Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
MERCER, Wis. — To inform voters in Tuesday’s primary election for two seats on the Mercer Town Board, the Daily Globe contacted the six candidates.
Tuesday’s primary will narrow the race down to four candidates with the two candidates receiving the most votes in the April 5 general election seated on the town board.
Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Candidates were asked to provide a photo and a short biography, as well as answer:
1. Why are you running for office?
2. What do you feel is the No. 1 issue facing your community?
Bill Brundage
My wife, Joyce, and I became taxpayers here in Mercer in 2005. So while I am not native to Mercer, I have lived here long enough to recognize its attributes. I am a: U.S. Navy veteran, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed master, a 36-year business owner, a Mercer Lions board member, a member of the St. Issac Jogues Pastoral Council, a Park Board member, a past trail groomer and a senior center advocate.
1. I am campaigning for office for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is that I believe our resources could be utilized more effectively. I also have reservations about the marketability and promotion of our industrial park. My dialog with the taxpayers in the last year indicates the voters would prefer board members with “an eye to the future” of Mercer and I consider myself one who does. I also intend to create complete transparency and accessibility to the voters as well as a “let’s all work together” philosophy, to make an already great town even greater.
2. I believe we need to bring more financial prosperity to the community while being careful to maintain the balance necessary to retain our identity.
James Davis
I would like to speak of my accomplishments in my life to this date. I graduated from Mercer High in 1972. Next, I became a set-up man and lead-man at Milwaukee Gear Company where I was employed for more than 20 years as a machinist. Next, I moved to Rhinelander where I worked for Triumph Twist Drill for three years. After working at Twist Drill, I was employed by Lake Shore Incorporated in Rhinelander where I became a CNC Machinist for more than three years. Next, I became a quality control supervisor at Merit Gear in Antigo. I was severely injured in 1990. I proceeded to go back to college and achieve three different degrees. I hold an associate degree in accounting, a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Bachelor of Science in business forensics. I have an accounting and tax business and also own a tavern in Mercer.
1. I have put together a small list of the agenda I will work on while on the town board. These are my beginning goals: Promote a pro-growth senior citizens agenda and future; conservative approach to taxpayer spending, budgeting and tax maintenance; more aggressive approach to tourism promotion of all of our town assets instead of just a few; an aggressive agenda for job creation for Mercer’s future through research and opportunities; an aggressive approach to business growth in our community through all of the resources available to our citizens to allow growth and opportunity; a very positive attitude on our town board to work with all parties, entities and citizens to promote Mercer as a pro-growth and striving community for our future.
2. I hope to see Mercer be the beacon town of the Northwoods again as it was in the early 1970s when I left. Mercer residents, we need a new direction and I am one of your choices to help move Mercer forward at a crucial time in its long history.
Gordon Kohegyi
I am Gordon “Gordy” M. Kohegyi and I am running for Mercer Town Board supervisor. I was born in Mercer, grew up here and graduated from the Mercer School. I continued my education at Gogebic Community College. After college, I worked at our family business, Mercer Shell. I took over the business, changing it to 51 Tire & Exhaust/Mercer Motors, until 2005 when I applied for a position with the Mercer Sanitary District where I am currently employed. I also am the property manager at D.A.K. Management in Mercer. I am a third degree Knights of Columbus and have volunteered with their free throw basketball tournaments for many years. I have also coached and refereed Mercer middle school boys and girls basketball. I am coaching boys middle school basketball at North Lakeland. I am married with three children and one granddaughter.
1. I am running for town board as I have a lot invested in this community. I would like to be the voice for Mercer residents. I have experience in board meetings as I have attended the monthly board meetings at the Sanitary District since 2005. I also live in the district and there is no one on the current town board who does. Mercer is financially stable and has the resources, so let us work together to set future goals for the greater good of the community, a vision that I want to help create and be a part of. Let me help take Mercer to a new greatness. Thank you for your time.
2. It is my opinion that one of the main issues facing Mercer is a lack of identity. Living here I have seen businesses come and go, resorts closing and full-time residents moving out. Too many full-time residents are moving out and part-time residents are moving in. That means less business in town on a daily or weekly basis and that affects all of us. This is an issue the town board needs to discuss and be more proactive about so we do not start to lose businesses. Mercer has changed over the years so we need to work on the future of Mercer by creating what it needs to be to succeed and grow, whether that’s a retirement community, for recreation or both.
