Janik topples Leider in race for top town seat

Longtime Town of Fredonia Supr. Chris Janik unseated incumbent Chairman Lance Leider in Tuesday’s election.

“I want to thank everyone who supported the campaign,” Janik said. “It was humbling to see that many people were behind me to put me in the chair.”

Newcomers Steven Jentges and Robert Eichner earned places on the Town Board, beating Jenny Strohmeyer and incumbent Supr. Matthew Miller.

Janik beat Leider 532 to 435 votes, according to preliminary results released by the Ozaukee County Clerk’s Office. Jentges received 561 votes; Eichner, 398; Miller, 333; and Strohmeyer, 201.

A dividing factor for candidates in the election was the potential restoration of a liquor license to Little Kohler Haus owner David Cook, who lost it after missing a renewal deadline.

He was later charged in Ozaukee County Circuit Court with continuing to serve alcohol without a license, a charge he pleaded guilty to.

Jentges and Eichner have signaled support for restoring his license.

Jentges, who lives near the bar, said crowds can sometimes get loud, acknowledging previous issues between Cook and the town, but argued that if the bar remains closed, it will likely become just another abandoned building filled with cats and junk cars.

“Do I think some of the things that happen there could go differently? Yes,” he said. “But, I don’t hate the place. I used to go there all of the time.”

Eichner has offered a similar opinion.

“There was a reason to deny it. There were concerns that needed to be addressed,” he said. “From what I have heard at the meetings I’ve attended, those concerns are addressed or are being addressed.”

Janik said he would be open to hearing future application requests as they come up.

Eichner has called for improved long-term planning on the board.

He’s given the example of how the Town Board chooses which road projects to complete, a process he said is generally done on a year-by-year basis instead of according to a multi-year plan.

Janik said he wants to foster an open environment for discussion and disagreement on the Town Board.

  “I will try to get everyone to get all of their issues out on the table. We are all here to represent people in the town the best way possible,” he said.

  Janik has said he supports measured residential growth in the town to add to the tax base and keep up with rising expenses.

  However, he said, any changes to the town’s land use map would involve residents’ input.

   “I think growth is going to be something we need to at least address,” he said.

Janik said he is behind the Waubeka Fire Department as long as it is able to adequately serve the town.

“If they are capable of providing services, they are our guys,” he said.