Dear editor,

My name is Russ Weichelt, and I am a candidate for supervisor in the Town of McMillan.

I have resided in McMillan all my life, except for eight years in the late 90s. I graduated from Marshfield Senior High and then assisted my father on the farm until joining the Navy. After discharge from active duty, I graduated from St Joseph’s School of Nursing.

I then worked 24 years for the Marshfield Clinic as a Nephrology Nurse. During that period, l served on the McMillan town board as supervisor and chairman and was chairman of the Plan Commission.

In the mid 90s, I resigned as chairman and resided in California managing dialysis units.

I returned in 2003 and started a dialysis program for Aspirus Hospital. I served again as chairman two years prior to the present chairman.

I am now retired and enjoy gardening, fishing, and serve as financial officer for American Legion Post 54. God bless our vets.

With the number of years I served in town government, it became very clear when town officials followed the oath of office governing goes smoother. It takes discipline and time to follow statutes, which is what our fore fathers wanted.

Time is needed to assure the residence can understand what the board is doing and to have input into final decision. Discipline is the responsibility of the officials, to assure they are transparent and present all the facts to the residents and prevent hidden agendas. Over the years I have heard officials say don’t get the residents involved they will just slow down the process, and they voted us in to make the decision. When you see this happen transparency will get less and less and eventually lead to cover up.

The mismanagement of the fall festival funds is a prime example.

There are other monthly and annual tasks that must be attended to provide accurate information to the residents. These are primarily related to good documentation. Poor documentation always leads to poor decisions.

More time and effort need to be put into the budget, so we can use it as a useful tool when dispensing town funds. The day of taking last year’s budget and adding ten percent is over. This can only be accomplished if we enter accurate and timely data to respective items in the budget.

“Transparency”.

I will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Wisconsin and impartially discharge the duties of supervisor.

Russ Weichelt
Town of McMillan, WI