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Published February 10, 2012, 09:53 AM

St. Croix County Board candidates respond to questions

All 19 seats on the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors are up for election in April. Because more than two candidates have filed in Districts 14, 15 and 18, those districts will hold primary elections Feb. 21. Candidates in those districts were sent questionnaires. Printed below are their responses.

  • St. Croix County Board candidates
    • image
    Top row, from left: Andy Brinkman, Dennis Brunkhorst, Jeff Dionisopoulos, and Margaret Hinrichs; Bottom, from left: Karen Meyer, David Peterson, Donald Schumacher and Phillip Van Someren.

All 19 seats on the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors are up for election in April. Because more than two candidates have filed in Districts 14, 15 and 18, those districts will hold primary elections Feb. 21.

Candidates in those districts were sent questionnaires. Printed below are their responses.

District 14

Town of Erin Prairie, Ward 1; Town of Richmond, Wards 1-5 Town of Warren, Ward 1

Andy Brinkman, 39

  • Occupation: Sales manager

  • Family: I live with my significant other Karen, and her four daughters: Madisyn, 13; Kerrigan, 11, MhKellan, 6; and Brekkyn, 5. I also have a stepson, Alec, who is 17.

  • Prior elected office: This is the first office I have run for.

    Reasons and qualifications for wanting to serve on the County Board: As a lifelong St. Croix resident, I have been asked by several people to get involved and help form the future of our county. With important issues like the Farmland Preservation Act, operation of the county nursing home and a new recycling ordinance all coming towards us, I have been doing my best to educate myself by meeting with people on both sides of all arguments to separate the rhetoric from reality.

    We must make sure we do the right things today to prevent nightmares later. I think I have the tools necessary to stand up for my area and intend to do so.

    Jeff Dionisopoulos, 34

  • Occupation: City of Stillwater Public Works employee, 13 years

  • Family: Wife Ari and son Ian, 4

  • Clubs, civic involvement: Member of the Richmond town planning commission since December 2010. Currently enrolled in the Leadership Trust Initiative in the New Richmond area.

    Reasons and qualifications for wanting to serve on county board: I want to serve on the county board because I feel that the health center is an asset to this county, and we need to keep it open for the people that live there and the staff that work there.

    I also want to see the county board meetings change to evening meetings so that it is easier for residents of the county to attend the meetings. I feel with my background as a government worker I can make sure that this board is fiscally responsible, but we can still offer a high level of service to our residents.

    Dennis Brunkhorst, Age: 37

  • Occupation: Crew member at McDonald’s in New Richmond

  • Family: Wife Karen

  • Prior elected offices: None

  • Clubs, civic involvement: Involved with the New Richmond Youth Football Program for six years.

    Reasons and qualifications for wanting to serve on county board: The reason that I am running for the county board is so the constituents in District 14 will have a strong representation on the county board. I feel that decisions need to be made that will not affect their standard of living.

    Another reason that I want to serve on the county board is to ensure that the county infrastructure keeps up with its growth.

    District 15

    Town of Kinnickinnic, Ward 1 Town of Pleasant Valley, Ward 1 Town of Rush River, Ward 1 Town of Warren, Wards 2 and 3 Village of Roberts, Wards 1-4

    Donald E. Schumacher, 81

  • Occupation: Farmer

  • Family: Wife Louise; three children: Buddy, Rose and Bonnie; seven grandchildren

  • Prior elected office: Chairman, Board of Trustees for Peace Lutheran Church, three years; Supervisor, town of Rush River, 12 years; Town of Rush River Planning Board, 10 years; Now United Fire & Rescue Finance Board of Governors, six years; director on Military Officers Association of America, Indianhead Chapter, six years.

    Reasons and qualifications for wanting to serve on county board: Graduated from Ohio University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. Commissioned 2nd Lt. in Air Force. Served 21 years as bomber pilot on B-47, B-52 and B-57 aircraft. Served in both Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Received four Distinguished Flying Cross medals. Flew 450 combat sorties over Vietnam.

    I was instrumental in helping develop the Enterprise Area for the town of Rush River and also worked on the county comprehensive plan, agriculture and farmland preservation plan. With my experience in working with various committees in the county, I will be a good asset to the residents of District 15.

