Candidates for Brussels Town Supervisor

Supervisor 1

Galen DeJardin (Incumbent)

Age: 56

Education: High school graduate from Southern Door, several short course leadership classes

Occupation: Supervisor at Bays Shipbuilding

Relevant Experience or Civic Involvement: I have been town supervisor for 22 years. I am on the planning commission, past vice president of the Door County Unit of the Wisconsin Towns Association, served several years on the B.U.G. fire board, been a B.U.G. fireman for 30 years, and an usher at St. Francis and St. Mary’s Church.

What is the biggest challenge facing the municipality and how would you address it? 

I would say our biggest challenge is trying to keep our roads in good shape on a small budget. You have to know the right state channels to go through, follow procedures and abide by state laws to avoid any unnecessary overhead cost. On big projects, we try to seek help from the T.R.I.P. program to offset cost.

If the board were forced to make budget cuts, what would be the first thing to go?

We would have to see when the time comes.

What do you see as the board’s duty to the residents and businesses in the municipality?

I feel that it is our duty as a member of the town board to try to give the community the best possible service without raising taxes. You have to look at what is in the best interest for the whole township, not just a few individuals and treat everyone fairly which can be difficult to do.

Mark Marchant

Age:  48

Education:  Southern Door grad

Occupation:  Business owner/meat cutter

Relevant Experience or Civic Involvement:  Brussels Big Dog Baseball Organization Vice President; past president of Brussels Athletic Club

What is the biggest challenge facing the municipality and how would you address it?  

The biggest challenge is utilizing the local budget most effectively.

If the board were forced to make budget cuts, what would be the first thing to go?

When budget cuts need to be made, I will investigate costs and the impact of making cuts. As I will be representing the residents, I will acquire their insights.

What do you see as the board’s duty to the residents and businesses in the municipality?

The town board’s duty is to represent the thoughts of the residents and make decisons that will lead to positive outcomes in the future.

Supervisor 2

Jarrod Parks (Incumbent)

Age:  41

Education:  Associate’s Degree in Microcomputer Specialist – CIS from NWTC

Occupation:  PLC Programmer

Relevant Experience or Civic Involvement:  Brussels Town Board Supervisor; President of Brussels Union Gardner Fire Dept Board of Directors; Secretary of Brussels Planning Commission; member of the B.U.G. Fire Dept Long Range Planning Committee; Served as Brussels Town Constable for 5 years; Volunteer for 4-H and church activities; US Coast Guard Veteran

What is the biggest challenge facing the municipality and how would you address it?

As the economy improves and entrepreneurs look to start businesses in Brussels, we will need to maintain the integrity of the Brussels 2020 Comprehensive Plan.

This plan was put into place with the assistance of many individuals who studied the past, current, and future land use. A lot of effort went into creating this plan and it contains very specific ideas, goals, and guidelines when considering business and residential growth. Progress should be balanced with this plan to maintain our rural characteristic; changes should be rare and only if the community supports the exception.

If the board were forced to make budget cuts, what would be the first thing to go?

The town board has worked hard to maintain a balanced budget. Because the budget directly affects the constituents, should the need arise, any budget cut would need to be a collaborative effort between the board and the community. We would need to find a way to reduce costs in an area that will have minimal impact to the community while maintaining the integrity of the 2020 Comprehensive Plan.

What do you see as the board’s duty to the residents and businesses in the municipality?

The Brussels Town Board needs to represent the residents and businesses in its budget, short-term goals, and long-range plans. This needs to continue to be done in a transparent manner so that the community members and business leaders have direct involvement where they deem it appropriate. Because Brussels works closely with the surrounding communities, the board needs to continue to foster their relationships with those communities with open dialog on sharing ideas, goals, and resources.

Joel Daoust

Age:  37

Education:  Southern Door graduate 1994, 1 year at N.W.T.C in 1995

Occupation:  Construction Coordinator/ Labor Supervisor Portside Builders Sturgeon Bay

Relevant Experience or Civic Involvement:  Current member Brussels, Union, Gardner Fire Department and Captain on the Department for the last 7 years. Fire department grant committee. Fire department I.S.O committee. Youth football coach 6th grade Southern Door & Kolberg Kougars.

What is the biggest challenge facing the municipality and how would you address it?

Maintaining fiscal budget by not raising taxes.

If the board were forced to make budget cuts, what would be the first thing to go? 

If budget cuts are needed we as a board will assess the current budget and do what is right for our community.  

What do you see as the board’s duty to the residents and businesses in the municipality?

Responsible spending of taxpayers’ money and a non-biased board that listens to their constituents.