washburn, parts of BurBonnie Baker nett and all of Douglas counties. The candidates were asked about their backgrounds – including family, education, past and present career experience and government work – why they chose to run for office, what issues are most important to them, and to their branch, at this time, what strategies they would implement in light of the need to keep costs under control, to operate the office as efficiently as possible, and any other relevant information or a general statement. The following are their responses:
Bonnie Baker
I am married with three children and have lived in Wisconsin the past 15 years. I have served as a board member on the Superior School Board since November 2008. I am a retired speech/language pathologist, having taught 35 years in Superior Schools. • Education: Master of Arts degree in communicative disorders from University of Minnesota-Duluth; Bachelor of Arts degree in speech pathology and audiology from UMD. Current member of the Superior School Board; president of Friends of the Superior Public Library; member of Superior Area Retired Educators Association; Superior Optimist Club; vice chair of Port Cities Volunteer Woman of the Year 2009-10; PTA member; Mensa member; National Rifle Association member. Reason for candidacy: I am concerned about the economic health of our great state. Last year the private sector lost 163,000 jobs; I am concerned about our legislators spending more money than we receive; and we have a ballooning budget deficit which ended at $2.5 billion. I can help change these conditions. Top issues facing the state: The loss of jobs throughout Wisconsin is troubling. We can grow jobs by establishing a business-friendly climate. We need fewer government regulations, lower taxes and fewer fees. In 2009, Forbes ranked Wisconsin as the third-worst state in which to do business; that needs to change. Strategies to control costs: Wisconsin residents paid $2.4 billion more in state and local taxes than the national average in 2000. Put another way, our state-local tax load claimed 12.9 percent of personal income, fourth highest in the country. The Badger State has been among the five most-taxed states in every year since 1991. There is an arrogance that exists in Madison right now – they talk about our money as if it’s theirs. If families and employers are allowed to keep more of what they earn, it will boost employment and consumer spending, which will in turn grow us out of this recession. Every (Gov. Jim) Doyle budget has resulted in a future deficit, and every election cycle brings promises to balance the budget. Instead, the Democrat-controlled Legislature has been shifting money around and filling in deficit holes with one-time federal stimulus dollars, leaving us in a bigger hole. When you’re in a hole, you stop digging – it’s a simple concept that families and small businesses happen to live with every day. Turning off the spigot now will prevent future budget deficits. Other information for the voters: For the first time in state history, Wisconsin’s various levels of government employed more people than Wisconsin’s manufacturers, and Wisconsin’s budget crisis was ranked among the 10 worst in the nation. I believe in the following: • I believe in free enterprise, which does not have excessive government regulations and taxes. I will support a repeal of the capital gains tax, and I support a more simple and streamlined tax code. • I will vote to support a limit on state spending, and I will support a smaller government. • I support a clean environment. The environment is definitely an important issue, but it shouldn’t be the environment or jobs, it must be the environment and jobs that are considered. • I will vote to uphold our Second Amendment rights. The right to keep and bear arms is one of the fundamental freedoms upon which our country was built. • School funding reform is needed. I support [governor candidate] Scott Walker’s plan which would allow local governments and school districts, currently paying higher premiums for health care than the state pays, to enroll in the state employee health plan. This will help keep property taxes low and keep more money in school budgets for students and teachers.
Nick Milroy
I was born and raised in northern Wisconsin and am a fourth generation of the Milroy family to call the north woods home. I have spent 34 of my 36 years living in northern Wisconsin. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Julie, a local public school teacher, and we are raising two children together. I am a proud veteran who served in the Persian Gulf. Returning home from my overseas deployment, I continued my service in the Navy Reserve, served as a city coun-
cilor in my hometown, and am a certified Wisconsin Hunter Education instructor. I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Superior and worked for over a decade as a natural resource professional. As your representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly, I am honored to continue my service to our region. As a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly Committee of Veterans and Military Affairs, I continue to Nick Milroy serve my fellow veterans. My background as a biologist has been an asset to the Legislature, where I serve on the Forestry, Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife committees. I have an extensive history of volunteering and memberships, which includes, but is not limited to: Lake Superior Bi-National Forum Board of Directors, St. Louis River Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load Partnership Board of Directors, American Fisheries Society, Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council Board member and Head of the Lakes Fair Board of Directors. Hobbies and interests: hunting, fishing, camping, scuba diving, wild ricing, reading, traveling, family. As a father of two young children, I am running for the Wisconsin State Assembly because I want to ensure that northern Wisconsin continues to be a great place to live and raise a family. My parents and grandparents taught me the value of hard work and giving back to our community. I have worked hard to live up to that commitment. I served in the Persian Gulf and continued my service upon returning home in the Navy Reserve. Prior to serving in the Legislature, I worked as a biologist protecting our natural resources. Our natural resources in northern Wisconsin are the basis of our economy. My experience as a natural resource professional brings a unique perspective to the Legislature, where I serve on the Forestry, Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife committees. I have a strong track record of protecting our natural resources and enhancing the jobs that sustain our economy. Like many, I am frustrated with the direction of our state and national economy over the last decade. We need positive leadership that will work toward sustainable economic development to provide jobs for the next generation. My top priorities are to work to bring goodpaying jobs to northern Wisconsin and to hold the line on property taxes so that all of our children can continue to call northern Wisconsin home. I would be honored to continue my service to northern Wisconsin and will always stand up for the working families of our region.
The top issue facing our region is growing our economy by bringing good-paying jobs to northern Wisconsin. To keep northern Wisconsin competitive and bring good-paying jobs here, we must continue to invest in quality educational opportunities for our children, rein in the insurance companies to bring down the cost of health care, and protect our natural resources which are vital to our economy. We also must hold the line on property taxes so that future generations can continue to live, work and raise a family in northern Wisconsin. I will be a vigilant steward of taxpayer dollars. Every expenditure must be carefully analyzed for the positive benefit of our economy. Just like all of our households, Wisconsin must do more with less. I understand the difficulties that so many families are facing, that is why I returned nearly $1,500 of my own salary to help balance the state budget. We can position northern Wisconsin as a leader in the 21st century economy by creating policies and incentives that utilize our region’s bountiful natural resources with investments in renewable energy technologies. Our natural resources are the basis of our economy and we must manage them for sustainability and optimal production. Growing our economy is my top priority so that we can afford to provide quality education, public safety and opportunities for the next generation. I am a husband and father who wants the best not only for my family but for all of our families. My lifetime of service was born in the promise, handed down to me from my parents and grandparents, that we have a moral obligation to give back to others. Our region has given me and my family a wonderful quality of life and hope for a bright future. I am committed to ensuring that northern Wisconsin continues to be a great place to live, work and raise a family. I believe in the values of hard work, sacrifice and freedom that define the people of the north woods. I will carry those values with me every day in my service to you. Endorsements received: Wisconsin Professional Police Association Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin Wisconsin Education Association Council American Federation of Teachers Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 40 Sierra Club AFL-CIO National Association of Social Workers, Wisconsin Chapter.
Advisory question on ballot in Burnett and Polk counties
Voters will be asked if constitution should be changed to prevent raiding of transportation fund
by Gary King Leader editor NORTHWEST WISCONSIN - Should it be deemed unconstitutional for state legislators to use state transportation money for other purposes? Voters will answer that question in an advisory referendum at the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 2. Fifty-three of the state’s 72 counties - including Burnett and Polk counties - will include the question on their ballots. The state transportation fund is made up of money from a gasoline tax and vehicle registration fees. It also receives federal transportation money. Gov. Jim Doyle, since taking office in 2003, has taken $1.2 billion from the transportation fund to pay for schools and to provide aid to local governments. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, legislators from both major political parties “grumbled about the transfers” but signed off on many of them. “It is time to lock up these funds so that the segregated transportation fund is used for the purpose of which it is intended,” Waukesha County Executive Dan Vakras said in a statement to county board members when they took up the referendum proposal in June and passed it. “We need to make sure that we are being transparent with taxpayers. When a taxpayer pays the gas tax or their vehicle registration fee, they should be confident that their dollars are going to fund transportation projects.” According to the state’s Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the state borrowed about $800 million to make up for the loss, but the transportation fund still faced a net drop of $434 million. This past year, the Finding Forward Coalition and the Transportation Development Association asked coun-
NOVEMBER 2
ties to add the advisory referendum to their ballots. The Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association and the Wisconsin County Highways Association signed on in support of that effort. According to their statement on the Internet, Finding Forward believes amending the Wisconsin constitution to safeguard transportation user fees is “part of a return to fiscal responsibility,” instead of using transportation revenue to plug general fund deficits, the group says. “The members of Finding Forward are committed to working with communities across Wisconsin to take the first step to raise awareness and give the public a voice,” the group states. “Achieving a constitutional change is a longer, more complicated process, and Finding Forward is committed to being a strong and positive advocate every step of the way.” Legislators will take the results of the advisory referendum and, depending on the results, could bring the issue to a vote, but amending the state constitution can be a lengthy process. The issue may not come to a statewide binding referendum until 2013. Steve Hiniker, executive director of the environmental group 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin, told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel the referendum was a “sideshow” that didn’t address the real problem. “It’s not getting to the point that we are trying to build too many roads with too few dollars,” Hiniker said. - with information from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
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Perala, Rivard and Schiess seek to replace retiring Rep. Hubler
by Regan Kohler Vietnam. Upon his return, he went back to Stevens Point Washburn County Register reporter for a degree in physical education with minors in coachWASHBURN COUNTY – Three candidates are runing, biology and driver’s education, while serving in the ning for the 75th Assembly District seat in the Tuesday, Wisconsin National Guard there. Nov. 2, general election – Roger Rivard, Steve Perala and Schiess has worked out west for the National Park John Schiess. Service, as a junior high science teacher, at a credit buRep. Mary Hubler has been the 75th District’s reprereau, as a counselor and then a courier, and also had a sentative for many years, but she opted not to run again. conservative talk show and commentary. He ran for U.S. Rivard is on the Republican ballot, after defeating ReSenate and Congress while living in Oregon, in 1984 and publican candidates Judith Wells Espeseth, Don Quinton 1988, respectively. He returned to Wisconsin in 1999 and and Dari McDonald in the September primary. Perala is worked as a professional driver and courier until he ran running on the Democrat ballot, and Schiess is running as for the 93rd Assembly District. He planned to retire when Steve Perala Roger Rivard John Schiess he moved to Rice Lake, but remained interested in polia write-in for the Republican ballot. The 75th Assembly District includes southern Washtics. burn County, a majority of Barron County and the towns of across the 75th Assembly District. Most of the people I’ve Schiess joined the governor’s race last fall, but had to talked to have had enough of the business as usual in Madi- drop out due to illness. He then decided to run as a writeMcKinley, Johnstown and Beaver in Polk County. The candidates were asked about their backgrounds (in- son, where the wishes and wants of bureaucrats are given in about a month ago, after seeing the primary election recluding family, education, past and present career experi- a higher priority than the basic needs of the average family. sults. He said he has studied the U.S. Constitution for 25 ence and government work), why they chose to run for Like them, I believe it’s time to put our state back in the years, and felt he could not in good conscience support eioffice, what issues are most important to them, and to their hands of the people. It’s time to work with employers to ther candidate for the 2010 Assembly election. He said that branch, at this time, what strategies they would implement create jobs, not punish them for investing here. And it’s time more individual responsibility needs to take place, as there in light of the need to keep costs under control, to operate to undo the damage of the last eight years of [Gov.] Jim is too much “pass the buck” going on. Needs are not rights, the office as efficiently as possible, and any other relevant Doyle’s policies of higher taxes, wasteful spending and he said, as they cannot coexist. If one lives by the 10 Cominformation or a general statement. The following are their more debt. My Restore Wisconsin plan will accomplish mandments, he or she will have what they need, he said. these goals and put Wisconsin back on the right track toresponses: Illegal immigration is one of the most important issues to ward economic prosperity again. Schiess, along with fiscal responsibility, free enterprise and As a small-business owner and job creator, I know what virtue versus vice, meaning the state needs virtuous leadSteve Perala Background: Steve Perala, 38, Barron; Barron High School it takes to balance a budget and run a successful business ers. He said the state has a moral responsibility to [graduate]; Bachelor of Science, mathematics, University of because I’ve done it every day for nearly 40 years. Unfor- strengthen the family. The country doesn’t have an ecoWisconsin-Superior, Master of Education, UW-La Crosse; tunately, Doyle and the politicians who increased state nomic crisis, but a moral crisis that contributes to the inhigh school math teacher and baseball coach, Barron High spending by nearly 10 percent in the middle of a recession ability of the state to balance a budget, he said. The greatest School (nine years); research assistant in the state Assem- never bothered to ask the taxpayers of Wisconsin where threat to freedom lies within our own country, he said, and bly (three years); director, Northern Tier (Education Asso- they were going to cut their family budgets, insulating gov- people need to recognize the truth. ernment from having to make the tough choices. That’s the ciation for Northern Wisconsin Schools, one year). Schiess has a Web site, www.afact.us, that details all his I have two young children. I am concerned about their problem we have in Madison right now – too many politi- political platforms. future and the future of my former students who are now cians talk about our money as if it’s theirs. In general, if The following are his responses to the WCR questionworking families and small businesses are allowed to keep naire: beginning their adult lives. I was raised in the district and was fortunate to return more of what they earn, it will boost employment, get peoA recent census shows illegal immigration accounting for home to raise my children. I want my children, former stu- ple back to work and grow our state out of this recession. 