51st Assembly District
Tyler Schultz, Dennis Polivka, Todd Novak and Ken Rynes are running as Republicans in the Aug. 12 primary. The winner of the primary will face Dick Cates, the only Democrat on the ballot, and Libertarian candidate Adam Laufenberg in the November general election.
Dennis B. Polivka
Age: 63
City/town of residence: Spring Green
Family: Married to Robbin for 40 years. One adult daughter, Marnie
Education: attended U W Madison
Occupation: Self employed. Sole proprietor of Honey Do Handyman
Previous elected positions held or experience: River Valley school board, President and Treasurer; Town of Spring, Chair; Sauk County Board of Supervisors serving on the following committees: Executive and Legislative, Conservation, Planning and Zoning, Economic Development, Wisconsin Counties Association County Ambassador Program. I've also served on the Wisconsin River Rails Transit Commission.
What are the top issues facing this district/board and how would you work to resolve them?
Wisconsin needs to continue to improve its business climate. We are started in the right direction; however we need to understand that we are in competition with several of the other states. Wisconsin needs to get its taxes and regulation to conform or improve on what the other states that are attracting business have in place.
We need to put more emphasis on worker training and technical education in our schools.
It is imperative that we continue to attract new business so that we have good paying jobs to keep our best and brightest in Wisconsin.
What are other key issues facing the district/board, and how would you work to resolve them?
Broad band expansion has to be a priority. We need broad band to help business prosper, schools to broaden curriculum and educational opportunities. It is also needed for our personal lives in areas of communication, education and health care to name a few. I have been actively involved at a county and regional level. I feel that we may have to look at a public-private partnership of some type. This will possibly need to be treated in the way Rural Electrification was when it was established.
We need to work to keep from harming our health care system that is in place through our state. We are very fortunate to have the health care offerings that are available to us.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I have been active legislatively for many years. I have had the opportunity to visit with legislators on Capitol Hill in Madison and Washington. I have testified before legislative committee's as a pork producer and School Board President.
As Town of Spring Green Chair I have worked with our Board, Land Owners, Engineers and state and federal legislators and agencies to acquire funding and permitting to construct a two-mile drainage project after the Town was devastated by flooding in 2008. The town lost 28 homes, a motel, over $9 million in agriculture losses and many untold losses by town residents.
As a County Supervisor I serve on the following committees: Executive and Legislative, Conservation, Planning and Zoning, Economic Development and the Wisconsin Counties Association County Ambassador Program. I have also served on the Wisconsin River Rails Transit Commission.
I will bring a strong understanding of business, agriculture, education and county and local government to this seat.
Age: 63
City/town of residence: Spring Green
Family: Married to Robbin for 40 years. One adult daughter, Marnie
Education: attended U W Madison
Occupation: Self employed. Sole proprietor of Honey Do Handyman
Previous elected positions held or experience: River Valley school board, President and Treasurer; Town of Spring, Chair; Sauk County Board of Supervisors serving on the following committees: Executive and Legislative, Conservation, Planning and Zoning, Economic Development, Wisconsin Counties Association County Ambassador Program. I've also served on the Wisconsin River Rails Transit Commission.
What are the top issues facing this district/board and how would you work to resolve them?
Wisconsin needs to continue to improve its business climate. We are started in the right direction; however we need to understand that we are in competition with several of the other states. Wisconsin needs to get its taxes and regulation to conform or improve on what the other states that are attracting business have in place.
We need to put more emphasis on worker training and technical education in our schools.
It is imperative that we continue to attract new business so that we have good paying jobs to keep our best and brightest in Wisconsin.
What are other key issues facing the district/board, and how would you work to resolve them?
Broad band expansion has to be a priority. We need broad band to help business prosper, schools to broaden curriculum and educational opportunities. It is also needed for our personal lives in areas of communication, education and health care to name a few. I have been actively involved at a county and regional level. I feel that we may have to look at a public-private partnership of some type. This will possibly need to be treated in the way Rural Electrification was when it was established.
We need to work to keep from harming our health care system that is in place through our state. We are very fortunate to have the health care offerings that are available to us.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I have been active legislatively for many years. I have had the opportunity to visit with legislators on Capitol Hill in Madison and Washington. I have testified before legislative committee's as a pork producer and School Board President.
As Town of Spring Green Chair I have worked with our Board, Land Owners, Engineers and state and federal legislators and agencies to acquire funding and permitting to construct a two-mile drainage project after the Town was devastated by flooding in 2008. The town lost 28 homes, a motel, over $9 million in agriculture losses and many untold losses by town residents.
As a County Supervisor I serve on the following committees: Executive and Legislative, Conservation, Planning and Zoning, Economic Development and the Wisconsin Counties Association County Ambassador Program. I have also served on the Wisconsin River Rails Transit Commission.
I will bring a strong understanding of business, agriculture, education and county and local government to this seat.