Green County Board of Supervisors
All Green County Board of Supervisors seats are up for election on the April 5 ballot. There is one contested race in District 24: Incumbent Gordon Klossner is being challenged by Erica Roth. Steve Borowski is running for the open seat in District 7. Incumbents running are: District 1, Dennis Everson; District 2, Gary Neuenschwander; District 3, John Glynn; District 4, Jerry Guth; District 5, Kate Maresch; District 6, Michael Furgal; District 8, Joan Winn Rufenacht; District 9, Richard Thoman; District 10, Oscar Olson; District 11, Paul Beach; District 12, Harvey Mandel; District 13, Jeff Williams; District 14, Kenneth Hodgson; District 15, Sherri Fiduccia; District 16, Art Carter; District 17, Steven Stettler; District 18, Barbara Krattiger; District 19, Ron Wolter; District 20, Calvin Wickline; District 21, Russ Torkelson; District 22, Harvey Kubly; District 23, Karl Blumer; District 25, Kristi Leonard; District 26, Ted Fahey; District 27, Roger Truttman; District 28, Beth Luchsinger; District 29, Betty Grotophorst; District 30, Ray Francois; and District 31, Herb Hanson.
Age: 67
City/town of residence: Clarno Township
Family: Wife, Carolyn and 3 adult sons
Education: Business degree from UW-Madison
Occupation: Farmer, Part-time Auctioneer, Former realtor
Previous elected positions held: None
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
The issue out in the forefront for the agricultural community now is the attempted establishment of a CAFO (Confined Animal Feeding Operation) of 5500 cows in Sylvester Township from a Nebraska entity. This I oppose. I would much rather see our established dairy farmers have the opportunity to expand their operations using that land from neighborhood farms that becomes available to rent or buy. I fear that our young farmers will not be able to compete against these deep-pocketed farms when they wish to grow. Some farms would be forced out of business not because of a lack of expertise but because the CAFO has procured most land in this area or they cannot financially compete. Pinnacle Dairy has identified land all the way over to Cadiz Township to provide feed and absorb the manure from their dairy. This would add more traffic and road damage to area state, county, and township roads. Also are issues of water pollution, health concerns, lower property values for area residents and a complete lifestyle change for their neighbors.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
Other issues are what to do with the Pleasant View Complex. I believe that it is a valuable health care asset for our county and would vote to do what is economically reasonable to keep it going.
The hydrologist study of our county water resources hopefully can be readdressed and passed. Our clean water resources will be of greater value each coming decade.
A new jail has been on the back burner. I have not toured the existing facility or seen the numbers involved in this project.
Other issues are road and bridge repairs, landfill use questions and the continued push for tourism in our area.