Challenger Missy Coldren and incumbent Jameel Evans will vie for the Wilton Village Board president spot April 4. Also, incumbents Lorrie Bever and Sid Thayer, along with challengers Cindy O’Rourke, Jen Wallman, Hank Erdman and Jennifer Thompson, will compete for three board spots. Coldren, Evans, Bever, Erdman and Thompson supplied the following replies to the County Line’s questions. The County Line’s attempts to reach O’Rourke and Thayer were unsuccessful.
Note: Due to a miscommunication, the County Line did not receive Wallman’s responses before its print deadline. Her profile is below, followed by the those for the other candidates.
CHALLENGER JENNIFER WALLMAN
1. What prompted your decision to seek a village board position?
What prompted my decision was the incident with the village pool the summer of 2022, and encouragement from other residents in the community. As I became more involved and started attending board meetings I began to see things taking place that I believe are not in the best interest of the village. I would like to take part in making a change.
2. What do you see as the role and duties of a village board member?
Every elected public official is a public servant. The board is there to represent the people and keep the everyday workings of Wilton up and running. The village board should actively pursue making sure things are looked at from all angles: e.g., facts, pros, cons and making decisions based on what is right (not just expedient) for the betterment of the entire village and all involved.
3. What do you see as Wilton’s strengths? What are its weaknesses?
We have a lot to offer as far as amenities to our residents and surrounding area. Lately it has been difficult to see the strengths. It seems WIlton used to be a thriving community that worked together, perhaps not so much in recent years. If we begin working with each other, emphasizing our common ground rather than that which could further divide us, we can turn things around and build up our community again.
4. What strengths do you bring to the board?
I will work with the community by listening to the concerns of others. Taking all things into consideration before arbitrarily making decisions is critical, and I would like to see more transparency between the board and the residents. I believe having all the facts before making a decision is imperative toward good leadership as well as learning to ask the right questions.
5. Could you us some biographical information; e.g., other local government/civic experience, family, work, amount of time lived in the village, etc.?
I’m a wife and mother. I have adult children, teenagers, and an elementary child. I have farmed and worked in agriculture and in business administration, and own a business. I have lived in three states and lived in Wilton for five years. I have experience homeschooling, have had children enrolled at Brookwood, and have a family member working in a local Wilton business. It is my desire to see this small community thrive.
CHALLENGER MISSY COLDREN (PRESIDENT)
I am running for the Village of Wilton President because this is the village in which I was raised and feel lucky to still call home, but I also feel that changes need to be made.
Our village needs to be fiscally planning for the future instead of spending for today. Our village board and president need to be transparent in the decisions made for the residents of the community. I don’t feel at this time we are being transparent or planning for the future with our spending.
The role of the village president in Wilton is to oversee the operations of the village. First and foremost, where are we spending our taxpayer money? Are our employees working within the scope of what they were hired for? Are we legally and ethically making decisions for the village? This position works hand in hand with the village board, and I hope if elected this can always be with open communication.
Wilton’s biggest strength is how well this town can come together in tough times, such as the flood of 2018, COVID in 2020, and the loss of village residents; the people of this town rally together and support one another wholeheartedly. This is not seen in all communities like it is Wilton. I would like to see that support for our local businesses and residents all the time instead of when times are tough.
Another strength we have in Wilton is a beautiful park to camp and a pool; these are two things that many small towns do not have and never will. I think we need to spend more time and effort promoting these two assets. Let’s make people come to Wilton because we have a great park and pool!
Wilton’s biggest weakness right now is the lack of transparency. Most village residents I have spoken with are confused about employees’ wages, the softball field cost, and the bills that are paid on a monthly basis. These questions need to be answered. The residents of the village are still unable to speak at board meetings. How are questions going to get answered if you can’t ask?
Another weakness I see is the lack of community involvement, but I also feel this is due to there being no transparency of what is being spent, why we are doing/why we are not doing certain projects, and questions to board members not being answered. After being ignored, people tend to just give up and not want to be involved. I think involving people in decisions that affect them will in turn make them want to be involved in community events and happenings.
I bring 12 years of governmental budgeting and finance experience. I currently manage my own budget for the department I supervise. I work with veterans, vendors, and employees on a daily basis, so I have the interpersonal skills to work well with the public. I have an open mind and appreciate what all people bring to the table. Some of the best ideas come from where you would least likely expect. I also possess the integrity to do what is right and not just nod my head in agreement even if I feel it is wrong. I can ask the tough questions. I also accept constructive criticism, as this is how we grow and become better leaders.
I have been blessed to call Wilton home, as I was raised here by my mom, Deb, just on the edge of the village. I bought my family home in 2015 and reside here with my son, Morgan, who recently turned 18 and will graduate in May. I’m not sure I’m ready for that!
I have worked at the Tomah VA for 23 ½ years. I took a leap into a new position a year ago as the Prosthetics Chief, and it has been very rewarding. Serving our nation’s veterans is the best job there is! Prior to taking on this new role, I work in the medical supply for 17 years, four of those as the supervisor.
I’m currently involved with the Wilton Sportsmen’s Club and Clifton Sportsmen’s Club. I stay involved and active with the Adaptive Recreation Program with my son.
Please remember to vote Tuesday, April 4! I’m ready for the challenge!
INCUMBENT JAMEEL EVANS (PRESIDENT)
My name is Jamie (Jameel) Evans candidate for president of the Village of Wilton. I was born in Tomah, Wis., and have been a lifelong resident of the village of Wilton for 50 years. My wife, Cori, and I have been married for 28 years and have two children, Colton and Kalab Evans. I currently work at Cardinal Glass and have been employed there for 30 years.
