The following candidates have recently announced their election bids for the Portage County Board of Supervisors. Nomination papers are due Tuesday, Jan. 6.
District 18 Supervisor Melvin Steinke has announced he will not seek re-election due to health concerns.
Bob Woehr, District 1
Bob Woehr, District 1, has announced his re-election bid for the Portage County Board of Supervisors.
Woehr, 64, has served on the County Board since 2001.
He has served on the city of Stevens Point Zoning Board of Appeals since 1997 and the city of Stevens Point Board of Review since 1998, currently as its chairman.
"The Portage County Board of Supervisors, as well as other local elected officials, have had to deal with many difficult issues recently," Woehr said. "Issues such as the state's multi-billion dollar budget deficit and the impact it will have on local budgets, the continuing debate and lawsuits surrounding the 'Market Place' proposals, relocation of Highway 10 and the structure of county government in the future have caused a considerable amount of debate."
Woehr attended the State University of New York-Brockport from 1957-1958 and served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1988, retiring as a sergeant major while concurrently holding a reserve commission as a major. He then worked at the Portage County Sheriff's Department for 10-1/2 years as a jail officer.
"During my relatively short (compared to some members) membership on the County Board, I have attempted to 'do my homework' on the issues, and then have cast my vote based upon facts and what I feel is best for the residents of the district, and ultimately best for all residents of the county," he said.
Woehr holds life memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans and Wisconsin Professional Police Association. He serves on the board of directors of the Central Wisconsin Habitat for Humanity and is a volunteer caseworker with the Portage County Chapter of the American Red Cross. He lists no political party affiliation.
"I attempt to approach all issues with an open mind, and maintain an attitude that there is always a better way of conducting the county's business," he said. "The challenge for elected officials is to find the best way and then, if appropriate, implement necessary changes."
Woehr and his wife, Hilde, live at 727 Second St., Stevens Point, and have three children. He has lived in the district for 20 years.
James E. Clark, District 7
James E. Clark, District 7, has announced his re-election bid for the Portage County Board of Supervisors.
Clark, 68, has served on the County Board since 1982. He is retired. He is chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, vice chairman of the Law Enforcement/Emergency Management Committee, chairman of the Long Term Care Committee and a member of the Personnel Committee.
He earned bachelor's and master's of arts degrees while attending the University of Michigan from 1953 to 1958.
Clark lists no political party affiliation.
He and his wife, Noni, live at 3016 Center St., Stevens Point, and have seven children. He has lived in the district for 36 years.
David A. Medin, District 9
David A. Medin has announced he will challenge incumbent Eugene Szymkowiak for the District 9 supervisor's seat on the Portage County Board of Supervisors.
Medin, 57, is the owner of Medin Soil Testing and Plumbing Design. He served on the County Board from 1984 to 1992. He served as county zoning administrator/sanitarian from 1972 to 1975 and Stevens Point community development director from 1976 to 1983.
"I, my wife, Lou Ann, and our grown children have for 26 years enjoyed our fine neighborhoods on both sides of the Wisconsin River near the downtown," Medin said. "It's time for county government to again earn the trust of our citizens by making open and upright planning and development decisions."
Medin earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1968 and a master's of public health degree from the University of Minnesota in 1972. He has served on the county Health and Human Services Board since 1992. He is a member of the Restorative Community Justice Planning Project and Huber Facility Risk Assessment Work Group. He lists no political party affiliation.
"I want to generate awareness by all Portage County residents, and particularly those in the 9th District, of general county services, county management issues and neighborhood issues, like county building expansion near the downtown," he said.
He and his wife, Lou Ann, live at 2101 West River Drive, Stevens Point, and have three children. He has lived in the district for 26 years.
James Gifford, District 14
James Gifford, District 14, has announced his re-election bid for the Portage County Board of Supervisors.
Gifford, 60, has served on the board since 1990. He is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he is chairman of the mathematics and computing department. He has served as chairman of the village of Plover Water Quality Committee since 1995.
