Oconto County town chairperson elections: Q&A with candidates in 6 competitive races
Kevin DittmanOconto County voters have local candidates on the spring ballot seeking to represent them in their respective jurisdictions.
Six of the races in the April 1 election will be for the chairperson position in the towns of Lakewood, Little River, Little Suamico, Mountain, Oconto Falls and Underhill.
In the town of Lakewood, Mike Musil and Kevin L. Ballangee will square off to succeed Scott Van Laanen, who opted not to run for another term.
In the town of Little River, Thomas Portier will seek a second two-year term in his contest against Randy Hahn.
In the town of Little Suamico, chairperson Dale Mohr will be challenged by Frank Nowak to lead the town board.
In the town of Mountain, incumbent Lindor Maletzke faces Brenda Carey-Mielke, a current supervisor.
In the town of Oconto Falls, Dave Alsteen will vie for his eighth two-year term while Robert Wolf seeks to end his run.
And in the town of Underhill, incumbent Peter Vorpahl faces a challenge from Mark Winkler to win another term.
The Oconto County Reporter asked the candidates to fill out a questionnaire and explain why they're running for office, what makes them the better candidate and how they would address the most important issues facing the town. Their answers, some of which have been lightly edited for clarity, are published below.
For information about registering to vote and what else is on your ballot, visit myvote.wi.gov/en-us.
TOWN OF LAKEWOOD CHAIRPERSON
Kevin L. Ballangee
Age: 43
Occupation: Journeyman lineman and farmer
Highest level of education: 4-year apprenticeship
Relevant experience: Multiple years managing people and large jobs.
Mike Musil
Age: 53
Occupation: Retired Army Sergeant Major
Highest level of education: High school graduate and graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy
Relevant experience: Professional military leader for 25 years. Certified strategic planner, state facility manager for multiple years and senior enlisted advisor on multiple projects and budgets. Senior enlisted advisor for base defense and operations of a small “base/city” for one-year in Afghanistan. I was also an Asplundh Tree Service foreman conducting power line tree maintenance.
Why are you running for office?
Ballangee: I am running for office because I want to see the town of Lakewood prosper. I want transparency for the people with better services that are aimed at helping the residents.
Musil: Hoping to improve the lives of Lakewood residents and visitors by improving safety, emergency response, town appearance and appeal without additional burden to its citizens.
What makes you the better candidate?
Ballangee: I think I am the better candidate because I am from a small town. I have small-town morals. I know most of the residents and have spent years helping people. I am transparent and will take what the residents' needs are into consideration before voting yes or no on any subject.
Musil: During my almost 33 years in the Army and Army National Guard, I believe that I am a highly adaptable leader driven to make decisions in the best interests of everyone while using logic and common sense. I am not naturally great at anything, but I do not stop improving myself and coworkers until we are the best we can be.
What do residents say the district's most important issues are, and how would you address them?
Ballangee: Most residents' main concern are taxes being raised, and them being taxed off of their family's property. They want services and full-time employees at our town maintenance shop. They don’t want to pay ridiculous fees at our city recycling center to get rid of something. They are tired of watching decisions being made at the Town Hall without taking what they want into consideration.
Musil: Speaking with some of the long-standing and hard-working residents and business owners, I feel that road maintenance and safety, lake and forest preservation and emergency response are the most important issues. Also having four seasons of outdoor recreation that appeal to residents and tourists alike that in turn supports local businesses. Also having town leaders that everyone can trust to be working ethically and hard for their community.
TOWN OF LITTLE RIVER CHAIRPERSON
Randy Hahn
Age: 71
Occupation: Retired, but spent 34 years in management roles, with my last title being a night warehouse manager.
Highest level of education: I graduated from James Madison High School in 1971.
Relevant experience: I have 34 years of experience in management. I am a very dedicated and hardworking person. I have worked for big companies and small companies in my career. I know how to work with people, and budgets, and I'm a good listener. I’m also an organized person. I served 15 years in the United States Air Force Reserves, where I was an Air Freight Specialists Supervisor with the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6).
