Eric Olson and Ray Reser will compete for the office of Portage County executive in the April 7 election.
Portage County executives serve four-year terms. Current Executive John Pavelski filed a notice of non-candidacy in the race.
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The Stevens Point Journal asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the district and why they are running for the position.
Eric Olson
Municipal residence: City of Stevens Point
Age: 53
Occupation and education: Director of Extension Lakes at UW-Stevens Point. I have a bachelor’s degree in urban forestry and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning.
Relevant experience: For 16 years I have led the Extension Lakes office, which entails hiring and supervising staff, managing an annual budget and working with county and local government to interpret state statutes related to government finance and operations.
Campaign website/Facebook page: www.olsonforportageco.com
Ray Reser
Municipal residence: Town of New Hope
Age: 70
Occupation and education: County Board chair, Town supervisor. I hold a Ph.D. in the geosciences
Relevant experience: I have served two terms on the Portage County Board, was elected County Board chair and served concurrently as Portage County executive during a medical emergency. I have also served on the County Board of Adjustment and on multiple county and town planning and review committees, in addition to volunteer consulting positions for both the county and local law enforcement. I worked in the trades as a union laborer, a journeyman carpenter and taught the state apprenticeship program at NorthCentral Technical College.
Campaign website/Facebook page: www.reserforportagecounty.com and Reser for Portage County Executive on Facebook
Why are you running for office?
Olson: I’m running because I believe strong, accountable county leadership matters. The next county executive will play a critical role in protecting what makes our county a great place to live, while helping us build a better future together. I have worked in public service for over 30 years and understand how government decisions can affect people across our community, from farmers and small businesses to families and seniors. I want to leverage my background, experiences and community connections to defend and advance the public good in Portage County.
Reser: In brief, Portage County both requires and deserves proven leadership and vision. My experience working cooperatively with an often-divided County Board as both board chair and county executive provide equally critical skill sets for maintaining functional and forward-moving county operations, capital projects and financial planning. Experience in the county executive position is critical to seamless and qualified oversight of our $142 million budget and supervision of 650 county employees. I bring that direct and successful background to the table. I am running with that proven experience as well as public and institutional trust across the county and beyond.
What makes you the better candidate in this race?
Olson: I have the training and professional background the executive position requires. My experience includes managing government budgets, supervising public employees and applying state law to local government. I have brought people together to resolve differences and identify practical solutions to complex problems. I am also the candidate who actually wants to do this job and keep the county executive role. My opponent wants to eliminate the position in favor of hiring a county administrator who reports to the County Board chair. I believe this position should remain elected, so power stays where it belongs: with the voters.
Reser: A proven record of moving county projects forward that have been stalled for years. A demonstrated work ethic that Portage County deserves in leadership. A thoughtful approach to understanding and tackling difficult issues, and the ability to reach across any aisle to unite decision-makers and make meaningful progress for all residents of Portage County. A long background in the trades, science and farming, combined with a deep knowledge and pride of Portage County’s environment and resources, both natural and human. But perhaps most important, the ability to work cooperatively and effectively as a non-partisan leader.
What is the most pressing issue facing Portage County, and how would you address it?
Olson: We’re seeing a growing cynicism in the county about democracy and voting. People voted to save the Portage County Health Care Center twice, but county leadership sold it anyway. People did not vote to build a $150 million jail and law enforcement center, but county leadership is making that happen anyway. People voted to create the county executive, but my opponent wants to eliminate it. Our democracy is based on the concept that people’s votes mean something; they matter. We need new leaders who respect the voters.
Reser: Counties are unique and complex. There is no single challenge I can pull out without doing disservice to others of equal concern. As a start, Portage County will likely be facing significant shortfalls in state and federal funding for services across multiple departments. We will still need to balance that loss while providing the maximum services. We have critical groundwater contamination issues that are costing municipalities millions in treatment while leaving private well owners with no adequate resources. We are facing an increase in taxes to cover mandated infrastructure projects we have delayed for too long.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues and how would you address them?
Olson: Residents are concerned about the cost of living, particularly housing and property taxes. There are people who grew up in Portage County, went to UW-Stevens Point, landed a good job here, but are priced out of our housing market so they buy in Wood County. We need to support efforts like the Portage County Community Land Trust and Habitat for Humanity to create more affordable housing options. We can also create county initiatives modeled on Stevens Point’s home maintenance and loan programs, implementing them in places like Rosholt and Junction City so that more people can stay in their homes long term.
Reser: Residents are worried about increased taxes, potential loss of critical services due to decreased funding, water-related issues, federal interference in local policing and affordable housing. All these issues need to be approached in measured, pragmatic and thoughtful ways that reflect our recently vetted and approved county core values and mission. In a time of deep division, we need unity and mutual respect across local government, to act together as a county, for the county. I have built that trust and created that consensus. I will address these issues by continuing to build cooperation on realistic achievable goals and fostering support for those goals.
How will you balance providing essential services with rising concerns of affordability and cost of living?
Olson: We should be more price-conscious regarding major capital projects so that we aren’t forced to hold the line on taxes by reducing public services that contribute to our quality of life. The plan that the current executive and board chair developed is arguably the most expensive and disruptive course. We could build a new four-courtroom courthouse as an addition to the Courthouse Annex for less money and with fewer complications. A similar courthouse addition is under construction right now in Pierce County and is costing significantly less than what is proposed for Portage County.
Reser: Portage County isn’t alone in these challenges; all counties are struggling with current levy cap limitations and the transfer of funding for services from the state to counties. I will work with legislators in Madison to lift this cap and loosen restrictions that currently hinder funding of education, infrastructure expansion and business attraction, along with lobbying to increase shared revenue under Act 12 to offset local costs.
How will you work with the County Board to identify viable solutions to long-standing issues in the county?
Olson: The role of the county executive is to support and manage staff and to present an annual budget. The County Board’s role is to set policy and vote on the annual budget. I applaud the current board chair for providing training that reinforces board members’ legislative responsibilities and how they differ from the executive’s role. Opportunities exist within this current structure to find viable, durable solutions through communication that focuses on identifying shared interests and creating pathways for mutual gain. My role as county executive will be to ensure a true county-wide perspective in these deliberations and decisions.
Reser: In a word, with leadership. I have successfully worked with the County Board to address some of the longest-delayed capital improvement projects and address environmental concerns that have plagued the county for decades. That type of success doesn’t happen by chance, it takes a concerted and honest effort to work across boundaries, parties and perceptions of what Portage County needs today and into the future. Building that working relationship between the County Board and the county executive’s office has long been a challenge in the county, but we have that relationship now, and I will continue to work cooperatively to ensure that progress carries through.
Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Meet the 2 candidates vying for the Portage County executive office
Reporting by Erik Pfantz, Stevens Point Journal / Stevens Point Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