25 percent of the population increase in the state. Can your I’ve lived and worked in this area my entire life. I raised budget handle that amount of increase for those who insist dents and future generations to have the same opportunimy family in the 75th District because I love this area and you add them to your family of responsibility? ties. We need to set a long-range plan for the economic future will do everything I can to represent you and our hardSolving social problems at the smallest unit of governof our area. We need to make sure that all of our decisions working values in Madison. As a real estate professional ment possible would cut expenses by at least 50 percent. Soare part of a much larger solution and direction for our area and small-business owner for nearly 40 years, I’ve created cialism has never worked, and never will work. jobs, helped hundreds of families achieve the dream of and our state. The motto for America is freedom, peace and prosperity. I was fortunate to get a good start on life while I was home ownership, brought business developments repre- That can only come through a virtuous people and a free growing up in Barron. Today’s seniors are a large part of senting hundreds of good jobs here to the north woods, and market economy with a minimum of government regulamy success. I want to protect our seniors for the sacrifices donated my time, effort and energy to several community tions. Get the government out of the way and free enterthey made for my generation. Their well-being and the fu- groups including the Rice Lake Chamber of Commerce, the prise will prosper. When the government creates jobs, that’s ture of my children and children in our community will be Rice Lake Fire Department, the Knights of Columbus and communism; when the people create jobs, that’s Americanmy church community. very important in every decision I make. ism! I will always put people first. I will work for you, not the Jobs and the economy need to be priority number one for Have you had enough of spending money we don’t have, the next legislative session. The decisions we make, how- special interests. I will cut wasteful spending and bring fis- of government dictating down rather than listening to us, of ever, must be part of a much broader long-term strategy for cal responsibility back to Madison. By doing so, I truly be- the big government corruption in both parties? The Constigrowth. The discussion should center on where we want to lieve that we can make Wisconsin the jewel of the Midwest tution empowered the government to protect us from four go – not just for today but five and 10 years down the road. that it once was … a place where employers will come to things: Decisions should be made with our goals in mind. It will invest in our communities, create good jobs and stay here. 1. Force (the mob offering you a deal you can’t refuse) not work if we are only reactionary – we must be proactive 2. Monopoly (concentration of power) in our approach. Education needs to be a part of this strat- John Schiess 3. Vice Schiess, Rice Lake, graduated from UW-Stevens Point egy. We will also need to develop more public and private 4. Debauchery of public morals partnerships with business and work in a bipartisan fashion with a major in resource management and a minor in Now it is the source of and protects all four. Vote for a real to accomplish this goal. A new generation of leaders will be forestry in 1970. He spent two years in ROTC and served in conservative … and a real Republican! needed to bring these new ideas to the forefront. Difficult cuts are required to balance the budget and protect our priorities. When balancing our family budget, we don’t ask our children to eat less food. My wife and I tighten our belts. Government can do the same by identifying priorities and cutting waste. We need a budgeting system that NOVEMBER 2, 2010 does not punish departments for saving money, and we need a vision that ties all spending to a broader set of goals. One of the most important things we will need to do is A Fall General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, in the State of Wisconsin. This notice of location and hours of polling places is published on work across the aisle in a bipartisan fashion. If there is a behalf of the municipalities. Following is a list of polling place locations for Burnett County municipalities: good idea, I will support it no matter if the idea came from Town of Anderson Town Hall 13808 Anderson Rd. Town of Sand Lake Town Hall 5364 County Rd. X a Democrat, Republican or Independent. As a teacher I was Town of Blaine Town Hall Town of Scott Town Hall 28390 County Rd. H always happy to learn from others to improve myself and (Northland Comm Ctr) 1232 E. School Rd. Town of Siren Town Hall 7240 S. Long Lake Rd. my profession. I plan to listen, use strong leadership and a Town of Daniels Town Hall 9602 Daniels 70 Rd. Town of Swiss Town Hall 7551 Main Street working knowledge of our political system to benefit our Town of Dewey Town Hall 24433 Town Hall Rd. Town of Trade Lake Town Hall 11811 Town Hall Rd. region – not to make myself look good or play party poliTown of Grantsburg Town Hall 23211 State Rd. 48 Town of Union Town Hall 9015 County Rd. F tics. Town of Jackson Town Hall 4599 County Rd. A Town of Webb Lake Town Hall 31000 Namekagon Trail To put us on the right track for the future, it will take a Town of LaFollette Town Hall 24184 Malone Rd. Town of West Marshland Town Hall 12259 County Rd. F collective effort from all parties. The public is ready for a Town of Lincoln Town Hall 9110 Perida Rd. Town of Wood River Town Hall 11610 State Rd. 70 Town of Meenon Town Hall 7396 Kruger Rd. Village of Grantsburg Village Hall 316 S Brad St. new generation of leaders who understand that we are all Town of Oakland Town Hall 27826 Lone Pine Rd. Village of Siren Village Hall 24049 First Ave. N in this together.
FALL GENERAL ELECTION LOCATION AND HOURS OF POLLING PLACES
Roger Rivard [I’m] 57 years young, married to my wife, Berni, for over 17 years. We have six children and nine grandchildren. [I’m a] lifelong resident of Rice Lake and the 75th District. Member of [numerous diocesan groups and church council and boards from the 1970s on]; former grand knight of Knights of Columbus, late 1980, [and] fourth-degree knight, 2004. [I’m a] real estate broker, developer and sales associate, 1989-present, currently with Coldwell Banker Brenizer, Realtors, 1994-present [and hold a number of real estate designations]. Member [and past president] of Rice Lake Chamber of Commerce; member and past chairman of Rice Lake Chamber Ambassadors, 2002-present; chairman and member of Rice Lake Chamber Tourism Committee, 2005present; member of Lumbering Hall of Fame Committee, 2005-present; received the Chamber Member of the Year Award for 2009; past member of Rice Lake Kiwanis Club; scoutmaster Troop 28, St. Joseph’s Church, early 1970s. Between my wife and myself we have six children and nine grandchildren, and I feel we are spending their future away. My wife and I are at the time in our life when all of our friends are retiring, but I feel I must “fight the fight” to give our children what we have. With 160,000 jobs lost in the last year alone, 6,700 employers leaving the state and more government jobs than manufacturing jobs for the first time in state history, I think the number one concern on most people’s minds, and my top legislative priority, is getting our economy back on track and getting people back to work. Over the last several months, I’ve had a chance to talk to thousands of people all
Town of Roosevelt Town of Rusk
(Timberland Luth. Church)20805 Cty. Rd. H Town Hall 25195 County Rd. H
Village of Webster
Community Center
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The polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. All of the polling places are accessible to elderly and disabled voters. If you have questions concerning your polling place, contact the municipal clerk: Town of Anderson Jessica King, Clerk 2773 185th St. Luck, WI 54853 715-472-4753 Town of Blaine Rita Ronnigen, Clerk 33426 North Mans Trail Minong, WI 54859 715-466-4884 Town of Daniels Ellen Ellis, Clerk 8713 Daniels 70 Siren, WI 54872 715-349-5840 Town of Dewey Pamela Brown 1148 Swiss Chalet Rd. Shell Lake, WI 54871 715-468-7111 Town of Grantsburg Romey Nelson, Clerk/ Treasurer 118 E. Madison Avenue P.O. Box 642 Grantsburg, WI 54840 715-463-5600
Town of Jackson Lorraine Radke, Clerk 4742 County Rd. A Webster, WI 54893 715-866-8412 Town of LaFollette Linda Terrian, Clerk 23928 Malone Rd. Siren, WI 54872 715-349-2531 Town of Lincoln Patrice Bjorklund, Clerk P.O. Box 296 Webster, WI 54893 715-866-7580 Town of Meenon Suzanna M. Eytcheson, Clerk 25863 E. Bass Lk. Dr. Webster, WI 54893 715-866-4893 Town of Oakland Deanna Krause, Clerk 7426 W. Main St. P.O. Box 675 Webster, WI 54893 715-866-8213
Town of Roosevelt Karla Mortensen, Clerk 22030 Bakker Rd. Shell Lake, WI 54871 715-645-2507 Town of Rusk Jennifer Christner, Clerk 26951 W. Benoit Lake Rd. Webster, WI 54893 715-635-3861 Town of Sand Lake Peggy Tolbert, Clerk P.O. Box 165 Webster, WI 54893 715-866-4398 Town of Scott Kim Simon, Clerk 28390 County Rd. H Spooner, WI 54801 715-635-2308 Town of Siren Mary Hunter, Clerk 23340 Soderberg Rd. Siren, WI 54872 715-349-5119
Town of Swiss Judy Dykstra, Clerk 7551 Main St. P.O. Box 157 Danbury, WI 54830 Office: 715-656-3030 Town of Trade Lake Deborah Christian, Clerk 13361 St. Rd. 48 Grantsburg, WI 54840 715-488-2600 Town of Union David Olson, Clerk 8637 Grover Pt. Rd. Danbury, WI 54830 715-866-4129 Town of Webb Lake Gail Keup, Clerk 2363 Escape Drive Webb Lake, WI 54830 715-259-3439 Town of West Marshland Margaret A. Hess, Clerk 25161 Spaulding Rd. Grantsburg, WI 54840 715-463-2922
Town of Wood River Dawn Luke, Clerk 11097 Crosstown Rd. Grantsburg, WI 54840 715-689-2296 Village of Grantsburg Jennifer Zeiler, Clerk 316 S. Brad St. Grantsburg, WI 54840 715-463-2405 Village of Siren Ann Peterson, Clerk/ Treasurer 24049 First Ave. P.O. Box 23 Siren, WI 54872 715-349-2273 Village of Webster Patrice Bjorklund, Clerk/ Treasurer 7505 Main St. W. P.O. Box 25 Webster, WI 54893 715-866-4211
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25th Senate District race pits incumbent Jauch vs. Deutsch
by Regan Kohler Washburn County Register reporter WASHBURN COUNTY – Two candidates for Wisconsin’s 25th Senate District will face each other in the Tuesday, Nov. 2, general election– Sen. Bob Jauch (I) and Dane A. Deutsch. Incumbent Jauch, who was first elected to the Senate in 1986, is running again on the Democratic ballot, while Deutsch is on the Republican ballot. The 25th Senate District is made up of Washburn, Ashland, Bayfield, Barron, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer and part of Polk counties. The candidates were asked about their backgrounds – including family, education, past and present career experience and government work – why they chose to run for office, what issues are most important to them, and to their branch, at this time, what strategies they would implement in light of the need to keep costs under control, to operate the office as efficiently as possible, and any other relevant information or a general statement. The following are their responses:
Dane A. Deutsch
Family: married to Katharine Joy Deutsch for over 32 years. Four children – Toby (administrative recruiter for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Moses (first lieutenant in U.S. Army, deployed to Iraq), Sarah (UW-Madison Law School grad and lawyer in Phoenix, Ariz.,) and Israel (law enforcement officer in Green Bay) and two grandkids: Eli and Maria. Education: Bachelor of Science in physical education and health at Bemidji State University; Associate of Arts in aerospace science at University of Wisconsin-Superior; 50 percent completed master’s degree from University of Wisconsin-Stout in information communications technology. Occupation: business owner and entrepreneur [with] three businesses built from scratch over the last 20 years: Deutsch’s Gymnastics Training Center, DCS Netlink (computer and networking company), and Leadership Management Development Center (teach character education and soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, relationship building, management, etc.). Relevant experience: military veteran, managed all USAF communications-electronics throughout the country of Turkey; board of directors in local chamber of commerce; national ambassador for Character Counts, a character education program; teacher by degree, and coach by profession; Minnesota American Legion Boys State Senator; Eagle Scout; member of the UW-Stout Advisory Board for ICT college degrees. Why I chose to run for office: I am a businessperson who will work to have government run like a business to balance the budget, eliminate the debt, and grow businesses, which will provide jobs for people. I am a proven leader that is team-oriented who can influence those changes, and whom people trust. I will lead with character and business-minded common sense. Most important issue: We need more jobs. Becoming more business friendly, and growing businesses, leads to more jobs, which in turn leads to greater revenue, which brings more children to our schools and a larger population for all of our communities to grow and prosper. Cost control: As a business person, the first item on the
agenda is to look for, find and cut out the inefficiencies in government that are costing taxpayer dollars. This can be done without taking away any critical programs cur-
Bob Jauch
Dane A. Deutsch
rently serving the citizens. Work to eliminate the fraud, waste and abuse. We must eliminate our debt and be fiscally responsible. Campaign Web site: www.daneforsenate.com
Bob Jauch
