LETTER: Chairman’s letter a ‘startling’ attempt to influence election

To Ozaukee Press:

To people who care about the balance of power in the Town of Grafton, there has been a startling attempt to influence our election for town supervisors. With a letter sent to all Town of Grafton voters, Town Chairman Lester Bartel is trying to hand pick two supervisors, not for the betterment of the town, but for his own need to control the town.

The two candidates were picked by Bartel. Jeff Thoma was appointed by him to fill a vacant seat. Mary Gosewehr was appointed by him to serve on the Library Board and Bartel and Supr. Karron Stockwell encouraged her to run for a supervisor seat.

Thoma really showed his cards in a recent letter to the editor when he stated that the camaraderie of the Town Board makes serving on the board enjoyable because there are no personal agendas that could cause discord. This very idea undermines the purpose of having a board when there is no discussion or opposing viewpoints.

Serving on the board comes with the responsibility to make tough calls and not be a yes man. That is what leadership looks like.

Bartel’s letter is a desperate Hail Mary to keep things as they are and not have to hear new voices in the town. Supervisor candidates Kelsey Ward and Nick Offerman are good people who have the best interests of the town in mind.

Dan Vogel

Town of Grafton

The letter writer is a member of the Town of Grafton Plan Commission and the Ozaukee County Board.