Two Village Board veterans won’t run again

Two longtime Grafton trustees, Amy Luft and Lisa Uribe Harbeck, are not seeking re-election in April.

The two women, who between them have served on the Village Board for 22 years, filed noncandidacy papers with the village before the Dec. 26 deadline.

Uribe Harbeck, who has been on the board since 2010, said that while it’s been rewarding at times, “it has also been frustrating due to the continued lack of transparency in how some decisions are made.”

She said she disagreed with Village President Dan Delorit’s handling of several issues, saying he negotiated agreements with other communities on issues such as  the amount of money owed the Town of Grafton when the joint library agreement was dissolved and funding for  the Ozaukee Central Fire Department.

She also criticized Delorit — who she unsuccessfully challenged for village president last year — for injecting partisan politics into local elections by obtaining endorsements from the county Republican Party and Ozaukee Patriots.

“Partisan politics have never played, nor should play, any role in local elections,” she said in a statement.

She also said she was disappointed in the way Delorit treats those who disagree with him.

“Whether a fellow member of the Village Board or a citizen who comes to speak at a meeting, everyone deserves respect and a fair opportunity to be heard,” she wrote.

  Luft, who has been a trustee for six years, said she has loved her time on the Village Board and being an advocate for her constituents, but she is equally committed to the American Legion Auxiliary.

“My passion is really working with veterans,” Luft said. “I am going to be running for state president for the American Legion Auxiliary.”

While that job is only for one year, she said, she wants to be able to fully devote herself to that post if elected.

“I just really want to be able to do a good job,” she said, noting the election for president will be in late spring. “I’ve worked really hard to get to this point.”

During her time with the village, she said, “I’ve learned a lot, but I think it’s time for someone with new eyes and fresh ideas.”

Any village resident who wants to fill the seats held by Luft and Uribe Harbeck, as well as Trustee Andrew Schwartz, who is also up for election in April, may submit nomination papers for the posts. 

Anyone interested in running for the seats may contact the Grafton village clerk at (262) 375-5300 for more information.

Nomination papers must be turned in by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6. If more than two people sign up for any one seat, a primary election will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

The general election will be held on Tuesday, April 7.