Following four years in the Army, including one year in Vietnam, I attended UW-Eau Claire. Upon the death of my father, I quit school to assist my mother with a small printing business. I then moved to Superior to work for Congressman Dave Obey and attended UW-Superior. I was elected to the Assembly in 1982, and elected to the Senate in 1986. Currently, I serve as chair of the Children and Families Committee and am vice chair of the Education and Natural Resources Committee. I am also the chair of the Legislative Study Committee on fraud and abuse. I participate in state, national and international civic education programs to strengthen democracy and promote citizenship. Public office remains one of the most honorable ways to strengthen our communities and improve the lives of our neighbors. I am inspired by the beauty of the north, am motivated by the strong character of our neighbors and remain passionately committed to apply my skills, experience and energy to better their lives. Our forests, fields, rivers, streams and lakes define the landscape and I am committed to continuing an effort to preserve and manage these beautiful resources to preserve them for the future and sustain our economy. I share the northern values of good schools, safe communities, strong families and a clean environment and am passionate in advocating for policies that provide the opportunity for our region to grow and our citizens to prosper. Our region is often overlooked by those who believe that Wisconsin ends at Hwy. 29, and no one works harder than I do to assure that our citizens are treated as equals with those who live in our largest cities in the south. I believe in a strong state-local partnership to assure that our children are well educated and that our property taxpayers are protected. That partnership must invest in maintaining and improving our infrastructure and helping our businesses grow. Northern residents work hard, volunteer their time and invest their energy to help others and build our communities. The will of the people is the law of the land and I am deeply committed to working with them to leave a legacy of a better life for the future. Improving the northern economy is always the top priority, and my primary responsibility is to work with local
Mielke launches write-in campaign
RUDOLPH - Dan Mielke, candidate for the 7th District Congressional seat who was defeated in the Republican primary by Sean Duff, announced Friday, Oct. 8, that he would launch a write-in campaign. Mielke said his decision came after Duffy ignored his offer of an endorsement for Duffy’s campaign if Duffy would agree to “six areas of concern.” “About two weeks ago I sent out a press release that I would consider endorsing Sean Duffy if he were willing to sign an affidavit, under penalty of perjury, that he would adhere to six areas of concern,” Mielke stated in an e-mail. “Sean has not responded or even tried to negotiate an agreement on those key issues. This confirms my belief that he is not truly committed to these issues therefore, I cannot endorse him and have decided to launch a writein campaign against Sean Duffy in order to give likeminded folks a candidate that they can in good conscience
vote for.” Mielke’s list of issues includes: • I believe strongly that we must end abortion. • We must protect our elderly, veterans and those who are truly needy. • We must abide by the Constitution. • I am strongly opposed to having our government supporting/promoting and funding immoral lifestyles. • I also believe that we must clean up the election process so that it is fair and equitable to all. “I believe that these fundamental issues are more important than all the other political concerns facing us today. To neglect dealing with these just to get elected is, I believe, a slap in our Creator’s face. Without God’s favor this nation cannot and frankly should not continue to prosper.” - with information from Mielke campaign
by Glen Moberg Wisconsin Public Radio WAUSAU - The two leading candidates for Congress in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District squared off in a televised debate Sunday night, Oct. 17. Former Ashland County District Attorney Sean Duffy and state Sen. Julie Lassa each hope to replace Dave Obey, who has held the seat for 41 years. Lassa, a Democrat from Stevens Point, accused Republican Sean Duffy of trying to hide his support of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to privatize Social Security. She accused him of supporting Ryan’s budget plan in the past, which “includes privatization of Social Security.” Duffy denied Lassa’s charges as false, citing newspaper coverage of the issue. “The Wausau Daily Herald said it’s misleading. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said it was ‘liar liar pants on fire.’” The two candidates repeatedly sparred on the issues of
free trade, the role of government and job creation. Duffy accused Lassa of supporting job-killing policies in the state Senate. He says under Lassa’s leadership the state has lost 150,000 jobs, expanded the size of government, increased taxes, and has seen a number of businesses and companies leave Wisconsin. Lassa retorted that Polaris was moving 400 jobs to Mexico because of tax incentives for outsourcing that Duffy supports. “(Duffy) supports leaving those tax loopholes in place. I think they need to be closed. We need to be rewarding businesses who invest in Wisconsin and American workers. And talking about the job losses in this state and in this country, it was the greed of the big Wall Street banks that brought this country down on its knees.” The debate was held in the studio of Wausau’s CBS affiliate, WSAW-TV, and also broadcast in the Eau Claire and Superior television markets.
officials and business to find the right policies and resources to protect and expand jobs. The state adopted my proposal to provide $3 million in revolving loans to support the protection and expansion of small businesses in the north. The Legislature adopted several of my transportation initiatives to help improve the financial viability for loggers. At my urging the Department of Natural Resources reversed their decision to close the Hayward nursery. Our farms are the lifeblood of our society and I have worked for policies to provide long-term financial stability by investing in alternative energies like biofuels. Investing in our bridges and roads is critical to our wellbeing and essential to growing our economy and I have strongly supported major investments in Hwys. 53 and 63. I have also continuously worked to increase local road aids which are critical to protecting the local levy and maintaining our local roads. We have a moral and constitutional responsibility to invest in equal education for our children. Education is the pipeline to the promise of our future and I have passionately argued for more resources and greater flexibility to help our small rural schools succeed. Painful budget reductions will continue as Wisconsin struggles with the harmful effects of the global recession. State employee positions have been eliminated and over 10 percent of our state workforce is vacant. Salaries were frozen while all state employees take 16 days of furlough. I also returned 4 percent of my salary as part of a shared responsibility to cut costs and balance our budget. Agency budgets were cut by 5 percent, including over $633 million in cuts to medical assistance and $294 million in reduction to K-12 schools. The university budget was cut by $135 million. I currently chair the Legislative Study Committee on fraud and abuse, which will recommend changes that will result in additional savings. School districts operate with restrictive spending limits and many are now considering consolidation or dissolution. The Legislature adopted my language to increase consolidation aid as a way of providing financial assistance to taxpayers who choose to consolidate their districts. While communities work well together in the north, we must also find ways to eliminate barriers for local governments to consolidate and more efficiently deliver services. I serve the public, not the special interest, and I will do my best to protect citizens from the selfish behavior of others who don’t care about community. My job is to serve working families and farmers who work hard and contribute to the well-being to their community. I will continue to cooperate and provide assistance to northern Wisconsin businesses which make investments in new jobs and growing our economy. However, I will also do my best to eliminate corporate tax loopholes that shift the burden of taxation from businesses to homeowners. Our citizens have every right to expect public officials to put politics aside and seek solutions. Those who practice the politics of obstruction and hope for failure hurt America. As a state lawmaker I know how to assure that government is responsible, responsive and efficient. Every day I work with local officials, colleagues and local business to improve the economy and revitalize our region. I am a problem solver who cuts through partisanship and polarization to get results.
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Burnett County sheriff: Roland vs. Taylor challenge,” Taylor said. “The unknown excites me. I won’t know how big the shoes are that need to be filled until I’m there. But I accept the challenge. I am going into this with a positive attitude and an open mind. I Dean Roland don’t make decisions in haste.” Taylor says he is offering his reputation, his commitment and pride in what he has helped accomplish with the Tribal Police Department.
perceived limits. I look at all my staff and see their abilities. I like to help them develop. It is fun to watch someone do something for the first time.” Roland and his staff are in the process of rewriting the department’s entire policy and procedures manual. He is working on making the Burnett County sheriff Department one of the few accredited departments in the state. That involves sound policy, good programs and strong education for the staff, Roland says. “We need to do more with less,” Roland says. “With budget limits, we must think outside the box. You can’t do things the way you have always done them.” Roland wants his staff to do things the right way, not the easy way. He says change is the norm. Part of that change can involve new technology, but costs can limit what you can buy and what you have to adapt. “We don’t need more money or manpower, just more time,” Roland said. “That (more time) comes from better training for the staff. Knowledge leads to better work. If we work smart, we can get more done and get it done better.” The sheriff deals with the public, prepares the budget, deals with the county board and oversees the department, Roland says. The chief deputy runs the day-to-day operations and fills positions. Both of them can handle calls and be added to the roster when needed. “My job is to keep people safe,” Roland said. He added that the county is changing. Tourism is now the number one industry. There is an increase in domestic violence, fraud and Internet crimes. The department needs to keep up with the new demands. “I love my job,” Roland said. “I am most qualified to continue. I know what lies ahead. I see the challenges and I want to meet them.”
source that could be shared more with other departments. Taylor would lead the sheriff’s office in offering more joint training opportunities with the other departments. Joint training would result in increasing the skills of more offiFrank Taylor cers in the county while lowering the cost of training. For example, the sheriff’s department and the local departments could conduct training exercises in the local schools to learn the layout of the buildings in case there was an emergency. Building a stronger relationship with the public is Taylor’s third goal. He would like the deputies to have more contact with residents and businesses. Taylor wants the officers to be out of their cars more, talking to business owners, campers and kids. He also wants more working contacts with the other agencies dealing with the public to help prevent problems from developing. The sheriff can get people to the table to talk about the problems in the county, Taylor says. Taylor knows that the budget will be tight and money must be spent well. That will take flexibility, including putting the sheriff and chief deputy on patrol, if needed. He says he has an open mind on spending. He does want the officers to feel satisfaction in their jobs, knowing that he will back them up The sheriff oversees the entire operation and takes responsibility for the department, Taylor says. The chief deputy oversees daily operations and patrol functions. But Taylor adds that either of them should take walk-in complaints when the need arises. “I am going into the sheriff race as a
Dean Roland Profile: Thirty-five years in law enforcement. Past experience includes city police work, working as a special agent for the state of Idaho, and administrator of a behavioral treatment facility. Siren Police chief 1997 to 2003. Burnett County sheriff since 2003. Dean Roland is the Burnett County sheriff and wants to continue in the office. Roland, who has served two four-year terms, says he envisions the Burnett Sheriff’s Department being the best department in the state. He says the job is not done and he wants to be re-elected to take the department to that goal. “We can take it there,” Roland said. Building a strong staff is a priority for Roland. He says his staff has the ability to run with any idea, and he wants them to do it. Roland says he expects his staff to come to him with solutions. He discusses the ideas and backs them up on what they want to do. New ideas and doing things in new ways is important in tight budget times, Roland says. “I will never let a staff member fail,” Roland said. “I push them beyond their
BALSAM LAKE – The candidates for Polk County Sheriff held a forum/debate Monday evening, Oct. 25, at an event sponsored by the Polk County Towns Association, and while the two men tended to agree on most of their issues, they did find a few areas where they may approach budget and law enforcement concerns differently in the future. Independent candidate Ed Collins squared off with Republican candidate Pete Johnson on several issues. Both men outlined their backgrounds, experience in law enforcement and why they were running, as well as areas they felt were beyond their control for budgeting. “The sheriff’s office should be independent,” Collins said. “It’s about transparency within the budget.” Johnson agreed, and assured that while he was running as a Republican, he said, “There isn’t room for partisan politics within the sheriff’s office ... no decision making should be based on that affiliation.” While both men agreed there should not be partisan issues within law enforcement, they also seemed to concur that future cuts were coming, regardless of who holds the office of sheriff. “There are probably some personnel cuts coming,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t make me happy, but we do what we can to get the budgets in line.” Collins suggested the department utilize attrition and pending retirements to assist
in cuts, if necessary, and suggested giving various duties to PCSD administration, possibly including some jail oversight issues, to offset some of those expected losses. “But I don’t want to cut patrol,” he stressed. Johnson Johnson raised concerns about specific liability in jail issues, where he said the county was “more liable to lawsuits than almost anywhere else.” “[The jail] is one area to probably not cut positions,” Johnson said. Both men agreed that future budgets will be tough to balance in law enforcement, but also had concerns over cutting so deep, that it may cost money in the end with added liability or less patrol coverage. “The sheriff already has a lot of responsibilities,” Johnson said. “We don’t need to put him in a squad car doing traffic stops.” Collins said they may have to incorporate some positions and tasks, and said that “budget cuts will be a big task for whoever the sheriff is.” Both men agreed that jail occupation and costs are an area that will need addressing, either through expansion of outside prisoner housing, rate adjustment or through expansion of federal prisoner housing. But Johnson said that the issue has been explored in the past, and that they would
need to expand some services or prisoner segregation to meet those standards. “We may need to look again at those requirements,” Johnson said. Collins concurred, but also sugCollins gested finding ways to expand ways “to keep local populations out of jails,” either through use as labor, such as with Habitat for Humanity in home construction or with disincentives. “We should make them not want to there,” Collins said. “Make it uncomfortable.” Johnson suggested the expansion of the restorative justice program, which is now under way, while noting that the law does not allow the county to force prisoners to work. “We can’t have chain gangs,” Johnson said. Collins agreed that they cannot force prisoners into labor, but countered that “we have to find new ways to make things work with smaller budgets.” Being a Towns Association meeting, one issue that surfaced had to do with the relationship between the towns and law enforcement, with Johnson suggesting the sheriff’s office consider assigning liaison officers to various municipalities and towns without municipal police forces.
