From Jane Hird Mitton

Retired Judge, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, Illinois 

New Glarus

To the Editor:

Good government requires intelligent, responsive, honest and accessible elected officials. A recent property rights concern introduced me to two Supervisors of the Green County Board who embody the core elements of good government.

I first contacted Todd Larson, District 25. Not only was he open and responsive, he invited me to his family home — the Larson Farm — and offered me homemade soup as we discussed my concerns! Todd invited another local representative — Sue Nelson — who serves District 10 on the Green County Board of Supervisors and the land use and zoning committee to our meetings.

The meetings with Sue Nelson and Todd Larson were collegial, focused and productive. Their intelligent and practical contributions addressing my concerns spoke to the wisdom of their experience.  After an ordinance was presented to the zoning committee, Sue Nelson articulately and concisely address the subject and answered questions.  Todd Larson, Town of York Supervisor, has continued to follow this matter and keep me apprised of its status. This no-nonsense goal-seeking focus is exactly what government needs and all too often lacks.

As one who attended school in Blanchardville, and college in Madison, my core values were formed and nurtured in the Driftless area. I am thrilled, on my retirement, not only to be back in the great state of Wisconsin, but to be welcomed by the familiar, though not ubiquitous, commitment to public service and integrity.

It is too easy to take the positive aspects of our democratic life that we rely on every single day for granted. As such, public gratitude is appropriate  for the honest, hardworking and responsible individuals who commit their time and intellectual resources to making our government a GOOD government. Thank you Todd Larson and Sue Nelson.