April 2 Election Questionnaire: Egg Harbor Town Board

Incumbent Myles Dannhausen Sr., an Egg Harbor business owner, is facing a challenge from Elizabeth Gauger, a teacher.

Q: What motivated you to run for public office?

Myles Dannhausen Sr.: I have lived a life of service to my community as a Peace Corps Volunteer, volunteer fireman and member of the first class of Egg Harbor First Responders. I decided it was time to use this experience to help govern our rural town.

Elizabeth Gauger: I am a candidate because I want to contribute my time, talents and experience to political service that can make a meaningful difference to this community.

As Mahatma Gandhi so eloquently said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Starting back in high school, when I was chosen to attend Badger Girls State, I was inspired to eventually represent my community and bring forth meaningful results. I now have the time available to do so I am excited at the possibility of having the opportunity.

Q: Why should voters choose you?

MD: I will continue to work to preserve our rural agricultural heritage, rich history and our natural surroundings. I will also continue efforts to insure that seniors, the disabled and our veterans have access to community services including high speed internet. One of my goals is to make all Door County events and attractions fully accessible to our seniors and the disabled.

EG: I feel the Town of Egg Harbor Board lacks balanced representation and needs a fresh voice in serving constituents. As I have been going door to door, many people have expressed frustration in that their voices have been ignored and/or most don’t know what issues are being brought before the board so they can properly respond. I want to address these concerns as well as reaching out to include all people in order to address their concerns.

Q: What skills will you bring to the table?

MD: I have 50 years of familiarity with the needs of the Town through experience as a marina operator, restauranteur, retailer, innkeeper and farmer. I also have a Masters degree from Loyola University

EG: I am a consensus builder, creative problem solver, process financial/technological savvy and experience with building an institutional budget and excellent customer service provider. I am professional, personable, reliable, and empathetic as well as use a common sense approach to make sound decisions after gathering input from constituents and colleagues alike. I am an outgoing positive person with fresh ideas that can bring people together with a team approach. I understand government procurement, infrastructure and the needs of building and maintaining roads, marine access, and air access. I will use my skills to ensure projects are completed by the most efficient and cost effective means.

Q: What challenges do you see ahead for the Town of Egg Harbor?

MD: Maintaining our rural character while preserving property rights is challenging. We have decided not to be zoned, rather we allow citizens to voice their views on development at public hearings. Greater citizen participation would discourage objectional development. People have to speak up.

EG: Increasing access to cell phone and internet coverage, maintaining the character and charm of the area while balancing economic growth, addressing the compatibility of all forms of movement; i.e. snowmobiles, ATV/UTVs, cyclists, pedestrians, vehicles, horse back riders, and course routes for runs and rides. There will be a constant challenge of meeting the needs of all constituents. Maintaining a development plan for the town will be crucial to generating an increasing tax base and maintaining the heritage of the year-round residences and protecting town borders from annexation of neighboring communities.

Q: What opportunities do you see for the town?

MD: The local food movement and increased interest in sustainable agriculture has the potential to reduce food imports and related traffic and, at the same time, employ local citizens. Local food production will help preserve our natural environment.

EG: I see the possibility of residential and commercial growth that will benefit the entire community with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and protecting and preserving the fragile Niagara Escarpment, shoreline, family farms and forests for future generations to come. I also want to ensure a modern, high-speed communications network to provide opportunities that allow local citizens to grow, flourish within the community, and stay within the township.

Q: If you’re an incumbent, what have you specifically done for the town? If you’re a newcomer to the seat, what are your top two goals if elected?

MD: As President of the Egg Harbor Historical Society and Town Supervisor I have encouraged efforts to honor the accomplishments of those who have gone before us in our community. For more than 10 years I have supported efforts to preserve the Horseshoe Bay Barns as a lasting memorial to our many ancestors who work at the Farm and the lumbering and fishing industry that preceded it.

EG: Increase responsiveness to constituents through outreach, improved use of technology, transparency, unbiased perspective and listening to all taxpayers to ensure their voices are heard.

Review current methods and expenditures, revise possible outdated, unclear or unreasonable ordinances and streamline the process for acquiring permits as well as their equitable distribution and oversight.