Collins suggested expanding a neighborhood watch program and by making the sheriff himself the liaison between elected officials and law enforcement. “I think we should get the sheriff to deal directly with town chairs,” Collins said, suggesting that the sheriff should already be considered the liaison between officials and law enforcement. “To use a community and commonsense approach.” Johnson suggested that due to the sheer volume of meetings, it might make sense having the sheriff attend quarterly Towns Association meetings, but also stressed the liaison idea. Both men agreed that mutual aid issues are one way to help with coverage across the county, and while they disagreed on deputization of municipal officers for PCSD duties, they also agreed that liability issues must be respected, and that all resources of mutual aid should be utilized, including Tribal Police and municipal offices, they also have to realize that insurance companies tend to be the ultimate deciding factor on liability. “But face it, we’re part of a team,” Collins said, speculating that the county and municipal offices probably have the same insurance providers, and that some liability issues can be addressed, if needed. “We all work for the same taxpayers.” Johnson nodded in agreement, and both men agreed that one way to save money is to utilize every resource, including neighboring counties and other branches of law enforcement for mutual aid, when appropriate.
by Patty Murray Wisconsin Public Radio STATEWIDE - The Wisconsin Public Radio – St. Norbert College survey shows Scott Walker with a slight lead in the race for governor. But a closer look at the numbers show Tom Barrett is very close behind. Findings indicate Republican Walker has 50 percent of the vote among likely voters, compared to Democrat Barrett’s 41
percent. That’s a 9-point lead, survey analyst Wendy Scattergood says a five-point margin of error in either direction still makes for a tight gubernatorial race. Scattergood says most people have already made up their minds and are unlikely to change them. But she says six percent are still undecided. “The people who are Republicans or Democrats are going to vote their party line. There is a sort of strong party identi-
fication, not a lot of people who are changing sides, but we know we do have people in the middle who do.” Those would be the 16 percent of people in the poll who say they’re Independents. Scattergood says it’s not a big percentage, but could be enough to make a difference. She says Independents are the key constituents because they’re a large enough portion that when it’s close between Democrats and Republicans as it
has been for a number of years, Independents who go back and forth “really make a difference.” Scattergood says Barrett could be hurt by an “anti-incumbency” mood even though he’s running for his first term as governor. Current Gov. Jim Doyle’s approval rating is only 36 percent. The survey polled 402 likely voters.
by Gregg Westigard Leader staff writer BURNETT COUNTY - Incumbent Burnett County Sheriff Dean Roland is facing a challenge in the Nov. 2 general election from Frank Taylor, currently the chief of the St. Croix Tribal Police Department. Following are profiles of the two candidates and their responses to questions that were asked them in recent interviews.
Frank Taylor Profile: Born and raised in Burnett County, part of a family that has been here for many generations. Seventeen years of law enforcement experience. Seven years of supervisory experience. St. Croix Tribal Police Chief five years. Frank Taylor is the St. Croix Tribal Police Chief and the Democratic Party candidate for sheriff. The timing was right for a career move, Taylor says, the next opportunity for him, explaining why he entered the race. He has been Tribal Police chief for five years and is proud of the department he and his officers have built over the years. Taylor feels he can bring qualities to the sheriff’s position that he has developed in his years as chief. Taylor is a person with ideas. He mentions three goals he has if elected sheriff: improving communications among local law enforcement, expanding training opportunities for the deputies and all local police officers, and being more proactive in the community. In all these goals, he wants to build on his experience as head of a local police department, working with the public and with other local agencies. There are five local police departments in Burnett County. Taylor says as sheriff he wants to improve communications between the sheriff’s office and the local departments and build a stronger working relationship. That would include more sharing of resources. For example, the tribal department has two K-9 teams, a re-
Polk County sheriff candidates face off at towns meeting by Greg Marsten Leader staff writer
Poll shows Walker leads Barrett by nine points
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Duffy, Lassa seek 7th Congressional District seat
by Regan Kohler Washburn County Register WASHBURN COUNTY – Republican Sean Duffy, Democrat Julie Lassa and Independent Gary Kauther are running for the 7th Congressional District seat in the Tuesday, Nov. 2, general election. Kauther’s profile will run in next week’s Leader. Duffy defeated candidate Dan Mielke on the Republican ballot in the September primary, while Lassa defeated Democrat candidate Don Raihala. Duffy, Kauther and Lassa are seeking to fill the seat vacated by longtime Congressman Dave Obey. The 7th Congressional District, House of Representatives, serves multiple counties in northwestern Wisconsin – Washburn, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Iron, Lincoln, Marathon, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Wood and parts of Clark, Langlade and Oneida counties. The candidates were asked about their backgrounds (including family, education, past and present career experience and government work), why they chose to run for office, what issues are most important to them, and to their branch, at this time, what strategies they would implement in light of the need to keep costs under control, to operate the office as efficiently as possible, and any other relevant information or a general statement. The following are their responses: Sean Duffy Career history: Ashland County district attorney (August 2002-June 2010). [I] was appointed, then ran for office unopposed each term. School name: St. Mary’s, Winona, Minn. Degree awarded: Bachelor of Arts Major: Business marketing School name: William Mitchell College of Law Degree awarded: Juris Doctor Major: Law Hometown: Hayward Spouse: Rachel Campos-Duffy. [We] have six children together. “Congress must get our deficit and debt under control. The most overlooked issue facing America is the economic nuclear bomb we have given to China thanks to Washington’s inability to rein in spending. Our reliance on China to fund projects we
can’t afford comes with serious national security implications. “Too much uncertainty also exists in the marketplace. Talk of more bailouts, and new health care and cap and trade regulations, keeps uncerSean Duffy tainty looming. To reduce uncertainty, we must ensure taxes don’t increase on Jan. 1, and create a simpler, smarter, fairer tax system. We have the best workforce in the world, yet our tax code is the second highest of any advanced industrial nation. By reducing the tax code we can better compete, as well as incentivize – not penalize – companies to keep jobs here. We should oppose taxing overseas products of U.S. companies and protect small businesses by requiring a detailed cost-benefit analysis of any regulation before implementation, and eliminate the 1099 requirement. Finally, we must export Wisconsin-made products, not Wisconsin jobs, because I know Wisconsinites want paychecks, not unemployment checks. By doing this, confidence can be restored and businesses – the true job creators – will feel confident in their investments. “We do need to get spending under control. My six-step plan for restoring fiscal responsibility in government is available on my Web site. To start, I would end all bailouts, cancel unspent stimulus funds and not allow for any Temporary Asset Relief Program reauthorizations. Since 2008, we’ve seen an 84 percent increase in non-defense/security discretionary spending – I would freeze this spending at 2008 levels and only hire one person for every two people retiring from the federal government who don’t work in defense or security – saving hundreds of billions of dollars. I also believe the government should pass a budget every year to better control spending. If families and businesses stay on budget, the government should too. Growing up in Wisconsin, I offer a commonsense approach to problem solving. Electing more people from Madison isn’t the leadership we need – look where that spending got us. We need new leaders for a new direction.
“Wisconsin is my home. I grew up here and my wife, Rachel, and I are raising our six children here. I offer real solutions to restore fiscal sanity, gain control over our debt, bring jobs back to Wisconsin and put money Julie Lassa back into the pockets of our hardworking people and job creators. “I entered this race after the nearly trillion-dollar stimulus bill passed. As a father of six children, it bothered me that Washington government leaders were spending millions, billions and trillions of dollars, and leaving the bill to our children. Our country already has a $13.3 trillion debt – we can’t keep spending and expecting future generations to pay for it. “I am ready to be a fresh voice for the people of the 7th District and bring a new direction to Washington. I wasn’t handpicked to run for this seat, like my opponent; I ran because I saw a problem and wanted to be a part of the solution. I have a unique perspective on understanding and upholding laws as district attorney, and I offer a commonsense approach to problem solving.”
Julie Lassa Career history: Executive director of the Plover Area Business Association, government affairs coordinator, Golden Sands Home Builders and Stevens Point Board of Realtors, state Assembly (1998-2003), state Senate (2003-present) chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee. School name: University of WisconsinStevens Point Degree awarded: Bachelor of Science Major: Political science and business administration Hometown: Stevens Point Family: Married to John Moe. Two daughters, Taylor (6) and Madison (3) “I grew up on my parents small dairy farm in Portage County where I learned early the Wisconsin values I share with working families in the district - how to work hard and make a dollar stretch - values I am running to fight for in Washing-
ton. “I have called on Washington to take its cue from Wisconsin middle-class families. Just like families across northern and central Wisconsin, Washington should be tightening its belt and sticking to a budget. That’s why out of the starting gate in my campaign, I’ve called on Washington to take a 10-percent pay cut until Wisconsinites were back at work and refuse pay raises until we have a balanced budget. I and my family are currently giving back a portion of my salary to taxpayers. “I was also the first candidate in the race to propose a comprehensive jobs plan and have been traveling across the district meeting with voters as part of my Shake Up Washington, Grow Wisconsin jobs tour. I believe Washington needs to adopt a commonsense pro-worker pro-business strategy to create jobs and should start by ending failed policies that ship jobs overseas. I have called for ending tax breaks for corporations that outsource jobs. By getting tough on China and reforming failed trade deals like NAFTA, I believe we can level the playing field to ensure that Wisconsin workers and small businesses—the best in the world—can compete fairly in global markets. I will fight for good-paying Wisconsin jobs to build a strong middle class by giving tax breaks to the true engines of economic growth— Main Street small businesses and working families. “I am also deeply committed to keeping Social Security and Medicare strong for our seniors and our families. I earned the endorsement of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare because of my leadership and vision in supporting seniors and in protecting Social Security from being privatized. “Wisconsin has seen more than 52,000 jobs go to China because of our nation's trade deficit. My opponent supports giving tax breaks for corporations and special interests – the same eight groups that are spending more than $1.2 million in attacks to get him elected. “I have called on my opponent to join me in supporting the DISCLOSE Act, which would hold corporations and outside groups accountable in campaign spending.”
Polk County sheriff: Johnson vs. Collins
by Gregg Westigard Leader staff writer POLK COUNTY - Voters in Polk County will elect a new sheriff in the Nov. 2 general election, the winning candidate replacing Sheriff Tim Moore, who decided not to seek re-election. The winner will serve a four-year term. Following are profiles of the candidates - Independent Ed Collins and Republican Pete Johnson - and their responses to questions posed in recent interviews.