Thomas Portier
Age: 63
Occupation: Town chairman
Highest level of education: High school
Related experience: Before serving chairman for this past two-year term I was a supervisor for 14 years.
Why are you running for office?
Hahn: It all started when I complained about a culvert pipe on the road that I live on that was sinking into the ground. After three months of complaining, nothing was done. All my emails were passed on to the Town Chairperson who never once responded to me. In October, they came out and put a little bit of asphalt in the hole, which did nothing to repair it. I felt that he was sending me a message that he was the boss and will do what he wants. That’s when I started going to the town meetings every month and I realized that it isn't just the roads that need repair, it is also the town board.
Portier: I love my job. I love the work of taking care of the town. The tax levy hasn't been raised for 16 years and it won't be raised. We can manage on our budget. Accomplishments in the past two years include applying for and acquiring an Agricultural Roads Improvement Program grant of $1.3 million, which will be used to reconstruct Woodview Road beginning this year. We are just one of 55 in the state to receive funds. We also equipped the fire department with a newer pumper tanker truck to support public safety and purchased a backup generator (with an anonymous donation and matching funds) to operate the entire Town Hall, fire department and utility shop. We are now able to serve as an emergency warming shelter for residents.
What makes you the better candidate?
Hahn: What makes me a better candidate is that I care about the town. I’m not doing this for a paycheck. I will donate my full salary of $6,600 to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Oconto County. My opponent’s salary for 2024 was $6,000. The total salary for the town board for 2024 is not online yet but for 2023 the town chairman made $13,691. For 2022, he made $11,533. If this trend continues into 2024, he probably made more than the $13,691 in 2024. He has turned his position into a very nice part-time job at the town’s expense.
Portier: I have been doing it for 16 years. I know how the town board works. We need leaders who understand and are willing to reach and form partnerships with residents and businesses. My experience has given me exceptional leadership skills to ensure open and respectful communication, so that everyone impacted by important decisions can have a place at the table. If reelected, I offer the people of Little River my efforts and time into keeping this town and our residents first.
What do residents say the district's most important issues are, and how would you address them?
Hahn: My top priority is to be more transparent and keep the people of Little River more informed. I think 90% of the town doesn’t know what is going on in their town. What I want to do is send out a letter to all of the residents of Little River and ask them to submit an email address so each month we can send them the agenda of our monthly meeting and after the meeting we can let them know what happened at that meeting. Hopefully some residents will respond and be more involved. There are a lot of good ideas out there and I would like to hear them. A few examples of this, which I will go into more detail on my Facebook group, Town of Little River the unofficial site, are: 1. The town board was given a 10% raise in November. 2. They just voted to purchase a used fire truck for $92,500. I totally agree with this purchase. 3. They voted to approve a $20,000 contract to update the town's Comprehensive Report and only took one bid. I would think 90% or more of the residents do not know anything about this and there is more.
Portier: The issues I plan to focus on are replacing/repairing aging culverts documented in poor or severe condition from a 2024 inventory/study (funding availability toward this effort will be dedicated by the governor); phase three in our emergency plan, which is updating the Town Hall bathroom to include a shower to be used for warming shelter needs during power outages; make improvements to the town cemeteries (Garden of Hope/Swedish Baptist) of physical gating and records updates; continue with comprehensive plan, which is a two-year project; finalize project of Woodview Road reconstruction; focus on a 2-mile stretch of repairs to North Park Avenue (Muck Road); plan a town ice cream social for residents to meet the town board and ask questions in an informal environment; and create a quarterly newsletter to keep the residents informed on events, news, issues and information going on in our community.
TOWN OF LITTLE SUAMICO CHAIRPERSON
Dale Mohr
Age: 58
Occupation: Retired U.S. Army; and retired former associate professor with tenure, University Wisconsin-Madison
Highest level of education: Master's degree
Relevant experience: Has served as the town chair for the past two years
Frank Nowak
Age: 72
Occupation: Retired, with four insurance licenses, three securities licenses, and experiences in road building, demolition and heavy equipment operation.
