Five candidates have launched bids to fill two open seats on the Three Lakes Board of Supervisors, prompting the need for a primary election next week.
Current supervisors Ella Baltus and Ed Cottingham are running to retain their seats against three challengers — Tyler Kelley, Kevin Meyer and Leah Rehberg.
All five names will be on the ballot next Tuesday, Feb. 17, with the four candidates who receive the most votes moving on to the April 7 Spring Election. Voting will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Municipal Building located at 6965 W. School St.
Candidates answered a series of questions about why they are running for local government, and how they will pursue their initiatives if elected. You can see their responses below.
Ella Baltus (incumbent): Baltus is currently serving on the town board. Her family has deep roots in Three Lakes, spanning generations. She and her husband made their commitment to this community permanent in 2018 when Baltus graduated from college, and said they are looking forward to raising their family here.
Baltus and her husband own and operate Eagle Enterprises and Gasco Propane based in Three Lakes.
“I have found that my vast experience in the private sector has made me a valuable asset on the town board,” Baltus said. “After all, a town is a business of its own, and it should be managed responsibly and thoughtfully.”
She has served two terms on the Three Lakes Town Board which she said is the best preparation for making town-wide decisions by bringing new challenges, collaboration, and a willingness to work through complex issues with fellow board members.
“Throughout my tenure on the board, I have made a conscious effort to use my vote to reflect the priorities and values of the residents who elected me,” Baltus said.
Baltus said her service on the board has reinforced the importance of listening, weighing all perspectives, and making decisions that are in the best long-term interest of the entire community.
She holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in Economics from the UW-Madison and one in Business Administration from the UW-Whitewater. Baltus said her background in economics helps her evaluate budgets, long-term financial impacts, and the sustainability of town spending, while her business administration experience allows her to approach town operations with a practical, results-oriented mindset.
Baltus’ family has a long history of public service. Both her grandfather, Peter Baltus, and great-grandfather, Fred Bonack, were actively involved with the town board and sanitary district. She was encouraged by her brother, Jeff Bruss, who previously served as town chairman, to run for a seat — a position she “quickly fell in love with.”
Baltus is looking to keep costs steady while not sacrificing necessary amenities that are currently in place.
“Rising costs, inflation, and increasing service demands make it more important than ever to manage taxpayer dollars carefully. Residents deserve transparency and confidence that levy increases are truly a last resort,” she said. “In my opinion, the town is currently spending at a pace that is not sustainable long-term.”
She acknowledged that there are difficult decisions on the horizon which may require attention, but ultimately her goal is to make thoughtful, informed decisions that keep Three Lakes an affordable place to live for the average household.
Other topics on Baltus’ radar include how to support and grow downtown Three Lakes, as well as working toward an informed path on handling wake boat use on local lakes.
Baltus’ candidate statement: “I encourage everyone to get out and vote, regardless of who your preferred candidate may be. Local elections are the most important because they have a direct impact on our spending, taxes, and quality of life in our community. As a current town board member with years of service, I believe in responsible spending, thoughtful decision-making, and long-term planning that keeps our town affordable and vibrant. My goal is to represent the voices of our residents, protect what makes Three Lakes special, and ensure that decisions made benefit future generations. I am committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and supporting a strong, viable community.”
Ed Cottingham (incumbent): Ed Cottingham has lived in Three Lakes for 23 years, after retiring from a 35-year career in the manufacturing field. During his professional career he supervised 200 employees, managed budgets and dealt with major companies and unions.
Cottingham has been involved with town government for the last 19 years in a number of capacities, including five years as a Three Lakes Town Board supervisor, two years as a Plan Commission member, and a year on each of the Zoning Advisory and Budget and Finance committees. In addition, he spent three years as chairman for the Plan Commission and is currently a town board supervisor and chair of the Road Ordinance Committee.
Cottingham has volunteered for several years with the Three Lakes Historical Society, which he said has given him an understanding of the town’s history, the changes that have occurred over the years, and the residents’ desire to preserve the “small town feel” while moving forward.
He’s been on the Three Lakes Waterfront Association Board of Directors for more than a decade, which keeps him up-to-date on information needed to keep area lakes clean, free from invasive species, and safe for residents and tourists to enjoy.
Using his professional background, Cottingham said he has an understanding of governmental budgeting and purchasing procedures, along with balancing “needs” versus “wants.” He also touted his ability to hire, manage, review and fire employees when necessary.
Cottingham’s primary reason for again running for office is to “utilize tax payers’ money wisely while protecting the Three Lakes environment.”
When asked his top three pressing issues facing Three Lakes, he highlighted the town budget, saying, “I will work with the board to pay attention to spending and avoid increasing the town’s debt.”
He also cited a need for increasing the board’s awareness of the issue of protecting area lakes as an important topic, saying he would provide the most current information from environmental agencies regarding those issues.
Finally, he sees the ability to encourage growth without impacting the small-town environment as an important aspect going forward. He aims to continually review zoning regulations and work with Oneida County when necessary.
Cottingham’s candidate statement: “I will continue to do as I am currently doing. I will approach issues by listening, going out to observe areas in question, speaking with concerned parties, checking for any history involved, reviewing town and county ordinances, working with other groups, and bringing the information to the town board for resolution. With my experience as listed above, I feel I will be effective in the position of town board supervisor.”
Tyler Kelley: Tyler Kelley has lived in Three Lakes for almost 10 years and in that time has been actively involved in his community.
Since 2017, he has served on the fire department, and currently holds the position of lieutenant and medical first responder — roles he says have only deepened his commitment to public safety as well as provided valuable experience in emergency response and community service.
Kelley works with Vilas County Highway Department where he is superintendent. In that capacity he oversees daily operations as well as manages a team of 16 patrolmen.