"The next County Board will face a series of difficult decisions - the need for a county administrator, the Highway 10-Interstate 39 retail development project and budgetary problems due in large part to shrinking state revenue sharing," Gifford said. "I believe my years of service on the Finance, Personnel and Executive/Operations committees position me well to address these issues."
Gifford received a bachelor's of arts degree in English literature from Northwestern University in 1965, a master's of arts degree in English literature from Indiana University in 1967 and a doctorate, also in English literature, from the University of California-Riverside. He received a master's in science degree in computer science education from the University of Evansville (Indiana) in 1987.
He lists no political party affiliation.
"If re-elected, it is my desire to keep tax increases to a minimum while maintaining county services at necessary levels," he said.
He and his wife, Barbara, live at 2421 Rainbow Drive, Plover, and have three children. He has lived in the district for 28 years.
Lonnie Krogwold, District 20
Lonnie Krogwold, District 20, has announced his re-election bid for the Portage County Board of Supervisors.
Krogwold, 59, is self-employed.
He is chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Health and Human Services Committee, Portage County Business Council, Land Records Committee, Portage County Business Park Committee and Capital Projects Committee.
Krogwold is a 1962 graduate of Amherst High School and a 1966 graduate of Northland College in Ashland. He is a member of the Tomorrow River Lions Club, Amherst Portage County Fair Association and Peace Lutheran Church. He lists no political party affiliation.
He and his wife, Jo, live at 4997 Highway A, Amherst, and have two children. He has lived in the district all of his adult life.
James Zdroik, District 23
James Zdroik, District 23, has announced his re-election bid for the Portage County Board of Supervisors. Zdroik, 45, is employed at the Copps/Roundy's grocery warehouse. He is vice president of the Rosholt School Board.
"I have called central Wisconsin home my entire life," Zdroik said. "Much of my free time has been spent in public service in order that the quality of life in our area might improve."
Zdroik is a graduate of Rosholt High School. He lists no political party affiliation.
"As of late, central Wisconsin has seen a decline in the number of jobs," Zdroik said. "During my next term I would like to see all levels of public servants focus on bringing new companies and jobs to central Wisconsin. During the next election on April 6, I would appreciate your vote in order to return some prosperity to central Wisconsin."
He and his wife, JoAnn, live at 2981 N. Lakeview Road, Rosholt, and have three children. He is a lifetime resident of the district.
Leif Erickson, District 28
Leif Erickson, District 28, has announced his re-election bid for the Portage County Board of Supervisors.
Erickson, 55, has served on the County Board for 18 years.
He is employed by Stora Enso North America as a material handler.
He and his wife, Mary, live at 2501 Highway O, Junction City, and have four children. He has lived in the district for 55 years.
Wally Zywicki, District 29
Wally Zywicki, District 29, has announced he will seek election to a full term on the Portage County Board of Supervisors. Zywicki was appointed to the County Board in 2003 following the death of District 29 Supervisor and County Board Chairman Clarence Hintz.
Zywicki, 54, is semi-retired, and has served as chairman of the town of Carson since 1987. He is a member of the county's Solid Waste Management Board and Judicial and General Government Committee.
"I will focus my candidacy on having Portage County provide services of benefit for the residents, mainly public health and safety," Zywicki said. "I will also be listening to constituents and will try to get their requests heard on the County Board floor."
Zywicki is a 1967 graduate of P.J. Jacobs High School. He received a supervisory certificate from Mid-State Technical College in 1996 and an advanced supervisory management certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2000.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971 as a sergeant, including a tour of duty in Vietnam from November 1969 to October 1970.
Zywicki is a member of Amvets Post 1051, Elks Lodge 641, Moose Lodge 1572 and Knights of Columbus 1170. He lists no political party affiliation.
He and his wife, Kathy, live at 3156 Woods Road, Junction City, and have two children. He has lived in the district for 25 years.