    Karen L. Meyer, 61

  • Occupation: Retired

  • Family: Husband Richard Meyer, two grown children, one granddaughter

  • Prior elected office: County board supervisor, 10 months; previous co-chairman for St Croix Central PTO as well as the spring elementary carnival; former member (for 12 years each) and previous treasurer for St. Croix Riders as well as Willow River Riders Saddle clubs.

    Reasons and qualifications for wanting to serve on county board: I have been a resident of this district since 1982. I was secretary for St. Croix Central Elementary School for 17 years and later worked in customer service at three financial institutions in Hudson. I helped start the PTA and school carnivals at St. Croix Central Schools.

    The county is facing the same issues, in one form or another, as federal and state governments and private companies are in these economic times. I enjoyed being a part of the St. Croix County Board these past months and look forward to making choices that benefit the county without a negative impact on its present or future.

    David Peterson, 69

  • Occupation: Retired

  • Family: Wife of 50 years, Arden Peterson; four children

  • Prior elected office: District 15 supervisor, St. Croix County Board, 2008-2010

  • Clubs, civic involvement: Active member of Cross Lutheran Church, Roberts; three terms as treasurer on Church Council; volunteer with Habitat for Humanity

    Reasons and qualifications for wanting to serve on county board: I retired in 2001 as an air traffic supervisor from the Minneapolis Air Traffic Control Center after 37 years.

    I served as St. Croix County Board for District 15 2008-2010 before it was combined with much of Troy, and the board was reduced from 31 to 19 members. I served on the Board of Finance during that time and also on the Board of Adjustments. I am currently a citizen member of the Board of Adjustments.

    I would be honored to represent the citizens of the new District 15. I feel we must hold the line on tax increases and learn to work smarter.

    District 18< /center>

    Town of Baldwin, Ward 2 Village of Baldwin, Wards 1-6

    Margaret L. Hinrichs, 65

  • Occupation: Retired social worker

  • Family: Divorced; two adult sons

  • Prior elected office: Two years chief union steward for AFSME-St. Paul Public Housing; two years representative of District 11, St. Paul, to the City Council.

  • Clubs, civic involvement: American Legion Auxiliary, Bay City Post; regular Baldwin shopper, Senior Center and library user.

    Reasons and qualifications for wanting to serve on county board: I am recently retired from 40 years of service as a social worker in public and private-funded agencies. I bring that experience and knowledge at a time of diminishing resources. I would be economically frugal and socially liberal in meeting health and welfare needs.

    I have worked in union and non-union setting, I am aware of the pros and cons of both. One son is a union electrician; one son serves special-needs people as a non-union group home worker. I have two granddaughters in school (in Maplewood). I support community resources to meet educational and recreational needs.

    Phillip Van Someren, 61

  • Occupation: Retired businessman

  • Family: Wife Deborah Lenn Van Someren; sons Charles and Alexander

  • Prior elected office: None

  • Clubs, civic involvement: Member of Immaculate Conception Parish Hammond; former board member Baldwin Area Community Association; member of American Legion Post 240, Baldwin; former deacon and elder at Baldwin Christian Reformed Church; served in the United States Navy.

    Reasons and qualifications for wanting to serve on county board: I have lived most of my life in St. Croix County. For the past 30 years I have lived in the village of Baldwin. Twenty-five of those years were spent serving this county in business. I have a good understanding of who we are and what we expect from our county government.

    The two most important things county government can do are to keep its citizens safe and to manage taxpayer dollars wisely. I will be a voice for the people I will serve in the 18th district.

    Mike R. Bondarenko, 59

  • Occupation: Prescott chief of police

  • Family: Wife Paula and son Charles

  • Prior elected office: Baldwin-Woodville Area Board of Education, 18 years

  • Clubs, civic involvement: Volunteered to represent 41 area school boards on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and was elected to the board. Former president and member of the St. Croix County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. Former member of the Woodville Lions Club. Currently member of Kiwanis International and two area humane societies.

    Reasons and qualifications for wanting to serve on County Board:I have dedicated my life to public service. Newly created District 18 is another opportunity to serve.

    I served the people of the Baldwin area as a county sheriff’s deputy for 29 years and the Baldwin-Woodville area as a school board member for 18 years.

    This district has no incumbent so it is important that we elect a supervisor who knows how county government works. We need a supervisor who has experience as an elected official and has shown leadership to solve problems. I am ready to get to work and once again serve my friends and neighbors in District 18.

    Duane Russett

    No response received.

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