April election: Farmington and Dayton

WAUPACA – Town of Farmington Board Supervisors Phillip Durrant and Craig Nelson are up for reelection and are running unopposed. Kathy Kasza and Kevin Will are running for the Farmington Town Board Chairperson seat. The Waupaca County Post contacted each candidate to learn more about them and their views.

What makes you a good candidate for a town chair?
Kasza: With 40 years of experience in Wisconsin local municipal finance, which includes 8 years as Finance Director for the City of Waupaca, I bring a wealth of expertise to this role. Recently, I served as the Town of Farmington Clerk-Treasurer for 2 years, gaining familiarity with daily town operations and current issues. This extensive background has equipped me with the skills necessary to manage our town’s finances effectively and navigate the intricacies of local government. I believe that my experience and dedication can help address the concerns of our community, foster a stronger sense of unity, and ensure that every voice is heard. By prioritizing transparency and enhancing communication, we can work together to create a more informed and engaged town.

Will: My experiences have prepared me to fulfill this position: 15 years as a private business owner, 35 years in public service, four-term county board supervisor, prior town chairperson, current co-board chairs (law enforcement and human services), vice chair (legislative and judicial), treasurer for CAP Services Board of Directors and Rotary member.

What are the most pressing issues to the residents of Farmington and how would you address those issues?

Kasza: The town must diligently monitor changes in state and federal funding to ensure the continuity of essential services. Furthermore, the town will need to continue addressing road conditions, which are a significant concern for both the town and its residents, without increasing taxes. During my tenure as clerk-treasurer, I established a new website to provide the public with information about the town’s activities. I aim to continue and expand this initiative by utilizing other platforms to keep residents informed about important matters addressed by the town and to facilitate communication between residents and the board. I hope to promote more citizen involvement by providing this opportunity to connect.

Will: I would prioritize the maintenance of our 78 miles of roads, provide quarterly public listening sessions, Zoom all public meetings and archive them, base decisions on public input and maintain the town’s current mill rate.

Town of Dayton
In the Town of Dayton, Town Supervisors Brett Grams and Susan Popham are running unopposed, along with Town Chairman Jeff Barlow, Town Clerk Wanda Hiltgen and Town Treasurer Brenda Hewitt.