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Hoesly, longtime county supervisor, dies
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Robert Hoesly: Served on the Green County Board since 1970

Filling the Vacant Seat

Green County Clerk Mike Doyle said he will look through polling records to find other people who received votes in Robert Hoesly's district in the April election. He will contact them and ask if they're interested in serving on the board.

If any of them are interested, Green County Board of Supervisors Chairman Art Carter could appoint them.

An alternative is for the county to wait for someone to express interest in Hoesly's spot. Candidates could be interviewed and a replacement selected by Carter.

MONROE - When people think of Robert Hoesly, they can't help but think of his dedication to local government.

"He was the institution," Green County Board Supervisor Herb Hanson said.

Hoesly, a Green County Board supervisor since 1970, died Tuesday. He was 83.

Hanson has been on the board for 10 years, and said Hoesly had an impact.

"He was the walking memory of where the county had been, but he was also aware of where the county was going," Hanson said.

Hoesly was elected to the board in April 1970. From 1974 until 2002, he served as chairman. It was a position he loved, but it was only part of the larger picture, Green County Clerk Mike Doyle said.

"He was from New Glarus, but he was cognizant that he represented all of Green County," Doyle said.

Hoesly represented the 27th District, which includes rural New Glarus.

While Hoesly was chairman, the county built an addition to the Green County Jail and also found a landfill site. Both issues were important, Doyle said, and Hoesly's leadership made them easier for the board.

"He was easy to work with," Doyle said. "He was honest and straightforward. You knew where you stood with him."

Hoesly and Doyle worked together while Hoesly was chairman of the board and Doyle was a board member and then county clerk.

Current Chairman Art Carter, who worked with Hoesly for about 30 years, regarded Hoesly as a friend and a mentor.

"Whenever I had any questions, I could always ask Bob," Carter said.

He said Hoesly was a "great guy" and will be missed.

"He was always looking out for the county," Carter said. "I think the county will miss his efforts."

Hoesly served on the Green County Land Conservation Committee, Agriculture and Extension Committee and the Railroad Transit Committee.

Green County Land Conservationist Todd Jenson worked with Hoesly for more than 20 years and regarded him as good guy to have around.

"I'll remember the stories he would tell about when they used to farm with horses," Jenson said. "He told great stories."

Serving his constituents was one of the things Hoesly loved about being in government, Doyle said.

"He enjoyed being on the board," Doyle said. "He loved his family, his farm and county and local government."