It is that time that comes around every two years in Wisconsin -- the time when one has to circulate nomination papers if he/she wants to be on the ballot for one of the local elected positions; in my case, town board supervisor. I have more than the minimum required signatures, so look for me on the ballot in Manitowish Waters next February for the primary (if one is required) and then again on the second Tuesday in April for the general election. (I'm planning on surviving any primary.)
If I am elected, it might be one of those "Be careful what you wish for" deals. I served 5 terms as a town board supervisor where I lived prior to 2003 and all-in-all, it was a positive experience. That town has one-half the population of Manitowish Waters, has an economy based on agriculture, and is even more rural than Manitowish Waters in nature. A lot of differences between the two towns, but the principles of governance remain the same, and I have some experience in those matters, as I mentioned. The "Be careful" reference alludes to the fact that there are some divisions here in Manitowish Waters -- from time to time an issue pops up that brings those divisions to the forefront. More recently, those issues would be the proposed bike trail extension, and most recently, a proposal to amend the comprehensive plan so certain residential property could be rezoned to agriculture to allow the construction of a new cranberry marsh. I am already involved in those issues as I am a member of the town plan commission.
I am not running against anybody or because I have an axe to grind or because I am upset about some particular issue or because I think I am smarter than everybody else -- I am simply running for a position and the opportunity to return to town government, and to give the voters a choice. I have certain ideas about how I think town government should work, and I would welcome the opportunity to put them into practice.
Vince