DELAVAN TOWNSHIP-Five candidates are running for two positions on the Delavan Town Board.
The Janesville Gazette asked each candidate two questions about why they're running.
What is the biggest issue facing the town board?
Kay Franzen: "The biggest issue is development. I am very concerned about uncontrolled development. I think we need to promote managed growth. I think when developers come in, they need to comply with our regulations and our master plan rather than dictating to us what they want us to do.
"I think when we do develop properties, we need to be very cautious about our natural resources and what we need to do to protect our lake and the surrounding wetlands and farmlands."
Dick Hummel: "The biggest issue is the Sho-Deen development. First off, Sho-Deen should be abiding by all county regulations on lot sizes. At present they want to come in with a lot of substantially sized lots. I think they should develop the land that they have that's already zoned residential instead of getting the whole 2,000 acres developed. They should do the first two and show the town they deserve to make the entire thing residential."
Larry Malsch: "Incorporation, and of course Sho-Deen. We've already formed a committee looking into the feasibility of going ahead with incorporation. It would make most of the town into the village of Delavan. Right now we're gathering information and looking at feasibility."
Dolores Nowak: "Of course, Sho-Deen. But there are other things too. We're talking about incorporation and a major plan for community-the overall plan of what we expect over next 20 years. Sho-Deen will play into that. We're hiring a town administrator. As the chairwoman of the administrative committee, I'm working as fast as I can to get this done.
"There's a lot of things going on in the town."
Jim Wolfgram: "There's been a lot of work put in to a master plan and millions spent on the lake to support tourism. We've been lucky preserving the amount of agricultural land we have. There's a very delicate balance with nature. There's been trumpeter swans and an eagle spotted recently. We have to be very careful to protect and preserve what we have, so we don't deplete the nice area that we have."
Why do you think you're the best candidate for the job?
Franzen: "I'm very organized and focused. I would like to see my community stay much as it is and grow slowly so we can keep a handle on everything. Being a native, I'd hate to see it turn into a city landscape. I like the country and the peace and quiet that we have now."
Hummel: "I think I am the best candidate for job. I was on the board for six years. I've been a lifelong resident of the town. I feel that I am the choice of the people. I am for everybody, not a few. I am for the betterment of the whole town."
Malsch: "I have the experience of over 32 years of municipal employment. This is my eighth year as an elected official. I was born and raised in this area. I've lived here my whole life, except when I was away in the military or on educational opportunities."
Nowak: "I believe in researching everything I do. I just don't go jumping in. You have to get both sides of it. I've tried all along to get people tell me what they think. That's how I operate.
"I think I've done my homework and I'm ready to work. I'm there. I've got the time. I can choose what I want to do, and this is what I want to do."
Wolfgram: "I always gave the town of Delavan over 100 percent as an employee. I would like to continue to do that as an elected official. I think my track record shows that. I would like to use that record to carry on into the future."