Pete Johnson Profile: Raised in Trade Lake and a Grantsburg graduate. Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration. Twenty years in law enforcement. Working for Polk County Sheriff’s Department since 1999. Pete Johnson, an investigator with the Polk County Sheriff’s Department, is the Republican Party candidate for Polk County sheriff. Johnson entered the race when Sheriff Tim Moore announced that he would not seek another term. “I had always planned on running for sheriff sometime but had expected that it would be in the next cycle,” Johnson said. “I think Moore is liked by the county. There is no incumbent running now, so the candidates are all starting on the same level.” Johnson calls himself a big-picture guy and says he can bring a varied background and broad experience to the office. Each division within the sheriff’s department is different, he says. He can stand back and see how it all works together. The sheriff must work with everybody, Johnson says, and do the right thing. It’s
not about management or the union but about taking the right actions. He says he will be honest and upfront in all his dealings. The sheriff’s budget is $7 million, but $6 million of that is personnel costs set Pete Johnson by contracts. The sheriff has control of the $1 million operations budget, Johnson says. With money tight, the sheriff may need to look at cutting personnel and see if any positions can be combined. He would look at how long a position has been vacant and see if there are alternatives to the position. That includes management vacancies, Johnson says. One way to lower costs might be through more flexibility in scheduling, he said. Johnson says the sheriff relies on the chief deputy to keep the day-to-day operations of the department. He says it is the sheriff’s job to deal with the community and the county board. Part of what Johnson wants to do is work closer with the local police chiefs. “We are all doing ultimately the same job,” he says, “and we must work together.” Johnson says there is room for better dialogue between the sheriff and the chiefs. “We can’t keep throwing everyone in jail,” Johnson says. “We need to find ways to keep people out of the jail. Some people need to be there, but we need to see if there are any alternatives.” Johnson says he is willing to work with drug courts and OWI courts and says he is
willing to try anything to stop people from returning to jail. He says programs should be tried and tracked to see is they are really working. “I’m a simple guy,” Johnson says. “I try to make honEd Collins est statements about everything. I think I can do a good job as sheriff and I want to be elected for who I am.”
Ed Collins Profile: In law enforcement since 1992. Has served with several local police departments. Was acting chief in Centuria. Four years in Marines. Polk County resident since 1996. Ed Collins says he is truly independent and would come into the Polk County Sheriff’s Department with an outside perspective, not tied to any divisions in the office. He says he would bring in a fresh slate, with no hidden agenda. Collins wants to put aside past differences and move ahead. “It is important for the public to see the sheriff,” Collins says. “I want to be visible and closer to the citizens.” To do that, Collins wants to work with the village councils and local police chiefs. He wants to improve communications and make all officers feel part of the team. He wants to deputize the municipal officers if possible and share more information with them. Collins also wants to do more joint training of officers in the county to in-
crease skills and cooperation while lowering costs for the county and the municipalities. Keeping the public informed also involves being on the street, communicating with people. Collins wants to be proactive, talking with businesses and listening to needs and ideas. He says the public should be the first eyes and ears of the department. Collins wants increased citizen involvement in law enforcement. He would like to start a reserve officer program, training and using the public for work with special events and citizens patrols. Collins says this is a way to involve volunteers, some of whom might want to make a career in police work. He would also like to start a program for troubled youth. The sheriff must work with all his officers and know them well. He must make sure the past differences are put aside and the officers come together as a family. Collins says the sheriff must take care of his officers so they can take care of the public. Collins says he knows budgets will be tight, and he will look for ways to lower costs without hurting service. That could include finding more ways to keep lowrisk inmates out of jail and in the community. His reserve officers program would also provide more trained persons for special uses without increasing costs. “I have done my jobs well in the past,” Collins says. “I have worked closely with the public. Now I am ready to move to another level. I am a simple, commonsense person. What you see is what you get. I am independent.”
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Lively sheriff contests in three counties
Common issues emerge during interviews
by Gregg Westigard Leader / Register staff writer WASHBURN, POLK, BURNETT COUNTIES – While the area clerk of court election contests have drawn little interest, the three area sheriff races have proven to be lively. All three incumbent sheriffs, Tim Moore in Polk, Dean Roland in Burnett and Terry Dryden in Washburn, drew opposition. Moore chose to retire after five years in office. Roland and Dryden each faced a primary within their own party and a general election challenge. Eleven candidates entered the contests for sheriff. There were four primary races in September. The candidates on the Nov. 2 ballot are Terry Dryden (Republican) and Paul Johnson (Democrat) in Washburn County, Dean Roland (Republican) and Frank Taylor (Democrat) in Burnett, and Pete Johnson (Republican) and Ed Collins (Independent) in Polk. Elections are the job evaluations of county officials. Once each four years the voters decide if six county officials have done a good job running their departments and deserve another four years in office. Two years ago, the voters rehired county clerks, treasurers, registers of deeds and district attorneys. This year the sheriffs, clerks of court, and, in Washburn County, the coroner get a public review of their performance.
While the general public may have a somewhat limited opportunity to get information on how well the officials are performing, the sheriffs have two groups watching them closely and sometimes stepping forward at election time to give their opinions. Those groups are the deputies in the sheriffs departments and the local police chiefs. In Polk County, the deputies were the vocal group. Sergeant Tim O’Hare entered the race against Moore early in the season, citing issues within the department as a reason for running. O’Hare received the endorsement of a number of department deputies but lost in the September primary to Pete Johnson. Johnson, also a Polk deputy, entered the race after Moore decided not to run again. The vocal group in Burnett and Washburn was the local police chiefs. Burnett County has five police chiefs. Four of the five decided to run for sheriff this year. In Burnett County, Jeff Schinzing, Grantsburg police chief, ran against Roland in the Republican primary. Michael Spafford, Webster police chief, and Frank Taylor, St. Croix Tribal police chief, faced each other in the Democratic primary. A fourth police chief, Paul Johnson, head of the Jackson/Scott/Webb Lake department, is running against Washburn Sheriff Dryden. Only Siren Police Chief Christopher Sybers sat out the 2010 election.
Common issues Some common issues emerged during interviews the Leader conducted with the
Kauther running as Independent in Congressional race
by Gary King Leader editor NORTHWEST WISCONSIN Gary Kauther is on the ballot as an Independent in Tuesday’s general election - seeking the seat being vacated by longtime 7th District Congressman Dave Obey. His opponents - Democrat Julie Lassa and Republican Sean Duffy - were profiled in last week’s Leader. Kauther, 50, is a retired small-business owner from Poplar, near Superior. He attended WITC and UW-Superior after graduating from Northwestern High School. He graduated from UWS with honors in 1981. He’s married with three children - two grown sons and a daughter in law school. His experience includes jobs as a farmer, nightclub manager, bartender, state grain inspector, railroad welder and U.S. Air Force aircraft mechanic. In 1999 he established G & T Sanitation and sold it 10 years later to Waste Management. “I decided to enter the race because I feel I’m the only candidate with the real world experience needed to handle the job,” Kauther stated. “I’m also the only military veteran in the race and only candidate that has actually signed both sides of a paycheck.” The Fair Tax Kauther said he supports the Fair Tax legislation. “The 54 co-sponsors, myself, 80 of America’s top academic and private-sector economists, as well as many informed voters all feel the Fair Tax can erase the national deficit without raising taxes,” he said. “That’s because, for the first time, everyone but the truly poor will be paying taxes. It’s like insurance, the premiums go down when the group gets bigger. You must remember, the Fair Tax replaces the entire U.S. tax code. That’s over 35 other taxes people won’t be paying. Over 36 - 60 months the revenue generated from a true national sales tax on all new goods and services will balance the budget and erase the national debt if we can keep spending in line with growth.”
Obama’s health care plan “Nobody read the ObamaCare legislation,” Kauther said. “I’d break it into sections, have my staff work overtime, write me an overview, and go forward from there.”
Kauther said he could support repeal of ObamaCare. “I’d like to see a 36-month investigation by 2,000 qualifed people in each state concerning fraud, waste, duplication of services, double and triple billing, collusion between insurers and health-care providers, scam artists, Internet rip-offs etc.,” Kauther noted. “If we take several trillion dollars of those costs out of the system we may find affordable premiums for most people would result. ObamaCare was insurance reform, not health care reform.”
Business climate Kauther said if the U.S. enacted the Fair Tax, 100 of the largest Fortune 500 companies said they’d relocate their factories, $11.2 trillion of offshore profits, plus millions of jobs back to America. “That’s because the current tax code says they can keep all profits from offshore operations and not pay taxes on that money, unless it’s returned to the U.S.,” he said. “Think Coca-Cola - its international businesses far outweigh domestic operations. When Coca-Cola needs money for expansion it goes to Wall Street or international bond markets to finance growth or debt. Why? Interest on the bonds is 4.5 percent. Corporate and capital gains taxes are 39 percent. It really doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell you that taxing income versus spending is a dumb idea in this day and age. That’s true of individuals and corporations. We’d all be better off if America’s largest companies did business and hired people in the United States again.” Although it’s more of a state than federal issue, Kauther said he would support consolidation and efficiency in public schools. “I also believe we should make much greater use of the world’s largest library the Internet,” Kauther noted. “E-books should replace costly and old-fashioned textbooks. We need to get away from the idea that fancy campuses educate children. As for funding, I think schools should be allowed large latitude to fund themselves. As a federal officeholder I can only do so much but I would certainly encourage wide latitude for local school districts to innovate without federal penalties.”
candidates, issues that go beyond county lines and beyond the elections. Finances and budgets in a tight economy are an issue in each county, but other topics came up in each county and each discussion. Working with local departments: The relationship of the sheriff with local police departments has many angles. Local departments work with the county department offering mutual aid. Some candidates think this should be expanded, with all local officers deputized by the county. They say this would offer more resources to the public and build better teamwork. A counterargument is that the local officers might not meet the same standards as the county deputies. A claim of better teamwork is offset by a claim that the sheriff is making a power grab. Some village board members say they pay the wages of their departments and their officers should stay in the village. This issue will see more discussion after the election. There was general agreement that there should be more sharing of resources. Some local officers have areas of expertise that can be used by other department. All said there can be more training in common to lower the cost of officer education and build a better-trained force countywide. And there was talk of more communication between the sheriff and the local police chiefs, but no agreement on whether that should include the sheriff taking part in the regular chiefs meetings.
Working across county lines: There were many ideas on how the local sheriff’s departments can work more closely together to increase the level of service to the public and to lower costs. Ideas mentioned include joint purchasing and joint training. On a larger level, there may be options to combine communications and dispatch services to serve a larger area while lowering staffing and capital costs. More cooperation might be possible on use of jail space and prisoner transport. From the conversations, it seems likely that some of the candidates, if they are elected or re-elected, will be staring more discussions across county lines. Mental health issue: Many persons are in local jails because they have mental health issues. This issue was first mentioned as a side comment but turned out to be a major concern in each county. Persons with mental health problems break a law and are arrested. In jail they receive some of the care and medications they need to be stable. When released, they go off their meds and end up back in jail. This is an issue that is now getting some recognition (Sheriff Dryden is a member of a mental health study set up by the state court system) but needs more discussion. One candidate said, “We have become a mental health and medical facility.” The Leader will follow up on many of these issues of common concern after the election.
Who are Karen Nord, Trudy Schmidt, Lois Hoff and Karen Baker?
Other local contests on the Nov. 2 ballot
by Gregg Westigard Leader staff writer NORTHWEST WISCONSIN – It’s time for area voters to decide if some department heads are doing a good job running their offices. While most county department heads report to and are evaluated by governing committees and administrators, elected officials report to the voters every four years. The voters (you) decide if these people are meeting expectations and should keep their jobs. This year the voters are reviewing the past performance of clerks of court and in Washburn County, the coroner. (Sheriffs are also on the ballot, but that office has received some publicity.) Up for re-election are three clerks of court, Karen Nord (Democrat) in Washburn County, Trudy Schmidt (Democrat) in Burnett County and Lois Hoff (Republican) in Polk County. Karen Baker (Republican) is running for re-election as Washburn County coroner [Burnett and Polk have replaced the position with an appointed medical
examiner]. All four are running unopposed. Clerks of court run the offices that support the district courts. Each manages a large budget and staff ($900,000 a year and 13 employees in Polk, for instance). Each is running for a four-year term. Each earns a salary of about $50,000 per year plus benefits. Their salaries are set for the next four years and can not be changed during their terms of office. The coroner investigates unusually deaths and signs cremation permits. All four want to continue doing their jobs. Salaries of the four offices (set by the county boards for the four-year term) 2011 2012 2013 2014
Clerks of Court
Burnett 49,742 50,737 Polk 52,738 53,529 Washburn 50,306 50,306 8,457
51,498
52,271
51,312
51,312
54,332
Washburn Coroner 8,457
8,627
55,147
WPT to present final Wisconsin gubernatorial debate
STATEWIDE - Wisconsin Public Television will present the final televised debate with the two major candidates for the state’s governor’s office. The We the People: 2010 Gubernatorial Debate will feature Democrat Tom Barrett and Republican Scott Walker. It will air at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, and will be co-anchored by WPT’s Frederica Freyberg and Eric Franke from WISC-TV. Wisconsin Public Radio’s statewide Ideas Network and MPTV in Milwaukee will also air the debate live. The debate will be streamed live at WisconsinVote.org. Freyberg will be joined by a panel of Wisconsin citizens in the Madison studio and in remote studios in La Crosse and Wausau to question the two candidates about the important issues in the race, which will be settled in an election on Nov. 2. Barrett is currently the mayor of Milwaukee and previously served in the Wisconsin state Legislature and United States Congress.