Highest level of education: Three months of college as an “A” student in accounting
Relevant experience: I am a resident of Little Suamico for over 65 years and rarely missed a Town Board meeting in the last five to 10 years. I know parliamentary procedure.
Why are you running for office?
Mohr: I’ve had the pleasure of serving my neighbors, of the town of Little Suamico, for two years as their town chair. That includes being legally and ultimately responsible for maintaining our street signs, all road work, animal control, compliance with town contracts, staffing, town construction projects, and fielding people’s questions - their comments and of course their complaints – 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Being chair, you don’t get days off. And, I love it.
Nowak: We currently have two supervisors and one chairperson. None of the three know all the parliamentary procedure rules. We have zero transparency.
What makes you the better candidate?
Mohr: It was a bit of a juggling activity at first, with both being a town chair and having a full-time job, but many other towns have the same situation. So, I don’t complain. The support and teamwork from those working within our town is amazing. I feel there is no problem we can’t resolve, as a team. We have an outstanding clerk/treasurer, whom I rely upon each day. This year, however, I have recently retired and won’t have to rearrange my schedules anymore. This allows me to meet with more people and work on their concerns and complaints.
Nowak: If I see a problem I just fix it at no cost. I have more life experiences than there is room for in this paper and this is not a joke.
What do residents say the district's most important issues are, and how would you address them?
Mohr: Our town still is grappling with replacing poor roads, just like every other community in Wisconsin. But we have made strong progress toward achieving the result of rebuilding our worst roads. In just the last two years we replaced over 10 poor roads all without having to rely on any loans or getting any financial debt. My guidance with the town is that we stay within our budget, to get things done. We still have work to do regarding roads, but we will get there as a team.
Nowak: Taxes, roads, fire-department and enforcement. I do not believe in this "I’ll get back to you" stuff. All this means is, "I don’t know, so get lost and I don’t expect to ever call you." When elected, my first priority shall be taxes. When elected, this type of garbage shall end. 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 taxpayer 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 which I can show you how to access. 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. Try to get a straight answer from our accessor. 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 OK.
TOWN OF MOUNTAIN CHAIRPERSON
Brenda Carey-Mielke
Age: 66
Occupation: Owner, Mountain Notary Services
Highest level of education: Graduate of Carthage College; bachelor’s degree in psychology, minors in criminal justice and political science. UW-Green Bay with a certificate in Gerontology, End of Life Care and in Teaching Adult Learners, a first aid mental health responder
Relevant experience: 12 years’ previous experience in county government; six years serving as Parks and Recreation, Inland Lakes and Community Center Supervisor, Chair of the Mountain Ambulance Service, Animal Control Supervisor. I am a Wisconsin Towns Advocacy Council Ambassador representing the town of Mountain and Oconto County. Advocating the needs of our community and working to receive greater shared revenue from the state, greater funding for our roads, restoring private property rights, ensuring public safety needs for Fire and EMS, and supporting Town Law reform.
Lindor "Skip" Maletzke
Age: 71
Occupation: Chair Town of Mountain; PikSkip Systems; Consulting Occupational Health & Medicine - Safety
Highest level of education: B.S. physics, UW-Stevens Point
Relevant experience: 13-plus years on the Town of Mountain Board, 12 as chair, 15 months as fill-in for a supervisor who left the area. Training through Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA) at various Quarterly and Annual District and statewide meeting. Roads Management and Maintenance Training by WI Asphalt Association, UW Extension and WI DOT sponsored courses. Certified Board of Review member.
Why are you running for office?
Carey-Mielke: Current and past town employees asked me to run for chairperson. The town continues to operate with outdated employee handbooks. The town has missed opportunities for a trailhead in Mountain and the sheriff’s substation when they were offered to Mountain and not pursued. They went elsewhere. The culvert that was approved in May of 2024 for ATV crossing on 32/64 was sadly submitted to the DOT late, not until late December of 2024. I created a brochure for our town to promote our community, it passed, and the chair still has not printed it for use. Mountain deserves better.
