By Tracy Ouellette
Editor
There are five candidates for the two open Town of Troy supervisor seats. Kathleen Tober is the only incumbent running after Supervisor Ben Bourdo chose not to run for re-election.
On the ballot for the Feb. 17 primary with Tober are former town chairman Allen Curler, former town supervisor Jeffry Trapp and newcomers Michael Jones and Richard Calland.
Trapp, Curler, Calland and Jones all said they are running this time around because they want to see change in how Troy Township is governed.
Concerns with transparency
“I just want to make sure everyone is informed,” Trapp said. “Decisions are made at the meetings before the public is informed. I feel that maybe people are talking ahead of time and they shouldn’t be.”
“That’s the consensus I’m getting from a lot of people I’ve had contact with,” Jones agreed.
“I attend all the meetings, and I’m not a stupid person,” Curler said. “I know things are being discussed before the meeting.”
Curler said the board never discussed the $2,000 raise for the clerk-treasurer at an open board meeting, but it showed up in the budget along with other things such as a new truck.
“How do you put an $80,000 truck in the budget without talking about it first?” he asked. “I think those things are important to talk about at a board level in the public for anyone who wants to be there.”
Tober defended her record. “There’s never been any of that done. Anything that’s ever, ever been has been done at the Town Board meetings. If I have a question, I contact Michele (Stute) the town clerk and she gets back to me. Every thing is at the meetings, John and I never do that,” she said.
Calland said there were also problems with attendance and preparation of board members at recent meeting. “The town’s residents expect and deserve for all of the supervisors to have both regular attendance and to have reviewed agenda items prior to Town Board meetings and make decisions without personal agendas.”
“I just want things brought up ahead of time so people know what’s going on and not just bring it up and vote on it the same instant so we can get input from the public,” Trapp said.
Timber Trails road
One of the issues before the board recently is the privately owned Timber Trails road.
Curler said the gravel road was too dangerous to allow for the garbage company, Advanced Disposal Services, to get a truck up to the homes on the road and the residents have to haul their garbage to the town hall themselves.
“It’s a very, very narrow road, beautiful homes but that road is so narrow back there and for safety reasons the garbage people didn’t want to go back there, and there are some drop offs too. So we have the dumpsters at the Town Hall for them. The only reason is for safety,” Tober said.
The Fire Department has also said the road was difficult to navigate with large vehicles, which Curler said made the residents feel “threatened” because they might not have emergency services available when they need it.
Jones offered a solution, “The Homeowners Association can either widen the roadway on their own or the township can and should make the repairs and widen the road then charge the Timber Trail homeowners can pay more property taxes.”
What the candidates have to offer
The candidates said their experience, whether in the political arena or outside of it, will help with governing in the township.
Tober said her years of work with agriculture on the state and local level means she truly understands the community of Troy Township its needs. She also said more community involvement is needed.
“I’d especially like to see more of the younger generation get involved in the town,” Tober said. “I think that would be one of my biggest goals, talking to them and have them step up to the plate.”
Trapp wanted the voters to know he was there to serve their needs and wouldn’t be putting personal agenda forth.
I’m an open book, if they want to ask questions, they are welcome to do so. Last election I had people calling me up to ask questions and I’m not opposed to doing that again,” Trapp said. “I was a supervisor before, I take whatever my constitutes who voted me in there I take their view, I try to be their voice even if I don’t agree with them.”
Curler said his previous board experience and time as town chairman and is dedication to attending Town Board meetings gave him insight into the residents needs.
“I care about my community and do not like what I see happening,” Curler said. “I’d like to help bring back come honesty and transparency to town government with the help of another supervisor that’s not just a warm body.”
Calland, who is also a regular board meeting attendee, said the fact he was retired would allow him to dedicate the time needed to the position.
“Not being a multi-generation member of the town – we’ve been her just over 20 years – I think someone from the outside is going to have a new perspective in dealing with the relationships between the electorate and the Town Board.”
Jones said he was a fiscal conservative and would fight for the taxpayers. He also said his volunteer work with the Troy Center Fire Department and Firefighters Association showed how much he cared for the community and one place he didn’t want to see any budget cuts was in emergency services.
“Although I have little political experience, I feel that the township needs some fresh new ideas to move Troy Center and the Town of Troy forward,” Jones said.
Richard Calland
Newcomer Richard “Dick” Calland, 68, has lived in the township with his wife Barbara for 20 years. He holds an Associate’s Degree in mechanical engineering.
