Al Sleeter named Oconto County Board chairman

Supervisor Dennis Kroll is vice chairman
By: 
Warren Bluhm
Editor-in-chief

Two of the longest-serving members of the Oconto County Board were chosen to lead the group for the next two years during the board’s April 19 organizational meeting.

Supervisor Alan Sleeter, of Suring, served as vice chairman under Paul Bednarek in recent years and was elected as the board’s new chairman. Sleeter was first elected to the county board in 2006.

Asked if he wanted to say anything before the vote was taken, Sleeter said, “No, I think I’ve already said enough.” After the unanimous roll-call vote, he thanked his fellow supervisors for their support and said he looks forward to working with his new colleagues during the next two years.

Supervisor Dennis Kroll, of Pulaski, was elected vice chairman. He has been on the board since 2004.

Kroll did not speak but submitted a letter that was read out loud by County Clerk Kim Pytleski.

“I feel my experience as committee chairman for law enforcement, emergency management and land and water conservation has prepared me for the vice chairman position,” Kroll wrote. “I am looking for your support to help keep our county thriving.”

Sleeter and Kroll were the only nominees for their respective positions. Sleeter was nominated by Supervisor Elmer Ragen, of Little Suamico — now the longest-serving board member, having been elected since 2000. He also previously served a single term in 1986-88.

The new board has 13 new faces among its 31 members. Attending their first meeting were Supervisors Chris Augustine, Wayne Kaczrowski, Jolene Barkhaus, Pat Scanlan, Richard Pillsbury, John Wittkopf, Joel Lavarda, Keith Schneider, Char Meier and Carol Heise. Supervisor David Behrend is back on the board after serving a two-year term in 2018-2020. New Supervisor Brandon Dhuey was unable to attend because of a previously scheduled business trip, but he sent a letter apologizing and stating his preference for a committee assignment.