Maletzke: I believe in giving back to our town. We have lived and have worked here 25-plus years, enjoy the area, the residents and visitors. I want to help provide a safe, well-run town that for our residents in our tourism-based economy. My scope of the town’s physical and financial state assists in meeting needs and maintaining lower taxes with the understanding that many of our taxpayers are older fixed-income individuals. I welcome residents and electors to meetings, maintain an open transparent approach and return phone calls and emails. I welcome any conversation regarding issues in our town.
What makes you the better candidate?
Carey-Mielke: I have a strong work ethic. I do not believe in supporting special interests. When the citizens of Mountain wanted to have Green Lake Park reopened, I worked with U.S. Forest Services for four years in negotiations. In 2023, I signed a Historic Agreement with U.S. Forest Services that allowed the Mountain Historical Society to reopen, restore, preserve and maintain the Park. I got the job done. My education and life experiences provide me with the skill set the citizens of Mountain not only need but deserve to get the job done. I will stand up and fight for all of Mountains citizens. I believe in and support fiscal transparency.
Maletzke: I have a very broad knowledge base, including but not limited to budgeting, infrastructure, roads, equipment and a collaborating work style. I am honest, matter of fact and a good problem solver. My experiences providing consulting in Occupational Health and Safety over 52 years, 43 self-employed, allows me to visualize and plan a path and see the goal to completion. Positions on the Governor’s State Trail Council, Oconto County Economic Development Corp Board, Carriage Operators of North America, as well as members of Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association and Wisconsin Campground Owners Association have broadened my experiences.
What do residents say the district's most important issues are, and how would you address them?
Carey-Mielke: 1) Our population is declining. Marketing Mountain with an brochure to support our community and economy for young families to visit and settle would help. 2) Updating and maintaining an engaging website for Mountain. 3) The downtown area in Mountain has been left to decay. Grant writing to build a trail head in Mountain off W and 32 by the old railroad grade would help support and bolster the economy to the businesses in the area. Create an historic district to preserve our history and create an opportunity for visitors to learn about the fierce history of Mountain's cultural routes through available grant writing. 4) Restoration of all our parks in Mountain. I have been working on the Fireman’s Park area providing a nature area for youth and families to enjoy through fiscal management and grant writing. 5) Create, where possible, more access points across 32 for ATV use to access local businesses. 6) Fiscal transparency is important. Provide open records on all financial matters.
Maletzke: The most common issue I hear about is the market reassessment and how it affects property taxes and valuation. Rapidly changing real estate market, changed equalized values and forced the reassessment. Educating our property owners is/was the first step to assure compliance with state statutes. Planning for a full reassessment will be the next step for Mountain and all the surrounding towns. Roads, paving and maintenance, on a limited budget is always a concern. Applying for grant funding for equipment and projects is ongoing with current applications of $1,100,000 are active. Past grants exceed $750,000 for Roads, 2019 Storm Clean-Up. Working to move our fire department as an active segment of the Nicolet Fire District and receiving a $200,000 grant for SCUBA protective systems for our firefighters is expected soon. If elected April 1, I will continue to run a clean, transparent, open conversation with my electors in the town of Mountain.
TOWN OF OCONTO FALLS CHAIRPERSON
Dave Alsteen
Age: 64
Occupation: Service advisor at S&L Ford
Highest level of education: High school graduate who attended NWTI
Related experience: I am a certified fire department officer. I been on the town board for 16 years and town chairman for 14 years.
Robert Wolf
Age: 78
Occupation: Retired
Highest level of education: High school graduate
Relevant experience: A farm owner for 25 years; a small-business owner for 40 years. Three years on the County Board, and three years on the County Highway Committee.
Why are you running for office?
