Meet the Candidates

Pam Abshire

Age: 48

Education: Graduate of Pulaski High School, Pulaski , WI. Attended University of Wisconsin Green Bay

Occupation: Clerk for Post Office in Sister Bay

Relevant Experience or Civic Involvement: I was appointed to the Village Board of Sister Bay when Dave Lienau was appointed Village President. I serve on the Library Committee, Teen Center Board, and the Administration Oversight Compensation Committee.  I have also been the cookie mom for Girl Scouts, and my daughter Ann and I volunteer at American Folklore Theatre, which is a blast. I have also volunteered at SCAND.

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

The biggest challenge facing Sister Bay right now is the Highway 42 construction and the perception that businesses are closed. This is only the beginning, we have more construction in 2015. It is not just the tourists who are inconvenienced, but our residents and businesses are too. We need to alert everyone that Sister Bay is open for gas, groceries, banking, fine dining, and shopping. Supporting all our citizens by providing a viable economic climate is crucial.

I hope to inform voters about construction and other issues by reaching out to them via mail, television, local radio, as well as meeting with them at churches and other venues.

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

I think if the board were faced with budget cuts we would need to look in the mirror. I think we would need to look inside administration and job descriptions and do some reconfiguring to produce a more efficient service. Working for the Postal Service for 15 years, one cannot help looking at staffing and asking, how can we do better with less?

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

The board has a responsibility to act in the best interest for all, which will rarely make everyone happy. Our State motto is Forward, and Sister Bay needs to move forward as well. We can remember Sister Bay nostalgically, but we must always be looking to the future. We have been known as “ the year ‘round” village and we need to strengthen that label.

The board needs to be fiscally responsible, bring down debt, support economic development, and attract young families to Sister Bay.

Maintaining the quality of life that our community offers requires hard work and cooperation. The Board must provide the leadership that encourages this atmosphere.

Patrick Duffy

Age: 46

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration  Marquette University 1990

Occupation:  I am a small business owner/operator. The name of my company is Premier Search Associates. We are a global professional search firm. My company is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year.

Relevant Experience or Civic Involvement:  Since moving to Sister Bay six years ago I have been very active in the community.  I have served as a Village Trustee and Plan Commission member since 2009.  I currently chair the Sister Bay/ Liberty Grove Utility Committee and Sister Bay Personnel Committee. In addition, I am currently serving or have served on: Administration & Compensation, Finance, Fire, Historical and Marina committees.

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

The Village of Sister Bay has done an excellent job of working toward it’s long term vision/goal of becoming the premier waterfront destination in Northern Door Co.  This journey has been costly and the Village is faced with significant debt.  I believe the Village’s biggest challenge is figuring out how to pay for the remaining scheduled projects without large property tax increases.  Ways to accomplish this are to seek grants, look for new revenue sources for the Village and find ways to reduce interest on existing debt.

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

I believe the Village does a good job of managing the budget so I’m not sure I can point to any one thing I feel should “go.” I do believe and have already lead the way to significant (six figure) cost savings initiatives through identifying new suppliers.  I feel continuously looking for areas of opportunity to reduce redundancy, capitalize on multi-tasking and leaning out un-necessary activities and costs is where cuts will come from.

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

I believe board members are advocates for the residents and business owners of the community.  Therefore, board members need to listen carefully to their constituents’ and steer the Village on a course which honors the needs and goals of the residents and businesses.  I also feel it is the board’s duty to keep the residents and businesses well informed of the Village’s progress in these matters and to perform them with a cautious eye toward fiscal responsibility.

Virginia Phelan

Education:  BS in general home economics and home economics education

Occupation:  sales associate, On Deck, Sister Bay store

Relevant experience or civic involvement:  Owned and operated gift stores in Walkway Stops, Sister Bay, for 24 years; Sister Bay Village Board, six year; Extension home economics; art teacher.

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

Sister Bay has become a sleeping and recreation center. We now need to develop a business community providing more business and shopping experiences as well as affordable eating for families. The Advancement Association has been trying to develop more activities to attract families we now need to have businesses here to hold them in the community.

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

Village officials have worked hard to seek grants to keep the budget spending in control. If a situation presented itself to seek budget cuts, it would mean the whole economy was falling apart, thus we would all have to make adjustments. Hopefully, this will never occur.

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

The highway projects which will be occurring in the next couple of years will present some major problems for our citizens and business community. The village will have to work hard to keep things moving smoothly, make some rule changes and keep the residents informed as to what is happening. The biggest challenge I see for the village is keeping everyone informed on all issues.

Name: Nora Zacek

Age: 61

Education: Milwaukee County General Hospital School of Nursing, RN

Occupation: Owner Open Hearth Lodge with husband John

Relevant Experience or Civic Involvement: Board member of the Sister Bay Advancement Association-6 years, Door County Tourism Zone Board-4 years,

Shepherd of the Bay Health and Wellness Committee-5 years

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

Nora Zacek

The Highway 42 reconstruction project is the biggest short term challenge. This process needs to be handled safely with maximum accessibility for residents and businesses in our village. The Board needs to work closely with the DOT and contractors to keep impact at a minimum. We have the keep our residents and the visiting public well informed on schedules and detours.

The Waterfront Park development has shown to be a positive element for our community. This process should be continued with foresight but with financial prudence.

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

I feel the first step would be to freeze all expenditures at current levels. Next review each line item to see which can be delayed or removed, separating wants from needs. When the budget is developed, there should be a prioritizing of items so this process can be logical and efficient, when needed. 

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

The Village Board has a duty to manage the Village in a safe, legal manner. This needs to be done collecting a minimum amount of taxes from its residents and businesses while spending money responsibly.