He has served on the Town of Troy Plan Commission since August of 2012.
Calland has performed volunteer maintenance work at the Town Hall during 2013-14, volunteer work at the Troy Center United Methodist Church, Mukwonago YMCA (2013), Cops ‘N’ Kids Fishing Tournament (2013-14), Farm Bureau ice cream stand at the Walworth County Fair (2013), recorder for 4-H judging at the Walworth County Fair (2012-13-2014), FFA Alumni volunteer 1998-2006, and regular blood donor to Blood Center of Wisconsin.
“I have volunteered to help with electronic recycling should this program commence in 2015 and have also volunteered for the town’s Board of Review should alternates be needed in 2015,” Calland said.
Calland said his retired status will allow him to dedicate the time needed to be a board member and serve the community.
“There have been both attendance issues and lack of preparation by some at Town Board meetings,” he wrote in his candidate biography form. “The town’s residents expect and deserve for all of the supervisors to have both regular attendance and to have reviewed agenda items prior to Town Board meetings and make decisions without personal agendas.”
“There have also been disproportion committee assignments with only some carrying the load. I have been a regular member of the public audience at Town Board meetings for the past two years and have witnessed first hand.”
Allen Curler
Allen Curler, 65, is also retired and has lived in the township for 19 years. He has two adult sons.
He graduated from Waukesha High School in 1967.
Curler was a trustee and board president in the Village of Eagle; was the Troy Township chairman for 4 1/2 years and a supervisor for 2 1/2 years. He ran unsuccessfully for town chairman in 2009, losing by one vote.
He has served on the Booth Lake Memorial Park Board as secretary and treasurer, the Booth Lake Management Board, is a life member of the Marine Corps League, currently serving as adjutant and paymaster of the Waukesha County Detachment 355, and a 27-year member of the American Legion.
“Since 2009, I have continued to attend town meetings and in fact, have attended more meetings than some of the board members and Plan Commission members,” he wrote in his candidate biography. “I care about my community and do not like what I see happening. I’d like to bring back some honesty and transparency to town government.”
Michael Jones
Michael Jones, 46, is also new to the political field. He has lived in the Town of Troy for 11 years with his wife Charlotte. They have three children, Naomi, 16, Zechariah, 11, and Jonathan, 10.
Jones received his Gateway Technical College Firefighter 1 certification in 2006; Firefighter 2 Certified in 2007; and completed the Fire & Emergency Services Instructor State Exam in 2014.
He is a member of the Troy Center Volunteer Fire Department, Troy Center Firefighters Association, and Wisconsin State Firefighters Association.
“I have considered running for public office for several years,” Jones wrote in his candidate biography. “While living in the community, I have spoken to several residents who are not happy with the way the town is currently governed.
“Although I have little political experience, I feel that the township needs some fresh new ideas to move Troy Center/Town of Troy forward. There are issues, which I feel my input will be beneficial to the residents of our community.”
Kathleen Tober
Kathleen Tober, 72, has been a member of the Troy Township board for six years. She grew up in the area on the family farm and moved back to the township more than two decades ago.
She and her husband Warren Tober Sr. have seven children and eight grandchildren.
Tober was a farmer, wildlife educator along with driving a school bus for 42 years in the East Troy School District.
Tober work as a wildlife education led her to leadership roles with the UW-Extension office, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Walworth County 4-H and East Troy High School.
She served at president of the Walworth County Board of Supervisors, as president and vice-president on the Farm Bureau board, was a Conservation Congress delegate for Walworth County, a member of the FFA finance board for Walworth and Rock counties, and led a 4-H delegation to Washington, D.C.
“I believe I would be an asset to the Town of Troy because my experience and knowledge as a public servant,” she wrote in her candidate biography. “My intent is to help Troy be the best town it can be and bring forth new ideas and options for a better community.”
Jeffry Trapp
Jeffry Trapp, 54, owns J&M Heating & Cooling in East Troy. He has lived in the area for 27 years, eight years in the township, and has tow adult sons.
He was a Town of Troy supervisor for two years and was unsuccessful in his bid for re-election.
Trapp served on the Booth Lake Memorial Park Board and the Booth Lake Management Board.
“I am concerned the way in which taxpayers’ money is being spend and how policy and agenda items are pushed through without prior discussion,” he wrote as the reason for seeking the supervisor seat in his candidate biography.
Where to vote
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Feb. 17. Town of Troy residents vote at Town Hall, N8870 Briggs St.
