Sheboygan County Board districts 2 & 3 candidates introduce themselves ahead of election

SHEBOYGAN — Out of the 25 Sheboygan County Board supervisor position up for election in April, only four are contested.

Candidates running for election in District 2 are incumbent Paul Gruber and challenger Travis Gross. The District 3 candidates are incumbent Kathleen Donovan and challenger Isabel Rivera.

Sheboygan Press asks candidates in contested races questions to introduce themselves and their campaign ahead of elections. The answers from supervisor candidates in districts 2 and 3 are below. Their answers have been lightly edited for grammar and style.

Districts 12 and 20 are the other supervisor seats with a contested race this spring. Those candidate answers were published earlier.

A map of district lines and what wards fall under each supervisor is available on the Sheboygan County website.

When elected, county supervisors serve two-year terms and work to approve county budgets, pass laws, establish programs in the county and more.

Districts 12 and 20 candidates: Sheboygan County board candidates in district 12 and 20 share their views ahead of the April 2 election

District 2 candidates

Name: Paul Gruber

Age: 80

Occupation: Dentist

Education: I earned a DDS from Marquette University School of Dentistry

Experience: I have spent six years on the Sheboygan County Board representing the City of Sheboygan wards 3 and 4. I have served on the Law Committee (vice chairman) and Planning Committee.

Why are you running for office? To continue to grow a government unit that excels as a leader amongst other cities and counties.

What makes you the best candidate? As a former U.S. Air Force officer, board member and president of many professional, civic, business and philanthropic organizations, I can help Sheboygan County.

What is the most important issue you want to address? Keep Sheboygan’s judicial system efficient, caring and effective.

Continue to keep our tax rate low. Further improve our roads, bridges and airport. Maintain our 5 Star rating at our Rocky Knoll Care Center.

How would you approach addressing the above-mentioned issue? Continue monitoring the justice system, maintain our taxing process, keeping our new highway department head supported, and supporting our staff in a best methods approach at Rocky Knoll Care Center.

Name: Travis Gross

Age: 53

Occupation: Consultant

Education: Bachelor of Science in history/geography from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. I also hold a secondary education certification in broadfield social sciences from Lakeland College (University)

Experience: Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast Sanctuary Advisory Council member; History/Heritage/Public Interpretation; past president of the Wisconsin Council for Local History – Wisconsin Historical Society; past East-Central Region Representative – Wisconsin Council for Local History; past president of City of Sheboygan Historic Preservation Commission; past board member of Sheboygan Neighborhood Pride; board member of other area organizations

Why are you running for office? I am running because I believe I can be an unbiased voice in issues that affect Sheboygan County. Having served as the executive director of the Sheboygan County Museum for 11 years, I have a unique perspective of our county and working within it. This experience has put me in contact with the county staff on the ground, county committees, department directors and the county administrator, which will help me make thoughtful and meaningful decisions that affect the people of Sheboygan County. As a historian, I use my knowledge of the past to drive our community to a better future.

What makes you the best candidate? My ability to use the past to make a brighter future. Civic leaders must realize that time is constantly moving forward, it is our responsibility to make sure our government is moving with it. I believe we should focus on how we make a better tomorrow for those who follow us. If we do not push forward, we are not improving. But we do also have to focus on the current. Understanding how our community has gotten to this point helps me make decisions that best serve us now. We make the county great by looking to the future.

What is the most important issue you want to address? There are several, but one I have experienced is making sure every department is fully staffed to achieve their goals. We need to make jobs within the county attractive to potential employees. If employees feel their actions and ideas are being respected, the quality of work increases and pride in their occupation increases. I would like to be involved in discussions on how we retain and attract quality employees. This would allow department directors more time to focus on managing and making progress within their department. If we respect and encourage employees, their actions will reflect positively on the county.

How would you approach addressing the above-mentioned issue? I would meet with employees and department directors to gain a better understanding of the issues they face. I would like to meet with the Human Resources director and committee to find out where we can make improvements and find methods that would make working for the county attractive. I would review compensation packages and work to find ways to improve compensation and work to find additional funding to support possible increases. I would regularly meet with county staff and leaders to stay ahead of any issues that may cause employees to seek other employment. Happy employees are long-term employees.

District 3 candidates

Name: Kathleen Donovan

Age: 56

Occupation: Educator at Bookworm Gardens, Sheboygan

Education: Bachelor of arts degree, California State University, Sonoma

Experience: I am the county board supervisor for District 3, appointed in December 2021 and elected in April 2022. I currently serve as the vice chair of the Finance Committee and am a member of the Human Resources Committee. Since moving here in 2014, I have volunteered with Mead Library and as a Big Brothers/Big Sisters Lunch Buddy at Grant Elementary School. I am currently serving as a Deacon at First Congregational Church, Sheboygan, and as a member of the League of Women Voters and the AAUW. I also have over 10 years of experience in the construction industry.

Why are you running for office? Because of COVID, my husband and I volunteered to serve as poll workers during the 2020 elections (and have done so for every election since). In 2021, I was approached by a neighbor about filling this vacant position and it seemed like the next step in performing my civic duty. I was selected from five other applicants and then defeated two other challengers to be elected in 2022. After watching the disfunction of Washington and Madison, I remain committed to keeping partisan politics out of Sheboygan County government and working together to make Sheboygan County better for everyone.

What makes you the best candidate? I understand the value of working together in a non-partisan way to achieve the county’s goals of delivering services and programs while being fiscally responsible. There are some who wish to bring national agendas into Sheboygan County government. We’ve seen this in other counties, and it only works when you are reflecting the will of a significantly large majority. I’ve attended workshops with supervisors from other purple Wisconsin counties and they envy us here in Sheboygan! And I work hard for my neighbors — I’ve attended 100% of the committee and board meetings since assuming this position in 2021.

What is the most important issue you want to address? I believe completing the transition of the senior staff (county administrator and the directors of both the Finance and Human Resources departments) is of the highest importance. All three positions were filled in 2023. When flying on a plane, we are instructed to put on our own mask first before helping others. Likewise, we must ensure the county staff’s senior leadership and the Human Resources and Finance functions are working smoothly: the county has 850 employees, 200 programs and services, and a 2024 annual budget of $192 million. Without the right staff, programs fail.

How would you approach addressing the above-mentioned issue? As vice chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Human Resources Committee, I’m proud to have helped lead the process to replace these key leaders. Now our job is to provide them with the tools and resources they need to fulfill their objectives. Committees provide our county departments with oversight and direction, but make no mistake: it’s our county employees who do the heavy lifting. Our 2024 priorities include upgrades for Rocky Knoll Health Care Center, child welfare and behavioral health services, and staffing for the Sherriff’s Department. Achieving these objectives will be my focus.

Name: Isabel Rivera

Isabel Rivera did not answer the Sheboygan Press’s questions. On Feb. 27, she answered a text confirming she received the questions. The Press has attempted to reach her multiple times to ensure she has a chance to introduce herself in this story. If her answers are received, this story will be updated to include them.

Have a story tip or public interest concern? Contact Sam Bailey at sgbailey@gannett.com or 573-256-9937. To stay up to date on her stories and other news, follow her on X (Twitter) @SamarahBailey.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan County Board candidates in districts 2 and 3 share views