Candidates offer up their stances on why they should be elected at March candidate forum
By Kellen Olshefski
SLN Staff
Walworth County Board Supervisor Richard Brandl will be facing opposition from newcomer Susan Pruessing on Tuesday’s ballot.
The seat serves residents in wards 2 and 4 in the Town of Linn, Ward 1 in the Town of Sharon, wards 1 through 3 in the Town of Walworth, wards 1 through 3 in the Village of Fontana, wards 1 and 2 in the Village of Sharon and wards 1 through 3 in the Village of Walworth.
At the Geneva Lake West Chamber of Commerce Community Expo and Candidate Forum, both candidates had an opportunity to present to voters their reasoning behind why they deserve election to the seat. While Pruessing was not able to attend because of prior obligations, Becky Merwin, a friend, read from a statement Pruessing had prepared for the candidate forum.
Brandl, a lifelong resident of the county who lives in Sharon Township and has served as the representative for District 9 for the past six years and on the Town of Sharon Board for many years as both a supervisor and chairman, spoke highly March 22 of the working relationship between current board supervisors.
Brandl said the board is diverse and get along well, and though they don’t always agree, they leave the room wishing each other “a good night or a good afternoon.”
“We don’t fight like they do at the state or national level,” he said.
As for the county tax levy, Brandl said when looking at the past five years, the board has been able to keep the levy from major increases while also continuing to offer the services the county does.
As for items he’s passionate about, Brandl said firstly, it’s to get the county out of debt, noting next year the county will be able to start paying off the debt for the Lakeland School early. Additionally, he noted this will help to open the door for a $7 million expansion for the Walworth County Public Works facility.
Brandl said another passion of his was setting up a fund to start working towards bridge replacements in the county, such as the Town of Sharon’s Peters Road Bridge.
Brandl said the county needs to continue keeping up on its infrastructure in the future.
Looking at business, he said the county needs to keep looking towards the next generation and keeping businesses in the county by drawing in the resources and workforce they need.
Pruessing, a resident of Walworth County for more than 40 years, resides on a farm in the Town of Walworth, owned by her husband’s family since 1867.
Merwin said Pruessing has been involved in the community for many years serving as a Boy Scout leader and Big Foot High School Board member and president, and working with the Walworth County Dairy Breakfast, Big Foot High School and the upcoming Farm Technology Days.
Merwin said Pruessing states she is a firm believer in establishing strong relationships in towns, communities and on the county board in order to “accomplish great things together.”
According to Merwin, Pruessing aims to address concerns in the county through a collaborative and comprehensive approach, working with community leaders and leaders within the county.
Merwin said Pruessing isn’t running on any contested issue, but because Pruessing feels she can bring fresh ideas to the table.