Michael Lambert
Hi, I’m Mike Lambert. I have lived in Mercer since 1977. I am a 1984 graduate of Mercer School. I have been employed at the Iron County Highway Department for the last 21 years, before that I worked at the Mercer Sanitary District. I am also a member of the Mercer Volunteer Fire Department. I am a father of two children and three step-children and a grandpa of two. My fiancée, Brandi Swearingen, and I have been together for nine years. I have learned a lot about town politics from my dad, Jim Lambert, who served on the Mercer Town Board for over 15 years until his passing last February. I would like to carry on the job he has done supporting Mercer. I feel we need to keep Mercer strong and moving forward by supporting our businesses, chamber, clubs and organizations, town infrastructure and the school.
Victor Ouimette
My name is Victor R. “Vic” Ouimette (pronounced we-met). I am a Northern Wisconsin native — 18-year Mercer resident. I am a high school graduate and have a bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison. Married to Joan Mueller-Ouimette, between us we have seven children and 18 grand/great-grandchildren. I am the former president and CEO of Wisconsin Insurance Associates Inc. I have a strong background in business and economic development. I love to canoe, fish, hunt camp and travel. I have always been active in my community: currently president of the Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce, Mercer representative on the Iron County Development Zone Council, served as vice-chair of the Iron County Citizens Mining Committee, member Friends of the Library and served on fundraising committee, member of the Fisher Lake Chain Lake Association, former member (Captain) Minocqua Fire Department and Rescue Squad for 35 years, current Iron County board member.
1. I am a strong believer in giving back to my community. I have a long and proven track record of successfully working with people, respecting diverse opinions, problem solving, and getting things done.
I will continue to: 1. Treat every Mercer and Iron County resident with respect and listen to their concerns. 2. Be knowledgeable on issues affecting the town of Mercer and be willing to speak with a strong and independent voice, 3. Continue to represent Mercer on the County Board serving as chair of Economic Development, vice-chair of Zoning, vice-chair of Land and Water Conservation, and member of the Human Services Board.
I aim to be a positive force to keep us growing, working together, talking to one another and moving forward.
2. A healthy economic climate is important for the well being of our residents. I will continue to work to improve the tourism economy of our area. I will recommend the formation of an Economic Development Committee, composed of elected officials and private citizens to bring new jobs and businesses to Mercer. I will oversee the wise use of our tax dollars. I will work to improve and maintain our town’s infrastructure. I will work to enhance the expansion and completion of recreational trails to enhance tourism and provide enjoyment for local residents.
We have a growing retirement population and I will work to see that Mercer taxpayers get a fair share of services from the county. We have been able to have the county board integrate the Iron County Aging Unit into the ARDC within the Human Services System so that all county seniors are treated fairly.
John Sendra
Experience & Background: 22-year resident of Mercer Wis., married, two children, four grandchildren. Strong business background, part owner of dessert manufacturing business; owned and operated sales and marketing firm. Retired from Sysco Food Service. Owner and operating manager Cranberry Inn of Mercer. Served as Mercer Town Supervisor, 2014 to 2015. Elected to Aging Unit of Iron County board, April 2015. Appointed to Iron County Transportation Committee 2015.
Community Involvement: Knights of Columbus, Wisconsin Tavern League, Wisconsin Restaurant Association, Mercer Chamber of Commerce, Mercer Sno-Goers, Mercer Dusty Loons, Turtle Flambeau Flowage Association, Mercer Lions, liaison for Mercer Senior Center. Past co-chair Mercer Paw Shop. Financial chair, trustee, lay minister St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Parish.
1. Having served the town of Mercer as a town board supervisor, I was able to accomplish a lot in a short period of time: Received additional funding and support for our Mercer Senior Center; and was appointed to the Aging Unit of Iron County Board and the Transportation Committee of Iron County. Both new positions have their own unique challenges.
Working as a team with the Aging Unit Board, we have been able to institute new policies and procedures to help streamline and make more efficient the Senior Feeding Program. The long term goal is to help spread meager funds and resources more equitably throughout Iron County.
Transportation has its own set of challenges. My goal is to expand the bus system for doctor visits and shopping throughout Iron County. Much remains to be done. I would like the opportunity again to complete the above goals.
2. Our population is aging more than any other community around us. Mercer’s average age is now 58 or 59 years old. Accordingly, our seniors will need more and better services to help them in their advancing years. Fortunately, Iron County’s Human Services Department has recognized this and is gearing up to meet these needs. We will need a strong advocate in Mercer to help our seniors push for the services needed for an aging population.