8,627
Walker is currently the Milwaukee County executive and previously served in the Wisconsin state Legislature. Earlier, individual conversations with Barrett and Walker from Here and Now and their five-minute Candidate Statements can be found on WisconsinVote.org on the Web. We the People/Wisconsin is a multimedia partnership that provides timely forums so that citizens can question political candidates, public officials – and themselves. The We the People/Wisconsin media partners are WISC-TV, WisPolitics.com, Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television and the Wisconsin State Journal. WPT is a service of the Educational Communications Board and University of Wisconsin-Extension. Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV, Madison; WPNE-TV, Green Bay; WHRMTV, Wausau; WLEF-TV, Park Falls; WHLA-TV, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV, Menomonie-Eau Claire. - from WPT
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28th Assembly candidates spar in rare debate
Hraychuck, Severson disagree on budget numbers, approaches
“not ready for prime time.” Severson said her story had changed about her being kicked off, while Hraychuck said it was the Republicans that issued a release that Democrats had kicked her off the committee. “I can tell you what happened, because I was there!” she said. Both candidates agreed to support business-owner rights on smoking laws, as well as on the so-called raw milk issue, allowing people to purchase unpasteurized milk, in spite of health concerns. They also both said they supported carry/conceal weapons efforts, with Hraychuck saying she split with her party on the issue, and worked to get the youth mentoring hunting bill, and authored a bill to allow retired law enforcement officials to carry a concealed weapon. There was also a contentious moment when an audience question noted Severson’s print ads showing him carrying a hunting rifle, but that he had never held a hunting license. Severson admitted as much, but noted you don’t need a hunting license to shoot a weapon. “The ad was also a way to show my support for hunting,” he said. The two also disagreed on the need for outside advertisement and campaign funds, with both candidates accusing the other of taking money from outside the state to support their campaigns. “Special-interest groups in Washington, D.C, want to get control back,” she said. “We need to get tax fairness!” Severson thought that was ridiculous, and said Hraychuck had taken “Milwaukee money,” but later admitted to making some commercials paid for by various outside groups. “You’ve got to get your name out there,” he said with a shrug. “Special-interest groups run their own campaigns.” Severson also noted Hraychucks’ extensive use of per diem reimbursements, on top of her salary, and accused her of “listening to special-interest groups” with all her extra days in Madison. “(Dr. Severson) is sadly misinformed on what this job entails,” she countered, which elicited chortles from some Severson supporters, as the two debated whether the legislative pay and reimbursements were appropriate, and whether the job was truly part time to allow Severson to continue his medical practice on weekends. “This is a job people should do for the needs of the community,” he countered. “I don’t need this job.” Hraychuck stated much the same thing, but added that the Assembly position was “not a job to be taken lightly...it’s not a hobby.” The two have only had two face-to-face debates, with another on radio, and it was obvious they disagreed vehemently on several issues, but did agree on many of the issues facing town government and rural areas. The debate is likely the last time the two will appear at the same debate venue prior to the Nov. 2 general election.
by Greg Marsten Leader staff writer BALSAM LAKE – There has been a distinct lack of face-to-face debates between the two candidates for the 28th District Assembly seat race between incumbent Democrat Ann Hraychuck of Balsam Lake and Republican challenger Dr. Eric Severson of Osceola. The Polk County Towns Association sponsored a debate/forum on Monday, Oct. 25, at the Polk County Government Center. While the event was well-attended, it also focused on several issues specific to rural areas, towns and local government, where the two seemed to agree on many issues, but disagreed dramatically on several statewide issues, as well as how they see the existing budgets, jobs outlooks and even the issue of job responsibilities and duties. Both candidates gave their qualifications and past experience, with Severson talking about his extensive background in medicine and health care, but said he was “a lot like everyone, I see my taxes going up, and see a deficit,” he said. “So I asked, ‘where is this money going?’” Severson noted several times his concerns over state budget issues, stating that he was concerned over state budgets, which he said had increased from $60 billion to $66 billion under Hraychuck’s watch, including a $1.5 billion increase in property taxes. “We need to create an atmosphere that encourages business here,” he said. Hraychuck outlined her law enforcement background in the region, how she moved her way up through the ranks, and ultimately was elected sheriff of Polk County for two terms, where she noted her approach to tackling the methamphetamine issues of the time. “Within two years, we had taken down 27 meth labs,” she said. Hraychuck also noted what she said were deep cuts in the state budget since she’s been in office, including furloughs of state workers, across-the-board cuts of 6 percent, closing corporate loopholes in taxation, and how she had worked to offset issues like the Polaris plant closure in Osceola, with worker training and the socalled Vision 600 Task Force to address future business expansion in the Osceola area to offset the job losses. “I personally gave back 16 days of pay,” she added, citing several ways she has disagreed with her party in the past term, including with the governor’s move to appoint the Department of Natural Resources chief. The two candidates spent a lot of time on the budget, and whether it had truly increased or decreased under 20 months of Democratic control, with Severson stating he had his numbers from the state Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
Hraychuck countered that she had discussion with a top Legislative Fiscal Bureau officials, confirming the cuts they had passed. “He said you absolutely did (cut spending),” she said. “This is a good place to do business,” Severson was not convinced and said it was an example of the problems within government, citing Polaris’ departure, Harley-Davidson and Mercury Marine threats of leaving the state and other areas where taxes forced business closures. “We do these funny numbers,” he said. “Which is exactly what irritates me.” Hraychuck did not agree, and cited statistics showing the state’s business climate had improved in recent years, with the state tax ranking dropping “to its lowest point since 1961, and countered that “Polaris left for Mexico for cheap labor, not because of the tax climate...they gave no warning at all, none whatsoever.” The duo also disagreed on what had and had not been done to address budget concerns, as Severson concentrated on the budget increases he noted earlier, which Hraychuck explained partially as deceiving, that they were essentially federal government funds for so-called pass-through payments for various aids, construction and federal funding for various programs. “You’re saying exactly what the problem is!” Severson countered. “I don’t expect Dr. Severson to understand the budget, because he hasn’t been there,” Hraychuck said, noting audits, and various savings she has supported to reduce insurance costs to schools and municipalities, as well as “horrible inefficiencies in the Medicaid system ... we’ve made great strides.“ Severson disagreed with Hraychuck on the cuts, but agreed that “We do need to run more efficiently.” The duo did agree that towns and other
municipalities are not where the state should balance their budgets, either through raiding transportation funding or delayed payments on state aids, with Severson saying he would support an effort to make it illegal. “It’s been proven that legislators can’t keep their hands out of that (pot of transportation aid money),” Severson said. The two disagreed dramatically on what counts as support of a bill or proposal, with Severson citing Hraychuck’s record, with her counter that it was political game playing, and gamesmanship within Madison that she had no control over to weigh polling motions with actual support or floor votes. “I say if it’s a good bill, you should support it,” he said. Both agreed on maintaining fair transportation aids, and Hraychuck noted her work with local legislators to establish a rural caucus to counter urban legislative efforts to partially balance the budget on towns and decreased road maintenance, with Severson concurring. “If not (fully funded) some roads would have been reverted to gravel around here,” Hraychuck said. “I agree, one area that is vital is our roads,” Severson said. The two also agreed that prevailing wage laws have the potential to seriously harm small units of local government, and Hraychuck noted her lack of support for the change, but said she sometimes had to vote for things in the budget that were part of a compromise. “It sounds like you’re just saying that,” Severson said. “This is certainly silly season!” Hraychuck said, citing a press release Severson quoted about whether Hraychuck had in fact been kicked off an Assembly committee that dealt with expanding renewable energy costs, which Hraychuck said was
BURNETT/POLK COUNTIES - The Leader will provide unofficial results of local races in the Nov. 2 election on its Web site as soon as they become available. Both Burnett and Polk counties offer election returns on their respective Web sites - www.burnettcounty.com and www.co.polk.wi.us/. Wisconsinvote.org offers video profiles of state candidates and will also be providing election returns from across the state.
Wisconsin Public Radio (wpr.org) will be offering complete election results coverage including regular updates on the Wisconsin races for U.S. Senate, Congress, governor and the Legislature. It’s radio broadcasts can be heard on 88.7 FM and 88.3 WHWC/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW/River Falls. Beginning at 7 p.m., Wisconsin Public Radio will carry National Public Radio’s coverage of national races as polls close on the East Coast. Starting at 8 p.m., Ben
Merens, host of the Ideas Network program At Issue, and Shawn Johnson, WPR state government reporter, will anchor Wisconsin’s statewide general election coverage. Throughout the evening, Merens and Johnson will be joined by the award-winning WPR news team from around the state to give updates and analyze the statewide and local races. Regular updates of western Wisconsin legislative races will be provided by Dean Kallenbach, host/producer of “The
West Side,” and political scientist Mort Sipress. From 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wisconsin Public Radio will continue to broadcast the election results for governor, U.S. Senate and other statewide and local elections until the election results are finalized. - with information from wpr.org
by Chuck Quirmbach Wisconsin Public Radio STATEWIDE - Democrat Tom Barrett is trying to steer toll lanes into the main route of the governor’s race. Republican candidate Scott Walker gen-
erally says government takes in too much revenue, but last week, he came out in favor of adding express lanes on freeways on which drivers could pay a toll, in hopes of escaping traffic congestion. The Democrat running for governor,
Milwaukee mayor Barrett, says Walker has changed his tune from when Walker ran for Milwaukee County executive in 2004. Barrett says he’d take on the crunch in transportation funding, by having the
state transportation commission meet more often and not allow pet projects to go into the state budget. Walker argues that it’s not a toll road if you have options on whether to drive the express lane and pay extra for it.
The two candidates for the 28th Assembly District seat squared off in a rare debate Monday at the quarterly Polk County Towns Association meeting. Incumbent Democrat Ann Hraychuck (left) and Republican candidate Dr. Eric Severson addressed issues ranging from budget priorities to job creation to state aids for municipalities and towns. They’ve had only a handful of face-to-face debates this season, and the meeting at the Polk County Government Center was well-attended. - Photo by Greg Marsten
Leader will provide election results on Web site
Toll roads debated between gubernatorial contenders
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Four seek governor’s position
Four candidates are on the ballot for Wisconsin governor Nov. 2. Wisconsinvote.org provided the following profiles of each candidate with their Web sites for further information. Full profiles are available at wisconsinvote.org.
Candidate: Scott Walker Office: Governor Party: Republican Address: P.O. Box 100828, Milwaukee, WI 53210 Phone: (414) 453-2010 E-mail: info@scottwalker.org Related Web sites: Candidate: James James Office: Governor Party: Independent Address: 331 North Main, Markesan WI 53946 Phone: (608) 588-5194
Campaign Finance Opponents: Tom Barrett James James Jim Langer
Campaign Web site: www.scottwalker.org
Scott Walker
E-mail: jamesjamesforgovernor@gmail.com Related Web sites: Campaign Finance Opponents: Scott Walker Tom Barrett Jim Langer
Campaign Web site: www.jamesjamesforgovernor.com
• Letters to the editor • Editor’s note: In keeping with our longstanding policy, candidates are offered an opportunity in our final issue prior to the election to clarify or respond to statements that have been published in previous issues of the Leader and/or the Leader’s Web site.
