Wausau Pilot & Review

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Among Marathon County Board of Supervisor’s 38 seats, 14 are contested races this year with all seats up for re-election. Wausau Pilot asked candidates in every contested race to answer a series of questions for publication, to allow voters enough information to make an informed choice at the ballot box.

In three districts, only one of the two candidates responded. In each case, candidates who did not respond were offered additional time to complete the survey, but that deadline has now passed.

In Dist. 11, Bruce Trueblood responded, while Randy DeBroux did not. That district is currently represented by Alyson Leahy, who is not seeking another term. In Dist. 14 Wausau Pilot received a response from Ken Charneski, but not Rick Seefeldt, the incumbent. And in Dist. 15, Randy Fifrick submitted his answers, but Joel Straub, the incumbent, did not reply. Below, read what Trueblood, Charneski and Fifrick have to say about their views on Marathon County’s challenges and how they would work to create a better community, if elected on Tuesday.

Dist. 11: Bruce Trueblood

  • Age 56
  • Occupation: Teacher
  • Prior political experience: In addition to the many functions I perform as an educator which have prepared me to serve, I have sat on several community and civic boards and committees including the Park and Recreation Committee in Watertown, WI and the Iredell Children’s Museum Board of Directors in Statesville, NC. I am active in the local community theater community and have served as a church deacon, Sunday school teacher, children’s ministry director, and PTO president.

Dist. 14: Ken Charneski, challenger

  • Occupation: Independent business
  • Prior political experience: Six years as Village Trustee

Dist. 15: Randy Fifrick, challenger

  • Age: 39
  • Occupation: Economic Development Manager
  • Prior political experience: Marathon County Board Supervisor (2016-2022), Kronenwetter Redevelopment Authority (2023 – Present)

What motivated you to run for office?

Trueblood: The weaponizing of the board against other county entities such as the library and other county departments bothered me. The board needs to work together with staff and administration for the good of all the citizens. There are things that can and possibly should be changed through the administrative process. The use of threats and coercion is not the way to make these changes. I can wait for the process to change or get involved to be the change I want to see.

Charneski: I believe that the incumbent supervisor does not represent the best interests or values of the people of the district, and that I will do much better.

Fifrick: The Village of Kronenwetter and Marathon County Board have had some challenging times over the past few years. We need local government representatives that are forward thinking and open minded that represent the best interest of the Village and the County as a whole. I’ve lived in Kronenwetter since 2010 and see the great potential our community has and want to do my part to see that potential fulfilled. The pandemic has introduced a multitude of new problems that we must address to maintain low taxes and still provide high level services to our County residents.

What is the biggest concern you have about the way Marathon County government operates today, and how do you propose to manage that, if elected?

Trueblood: The biggest concern I have about the way Marathon County government is currently running is the petty division that is slowing progress and consuming time and resourses. The library is one example. Though the books may be a concern, there are better ways to deal with these issues then to wield the county board against a county department, even if just an ancillary one.

Charneski: At the core of it is the perceived disrespect of county county government for the taxpayers’ money. The budgeting process needs to be made more transparent and the final budget should be completely understood by the supervisors before they approve it. Dave Baker in District 23 seems to have found at least 3 separate “hidden” funds of $1-9 million each. These unknown stashes of money should not have been possible, if the Board members were diligent in their duties, and knew where that money was allocated to, to begin with.

Fifrick: The County needs to redefine their role in economic development. Over the last decade, the County has done an adequate job of working with its municipalities to provide support in various aspects of economic development. With the growing challenges of workforce shortages and lack of affordable and available childcare it’s time the County looks at dedicating Staff to the sole purpose of economic development, broadband and workforce development issues. There are opportunities to shift existing Staff around to make this happen without adding additional Staff.

If elected, what steps would you take to put our county on firmer financial footing?

Trueblood: Due to the efforts of Chair Gibbs and Administrator Leonhard, as well as several board members and department leaders, the county is on a fairly solid financial footing. There is always room for improvement. Discretionary spending and capital projects require constant monitoring. Additionally, the impact of the broader economy on the county must be considered and adjusted for to insure continued stability and future growth.

