Election 2022 — Oconto County Board, District 22

Under the new maps approved by the Oconto County Board last fall in accordance with the 2020 U.S. Census, District 22 comprises all of the Town of Spruce and a southern portion of the Town of Brazeau.
NEW Media sent questionnaires to the candidates, Terry Brazeau and David Parmentier, to provide readers with their background and opinions on key issues facing the county.
 

Why do you want to serve on the Oconto County Board?
Brazeau: Oconto County is a great place to live,work,play and vacation, and I would work to make sure it stays that way. With my 40 years of law enforcement/county board covering the county from Little Suamico to Townsend county lines, I feel the people of District 22 and Oconto County should keep the services they deserve.
Parmentier: There are several important projects, detailed in the second question below, that the committees I serve on have placed into motion. I want to continue for another term on the Oconto County board to assist in bringing them to a successful outcome.
 

What do you see as the biggest issue(s) facing the board over the next two years?
Brazeau: Retaining employees from leaving for better paying jobs, it costs to train people and causes extra work load to those that want to stay. Illegal drugs, housing issues, elderly, handicap, upgrading the law enforcement/highway departments/EMS radio systems for dead spots which has been going on for 50 years, I hope whats being proposed corrects it, many times we had to travel a distance to get to transmit from car or portable radios; along with the high fuel prices cutting into budgets, projects may be delayed, or equipment purchases.
Parmentier: Public Safety is the main reason for county government. The county has been working on correcting communication dead spots for our sheriff deputies and first responders. The county is building five new radio towers in the next 12 months, which will solve this problem. Providing internet access to all, because there are still too many locations that school children and businesses do not have the Internet speed needed to compete in today’s world.
 

In what areas/topics do you believe you can contribute to the board and the county?
Brazeau: The retooling of how the county board operates, with at least 10 new board members will be elected and a new administrator, my experience on several committees would be helpful to new members, ideas to help keep employees, knowing the department heads and staff to operate smoothly, my years in law enforcement to assist that department, and other departments I worked with like human services, work to keep elderly/handicap safe and informed to scams, etc. I can be contacted to help with your county an town issues. If elected, I will not take per diem for committee meetings.
Parmentier: With my experience in Green Bay, the Town of Brazeau and Oconto County, I can hit the ground running and continue the work on my assigned committees. The county must be run like a business. Unlike the federal government, we cannot print money. We must stay within the confines of our approved budget and still get the job done.