Oconomowoc Focus Feature

Recently I was asked  by the Oconomowoc Focus to answer a few question pertaining to the up coming primary election February 18th. Here is my response.

<OF>

Ashippun officials voted to increase the size of the Town Board. What do you think the town will gain with a bigger board? 

<DA>

Actually, the town board did not vote to increase the board to 5 members. It was a subject that was brought to the board’s attention during the annual town meeting, and voted on by the town’s people. I feel that Ashippun could benefit by having the five man board because it will add 2 more fresh perspectives and different professional experiences on some of the issues that face our town today. A new infusion of different personalities and fresh perspectives, can often times breathe new life into old projects and issues.

<OF>

Do you feel Ashippun residents are informed enough about town issues? How would you improve on that?

<DA>

I have been to many of the town board meetings over the years and I find them well attended. As a whole our town’s people care very much about what happens in their town and most of them get their information from coming to the town meetings.  Our current board does a great job in having meetings to keep our town informed. A great example of that would be the meeting we had a few months ago at our Fire Department.  Our Fire Department heads and Board did a great job in putting together an informational meeting about the growing heroin problem confronting us all in our back yards, what we should be looking for, where the problem comes from and how people become addicts. Our local law enforcement came with information and an emergency Dr. from Oconomowoc Memorial came to talk about drugs and how people become addicts.  The meeting was widely attended and very informational.

The current sitting chairman, Mr. Steve Panazzo has done a great job adding new avenues for people to get information. We have the town website that is managed on a weekly basis.  The town chair also has his own blog that he keeps up to date. Dan Vander Molen the town’s highway department supervisor also has his own blog site. Not everyone in town has knowledge of these things or even has internet connection.  We are actively seeking broad band solutions to bring it into the areas that are without these services.

As for making improvements, for those residents that do live in the area’s that don’t have computer access, nor can they make it in for every meeting; I might suggest mailing out on a quarterly or semiannual basis, newsletters with updates.  People can also check the town bulletin boards at the recycling center and at the town hall.  All in all, I feel that our town does a great job in getting information out to its residents.  If elected, I would make every effort to be available to any one if they needed information or help. I currently have my own website / blog www.adkins4supervisior.com which I will continue to use if elected.

 <OF>

What is the main reason you're running for supervisor?

 <DA>

 I have been the town’s park and visionary director for a year now. I have enjoyed meeting and working with the people of Ashippun. One of the dynamic aspects of our great nation is that “we the people” can elect those to represent us.  I would consider it an honor to represent this town and the people in it. If elected I would like to work with everyone in Ashippun to seek viable solutions to the issues in our community while continuing to watch it grow.