Portage County District 17 candidates answer additional questions ahead of April 2 election
Incumbent Suzanne Oehlke will face challenger Jackie Szehner for the District 17 seat on the Portage County Board in the April 2 election.
Portage County supervisors serve two-year terms. All 25 Portage County Board seats are up for election this spring.
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The Stevens Point Journal asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the county.
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Suzanne Oehlke
Age: 69
Residence: Plover
Occupation and education: Registered dietitian with a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Campaign email: Suzanne4portagecounty@gmail.com
Jackie Szehner
Age: 69
Residence: Village of Plover
Occupation and education: I am retired from my previous careers, which included: professional registered nurse utilizing nursing skills in case management (Inclusa), acute care (St. Clare’s Hospital) and institutional settings (Portage County Health Care Center and Wisconsin Veteran’s Home at King); business developer, president, treasurer and secretary of The Toy Connection Inc. retail stores; owner of sales and marketing firm JLS Marketing; and in-house accountant for several Wisconsin businesses. I served as the Wisconsin governor’s registered nurse representative appointee to Rural Health Development Council for several years. Degrees: associate degree in nursing and associate degree in accounting
Relevant experience: The combination of business, accounting and nursing experience I possess provides me the ability to support the County Board’s efforts aimed at enhancing services for our community. My background enables me to recognize the financial concerns and challenges the County Board has regarding the financial sustainability of Portage County in their effort to provide high-quality and cost-effective services. Having been self-employed and creating jobs requires risk taking, self-determination, leadership and perseverance. I had numerous employees for my businesses, was involved with various types of contracts, and I had to assess and evaluate business plans and relevant data regularly.
Campaign website/Facebook page: Jackie Szehner for County Supervisor on Facebook
Why are you running for office?
Oehlke: I am running to advance the social, economic and environmental well-being of Portage County and to address the issues and problems that touch our everyday lives. I know that working together makes a real difference, a mindset critical for accountable and responsible decision making. My ability to actively listen and find common ground creates a platform for working collaboratively with all county supervisors and constituents. I am eager to serve and make it my priority to hear the voice of community members and represent their viewpoints.
Szehner: My first and foremost motivation for running for county supervisor is the love God has placed in my heart for our country and my desire to ensure that we retain our freedoms and quality of life here in Portage County for generations to come. I have lived in Plover for 36 years and I have an understanding of what is important to our residents. Many people in our community reached out to me requesting that I consider running to be a much-needed voice for our neighborhood and to provide good representation and needed leadership at our local county level.
What makes you the better candidate in this race?
Oehlke: The culmination of my work experience, community service and lived experience sets me apart in this race. Over the last 35 years I have had the pleasure of serving in the following agencies and roles: Portage County Health Care Center, Portage County Health Department, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, CAP Services Inc., private consulting and volunteer service. I bring the experience and knowledge essential for adopting budgets, setting policies, evaluating projects and communicating effectively, key when serving as a county supervisor. I’ll use our local resources and subject matter experts to assist in making decisions and establishing policy.
Szehner: I want good representation of our community on the County Board and I believe I can provide that service. I am confident that my experience, knowledge of the region, dedication, hard work and the delivery of service I will undertake on the County Board will be an asset to our community. Communicating and working effectively with all stakeholders and the general public is inherent to the employment positions I have held in the past, and I will put those skills to work to ensure that Portage County remains a wonderful community in which to live for decades to come.
What are residents telling you are the most important issues in Portage County, and how would you address them?
Oehlke: Land and water conservation, the Portage County Health Care Center and the Justice Center. Nitrates are a common health-related contaminant in Portage County’s groundwater. Rural and urban constituents must work in tandem and protect our at-risk resources. A new Justice Center is crucial for the safety of service providers and those using the facilities. A building plan that provides transparent details, feedback from those providing services and commitment from vital stakeholders are essential. The Health Care Center has history with a huge footprint. Addressing future operations is complex requiring both rational and emotional examination on how we care for our aging population.
Szehner: My district neighbors are sharing the daily challenges they have just to continue to provide the basic necessities of food, housing, health care and transportation. Additionally, there is concern of increased crime and the need to feel safe in Portage County. As county supervisor, I will be mindful of the impact enactment of policies and procedures has, as I want to ensure fiscal responsibility, stop inflation, reduce the tax burden, limit government overreach and strengthen our local economy by creating an environment that attracts business organizations with high-paying jobs. We need to support families to empower parents and put kids first.
The future of the Portage County Justice Center and the need for a new jail has been discussed for decades. What would you like to see happen with a new jail, justice center and courthouse?
Oehlke: A new jail and justice center is crucial for the safety of those providing services and those who use the facilities. Locating these facilities near other county public works departments has the potential to enhance efficiencies and county operations. The location currently being considered, outside of the city, has merit although a detailed building plan is yet to be presented. A courthouse located in Portage County's seat serves the public in an accessible and familiar manner. Keeping the courthouse downtown has my support and the support of those providing services.
Szehner: My district neighbors are sharing with me their concern of increased crime and the need to keep Portage County safe. It is my understanding that there has been an agreed upon compromise proposal to provide for the continued use of the existing courthouse, with the construction of a new county jail/justice center located outside downtown Stevens Point, which for the various reasons having been considered, appears to be a good solution to move Portage County forward. There are many issues which need to be assessed during the planning process, as well as the financial responsibility to be undertaken.
In 2022, Portage County residents approved a referendum to build a new Portage County Health Care Center. Due to a variety of concerns and issues that has not yet happened. What would you like to see happen with the county-owned Health Care Center?
Oehlke: The future of the county-owned Health Care Center is complex, requiring both rational and emotional examination on how we take action. The two previous referendums to fund a new facility failed to move forward, and voters who support a county-owned facility are asking to be heard. A fall election referendum would offer voters this opportunity.
Szehner: Recently, the Portage County Board voted against an April referendum to further exceed the state-imposed property tax levy limits by $3.5 million for the PCHCC, which is an addition to the existing $4.5 million that had been approved previously, for a total of $8 million. At the time, County Executive Pavelski reported that he is diligently working toward a resolution on this matter, which includes a possible sale. There now appears to be a formal proposal being advanced. As with any business venture, there are pros and cons which need to be considered for all the stakeholders involved.
Clean drinking water is a top concern for many in the county. If elected, how would you work to ensure safe drinking water for all residents?
Oehlke: Clean water must be recognized as a priority and a call for action to protect our environment. Rural and urban constituents must find common ground by working in tandem and across the aisle. We have local resources and subject matter experts who collectively have the means to manage and evaluate our groundwater challenges. These stakeholders include the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, UW-Extension, Land and Water Conversation Division and local agriculture. Engaging these stakeholders in join-up thinking is an essential element for ensuring clean water for all residents.
Szehner: Everyone in Portage County can agree that all residents should have clean drinking water. Portage County has been a partner in providing financial assets while addressing water issues within the county. I believe it is important to review and work toward effective solutions regarding both the source and the treatment of water issues in Portage County. I believe this process is currently being addressed on multiple levels, including the installation of individual reverse osmosis filtration systems and by the gathering of ongoing data from the monitoring wells. I will champion working together to provide safe water sources throughout Portage County.
More local news: Portage County Board 'pumps the brakes' on Health Care Center sale and sends purchase offer back to committees
More local news: Portage County Board gives approval to purchase Plover land for possible new jail and justice center
Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA-TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Reach him at epfantz@gannett.com or connect with him on X (formerly Twitter) @ErikPfantz.
This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: April 2024 election: Portage County Board District 17 candidates
