robert stroud

downsizing the Waukesha County Board was intended to scare off incumbents, the strategy could be backfiring.

Waukesha County Board
Afflicted Districts

Graphic/
Bob Veierstahler

Click to enlarge

No Foolin'
All 25 seats will be filled April 1, with primaries scheduled Feb. 19 in any district with more than two candidates.
Several county supervisors will face colleagues in redrawn districts that will include more than one incumbent.

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Buy a link hereMore than half the current county supervisors say they are planning to run again next spring when the board is trimmed from 35 to 25 members.

Several are ready to face colleagues in redrawn districts that will include more than one incumbent.

One exception is Supervisor Sandra Wolff of Brookfield, one of the board's most veteran members, who is stepping aside.

After serving 20 years, Wolff said she will resist the temptation to stick around and experience the downsized board in the new District 6.

"Part of me hates to leave," she said. "I think it's just time. It's time to let someone else come in with some fresh ideas."

Other incumbent supervisors could not be reached for comment or were undecided about running again, some citing the possibility of an increased workload with a smaller board.

But most are ready to get back on the campaign trail.

"It should be fun," said Supervisor Rick Stevens of Hartland, who faces a District 13 race against fellow incumbent James Behrend of Delafield.

The election season officially begins Dec. 1 when prospective candidates can begin circulating nominating petitions.

Anyone can run for County Board who is at least 18 years old and collects 50 signatures on a nominating petition from eligible voters in the district where he or she lives.

Under pressure to make county government smaller, the board voted in April 2006 to reduce its ranks to 25 members, effective with the 2008 elections.

All 25 seats will be filled April 1, with primaries scheduled Feb. 19 in any district with more than two candidates.

Among those planning to seek election are current Board Chairman James Dwyer of Menomonee Falls in District 4 and committee chairmen Patricia Haukohl of Brookfield in District 7, Duane Paulson of Waukesha in District 16 and Bonnie Morris of Dousman in District 14.

Behrend, who also is a committee chairman, said the prospect of running against Stevens was not a factor in his decision to seek another term.

"It's part of the process," he said.

'It's very awkward'
Others, however, said they were uncomfortable with the thought of campaigning against colleagues whom they regard as capable public servants.

"It's very awkward," said Supervisor Kathleen Cummings of Waukesha, who already has declared her candidacy in the newly redrawn District 18.

Cummings said she has high regard for Supervisor Joseph Vitale of Waukesha, who shares the district with her.

Vitale is recuperating from a recent hospital stay and has not yet decided whether to run.

In other districts, voters could have as many as three incumbents to choose from.

District 24, for example, includes Supervisors Walter Kolb and William Mitchell, both of the Town of Waukesha, and Rodell Singert of Vernon.

Kolb and Singert both plan to run; Mitchell said he was undecided.

Singert said he regards himself as a "strict conservative," adding that he feels an obligation to ensure that such viewpoints remain represented on the board.

"I have to show up," he said. "I can't walk away."

District 22 similarly includes Supervisors Peter Gundrum, Vera Stroud and Keith Hammitt, all of Muskego.

Stroud and Hammitt could not be reached, but Gundrum said he is ready to enter the race.

Many choosing to run
Others planning to run include Supervisors Robert Thelen of Oconomowoc, District 1; Ted Rolfs of Chenequa, District 2; Joe Marchese of Lisbon, District 3; James Jeskewitz of Menomonee Falls, District 5; David Swan of the City of Pewaukee, District 10; Fritz Ruf of the City of Pewaukee, District 11; Peter Wolff of the Town of Delafield, District 12; and Pamela Meyer of the Town of Eagle, District 15.

County supervisors serve two-year terms at a salary of $9,536 a year.

Advocates of downsizing argued that a smaller County Board would make government more efficient and save taxpayers money. Opponents argued that it would hamper legislative oversight and increase the workload for supervisors.

Among those undecided about running next spring is Supervisor Pauline Jaske of New Berlin, who opposed downsizing and now fears that the part-time job will require too much time.

"I take the job very seriously," Jaske said. "I don't believe you can have fewer people doing the same amount of work."