Two in race for county treasurer

By Jane Myhra

The Republican candidates for Waupaca County Treasurer spoke at a forum Wednesday, July 20.

The candidates are Sheri Wieters, Waupaca County’s assistant finance director; and Mark Sether, mortgage loan officer at Premier Community Bank.

The two Republican candidates will face off in the Aug. 9 primary. The winner will run unopposed in the Nov. 8 general election.

Andy Herro, president of the Waupaca County Republican Party, read questions submitted by the audience.

Why are you running for Waupaca County Treasurer?
“I have dealt with the tough part of banking,” Sether said. “I have a lot of diverse experience.”

“It’s an opportunity for me to expand all of the experience and skills that I have,” he said. “I am not afraid to go out and talk to people, then bring back ideas to make Waupaca County better.”

“I have the experience of working in the treasurer’s office,” Wieters said. “I am hard working and accuracy is very important to me.”

She noted that the Waupaca County Finance Department, where she currently works, fixes all of the errors made in the treasurer’s office.

“If I didn’t win the election, I would be training the next treasurer,” Wieters said.

What changes do you foresee making to the treasurer’s office?
“I can’t come in with a preconceived idea,” Sether said. “I will observe, work with the employees and ask questions. I will see what’s working and what’s not. My management skills are as a team worker. Changes have to be done within state statutes.”

“I know there’s not a lot you can actually change,” Wieters said. “I would improve the office by offering longer hours during tax season. Also, there is over $2 million in delinquent taxes on the books, which I will work on during slow times instead of reducing staff hours.”

What is your most important mission and goals in the treasurer’s office?
“Better communications not only with citizens, but with other clerks and treasurers and county department heads,” Wieters said. “Communication and customer service are really important.”

Sether agreed that communication is vital.

“I look forward to working with local townships,” he said. “My mission is to do more with less by seeing what we can do to make the county more efficient.”
Why are you running as a Republican? What principles of the Republican Party do you embrace?

“I go with the right person and the right principles,” Sether said.

His beliefs include “providing services and helping people, but they have to also help themselves.”

“I wouldn’t be anything but a Republican,” Wieters said. “I am conservative.”

How would you deal with taxes that were credited to the wrong account?
“First I would apologize,” Wieters said. “Then I would research and make the corrections if needed.”

“You need to take care of the customer and make them whole,” Sether said. “You also need to investigate why (the mistake) happened. It does happen – we are human.”

Do you follow the rules strictly?
“In banking, I have no choice,” Sether said. “During the last seven to eight years, banking has been under extreme scrutiny. There’s not a lot of allowance for error.”

“Absolutely I abide by all rules,” Wieters said. “I’m just honest.”

Why are you the best candidate for this position?
“I am the best candidate not only because I have the qualifications, but I have the experience and the knowledge. I am the best choice for Waupaca County,” Wieters said. “I know the job.”

“She is qualified,” Sether agreed. “But coming from the private sector, I bring fresh knowledge to the department. I bring a broad array of skills to the position, including people skills.”