Gillett voters have choices at April 7 polls

The April 7 election will include three contested races in the city of Gillett. Candidates are incumbent Deborah Erickson and Donald Ellsworth, Ward 1; incumbent Jeff Warrichaiet and William Pecha, Ward 2; and incumbent Marilyn Mueller and Mark Bloemers, Ward 3. Here are their election profiles. WARD 1 Deborah Erickson Age: 63, lifelong resident of Gillett area, city resident 10 years Education: Gillett High School, 1969; Northeast Wisconsin Technical College secretarial sciences, 1971 Employment: Retired, Gillett School District, secretary, 38 years Experience: City Council, 2 1/2 years; chairman of Finance and Personnel Committee, 2 1/2 years; member of three City Council committees; attendee at seven monthly committee meetings Statement: “I am committed to the work involved as a council member and to making the difficult decisions. As a retired employee of a public sector employer and my years of experience on the support staff negotiating team, I have an understanding of working under budget constraints and a working knowledge of employer/employee relations. I will work for continued balanced budgets while attempting to meet the needs of the city residents and moving the city forward.” Donald B. Ellsworth Age: 63, Gillett resident for four years Education: J.I. Case High School, Racine, 1970; Gateway Technical Institute, Racine, electricity/firefighting Employment: Retired after 31 years of service at S.C. Johnson, Racine Experience: Concerned taxpayer Statement: “1. To help repeal of the new wheel tax. This in itself should be put to a vote by the residents of Gillett. 2 Snow removal/city fines. A notification should be first, like water department giving a 24- to 48-hour notice. 3. Garbage. The city promised large plastic totes for every household in the city, which they didn’t provide. I will work on this and many other issues of which there are many, but most of all to work for people of the First Ward. Their wants and needs are my utmost concern.” WARD 2 William Pecha Age: 62, Gillett resident for 34 years Education: Mosinee High School, Fox Valley Technical College, police science Employment: Retired chief of police for Gillett Experience: “After 28 years of working with the City Council and the public, I have the understanding of the council’s responsibilities, the budget operations and a working knowledge of our ordinances and state law.” Statement: “My primary goal would be to have clear and unobstructed transparency of our city workings. Keeping everything open, honest and available to our citizens is in their best interest. The integrity of the City Council and departments are at risk without it. Everyone involved in the city government needs to be accountable. Accountability promotes effectiveness and efficiency. Good, sound judgment is required in making decisions and justifying actions.” Jeff Warrichaiet Age: 49, Gillett resident for 26 years Education: Oconto High School, 1985; NWTC for EMS, firefighting Employment: Shipping department, KI in Bonduel, 26 years Experience: City Council, eight years; Gillett Area Ambulance, 25 years, board of directors, two terms; fire department, 21 years Statement: I believe I’d be a good candidate for the City Council because I want to see it move forward successfully. I care about the community and the people that live in it. I want to see business grow and more jobs come into Gillett.” WARD 3 Marilyn Mueller Age: 68, raised in Gillett, resident since 2000 Education: Gillett High School, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Employment: Semi-retired, working for Mel Gross Insurance Agency; formerly employed by Washington National Insurance Co., managing territorial office, supervising personnel and preparing budgets Experience: City of Gillett 20-Year Planning Committee; Gillett Area Historical Society board of directors; Gillett Community Development Authority; Gillett alderperson Statement: “An alderperson is responsible to the people of Gillett. I would work to give careful and serious consideration to Gillett’s future while providing city services (garbage pickup, utilities, road repair, police). I believe and support balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility while still providing these services. Future infrastructure repair and replacement and the need to fund them are a primary concern. This is what will make Gillett a good place to live and attract business and jobs.” Mark R. Bloemers Age: 58, Gillett resident for four years Education: Green Bay East; Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Sturgeon Bay Employment: Retired, paper manufacturing/warehousing Experience: Union member, supervisor, concerned taxpayer Statement: “This city needs to have open meetings where concerned constituents air their disapproval on a topic or motion before the council and are heard. My constituents will know who their alderman is. This city demands some expansion to promote some industry, big-name grocery chain stores, fast-food franchises, something to offset the tax burden on our seniors and people on fixed incomes. We have an underutilized industrial park; give some tax breaks to invite industries.”