Sheriff offers rest of the story
“Do your homework in voting for the sheriff” This letter to the editor is a rebuttal to the letter written by Amye Mangen in last week’s edition. In the words of Paul Harvey, “and now, the rest of the story.” Amye Mangen is the wife of a current sheriff’s department employee who received disciplinary action, agreed upon by his union, for jeopardizing both the safety of officers and the public. Additional sanctions against this employee are in effect for an additional nine months, thus the tone of her letter. It was suggested to me that discipline in this matter be withheld until after the election to avoid the potential of political backlash. I chose to exercise leadership, not avoid it, putting officer and public safety before politics. “But wait there’s more.” In any organization there will be individuals who do not like the boss, but I can assure the readers that more of the sheriff’s department staff want me to return as sheriff than want my opponent elected. For months I have sat by while my opponents and a few disgruntled employees have stated “The sheriff fails to communicate.” The fact is that I have communicated, but there are some that do not want to listen. This “lack of communication” seems to be politically motivated, stemming from the issue of mutual aid. After consulting with Burnett County’s attorney, I communicated how we all could continue to work together when needed and be in compliance with the law. Three of the village police chiefs did not want to hear what the law states in regard to jurisdiction; thus jeopardizing their cases and causing a potential liability. In an attempt to circumvent this, my opponent met with Grantsburg, Siren and Webb Lake police departments to enter into mutual aid agreements. It should be noted that the law clearly states that tribal law enforcement agencies can only enter into agreements with jurisdictions, for the purpose
James James
Candidate: Tom Barrett Office: Governor Party: Democrat Address: P.O. Box 510796 Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: (414) 271-8050 E-mail: info@barrettforwisconsin.com
Related Web sites: Campaign Finance Opponents: Scott Walker James James Jim Langer
Candidate: Jim Langer Office: Governor Party: Independent Address: W165n11555 Abbey Ct. Germantown WI 53022
E-mail: jdlanger@wi.rr.com Related Web sites: Campaign Finance Opponents: Scott Walker Tom Barrett James James
Campaign Web site: www.barrettforwisconsin.com
Campaign Web site: www.jimlangerforgovernor.com
Candidates respond, clarify issues
of mutual aid, with agencies that they border. The last time I looked there are no tribal lands that directly border these jurisdictions. I am not a politician, I am a cop. My record or history speaks for itself. Mrs. Mangen claims I have used mutual aid for political gain. I assure you I would never put politics before public safety or the safety of any law enforcement officer I do agree with Amye Mangen that the history of each candidate needs to be thoroughly examined. My record of service is open for all to review. Who will be the next sheriff? That question will be answered by you, the voter on Nov. 2. Whatever is decided, your choice will be in place for the next four years. It has been an honor to serve Burnett County as sheriff for the past eight years and I trust that the wise voter will consider all aspects of the job and the history of the candidates when making their choice for sheriff. Dean Roland Siren
28th Assembly District: Rep. Ann Hraychuck
I want to thank the editors for giving me this chance to reply to some of the things that have been said about me and about my record as your state representative. Many of you have heard the old saying “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.” I respect people’s right to disagree with me and with my choices, but that does not give them the right to make things up. Here are the real “facts.” Reducing spending: In the budget my colleagues and I passed this session, state agency budgets were cut by 6 percent. For the first time in Wisconsin history, state GPR spending was cut, cut by 2.6 percent. Compare that with the fact that state tax generated spending rose by 18 percent during the previous six years when the Republicans controlled the Assembly. In the Assembly we took the fiscally responsible route and made the deepest cuts in government spending in the entire Midwest. Polaris Corporation: The decision to close their Osceola plant had absolutely nothing to do with state taxes. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor just announced that Polaris employees are eligible for ben-
efits under the Trade Act Petition Program, which can only happen when employees lose their jobs due to foreign competition or the company leaves the country. CEO Scott Wine has said repeatedly that the decision to move operations to Mexico was made to be closer to high-demand markets in the southern United States and other potential global markets. I am bipartisan and always will be. I’m not afraid to disagree with and vote against my party. I stood my ground and voted against Gov. Doyle when he changed his mind and said he wanted to retain that authority to appoint the head of the DNR. I voted against the smoking ban and was kicked off a committee by my own party when I expressed concerns about the Clean Energy Jobs Act that could have increased your monthly electric bills. When my opponent was asked at Monday [Oct. 25] evening’s forum why he dressed up like a hunter holding a gun for a campaign flyer when he has never purchased a Wisconsin hunting license, his response was “I did that to show my support for hunting.” I have hunted, fished and trapped in Wisconsin most of my life. My lifestyle and voting record are proof of this fact. The people’s agency. I fought to have the Department of Natural Resources Secretary appointed by the board, not the governor. I voted to override the governor’s veto. Why was the veto not overridden? Republicans in the Assembly played politics and voted with Jim Doyle. This is our agency. I will fight to make sure it is appointed by the board, not politicians. I’ll finish this off with an opinion, an opinion I hope that many of you share. You can predict the future by looking at the past. As your sheriff and your state representative, I have devoted myself to public service, listening to and helping the people of northwestern Wisconsin. If I am re-elected, I will continue to work full time, fighting for you and your neighbors. Please think carefully about who will do the best job as your representative and please vote on Nov. 2. Respectfully submitted, Ann Hraychuck State Representative 28th Assembly District Balsam Lake
Tom Barrett
Jim Langer
28th Assembly District: Erik Severson
Next week, the voters of the 28th Assembly District have a clear choice for who is going to represent them in Madison. I decided to run for office because I, like so many others, cannot stand the direction our elected officials were taking this state. Increased spending, taxes and regulations are crippling our state and driving employers out. Names synonymous with Wisconsin, such as Harley-Davidson, Mercury Marine and Polaris, are either leaving or threatening to leave our state for greener pastures. I am not the kind of person that waits for someone else to act, and that is why I have rolled up my sleeves and jumped head first into this race. There has been a lot of confusing talk over the last couple of months about exactly what happened in Madison during the last budget. But the numbers are clear. In the last budget, the state spent a total of $60 billion. In the current budget, the state spent a total of $66 billion. That is $6 billion in increased spending during one of the worst recessions our state has ever seen. The budget also included $5 billion in tax increases. These taxes included a phone tax, a hospital tax, a nursing home tax, a job-creator tax and a property tax increase that is costing home owners $1.5 billion more in the next two years. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the budget also included $40 million in pork projects, a provision that increased your auto insurance and a provision that increases the cost to repair roads. My opponent can explain away votes with Madison talk all she wants, but she voted yes on all of this. During a session when she was in Madison more than any other legislator, she voted with Democratic Party leaders 97 percent of the time. We need new leadership in Madison and a representative that will be honest with the voters here at home. I believe I am that person and I would be honored to have your vote on Nov. 2. Erik Severson Osceola
NOTICE OF GENERAL ELECTION AND SAMPLE BALLOTS NOVEMBER 2, 2010 OFFICE OF THE POLK COUNTY CLERK TO THE ELECTORS OF POLK COUNTY Notice is hereby given of a general election to be held in the several wards in Polk County, on the 2nd Day of November, 2010, at which the officers named below shall be chosen. The names of the candidates for each office to be voted for, whose nominations have been certified to or filed in this office, are given under the title of the office and under the appropriate party or other designation, each in its proper column, together with the questions submitted to a vote, in the sample ballot below. INFORMATION TO ELECTORS Upon entering the polling place, an elector shall state his or her name and address before being permitted to vote. Where ballots are distributed to electors, the initials of two inspectors must appear on the ballot. Upon being permitted to vote, the elector shall retire alone to a voting booth or machine and cast his or her ballot except that an elector who is a parent or guardian may be accompanied by the elector’s minor child or minor ward. An election official may inform the elector of the proper manner for casting a vote, but the official may not in any manner advise or indicate a particular voting choice. A straight party vote is a vote for all the party’s candidates listed on the ballot, unless the elector casts a vote for a candidate of another party, writes in the name of a candidate or applies a sticker. A straight party vote cannot be cast for Independent candidates. At the general election, if an elector wishes to cast a straight party vote for all candidates nominated by any party, the elector shall select the party of his or her choice and: Where paper ballots are used, make a cross (X) in the circle under the party designation. Where an optical scan system is used, connect the arrow or fill in the oval next to the party designation. Where touch screen voting systems are used, the elector shall select the button next to the party designation. To vote for individual candidates, where paper ballots are used, make a cross (X) in the square at the right of the candidate’s name for whom he or she intends to vote. Where an optical scan system is used, connect the arrow or fill in the oval next to the candidate’s name for whom he or she intends to vote. Where touch screen voting systems are used, the elector shall select the button next to the candidates’ names for whom he or she intends to vote. To vote for a person whose name does not appear on the ballot, where paper ballots or an optical scan voting system are used, the elector shall write the name of the candidate of his or her choice in the space provided for a write-in vote. Where touch screen voting systems are used, the elector shall type in the name of the person of his or her choice in the space provided for a write-in vote. An elector must vote for Governor and Lieutenant Governor jointly on one ticket. A vote for Governor is also a vote for Lieutenant Governor. To vote for persons whose names do not appear on the ballot, write the names of individuals for both offices on the lines provided. On referenda questions, where paper ballots are used, the elector shall make a cross (X) in the square at the right of “yes” if in favor of the question, or the elector shall make a cross (X) in the square at the right of “no” if opposed to the question.
On referenda questions, where marksense voting is used, the elector shall connect the arrow or fill in the oval next to “yes” if in favor of the question, or the elector shall connect the arrow or fill in the oval next to “no” if opposed to the question. On referenda questions, where touch screen voting systems are used, the elector shall select the button next to “yes” if in favor of the question, or the elector shall select the button next to “no” if opposed to the question. The vote should not be cast in any other manner. If an elector spoils a paper or marksense ballot, he or she shall return it to an election official who shall issue another ballot in its place, but not more than three ballots shall be issued to any one elector. If the ballot has not been initialed by two inspectors or is defective in any other way, the elector shall return it to the election official who shall issue a proper ballot in its place. The elector may spoil a touch screen ballot at the voting station, but not more than three ballots shall be issued to any one elector. Not more than five minutes’ time shall be allowed inside a voting booth. Sample ballots or other materials to assist the elector in marking his or her ballot may be taken into the booth and copied. The sample ballot shall not be shown to anyone so as to reveal how the ballot is marked. After casting his or her vote, the elector shall leave the voting booth, properly deposit the ballot, and promptly leave the polling place. After an official paper ballot is marked, it shall be folded so that the inside marks do not show, but so the printed endorsements and inspectors’ initials on the outside do show. The elector shall then deposit his or her folded ballot in the proper ballot box or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit. After an official marksense ballot is marked, it shall be inserted in the security sleeve so the marks do not show. The elector shall then insert the ballot in the voting device and discard the sleeve, or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit. If a central count system is used, the elector shall insert the ballot in the ballot box and discard the sleeve, or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit. After an official touch screen ballot is marked, the elector shall leave the polling place promptly. An elector may select an individual to assist in casting his or her vote if the elector declares to the presiding official that he or she is unable to read, has difficulty reading, writing, or understanding English, or that due to disability is unable to cast his or her ballot. The selected individual rendering assistance may not be the elector’s employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector. The following is a sample of the official ballot:
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THIS IS THE OFFICIAL PAPER BALLOT FOR: Town of Alden Town of Farmington Town of Garfield Town of Georgetown Town of Laketown Town of Lincoln Town of Osceola Village of Osceola City of Amery
Carole T. Wondra, County Clerk
NOTICE OF GENERAL ELECTION AND SAMPLE BALLOTS NOVEMBER 2, 2010 OFFICE OF THE BURNETT COUNTY CLERK TO THE ELECTORS OF BURNETT COUNTY: Notice is hereby given of a general election to be held in the several wards in Burnett County, on the 2nd day of November, 2010, at which the officers named below shall be chosen. The names of the candidates for each office to be voted for, whose nominations have been certified to or filed in this office, are given under the title of the office and under the appropriate party or other designation, each in its proper column, together with the questions submitted to a vote, in the sample ballot below. INFORMATION TO ELECTORS Upon entering the polling place, an elector shall state his or her name and address before being permitted to vote. Where ballots are distributed to electors, the initials of two inspectors must appear on the ballot. Upon being permitted to vote, the elector shall retire alone to a voting booth or machine and cast his or her ballot except that an elector who is a parent or guardian may be accompanied by the elector’s minor child or minor ward. An election official may inform the elector of the proper manner for casting a vote, but the official may not in any manner advise or indicate a particular voting choice. A straight party vote is a vote for all the party’s candidates listed on the ballot, unless the elector casts a vote for a candidate of another party, writes in the name of a candidate or applies a sticker. A straight party vote cannot be cast for Independent candidates. At the general election, if an elector wishes to cast a straight party vote for all candidates nominated by any party, the elector shall select the party of his or her choice and: Where paper ballots are used, make a cross (X) in the circle under the party designation. Where touch screen voting systems are used, the elector shall select the button next to the party designation. To vote for individual candidates, where paper ballots are used, make a cross (X) in the square at the right of the candidate’s name for whom he or she intends to vote. Where touch screen voting systems are used, the elector shall select the button next to the candidates names for whom he or she intends to vote. To vote for a person whose name does not appear on the ballot, where paper ballots are used, the elector shall write the name of the candidate of his or her choice in the space provided for a write-in vote. Where touch screen voting systems are used, the elector shall type in the name of the person of his or her choice in the space provided for a write-in vote.