Alsteen: I am running for office because I am the current town chairman.
Wolf: To move the town of Oconto Falls forward, not just maintaining the status quo. Better financial management.
What makes you the better candidate?
Alsteen: My experience of being the town chairman and the rapport I have with the town's people.
Wolf: Fresh ideas, new ideas for solutions by gathering information from other town officials from other townships.
What do residents say the district's most important issues are, and how would you address them?
Alsteen: Keeping the town roads up with plowing and repairs. Also, getting road grants for town roads. I already got numerous grants and will keeping up on getting grants for the town.
Wolf: Snowplow trucks - invest in late model, well-cared-for used units; Town hall - new vs. remodel to bring our facility up to ADA standards, offices for clerk and treasurer; negotiate better deals with the city of Oconto Falls for recycling and fire protection.
TOWN OF UNDERHILL CHAIRPERSON
Peter Vorpahl
Age: 53
Occupation: Self-employed
Highest level of education: I am a graduate of UW-Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in forest management.
Relevant experience: I have been the Town Chairman for over 10 years. I was also previously Chief on the Underhill Fire Department, and have held several supervisory positions at various jobs that I have had.
Mark Winkler
Age: 56
Occupation: Government and TEM sales consultant, 37 years' experience with Packer City International Trucks
Highest level of education: Oconto Falls High school 1987; 1989 graduate of NWTC – Diesel Part Technologies and Business Management
Relevant experience: Served 12 years on Gillett School Board of Education, acting president for three terms. Assisted administration in development of annual budgets, conduct regular meetings and annual meetings. Purchasing and contracting for various areas including building maintenance, transportation and food service. Gillett Area Ambulance Service - licensed EMR, served as president for the squad for two terms, board of director five terms (2 years each). Current fire chief for the town of Underhill. Manage and maintain staffing to respond to emergencies within and outside the township. Adhere to policies and procedures according to SPS 330. Fire reporting and record keeping as required by NFPA. Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Oconto County - Chairman. Oconto County CDAC - Chairman.
Why are you running for office?
Vorpahl: I have always been civic minded, and feel that people should do what they can for their community, and therefore I would like to continue serving the residents of the town of Underhill.
Winkler: I have chosen to run because residents have expressed the need for a change; a proactive government instead of a reactive government. I am a servant leader ready to place others' needs first.
What makes you the better candidate?
Vorpahl: I believe in providing town residents with the necessary services in the most cost-effective manner possible. I feel we have been succeeding at this during my time in office by utilizing resources within our community whenever possible, as well as applying for and receiving a number of grants to help fund projects.
Winkler: I believe that we can do a better job meeting the needs of the people. We have become accustom to going with the flow all too often and taking the path of least resistance. We need to do a better job with development of multi-year plans for roads, facilities and equipment and tie that to the budget. Look into grants to help with lake district needs, parks enhancement and road projects. I am visible in the community, working hard to better the way of life in Underhill. I have the ability to lead, have proven to be able to get things done as requested. Conduct myself professionally at all times in public. I can be a creative problem solver with an open mind. I have taken on extra tasks within the town to help clean up areas of the town, cut brush, pick up garbage and tires. Work well with others in various situations. I am always available to respond to questions and concerns. We need to invest in relationships that influence the future of our town. I can operate strategically with limited resources. I have demonstrated integrity amongst my peers, effectively following through with what is said and done. I have a vision for Underhill that allows us to meet the needs of all the town’s people.
What do residents say the district's most important issues are, and how would you address them?
Vorpahl: As with most rural townships, one of the most important issues is road maintenance. We constantly monitor the road conditions, and work to efficiently keep them in good repair in as timely a manner as possible.
Winkler: Our town, like many others, face similar issues. Government mandates with no funding. Ever increasing property taxes and the need for services will force the town to become creative and frugal. Agricultural equipment continues to grow in size and roads were not designed for that type of weight nor continued burden. Agriculture is important. We will need to look into ways to fund projects through federal and state sources and grants.