Incumbents John Hansen and Sue Rego and challengers Dylan DeWitt and Amber McElhose will compete for three spots April 4 on the Ontario Village Board. Also, Mike Parr will run unopposed for board president. Hansen, Rego and McElhose supplied the following replies to the County Line’s questions. The County Line’s attempts to reach DeWitt were unsuccessful.
INCUMBENT JOHN HANSEN
What prompted your decision to seek a village board position?
I was approached by the committee to fill a trustee position several years ago. I decided I could be of service to the community by helping as a board member.
What do you see as the role and duties of a village board member?
Board members must be able to make decisions that are the best for all community members. We must also be able to keep the village finances in a favorable state.
What do you see as Ontario’s strengths? What are its weaknesses?
Strengths: community members care about the community and are willing to listen to others, and in general want to get along with each other.
Weaknesses: Lack of business, which include grocery, medical and other services.
What strengths do you bring to the board?
I have the experience of being on the board for the last six years and have four years on the financial committee. I also feel I can make decisions for the village that help as many people as possible and those decisions lead to improvements.
Could you us some biographical information; e.g., other local government/civic experience, family, work, amount of time lived in the village, etc.?
I have lived in Ontario for 17 years and have worked at the local school district for the past 25 years as a coach and a teacher. My wife has lived in/near Ontario all her life, and we have four children. I have served as union president for the teachers union and have been on numerous committees at school and in the village.
CHALLENGER AMBER McELHOSE
What prompted your decision to seek a village board position?
Calling Ontario home for over 15 years, I’ve seen the resilience and commitment of the residents to the village. I see the village board as an opportunity to serve my friends and neighbors in a higher capacity.
What do you see as the role and duties of a village board member?
Village board members should serve to represent the best interests of the village and its residents through management of finances, transportation, and public services.
What do you see as Ontario’s strengths? What are its weaknesses?
Home to Wildcat Mountain State Park and the Kickapoo River, Ontario draws tourists from across the region. Our residents are welcoming, caring, and resilient.
Ontario would benefit greatly by drawing new businesses to town, stimulating growth, and overcoming the continuing challenges of rebuilding in the wake of natural disaster.
What strengths do you bring to the board?
I believe that my greatest assets are my passion and commitment. I am greatly rewarded by the opportunity to help those around me and feel that a service-driven attitude is key to success in this role.
Could you us some biographical information; e.g., other local government/civic experience, family, work, amount of time lived in the village, etc.?
My husband, Bill, and I are raising our two children, Katherine (15) and Christian (14), in Ontario. While Bill was raised here, I have called Ontario home only since 2006. I am employed full time at Organic Valley as a Business Systems Analyst and have grown within the company for 16 years. If elected, this will be my first experience serving in a civic role.
INCUMBENT SUE REGO
After 10 years on the Ontario Village Board, incumbent Sue Rego is seeking another term because she wants “to see Ontario go. We’re on the right path.”
She added, “We’ve worked very diligently the past five years to secure money for the future of Ontario,” citing the planned Taylor and the Church Street subdivisions.
Those subdivisions would not result in added taxpayer expense, Rego said, as money from grants, FEMA, the federal Community Development Block Grant program, Rural Development and the USDA would offset the costs.
“That is huge,” she said. “We are doing this without asking people to pay more on their taxes.”
She added, “I can’t wait to see them dig in and starting building. I’m excited. And I’m excited we got money secured for our new public restrooms and showers. That’s huge for Ontario.”
Rego thanked former U.S. Rep. Ron Kind for “going to bat for us” and obtaining a $1.6 million grant for Ontario.
She also referred to the village’s new pavilion at Garden and State streets as a recent success.
“You don’t know how many hoops we jumped through to get that pavilion. There were a lot of meetings to appease FEMA and DNR, and it took a lot to get that pavilion.”
Furthermore, Rego was pleased that the Ontario farmers market was going to expand this summer and include bingo, music and other activities. The event will be on the new pavilion.
Rego also said an enduring fondness for Ontario served as her motivation to serve on the village board. “My whole heart is in Ontario. Ontario is my life. I’ve from Ontario, born and raised a mile and half out of Ontario. I want to see us grow.”
Ontario’s strength is its “strong community commitment” and a willingness to help, she said, citing as an example the village’s July 4 celebration.
“People all around talk about our July 4 celebration.”
Besides attendance at regular board meetings, she sees her duties as doing research, touring facilities, and attending committee meetings — even if she is not a member.
“I try to look at all sides of a situation,” she said.
Rego is a member of the Ontario American Legion Auxiliary and the Ontario Community Club, plus she belongs to Grace Community Church.