An elector must vote for Governor and Lieutenant Governor jointly on one ticket. A vote for Governor is also a vote for Lieutenant Governor. To vote for persons whose names do not appear on the ballot, write the names of individuals for both offices on the lines provided. On referenda questions, where paper ballots are used, the elector shall make a cross (X) in the square at the right of “yes” if in favor of the question, or the elector shall make a cross (X) in the square at the right of “no” if opposed to the question. On referenda questions, where touch screen voting systems are used, the elector shall select the button next to “yes” if in favor of the question, or the elector shall select the button next to “no” if opposed to the question. The vote should not be cast in any other manner. If an elector spoils a paper ballot, he or she shall return it to an election official who shall issue another ballot in its place, but not more than three ballots shall be issued to any one elector. If the ballot has not been initialed by two inspectors or is defective in any other way, the elector shall return it to the election official who shall issue a proper ballot in its place. The elector may spoil a touch screen ballot at the voting station, but not more than three ballots shall be issued to any one elector. Not more than five minutes’ time shall be allowed inside a voting booth. Sample ballots or other materials to assist the elector in marking his or her ballot may be taken into the booth and copied. The sample ballot shall not be shown to anyone so as to reveal how the ballot is marked. After casting his or her vote, the elector shall leave the voting booth, properly deposit the ballot, and promptly leave the polling place. After an official paper ballot is marked, it shall be folded so that the inside marks do not show, but so the printed endorsements and inspectors’ initials on the outside do show. The elector shall then deposit his or her folded ballot in the proper ballot box or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit. After an official touch screen ballot is marked, the elector shall leave the polling place promptly. An elector may select an individual to assist in casting his or her vote if the elector declares to the presiding official that he or she is unable to read, has difficulty reading, writing, or understanding English, or that due to disability is unable to cast his or her ballot. The selected individual rendering assistance may not be the elector’s employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector. The following is a sample of the official ballot:
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NOTICE OF GENERAL ELECTION AND SAMPLE BALLOTS
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NOVEMBER 2, 2010
NOTICE OF REFERENDA
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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that at an election to be held in the County of Burnett, on November 2, 2010, the following proposed advisory referenda will be submitted to a vote of the people: RESOLUTION 2010-24 PLACING TRANSPORTATION FUND ADVISORY REFERENDUM QUESTION ON NOVEMBER 2010 BALLOT WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure is a fundamental component in its ability to attract and retain business and produce jobs; and WHEREAS, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, over the past decade, the state of Wisconsin has transferred approximately $1.2 Billion from the State’s segregated transportation fund to the state’s general fund and replaced it with approximately $800 million in General Obligation (GO) bonds; thereby reducing the amount available for transportation purposes by approximately $400 million; and WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s practice of replacing the dollars transferred from the state’s segregated transportation fund with GO bonds puts our state in the precarious position of bonding to fund ongoing operations; and WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s practice of transferring money from the segregated transportation fund to the general fund has eroded the public’s confidence that the “user fees” they pay through the state gasoline tax and vehicle registration fees will be used for their intended purpose; and WHEREAS, the Pew Center on the States recently released a report that included Wisconsin as having one of the ten worst budget situations in the country and specifically cited transferring money from the transportation fund to fund ongoing operations as an example of a practice that has put Wisconsin in such an untenable position; and WHEREAS, the debt service for these bonds will have to be paid for out of the state’s general fund which hinders its ability to fund other programs liked Shared Revenue, Youth Aids, Community Aids and courts in the future; and WHEREAS, using the state’s general obligation (GO) bonds in this way has hurt the state’s bond rating. A report issued by CNN in 2009 listed Wisconsin as having the second worst GO bond rating in the country; and WHEREAS, gas tax and vehicle registration fees comprise over 90% of the state’s segregated transportation account. Revenues from these two sources have been declining and are inadequate to meet the existing transportation needs in this state; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Burnett County deserve the right to have their voices heard on this important issue; and WHEREAS, providing constitutional protection, much like our neighbors in Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio, is the only way to ensure that this practice will not continue. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following question will be put to the voters of Burnett County, Wisconsin, in an advisory referendum during the November 2010 election, to wit: Should the Wisconsin Constitution be amended to prohibit any further transfers or lapses from the segregated transportation fund? BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk is directed to cause a copy of the Notice of Referendum to be published in the county’s official newspaper as required by law. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this resolution and a copy of the results of the advisory referendum to the Wisconsin Counties Association. The question will appear on the ballot as follows: Should the Wisconsin Constitution be amended to prohibit any further transfers or lapses from the segregated transportation fund? EXPLANATION This is an advisory referenda only. A “yes” vote indicates that you support a constitutional amendment to prohibit using transportation user fees (i.e., state gas tax and vehicle registration fees) for any purpose other than funding transportation in Wisconsin. A “no” vote indicates that you do not support such a constitutional amendment. Your vote on this question will not directly result in the passage or nonpassage of a constitutional amendment. The purpose of the question is to advise your representatives of the amount of support for and against a constitutional amendment limiting the use of transportation user fees for transportation purposes only.
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BURNETT COUNTY NOVEMBER 2, 2010
Wanda Hinrichs, Burnett County Clerk
VOTE!
NOTICE OF GENERAL ELECTION TOWN OF EUREKA Tues., Nov. 2, 2010 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eureka Town Hall 524202 51-52a,d 10L
NOTICE OF REFERENDUM Polk County November 2, 2010
NOTICE OF GENERAL ELECTION At the General Election to be held on November 2, 2010, in Polk County, Wisconsin, the following polling place locations will be used for the municipalities indicated. Polling places will open at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. Voters must be registered before they may vote. You may already be registered. If you have any questions concerning your polling place, or registering, contact the municipal clerk prior to the election. All polling places are accessible to elderly and disabled voters. City of St. Croix Falls Voting at: City Hall (Located at 710 Hwy. 35 South, intersection of U.S. Hwy. 8 & Hwy. 35 S.) Bonita Leggitt, Clerk - 715-483-3929, ext. 11 Town of Alden Voting at: Alden Town Hall (Located 1 mile east of Hwy. 65 on Cty. Rd. C & CC) Judy Demulling, Clerk - 715-248-7859 Town of Apple River Voting at: Apple River Town Hall 612 U.S. Hwy. 8, Range Tom Sykes - Clerk, 715-268-2534 Town of Balsam Lake Voting at: Balsam Lake Town Hall & Shop (Located at 1494 150th Ave., intersection of 150th Ave. & 150th St.) Brian Masters, Clerk - 715-554-2091 Town of Bone Lake Voting at: Bone Lake Lutheran Church (1/2 mile S. of Hwy. 48, corner of Cty. Rd. I & 255th Ave.) Darrell Frandsen, Clerk - 715-472-8212 Town of Clam Falls Voting at: Clam Falls Town Hall (County Road I to 320th Avenue, east to 80th Street, then south 1/4 mile - hall on east side of street) Betty L. Knutson, Clerk - 715-653-4206 Town of Eureka Voting at: Eureka Town Hall (Located at 2111 State Rd. 87 Approx. 4 miles south of Cushing on Hwy. 87) Michelle Tonnar, Clerk - 715-646-2985 Town of Farmington Voting at: Farmington Town Hall (Located 1/4 mile west of Hwy. 35 on 30th Ave.) Debbie Swanson, Clerk - 715-294-2370 Town of Garfield Voting at: Garfield Town Hall (Next to Fire Hall, in Wanderoos) Sue Knutson, Clerk - 715-268-4857 Town of Georgetown Voting at: Town Hall (Located corner of Cty. Rds. H & I) Kristine Lindgren, Clerk - 715-857-5788 Town of Laketown Voting at: Cushing Community Center (Located at 2410 241st St., Cushing School) Patsy Gustafson, Clerk - 715-648-5569
Town of Lorain Voting at: Lorain Town Hall (Located at the intersection of 20th St. & 345th Ave., next to fire hall) Susan Hughes, Clerk - 715-653-2629 Alex Till, Deputy Clerk Town of Luck Voting at: Luck Town Hall (Located at St. Rd. 48, next to Luck Medical Clinic) Lloyd Nelson, Clerk - 715-472-2037 Town of McKinley Voting at: McKinley Town Hall (Located at Corner of Hwy. 48 and 15th St.) Deborah Grover, Clerk - 715-822-3864 Town of Milltown Voting at: Milltown Fire Hall (Located at 127 Eider St., on Hwy. 35 north of Milltown) Virgil Hansen, Clerk - 715-825-2494 Town of Osceola Voting at: Town Hall (516 East Ave. N, Dresser) Lorraine Rugroden, Clerk/Treas. - 715-755-3060 Town of St. Croix Falls Voting at: St. Croix Falls Town Hall (Intersection of U.S. Hwy. 8 and 200th St.) Janet Krueger, Clerk - 715-483-1851 Town of Sterling Voting at: Cushing Community Center (From Hwy. 87 turn by Holiday (Cty. Rd. N), go straight onto 241st St.) Julie Peterson, Clerk - 715-488-2735 Town of West Sweden Voting at: West Sweden Town Hall (Located in Frederic, off Hwy. 48 W., on (N.) 3rd Ave.) Andrea Lundquist, Clerk - 715-327-8650 Village of Dresser Voting at: Municipal Office (Located on the corner of Main St. and Central Ave., 2 blocks off of State Rd. 35) Jodi A. Gilbert, Clerk - 715-755-2940 Village of Frederic Voting at: Frederic Village Hall (107 Hope Road West , 1/2 block west of Hwy. 35) Kristi Swanson, Clerk - 715-327-4294 Village of Osceola Voting at: Osceola High School Auditorium Neil J. Soltis, Clerk - 715-294-3498 523871 51a,d 10L WNAXLP
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at an election to be held in the County of Polk, on November 2, 2010, the following proposed Advisory Referendum will be submitted to a vote of the people: WHEREAS, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, over the past decade, the state of Wisconsin has transferred approximately $1.2 billion from the state’s segregated transportation fund to the state’s general fund and replaced it with approximately $800 million in General Obligation (GO) bonds. Thereby, reducing the amount available for transportation purposes by approximately $400 million; and WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s practice of transferring money from the segregated transportation fund to the general fund has eroded the public’s confidence that the “user fees” they pay through the state gasoline tax and vehicle registration fees will be used for their intended purpose; and WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s practice of replacing the dollars transferred from the state’s segregated transportation fund with GO bonds puts our state in the precarious position of bonding to fund ongoing operations; and WHEREAS, the Pew Center on the States recently released a report that included Wisconsin as having one of the ten worst budget situations in the country and specifically cited transferring money from the transportation fund to fund ongoing operations as an example of one of the practices that has put Wisconsin in such an untenable position; and WHEREAS, the debt service for these bonds will have to be paid for out of the state’s general fund which hinders its ability to fund other programs like Shared Revenue, Youth Aids, Community Aids and courts in the future; and WHEREAS, using the states general obligation (GO) bonds in this way has hurt the states bond rating. A report issued by CNN in 2009 listed Wisconsin as having the second worst GO bond rating in the country; and WHEREAS, gas tax and vehicle registration fees comprise over 90% of the state’s segregated transportation account. Revenues from these two sources have been declining and are inadequate to meet the existing transportation needs in this state; and WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure is a fundamental component in its ability to attract and retain business and produce jobs; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Polk County deserve the right to have their voices heard on this important issue; and WHEREAS, providing constitutional protection much like our neighbors in Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio already have is the only way to ensure that this practice will not continue. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Polk County Board of Supervisors that the following question will be put to the voters of Polk County in an advisory referendum during the November 2010 election. The question will appear on the ballot as follows:
Should the Wisconsin Constitution be amended to prohibit any further transfers or lapses from the segregated transportation fund? EXPLANATION This is an advisory referendum only. A “yes” vote indicates that you support a constitutional amendment to prohibit using transportation user fees (i.e., state gas tax and vehicle registration fees) for any purpose other than funding transportation in Wisconsin. A “no” vote indicates that you do not support such a constitutional amendment. Your vote on this question will not directly result in the passage or nonpassage of a constitutional amendment. The purpose of the question is to advise your representatives of the amount of support for and against a constitutional amendment limiting the use of transportation user fees for transportation purposes only.
SAMPLE
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Done in the Village of Balsam Lake, On SEPTEMBER 29, 2010 Carole T. Wondra, Polk County Clerk