By Heather Ruenz
Staff Writer
There are three Walworth County Board of Supervisor seats on the April 7 ballot and each of them features two candidates, with voters choosing one.
In District 3, incumbent Tim Brellenthin faces challenger Brian Holt while in District 6, current board member Kathy Ingersoll is being challenged by newcomer Mary Burpee. Below is information on the candidates in the two races.
A story on District 2, which represents all or portions of the towns of Lyons, Spring Prairie, Lafayette and Troy will be posted under the East Troy tab on this website.
District 3
Tim Brellenthin, 74, retired, is a high school graduate, 50-year member of the Elkhorn Rotary Club, a Meals on Wheels volunteer and is active in his local church having served on the church council and as president of the council.
Elected positions for Brellenthin include: past president of the Wisconsin Land Title Association; 15-year member of the Elkhorn Area School District Board and former president of the board; current board member of the Lakeland Animal Shelter; and a member of the Walworth County Board since 2012, currently serving as chair of the Human Resource and Zoning committees.
He said the challenge for the board is to limit budget increases.
“I feel that the current board has worked well with the administration to serve the residents of Walworth County,” Brellenthin said.
Brian Holt, 32, is a self-employed dairy farmer who owns and operates a custom dairy heifer business. He graduated from Pius Xi High school in Milwaukee in 2006 and then attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for three years before leaving to start his business.
He is a board member of the Elkhorn Rotary Club and a member of Lake Geneva Jaycees. This is his first time running for public office.
Holt said the most pressing issue over the next few years will be confronting the economic fall out from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I believe infrastructure projects are key. Our county could become an important hub for business in the region if we lay the ground work by supporting projects that also create jobs in an environment of expanding unemployment,” he said.
Holt said there are companies that want to start projects here and the long-term health of the area is at stake.
“I have a ‘long-term view’ that differs from some others on the board. Our county is one of the only in the state that is debt free. This is a great thing on the surface but at this point with interest rates at or very near 0 percent, not investing in long term projects seem wrong in the light of this crisis,” he said.
Holt said the environment is also very important to him.
“Farmers know that protecting our forests, fields and waterways is vital. I am currently helping to form a watershed protection group in Walworth County to make sure farmers stay on the cutting edge of water health and to protect our county,” he said.
Other issues of importance for Holt are agricultural outreach and education in part to streamline support and information for farmers.
“Farms are at a critical point in our country, things are going to change for everyone, big or small. Having a streamlined process for reformatting your business is crucial for expediting thing like zoning chances, food processing permits, government programs for federal grants (and so on),” he said.
Holt said what makes him the best candidate is his ability to create open lines of communication between constituents and elected officials at every level.
“It can be a burdensome ask for people to navigate the bureaucracy of government to get their issues handled. I am already forming relationships with state and local officials so that when a question or issues is brought to my attention I’ll be able to help, even if the specific issue is outside my remit. Part of this communication involves being available every day, as a side effect of my work on the farm,” Holt said.
He said he’s a tech savvy guy and will take calls, texts or emails any time.
“I’m highly motivated to do an excellent job representing our district and constituents,” Holt said.
District 6
Kathy Ingersoll, 75, is retired. She was educated at Madison General Hospital in nursing and volunteers at the food pantry as well as cooking for numerous people through her church.
Ingersoll has been on the County Board for 12 years.
She said the main issues are supporting the new County Administrator, Mark Luberda, and to keep continuity within the board during his adjustment to the position.
“We need to continue working together to make the best decisions for each county department while keeping our pledge to represent out constituents in the best way we can.
Asked what makes her the best candidate, Ingersoll said there is no such thing.
“Everyone comes in with different knowledge, attributes and energy to help in their own, individual way. When you put that group together in a non-partisan way with the purpose of doing their best as a joint board that is what leads to getting county business done,” she said.
Ingersoll said Walworth County is very successful.
“I have been very honored to work with a dedicated group of board members, administration and employees,” she said. “I’m proud and thankful to be a citizen of Walworth County.”
Mary Burpee, 70, is retired. She attended Thornton Township High School followed by Moser Business College in Chicago.
Her community service consists of: Mission of Mercy volunteer for free dental clinic throughout the state; a Medicare volunteer with the Walworth County ADRC; volunteer reading and companion at Lakeland Health Care Center; rider companion volunteer for SMILES equine therapy program; teacher volunteer with the Walworth County Literacy Council; taught reading and writing preparedness to jail inmates, volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Walworth County; served as a poll worker in Elkhorn for the past several elections; is a current advocate volunteer with the New Beginnings/APFV’s sexual assault victim program; and serves on the board of her local church.
Burpee said the biggest issues the County Board will face include addressing the 911 emergency radio system.
“Protecting our county’s natural resources such as lakes, rivers & streams from chemicals and agricultural runoff while balancing the tourist benefits these resources provide,” she said.
Other issues, according to Burpee include finding a financially sustainable future for Lakeland Health Care Center and making an effort to continue with the County Board’s strong financial history in terms of AAA Bond ratings.
Burpee said what makes her the best candidate is her commitment.
“I am committed to being a full-time County Board representative unlike our current representative who leaves the state for three months each year,” she said, adding that she will attend all committee meetings she’s assigned to, participate and do the work required.
“I will attend all full monthly County Board meetings and provide input if warranted. I will respond by either email or phone to my constituent’s concerns,” she said. “I believe in accountability and accessibility for all government officials.”
