Meet the Candidates for Door County Board of Supervisors, District 20

Only two races across Door County drew enough candidates to warrant a primary election: the Gibraltar School Board and the Door County Board of Supervisors District 20, which covers parts of Liberty Grove and Sister Bay.

The primary election will be held Tuesday, Feb. 15, and the spring election Tuesday, April 5.

District 20 became an open district when the county redrew political boundaries in 2021 following the U.S. census results. Those redrawn lines landed a couple of supervisors within the same district, and two districts without an incumbent supervisor. District 20 – half of Sister Bay and some of Liberty Grove – was one of those, and three candidates signed up to fill the empty position, necessitating a primary-election contest. Below are questionnaire answers from those candidates. The two who receive the most votes on Feb. 15 will face off in the April 5 election. 

COUNTY BOARD DISTRICT 20 CANDIDATES 

Nate Bell, 41, is the chief technology officer for the Peninsula Pulse,  owns DC Cable and Wireless,  and works as a network administrator/engineer for Door County Broadband. He has served as a trustee on the Sister Bay Village Board since December 2015, on the Sister Bay Plan Commission since 2009, and on the Door County Economic Development Corporation board from 2106 to 2021.  

What is your primary motivation for running for a seat on the county board? Because I love my community and want to help manage the inevitable change that is occurring. Change is the only constant, if we like it or not. 

Please describe your leadership style. I like to gather input from stakeholders and ask experts in the field when possible. It is important in public office, whenever possible, to build consensus. The more invested and involved the community is, in general, the better the outcome.

What are your key strengths, main skills and most relevant experiences for serving in this elected office? I have learned that it is not only how you vote that matters, but making sure to articulate your reasons for voting that way that can impact others on a board or commission. I believe my words have had an impact on many votes at the village board. I have enough experience understanding how to get things done in local government.
What are the county’s top issues, and what are District 20’s top issues? What would you bring to the table to help solve those? Attainable housing and the issues that stem from this. This issue must be addressed from many angles, not all of them at the county level. There is also no silver bullet to solve this issue and no single entity that will. Broadband access and affordability is the other big issue that is facing District 20, especially the part of District 20 that is in the town.

Abby Duebler, 33, is a preschool teacher. She and her husband, Ryan, have three young children. This is her first time running for elective office.

What is your primary motivation for running for a seat on the county board? I am driven to public office because I’m invested in the future of our county. I am from Door County, and my husband and I are raising our family in Sister Bay. I am committed to Door County, where people of all ages can thrive. Access to fresh water and natural spaces, in addition to world-class art, music and food, are just some of the reasons why I love our community. What can we do as a county to sustain and nurture this quality of life? That’s why I am here.

Please describe your leadership style. Authentic, even-keeled, nonjudgmental, curious. 

What are your key strengths, main skills and most relevant experiences for serving in this elected office? My career has been split between two vital aspects of our county: the service industry and early-childhood education. I have managed and worked in numerous restaurants. This experience has informed my understanding of balancing tourist and local needs. As an educator, I believe that the idea of community starts with our children. This has made me a keen and patient listener. I have the ability to excel under pressure while maintaining a team atmosphere.
What are the county’s top issues, and what are District 20’s top issues? What would you bring to the table to help solve those? My main concern for the county is balance. Our peninsula is rich with natural resources, which makes it an attractive place for people to live and to invest. We can maintain an economy that supports tourism, but not at the expense of affordable housing, child care and our environment. Basic infrastructure such as broadband internet is essential for the entire county. Community-centered decisions are important to me. It is critical to learn every aspect of an issue in order to understand its impact. If elected, I will bring a collaborative approach to policy-making.

Walter “Bud” Kalms, 74, is the administrator for the Town of Liberty Grove. He was elected to the town’s clerk position in 1983, was appointed when the town board made the clerk an appointed position, and then became clerk/administrator once the positions were split. His significant other is Patsy Michelsen.

What is your primary motivation for running for a seat on the county board? Liberty Grove and Sister Bay need someone on the county board who is familiar with both municipalities. Having been born and grown up here, and serving as clerk and administrator for the town, give me the knowledge and insight to address local and county issues. The town and village have worked together over the years on the joint fire department, library and initially the sewage-treatment plant. I know the workings of both town and village government.

Please describe your leadership style. Research a subject, present the facts and give support when an issue is discussed. Delegate authority to encourage responsibility and pride in workmanship. Maximize coworkers’ abilities in their various departments.

What are your key strengths, main skills and most relevant experiences for serving in this elected office? Knowledge of municipal government from years of experience and ongoing education. Listening to citizens’ concerns, analyzing before taking action and keeping calm when upset citizens explain their issues. Provide as much information as possible on any given subject to aid informed decisions. Keeping an ear to county board activities and developing relationships with village, county and state staff over the years.
What are the county’s top issues, and what are District 20’s top issues? What would you bring to the table to help solve those? High-speed internet and workforce housing are top issues for the county and District 20. The management of ARPA funds for these two issues and how the funds are applied to other areas is a huge challenge going forward. The recent move by the county board to hire a coordinator for the high-speed implementation is an important first step. Growth and how it is handled will present challenges for the town and village. I will bring my years of experience and knowledge of the area as positives in these discussions.