LITTLE SUAMICO – In the April 1 spring election there will be two contested elections in the Town of Little Suamico. Incumbent Chairman Dale Mohr and Frank Nowak will be running for town chairperson. Running for the two open town supervisor positions are Penny Helmle, Dan Herzberg, Incumbent Supervisor Tracey Krumrei, Frank Nowak, Incumbent Supervisor Liz Paape and David Pribyl.
In an effort to cover local elections, the Peshtigo Times reached out to all candidates.
How long have you been a Little Suamico resident?
My name is Frank P. Nowak and I am from the Township of Little Suamico, I am currently running for a town supervisor position. I have been a Little Suamico resident for over 65 years. There is no one running that knows more about Little Suamico and Sobieski than I do.
Why are you running for the supervisor position? If elected, what will be your priorities?
I’m running because there currently is no Supervisor on the board or running that has my experience. Just for starters, I rarely missed a board meeting in the last five-to-10 years.
When elected my first priority shall be taxes. If someone purchases a chunk of property in this township they do not know what it should be zoned as. They just accept what the current tax payer pays. Did you know there are several 40-acre parcels that are only charged $70 a year, or less, even with the school referendums added? Most of these properties are closed, wooded, and not wetlands. This is all public knowledge.
In Little Suamico a person’s taxes went from $6,700 to $15,000 with no improvements. They were told by the big wheels there was nothing they could do. I fixed the problem quickly. In downtown Sobieski a person’s taxes went from $2,800 to $6,500. This stuff will stop. Another business in downtown Sobieski went from $2,100 to $2,340 with the school referendum, that’s it.
What will be your approach to handling controversial and complicated issues?
There are no complicated issues. If there is a problem I just fix it, It’s that simple. If you get in my way that’s your problem. I am running for supervisor and chairperson, you may vote for both. That’s okay.
How long have you been a Little Suamico resident?
I have been a resident in Little Suamico since 2017. With a BS degree in Engineering with nearly 40 years of experience in transportation and municipal projects, I have always volunteered my services and opinions to help townships I have lived in. With that said, I was appointed to the Little Suamico Sanitary District in 2017 and currently serve as its President. So, I may not have lived here that long, but I care about what is happening in the township and have served as a public servant since I have lived here.
Why are you running for the supervisor position? If elected, what will be your priorities?
I feel my almost 40 years of transportation and municipal experiences can benefit the township. These experiences include pavement inspections, rural roadway design, bridge design, grants and resolving drainage issues. My experiences as a City Engineer helps me understand how local government operates. I have reviewed and written many ordinances for local government officials and assisted them in implementing them.
As existing President of the Little Suamico Sanitary District, my experiences ensuring the board follows Wisconsin State Statutes, township ordinances, budgetary responsibilities, minimizing district costs and balancing the district’s budgets.
My biggest priorities for the township is keeping the town safe, keeping taxes down and improving our infrastructure. There are a lot of suggestions and possible changes the board is facing. My priority is to make sure that any changes are done consistently and that the township residents are heard.
What will be your approach to handling controversial and complicated issues?
You can never form an opinion on any issue until all the facts are known. Listening is an attribute that anyone in office should have which I have learned through private and public service.
Anyone in any conversation should prioritize active listening and a willingness to understand different perspectives. Once an individual has all the facts you can make a sound decision. Aggressively pushing your own viewpoints does not allow for the township to resolve any issues except aggravate many individuals who voted you into office.
My experiences as the Little Suamico Sanitary President and Manager of Transportation/Construction services, allowed me to understand that listening to everyone gives you a clear understanding of issues at hand. The same was true as a City Engineer and dealing with and resolving city issues amongst council members.
How long have you been a Little Suamico resident?
I have been a Little Suamico Resident for 35 years as of this summer. We initially lived on Bucks Ln. from 1990 to 2014 and then moved to a larger parcel of property in Little Suamico in February of 2014 to present.
Why are you running again for the supervisor position? If re-elected, what will be your priorities?
I still feel I can make an impact on several issues that need to be addressed. For example, town ordinances need to be completed and grants will need to be applied for to support the acquisition of a tender truck for our Town Fire Department. The Town Clerk, Fire Chief and I have applied for multiple grants thus far, but still have a list that we plan on applying for.
I would continue to work with the Ordinance Committee so we can adopt a Code of Ordinances that fit the town. The need for ordinances became apparent when I began receiving calls from concerned constituents and I couldn’t assist them because we didn’t have Ordinances.
Further, due to the lack of ordinances, most complaints could not be enforceable by our Town’s Sheriff’s Deputy. Having our own ordinances would simply assist in addressing matters more efficiently and at a local level.
What has been your approach to handling controversial and complicated issues?
As the retired Dean of Public Safety at NWTC, I had many opportunities to manage controversial and complicated matters, whether internal or external to the college. Although, it is definitely more challenging in the position of Town Supervisor. The biggest challenge is to gather all the information I can and educate and engage the public through meetings and discussion. It is not necessarily about trying to convert people to your point of view, but to create a respectful understanding of the different opinions, ideas and concerns.
I know I will not please everyone, but I will always welcome open, respectful discussion. By being more aware of the various perspectives, it helps me gain a more thorough understanding of how to move forward through the various issues with the hope of building respectful and productive relationships. I feel it is beneficial to seek first to understand before forming an opinion.
How long have you been a Little Suamico resident?
I am proud to say that I was born and raised in Little Suamico, where my family has deep roots. I grew up on my parents’ family farm on Allen Road, and after marrying Lee Helmle, who also grew up here, we have continued to make this wonderful town our home. Together, we’ve raised three children, two of whom have chosen to stay here and raise their families as well. I am also fortunate to have three grandchildren, all of whom call Little Suamico home. My love for this town runs deep, and I’m committed to its continued growth and success
Why are you running for the supervisor position? If elected, what will be your priorities?
I am running for town supervisor because I firmly believe that if we want change, we must be part of that change. My goal is to ensure that our residents, businesses, and services can thrive together. With a background in Oconto County Health and Human Services, I have experience managing state and county budgets and working with public funds. Additionally, I developed New Beginnings, a work training center for the disabled and underemployed, which has given me valuable experience in grant writing.
If elected, my priorities will be fostering economic growth by attracting new businesses, prioritizing safety services for our community, and expanding recreational opportunities for our residents. I am a strong believer that the future is not something that happens to us, it is something that happens through us.
What will be your approach to handling controversial and complicated issues?
My approach to handling controversial and complicated issues is rooted in transparency, active listening, and collaboration. I believe it is crucial to first ensure that all voices are heard and that community members have a platform to express their concerns, whether through town halls, surveys, or direct communication.
Once all viewpoints are gathered, my goal is to carefully evaluate the situation by considering both short-term and long-term impacts on the community as a whole.
I understand that not all decisions will be universally popular, but I believe that through open communication, thoughtful deliberation, and transparency in decision-making, we can arrive at solutions that are fair, just, and promote the overall health and prosperity of our community. Ultimately, my commitment is to make decisions that prioritize the future of our town and ensure it remains a thriving place for all residents.
I have been a resident of Little Suamico for 28 years. My priorities are to bring my 20 years of town board experience to help the board comply with the Wisconsin State Statutes and not to change the United States Constitution. Also, to follow Parliamentary Procedures. I will be against excessive spending of the taxpayers money.
The Peshtigo Times did not receive responses from Incumbent Chairman Dale Mohr or Incumbent Supervisor Tracey Krumrei by the press deadline.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here