Washington Island Town Supervisor

Ronald Overdahl

2228 Green Bay Road Washington Island

Age: 64

Family: Wife Faith; three children; six grandchildren

Education: University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, BS with dual major in Political Science and Mass Communications

Occupation: Photojournalist, retired. I have been a photojournalist for close to 50 years and have traveled extensively for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in my great native state of Wisconsin, depicting people from all walks of life.

Previous Elected Office: Two terms Washington Island Town Board (2006 – 2009)

Relevant Experience/ Civic involvement: For the past several years, as a member of the Washington Island Lions Club, I have chaired the Washington Island Fair. I am always looking for positive images to share of island activities. I have taken promotional photos for the Island Players and have had other civic events published in a variety of publications.

What perspective and skills do you bring to the board?

I have served on the town board; in 2009, I gave up my seat to run for town board chairman. The incumbent was re-elected for a second term. During my two terms in office, I was elected by Door County town officials to serve as chairman of the Door County unit of the Wisconsin Towns Association. I also participated in Legislative Day in Madison, and worked closely with our Wisconsin legislators that serve our county. I supported a listening session held on Washington Island by Senator Russ Feingold and encouraged the federal government to become proactive in stemming invasive species and controlling phragmites on our beautiful shoreline.

What inspired you to seek public office?

I feel strongly about taxpayers having a right to be involved and to be heard in the town government process; my past record shows that I will keep you informed! A town board that does not seek your opinion before making decisions is not acting on your behalf. The key is communication. During the last year I encouraged the board not to close the dump on Saturday. However, it was your signatures this winter that reopened the dump when the board did vote to close it on Saturdays. Working families and weekenders need Saturday dump hours!

You need to be fully informed to participate! This is your town. The town board is accountable to you! Stay informed and tell the town board what you think! The board needs to hear from you and then respectfully discuss your letters and point of view before the vote. If more research and information is needed to get it right, more time will have to be taken.

I will issue news releases and, when time is critical, find a way to send you an electronic message about important matters being taken up by the board. We must all work together to ensure a strong future for our Island people and our economy.

What is the top priority for town government in the next term?

Our economy is of foremost importance to all of us! Doing nothing, keeping our heads down, will not help our tourist industry or keep our craftsmen and bread earners afloat!

We need our parks and economic development committee now! It is critical that we find funding to combat invasive species in our parks and on our shoreline. We need to listen to your concerns regarding our Island economy and what you think we can do to turn our Island economy around. It is time for the Town of Washington to host a Saturday Forum for Progress with input from the taxpayers on what is important to them.

What issue does not get enough attention from local government that you believe deserves more focus?

We need to take on the vocational school tax hog! We need to be pro-active! The candidates for Wisconsin governor need to hear the Washington Island taxpayers’ side of the story. Tax dollars that stay here –in your pockets, in the Town and school budgets, can improve our Island economy and the educational system for our children.

We have to do more with fewer tax dollars collected from families on Washington Island. We are facing uncertain financial times. Consider this – according to recent information provided by http://www.City-Data.com, the estimated median household income for Washington Island in 2008 was $37,051. For comparison, the estimated median household income listed for Sister Bay was $44,044. And for Wisconsin, the amount listed is $52,094.

The town of Washington has a Comprehensive Plan. Future growth will come with the plan as guidance. Thinking beyond our current plan will take community consensus and a combined vision of the community and town board. I look forward to having an opportunity to serve the Island families.

Terri Moore

PO Box 172, Washington Island

Age: 52

Family: Yes

Education: University of Wisconsin – Green Bay (1988), BS in Pre-Law. Double Majored in Political Science and Social Change

Occupation: Tour Guide and photographer

Previous Elected Office: none

Relevant Experience/ Civic involvement: Farm Museum board member

What is the top priority for town government in the next term?

Saving money in this poor economy. Every dollar counts, no matter how small the amount. I need to work here to live here, as do many others.

What issue does not get enough attention from local government that you believe deserves more focus?

Communication between the board and the townspeople. Information must be made available in a timely manner. The local paper needs to be utilized more, and the town Web site is nowhere near its full potential.

Doug Huffman (Incumbent)

Age: 61

Education: Santa Clara High School, CA; attended San Jose State College until enlisting in the U. S. Navy in 1969. After retirement I attended the College of Charleston (South Carolina) in math and physics.

Occupation: Retired; formerly a Shift Test Engineer/Nuclear Engineering Technician at Charleston Naval Shipyard.

Huffman did not submit responses to the Pulse’s questionnaire.

Elizabeth Holmes (Incumbent)

Holmes did not respond to the Pulse’s questionnaire.