My transition from village trustee to village president took place in July 2022 after the resignation of our former village president. As most know, some turmoil occurred during this transitional time, and unfortunately some turmoil continues today during my presidency. I want to move forward from this negativity and inform village residences of my (and majority of our board members’) plans to keep this community moving forward, as we have some big projects on the horizon to improve our small village.
The first thing to address is our aging sewer treatment plant. This topic is sore subject for every small municipality like ours, as aging treatment plants are falling out of DNR compliance, and the cost of repairs/replacement becomes unbearable. During my time as president, we have worked to exhaust every grant opportunity available to offset the cost to the Wilton taxpayers. In taking advantage in these grant opportunities, we have received over $3.2 million to move forward in replacing our sewer treatment plant that we so desperately need. Being elected as your village president, I would like to continue to see this job get completed, as I have spent long hours working with our engineering firm to make sure this project happens with no glitches or added expenses.
One topic that has come into question is the improvements of the second baseball/softball diamond within the village. I have supported this project from the beginning and continue to support any project (within being fiscally responsible) involving recreational activities that would improve the lives for our local youth. Several other local municipalities in our area are already making multi-million-dollar investments into improving their baseball complexes. I feel this project will bring more tourism into our local economy and in turn give the students of Brookwood a ball diamond they can be proud to play on. With an estimated cost for these improvements coming in under $80,000, plus donated equipment and materials, we (as a village) do have the means to complete this project with no negative repercussions to our village’s taxpayers. I will say I did my due diligence first before voting for this project, and most community members I have directly spoken to about this project agree we should move forward.
I understand having the job as village president is no easy task and that I have big shoes to fill, as my late father Duane (Speed) Evans served in many roles within this village to include village president, village police officer, and Wilton Fire Chief. My father deeply cared about this community, and I hope to make some positive changes as he did if elected president.
So, let’s move forward together by improving the quality of life for those who live, work, and play in the Village of Wilton. I am a man who has been committed to all the things in his life. I have been committed to my family, committed to my employer of 30 years, and will remain committed, looking out for the village’s best interest, if elected village president.
INCUMBENT LORRIE BEVER
What prompted your decision to seek a village board position?
Several members of the community encouraged me to seek a village board position.
What do you see as the role and duties of a village board member?
Village board members must make decisions on budgets, ordinances and policies on behalf of the citizens of Wilton. These decisions must represent the interests of the residents and positively impact the good of the community.
What do you see as Wilton’s strengths? What are its weaknesses?
Wilton is a thriving community with offerings for people of all ages. The village park has a great camping area with lots of playground equipment, a swimming pool, and a ball field. The community center houses a library, a food pantry and a gym for various functions. We also have a well-trained fire department and ambulance service.
Martin’s Trucking and Warehousing provides employment for many people and generously supports many community activities.
Our biggest weakness is the hostility that is prevalent in so many areas of our village. Work needs to be done to create harmony among the people of Wilton.
What strengths do you bring to the board?
My goal is to become an active board member. I will listen to the people, question when necessary, and act on issues that will benefit the community.
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 and I moved to Janesville in 1968 and lived there for 38 years. He worked for General Motors, and I taught school. After moving back to Wilton, I volunteered to participate in several village organizations and activities.
• Library board president
• Food pantry coordinator
• Wilton Fest Committee
• Sold concessions at ball games and pancakes on Sunday
• Wilton Legion Auxiliary secretary
CHALLENGER HANK ERDMAN
Challenger Hank Erdman said he had been contemplating a village-board run for some time and had intended to do so last year, but a personal injury derailed his plans.
His motivation to seek a board seat he said, is, “It’s too narrow to say we need change, but we do,” adding that Wilton has an “injection of strong candidates on ballot this spring.”
“We need people to ask the what/where/why of situations in Wilton and get to the bottom and are willing to share that information with the community.”
He sees a board member’s role as not just maintaining the attractiveness of the village, but also working to improve it. To that end, the village needs a board consisting of people who “focus on financial awareness, monitor our debt ceiling, and work with local businesses to promote growth.”
Wilton’s strength is it’s an “absolutely beautiful community,” he said. A 16-year resident of the village, Erdman also mentioned village residents’ welcoming demeanor.
“A lot of great families go back generations and care for the next generation to come. Our strength is our people,” he said.
But at present, its weakness could be described in one word — “division,” he said.
Though it’s likely some level of conflict will always be present, the board needs to minimize that conflict by improving communication and offering more facts, Erdman said.
Responding to a question about his personal strengths, Erdman said he is organized, focused, plans to ask questions, is open to having discussions with the public.
Erdman works for Martin’s Warehousing and the Hitchin’ Post, a downtown tavern. He has three children.
CHALLENGER JENNIFER THOMPSON
What prompted your decision to seek a village board position?
I decided to run for a position on the board because I care about this town and its residents. I want to see it prosper and grow while being the friendly, close-knit community it has always been.
What do you see as the role and duties of a village board member?
• To listen to the residents and their concerns and needs
• To communicate with the board and residents about what is happening with village money, events, projects, etc. Be transparent.
• To be financially responsible with the village’s finances
• To promote local businesses and business growth
• To keep services and facilities updated and running
• To do the things that make Wilton a great place to live and visit
What do you see as Wilton’s strengths?
• Wilton is a beautiful little town
• Bike trail, swimming pool, campground, parks, library
• Great businesses and community groups
• Friendly residents
What strengths do you bring to the board?
• Community minded
• Care about this village
• Good listener
Could you us some biographical information; e.g., other local government/civic experience, family, work, amount of time lived in the village, etc.?
• Am a lifelong resident of Wilton (except for four years for college)
• I am married with two sons who grew up here (One in college, one lives in Wilton)
• Have been an elementary school teacher’s assistant with Sparta Areas schools for 26 years
• Have been a member of the Wilton American Legion Auxiliary for 30 years
