In Oneida County, there are several primary contests and one referendum. The contests are as follows:

    DISTRICT 11 COUNTY SUPERVISOR FOR CRESCENT, WARDS 1 AND 2:

1. Gustav J. Bramann
2. Jeff Kuczmarski
3. John R. Young, incumbent
   

DISTRICT 15 COUNTY SUPERVISOR: NEWBOLD WARDS 3 AND 4, AND LAKE TOMAHAWK WARD 1:

1. Jack Dunbar
2. Robert Metropulos, incumbent
   
3. Patricia L. Peters

NEWBOLD TOWN SUPERVISOR:

1. Dan Chronister, Sr
2. Richard Ludgatis
3. Patricia L. Peters
4. Jim Staskiewicz
5. Mike Sueflohn

LAKELAND UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE:

1. Shari Anderson
2. Jillayne Waite
3. Shari Nimsgern
4. Joe Handrick
5. William Ross
6. Tom Maulson

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    Following are candidates' statements for why they feel qualified for the position they are seeking, and what they hope to accomplish, if elected. NNN will post the candidates' statements in the order they are received.

    If a candidate provided a photo, you will find it in the Slide Show accompanying this article. Click on SLIDE SHOW to see all submitted candidate photos.
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JACK DUNBAR, candidate for DISTRICT 15 COUNTY SUPERVISOR:

    Background--Age 39; address: 6823 West Two Lakes Road, Lake Tomahawk; occupation: excavator; married with three children; I am currently Town Supervisor for Lake Tomahawk.
 
    The reason I am running for office is I feel we need to have more of a voice representing the younger people trying to make a living up here. I feel a lot of the people that serve on this board are out of touch on what it takes to make a living up here, or forgot what it was like to raise a family up here. It is tough, and we don't need government telling us how big or little of a house to build or stifling every business opportunity we might have by either zoning laws or conditional use permits. Why should commercial property require a conditional use permit? Shouldn't it be the right of a business owner or a property owner to decide on his own what times his business should be open or what building he needs to build?
 
    I feel the top issues are property rights and for the county to provide a suitable environment for businesses, not only to exist but also to flourish and grow. We need to find a way to attract new businesses with high-paying jobs into this area. Be it from TIFF districts to tax incentives. There are too many minimum wage jobs in this area.

    Let us face the facts: Oneida County is one the most poverty stricken areas in the state for its younger residents. If all the young people move out of the area or businesses can't grow, where will you get your goods and services and how much will it cost? Then you, too, will be zoned out of existence. I'm going to fight for our rights. The Fifth and the Fourteenth admendments give us the right of private property. It was so important that our forefathers mentioned it twice.

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MIKE SUEFLOHN, candidate for NEWBOLD TOWN SUPERVISOR
            (Click on Slide Show for photo)

    Newbold is going through a period of serious challenges. Steady fiscal stewardship and  responding to the MAJORITY of our citizens with their needs and concerns are day to day responsibilities of our elected and appointed officials.

    I am a candidate for Supervisor because I have not seen equal representation from the two incumbents. As elected or appointed officials of our government we become responsible to everyone. Not just those who may live in our area  of the Town or may think the way we do, but, “EVERYONE.” I believe as officials we give up, at least in part, our right to our own opinion. We have accepted the responsibility to lead, be responsive to and represent the entire Town.
   
    I’m asking for your support in the upcoming election. My goals are simple: 1) Put  an end to biased voting.  2) You will have a board member who will attend all budget meetings that concern your tax dollars. (Patricia L. Peters did NOT attend any of the three budget preparation meetings in 2007). 3) Bring back a sense of community.

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DAN CHRONISTER, SR., candidate for NEWBOLD TOWN SUPERVISOR
            (Click on Slide Show for photo)

      Background: a Newbold resident for 5 years; married for 22 years with two sons in high school; active on the Newbold Fire Department for four years; served as the Newbold Fire Department’s Assistant Engineer/ Fire Inspector; and 2006 Firefighter of the Year.
 
    A Vote for Dan means…
 
    * The concerns of Newbold residents will be heard and addressed,
    * Decision-making based on the needs of Newbold residents, not on a personal agenda,
    * Thoroughly research cost effectiveness before voting to spend any money,
    * Look for potential cost savings within the town’s monthly expenses,
    * Be accessible to any of the towns residents at any time,
    * Owned a fiscally responsible construction company for 25 years, so I feel I have the ability to help manage, the expresses of this great part of the Northwoods.

    I believe that I can help resolve the tough issues our town has been facing and will be facing in the future. My vision is for a unified, financially responsible town with a positive reputation. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at home at (715) 277-3636, cell at (715)367-0022.

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JIM STASKIEWICZ, candidate for NEWBOLD TOWN SUPERVISOR
            (Click on Slide Show for photo)

    I am 54 years old; I have one son who lives in Gleason. I have been a Newbold resident for 10 years, and in those years I have missed only three town meetings.There is a joke about that, saying I have a better attendance record then the whole town board.

    I am the treasurer of the Tom Doyle Lake Property Owners Association, and have been for more than four years a member of Newbold Plan Commission. I have always believed it is good to know what your town board is doing and how they are doing it.