Charneski: First off, to do a complete investigation of where all the county money is, and how many other quasi-secret funds exist. Then, once we know where we are at financially, it gets down to prioritizing services for budgeting purposes, and having the discipline to control spending. This is very simple, once the politics and special interests are taken out of the process.

Fifrick: I will bring the voice of a professional that is both forward thinking and open minded to ensure the citizens of Kronenwetter are heard at the County level. I will work to balance continued investment in education, economic development, and smart long-term planning with an eye on conservative spending that will ensure tax rates are maintained at current levels.

How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our community and be transparent in your decision-making?

Trueblood: Even in a world of social media and blogging, nothing works as well as good old-fashioned face to face. The best way to find out what people are thinking is to ask and then to really listen to understand, not just to respond. To that end, I will be having regular meetings where topics of local and county interest can be discussed between my constituents and me.

Charneski: As a trustee, I have always had an open door for phone calls and emails. Public input is important, but not everyone will be happy with every decision. I try to find the most reliable information, and then to make the best decisions that I can with that information. I am not afraid to vote against hostile opponents, if it is in the best interest of the taxpayers.

Fifrick: During my time on the County Board I’ve had many conversations with residents whether that was in person, on the phone, or with email. I follow the local issues by keeping an eye on Village meetings and I am always available to listen to my residents.

How can Marathon County effectively tackle the ongoing housing shortage, particularly for people with low to moderate incomes?

Trueblood: As housing is primarily a local control issue, the county should support the local efforts. It is counter-productive to duplicate efforts of other government and private groups. The county can assist the municipalities when asked. Since the county issues no building permits, the primary way the county can assist is by keeping property taxes low.

Charneski: Simply stated, the cost of things has gone up much more than the income of the working people has, making not only housing more difficult, but other basics as well. It is difficult to counter at the county level the deliberate plans and actions taken at the national and world economic level. If anyone has a good idea regarding this, I am certainly willing to listen, and support a program that makes sense.

Fifrick: Marathon County has traditionally been less involved in housing initiatives. However, given the present workforce shortage, it’s imperative that we shift our approach. Sheboygan County offers a successful example. By collaborating with major businesses they were able to establish an $8 million fund dedicated to creating single-family workforce housing. This initiative aims to construct 500 to 1,000 affordable single-family housing units. We can replicate this model in Marathon County, leveraging existing staff resources and reallocating them to support this endeavor, thus avoiding the need for additional staff.

What can Marathon County do to attract more businesses and more people to the area?

Trueblood: Population declines and the economic impact of an aging workforce are big challenges that will continue to impact the county. Forward thinking with projects such as the Regional Forensic Science Center will help when government can be part of the solution. The board will need to work with businesses and the community to ensure the county is a viable location for entrepreneurial thinkers as well as business expansion. This will require the board to examine county policies and areas of influence to insure we are supporting rather than hindering this growth.

The entire area needs to make more of a concerted effort in not only attracting young people but also keeping the young people who grow up here. The county can do this through promoting the excellent amenities the county has to offer for development and growth, a tremendous tech college, sports and recreation opportunities, as well as demonstrating forward thinking planning through the support of greater broadband access initially.

Charneski: The most important thing seems to be to quit beating the dead horse of focusing on Wausau as the county’s center of the economic universe, and start considering surrounding and outlying areas of the county for economic growth.

Fifrick: Placemaking is crucial to workforce attraction, as it creates vibrant environments, improving overall quality of life. Collaboration with organizations like the Chamber and Convention and Visitors Bureau is essential for hosting quality-of-life events, a key factor for employees deciding where to live and work.

What role, if any, should supervisors play in determining which books are chosen for the Marathon County Public Library and how they are placed on the shelves?

