County Board District 17 seat on the ballot

Voters in the Belle Plaine area have a two-person race to decide April 5 for representation in Shawano County Board District 17.

Incumbent Bonnie Olson is seeking her fourth term and is being challenged by retiree Allan Kuhn, who is new to politics.

District 17 includes areas south and west of the city of Shawano, including Wards 1 and 2 in Belle Plaine and Ward 1 in the town of Richmond.

The Shawano Leader posed three questions to each of the candidates. Here are their responses:

Why are you interested in serving on the Shawano County Board?

Kuhn: I have always wanted to serve the community. But I couldn’t do so because of my work schedule. With my past experiences, I will do what I can to keep the county moving forward, while conserving tax dollars. As a home and landowner, I know the importance of doing so.

Olson: I really enjoy the whole process of how government works. When asked, “What motivates me?” I have to say injustice. When I see something wrong that can be righted, it becomes a passion. As we see our rights being eroded by an overreach in federal and state government, I like to think and I am working hard to maintain local control and to teach others how effective local government can be.

What is your opinion of the county’s current budget and property tax levy?

Kuhn: No one likes taxes. But they are needed to run the county. I will use the facts and make the best decision I can to keep the county moving forward. While cutting waste where I can and at the time treating the people involved right and lowering the tax levy.

Olson: The struggle always exists with providing services that are mandated by federal and state statutes. The county tax levy for 2015 was .86 percent over the prior year, and in 2016 the tax rate increase was $.08. Although I would like to see a zero increase or if my prayers were answered a decrease, I think those numbers prove how much the finance department puts into making our county work without borrowing.

If you could change one thing about Shawano County government, what would it be?

Kuhn: One thing I would like to see is the board meetings to be held at night. This way the people who work during the day would have an opportunity to attend meetings. It would also open up the capability for more people with new ideas and insights to run for County Board supervisor.

Olson: I would like to see more citizen involvement. We don’t realize sometimes how important our local government is, unless an issue directly affects us. Local government is the level closest to the people, and we can’t allow our towns and counties to be increasingly dictated to by Madison and Washington on issues that could best be handled locally.