    I am running for supervisor because I believe it is time for new people with new ideas. People who will take the job seriously, and people who will give 100 percent to the job as the voters elected them to do. I feel I am one of these people. I have been told by many people that I am very open minded. I take that as a very high compliment. I have always wanted to hear both sides of a situation before I make a discission.

    If elected, I will try to reunite the town and bring peace and honor back to Newbold. Some of the things I would also work on is getting more information from as many Newbold citizens when it comes down to things that effect the WHOLE town--either by more open meetings or by referendums. The other thing I would work very hard at is to keep spending to a minimum, and try to keep a handle on are constant increasing taxes.

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JACK YOUNG, incumbent candidate for DISTRICT 11 COUNTY SUPERVISOR FOR CRESCENT, WARDS 1 AND 2
            (Click on Slide Show for photo)

    I am a current county supervisor for this district and presently chair the Labor Relations/EmployeeServices Committee and also serve on three other committees: Finance/Insurance, Law Enforcement, and Resolutions/Ordinances.

    During the 10 years I have been a member of the Oneida County Board, I have served on six other committees. I also represent
Oneida County on the Wisconsin Counties Association's Group Health Trust Board.

    I believe that my experience and knowledge of how county government works qualifies me as the best candidate to serve the people of the 11th district. Oneida County will face many challenging issue during the next two years, the most important of which are meeting state requirements for comprehensive planning, moving forward on a new Commission on Aging building, keeping the county budget within state levy limits while maintaining essential services, addressing the needs of those associated with the Human Service Center, and managing retiree health benefits which could cost the county as much as $9 million in the near future.

    As these five priorities are currently being worked on at the committee
level, it is important that county board supervisors remain open to the opinions of the people they represent. I can promise you that I bring no self interest or hidden agenda to the table and will serve only in the best interest of Oneida County and its citizens.

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BOB METROPULOS, incumbent candidate for COUNTY SUPERVISOR, DISTRICT 15 COUNTY SUPERVISOR: NEWBOLD WARDS 3 AND 4, AND LAKE TOMAHAWK WARD 1
                  (Click on Slide Show for photo)

    Background: A Lake Tomahawk (Town of Newbold) resident, a commercial real estate appraiser by profession, married to Marcie, and father to six adult children, of whom five are living in the Northwoods.
                                        
    Political Experience: Four years experience as a county board supervisor and six years experience as a Town of Newbold supervisor. Presently, chairperson of the Oneida County Planning and Zoning Committee, vice chairperson of the Oneida County Health Committee; Town of Newbold supervisor and chairperson of the Newbold Plan Commission, and board member of the Tri-County Council on Domestic and Sexual Abuse.

    I believe in effective, efficient county government, sustainable economic growth and preserving our Northwoods heritage. We cannot stop growth; however it must be guided by a plan. Well-planned growth will not cost us our Northwoods quality of life. Most all successful businesses have a plan to guide their future. Over years, their plan may have to be amended, which is more common than not. As an example, more sales than expected creates the need for greater financing, growing too fast can spell disaster for a business, etc. It is no different with county growth...we must plan for the future, not do quick fixes for the present. The Oneida County zoning committee voted unanimously to forward a resolution to the full county board for their approval on the 19th of February, to implement the planning process.

    I firmly believe that the most important character-building attribute is life experience. When pursuing a political position, only a handful of people know who you really are, where you've been and what life has dealt you, good and bad. I have experienced many successes, a few setbacks, even tragedy.  The setbacks and tragedy have taught me more than any success.

    I have always pursued all challenges with passion, honesty, sensitivity and when necessary, toughness. Ask me a question and you will get a direct answer. It may not be the answer you want to hear; however, it will be an honest answer. I listen to the concerns and needs of everyone, while at the same time being objective and fair. My concerns are for the entire Oneida County community.  I will listen but not bow to those special interest groups who are the loudest and most insulting--the select few with personal agendas who have the most to gain financially.

    The preceding, my present and past experience and encouragement from many, many Oneida county citizens have been the major factors in my running for re-election to the Oneida County Board.


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GUSTAV (GUS) BRAMANN, candidate for DISTRICT 11 COUNTY SUPERVISOR FOR CRESCENT, WARDS 1 AND 2
       (Click on Slide Show for photo)

    For 27 years I have lived in Crescent. During the past 24 years, I have been a member of the Crescent Fire Department. Sixteen of these years include being the fire chief. Currently, I am a supervisor on the Crescent Town Board and have held this position for approximately four years. Last year I retired from the Oneida County Highway Department after 23 years of service.

    With the experience that I have from being on the Town of Crescent’s Planning Commission and the Town board I would be the best candidate for the position that I am seeking. I have helped with Crescent’s Land Use Plan and would bring this knowledge with me to the Oneida County Board. With this in mind, I would like to accomplish a Land Use Plan in effect by the year 2010 for Oneida County.

    I would be honest and open to public concerns. I would like to see some meetings held in the evening. Staggering the meetings during day and evening would enable constituent’s participation.

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