Trueblood: It is the duty of every citizen to participate in the vigorous public discourse. As community members, supervisors have the same rights as any other library patron. As to what role they have as county supervisors in choosing or denying specific books for the library, to put it simply, they have none. They have no more role in choosing books for the library then they do choosing grass for the fields in Marathon Park. The supervisors approve the library board members and approve the overall budget for the library system. The supervisors who sit on the library board may have some input on such matters but the general board has no direct say as elected officials.

Charneski: I think there should be direct involvement from the taxpayers and parents on that, with some kind of voting or possible veto power on any books in question. The County Board has other work to do.

Fifrick: I hold the perspective that book selection shouldn’t fall within the purview of County Board Supervisors. Instead, I advocate for the County Board to focus on providing support, strategic direction, and oversight to ensure that the public library effectively meets the needs and interests of the community while upholding principles of intellectual freedom and access to information.

How do you feel about the transportation options available in our county, and what role, if any, should Marathon County play in tackling the challenges involved?

Trueblood: Transportation is and will remain a priority for the county primarily from a business perspective. The maintenance of the county roads reflects this effort. Providing a greater connection to the larger markets to avoid economic isolation as is happening in many rural areas will need to be a priority through the taking of a long view as projects are prioritized. The county will need to continue to capitalize on its strength such as tourism and agriculture while promoting new technologies and industries such as hydroponics. Jobs bring people. The ability of people to circulate through the county aids in their getting to these jobs. In addition to a good road system, the county is currently connected to Chicago and Minneapolis by bus lines. The Central Wisconsin Airport was recently expanded. These are all good things for the county. Should other ideas be brought before the board, those ideas would have to be considered individually

Charneski: I have not heard that there are any transportation issues other than maintaining highways. Good roads would be a priority for me.

Fifrick: Public transportation plays an important role in supporting our workforce and driving economic development. Making investments in efficient and accessible public transit systems is imperative for tackling the challenges posed by our current workforce shortage. However, securing funding for such initiatives is complex, given the heavy subsidies that our existing system relies on. While I believe the County can encourage collaboration among communities, finding a solution ultimately relies on our metro area communities working together to collaboratively devise solutions to fit their needs.

The County Board is large and diverse. How will you work with people whose views you do not agree with to find common ground?

Trueblood: Having traveled extensively in the US and some abroad, having taught in several schools in vastly different regions of the country, and having been in a service industry for most of my life, I have met and worked with many different types of people. The first thing I always strive to do is identify what we have in common and build from there. Even in our differences, it is crucial to always treat each other with respect and dignity. Someone who may have a different approach to a situation or a different world view than mine is not “less than” and I will not treat people as such. As a teacher of middle school students, I work with different people dealing with all kinds of personal challenges every day and my service on the County Board will be no different.

Charneski: I can work with anyone, as I have demonstrated at the village level. Sometimes there is agreement, sometimes there is not. That’s just how it works. If you are talking about cutting deals, like “I’ll support you on this, if you support me on that.”, I don’t think that would play well with me if I knew that the other issue was not in the People’s best interest.

Fifrick: We need local government representatives who are forward-thinking and open-minded. This necessitates active listening, seeking common ground, respecting differing perspectives, and being willing to compromise. Through approaching interactions with an open mind and a genuine desire to understand others, we can foster stronger relationships and ultimately achieve more favorable outcomes for the voters we represent and the County as a whole.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

Trueblood: I am asking the citizens of District 11 to vote for me as their representative on the county board. Since my family and I moved here nearly twenty years ago, I have grown to love this county and this area. On the board, my goal will be to share that love with anyone who will listen while protecting the great things that make the county the best in the state.

Charneski: I have a 6 year track record of diligent inquiry, financial knowledge, and practical decision-making at the village level. I will bring this same work ethic to the county position.

Fifrick: My experience serving as the County Board District 15 representative for six years and working in a variety of positions within local government from Kronenwetter to Wausau provides me with the background expertise to hit the ground running. I will bring the voice of a professional that is both forward thinking and open minded to ensure the citizens of Kronenwetter are heard at the County level. I will work to balance continued investment in education, economic development, and smart long-term planning with an eye on conservative spending that will ensure tax rates are maintained at current levels.