“This dual experience has equipped me with a unique perspective on the importance of collaboration between emergency services and infrastructure maintenance,” he explained.
During his tenure with the fire department, Kelley has participated in numerous committees, focusing on training, operations and community outreach. He said this hands-on involvement has prepared him to make informed, town-wide decisions with a strong understanding of the various needs and dynamics within the community.
Kelley said his primary motivation for running for office is to enhance the safety of Three Lakes residents.
Kelley plans to do that using his strong leadership skills and practical knowledge of highway construction and maintenance. “Through my roles in the fire department, and road department, I am dedicated to ensuring that our community remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone,” he said. “My experience in managing teams and coordinating resources allows me to effectively address challenges while fostering collaboration among different departments and community members.”
Kelley said he sees opportunities for improvement in the town’s local infrastructure as one of the challenges he’d like to address as a supervisor. First on his list is enhancing emergency response access by advocating for better road maintenance and design to ensure that emergency services can reach residents quickly and efficiently.
He also aims to boost community engagement by opening up discussions about local needs and improvements by utilizing forums and committee meetings to gather input.
Finally, using his knowledge of highway construction and maintenance, Kelley will work to prioritize projects that will improve the safety and longevity of our roads, ensuring they meet the growing demands of our community. By focusing on these areas, he’s committed to enhancing the quality of life for all residents of Three Lakes.
Kelley’s candidate statement: “As a dedicated community member of Three Lakes for nearly a decade, I am excited to announce my candidacy for the town board of supervisors. With experience as a lieutenant and medical first responder on the fire department, coupled with my role as Vilas County Highway Patrol Superintendent, I possess a unique understanding of public safety and infrastructure needs. My commitment lies in enhancing emergency response access, fostering community engagement, and prioritizing infrastructure upgrades. Together, we can ensure that Three Lakes remains a safe, welcoming, and thriving community for all residents. I would be honored to serve and make a positive impact.”
Kevin Meyer: Kevin Meyer has been a resident of Three Lakes since the second grade, and went on to graduate from Three Lakes High School and then UW-Stevens Point. He had a 30-year career at JP Morgan Chase as a managing director across various business units, including technology and operations. He is also heavily engaged in the community and serves on the boards of several organizations, including Three Lakes Visitors Bureau, Northern Lights Snowmobile Club and the Three Lakes Fish and Wildlife Improvement Association. In addition, he is a working member on the Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) offered by the UW-Extension, focused on the business development needs in Three Lakes.
“My overall involvement in the community has allowed me to develop a solid view into the community’s needs,” Meyer said. “Coupled with my business experience and strategic outlook, I’ve developed vast decision-making skills and experience.”
He said using his background and experience in business development, change management, financial management, and problem solving, combined with his passion for this community, will provide critical skills the community will benefit from to move Three Lakes forward.
Meyer aims to bring a fresh perspective to the board in order to address the needs and desires of the community. He highlighted the town’s future growth, stressing the need to develop a thriving business community and enhance economic vibrancy.
“This includes job creation, revenue growth, and housing needs,” he said. “We also need to address infrastructure development and balancing the cost to the community with transparency.”
He said supporting the current tax incremental district (TID) proposal is a great start.
“If elected and the TID is approved, I would ensure appropriate administration of the program to build tourism and housing-based infrastructure in the community. I would work with existing organizations to encourage small business growth in Three Lakes. It’s critical that we keep our current residents spending local and that we bring new tourism dollars into the local business community.”
Meyer’s candidate statement: “Love and passion for Three Lakes and North Woods life is a given; otherwise none of us would be living here. I am focused on helping guide Three Lakes through this critical time the community is facing — developing a thriving business community and economic vibrancy. This includes job creation, revenue growth, and housing needs in the community. We also need to address infrastructure development and balancing the cost to the community with transparency. My background and experience in business development, change management, financial management, and problem solving will provide critical skills the community will benefit from to move Three Lakes forward.”
Leah Rehberg: Leah Rehberg grew up vacationing in Three Lakes before making it her permanent home in 2013. Her daughter attended and graduated from Three Lakes High School.
Rehberg has a professional background working with nonprofits and small businesses, and now owns her own — Deer Mountain Media — since 2019. This has given her an understanding of challenges specific to Three Lakes as she works with fellow business owners and nonprofits to create marketing strategies.
Rehberg has volunteered at a number of different capacities, including locally with Three Lakes Evangelical Free Church, chamber of commerce, and historical society. She also dedicates her professional graphic design services to Feed Our Rural Kids.
Building on her years working with clients and hearing their specific needs has prepared Rehberg for a role on the town board. Beyond marketing skills, she has developed skills in nonprofit administration, fundraising and grant writing.
“On a personal level, I have the ability to place myself alongside others, listening to and empathizing with another’s viewpoint, then applying their perspective into informed decision making,” she said. “These hard and soft skillsets combined will bring to the board a fresh perspective, with the goal of improving communication between the town government and our residents, and the residents and the town.”
Rehberg said she’s been holding weekly listening sessions since the beginning of the year to learn about what people view are the top issues facing the town.
She cited the top three voter issues including: A perceived need for more information/improved levels of communication, a wish for more town events to draw visitors, and a desire to refresh and revitalize the downtown. She believes many of these issues can be resolved by creating a strong online presence and increasing interactions between residents and town officials.
“When the people who live and work here feel seen, heard, and informed, there will be more buy-in and participation in whatever the issue may be,” Rehberg said.
Rehberg’s candidate statement: “I love this town like you love this town. As a member of the town board of supervisors, I would work alongside them, utilizing our combined strengths and abilities to build the best version of Three Lakes possible. What I have to offer the residents of Three Lakes is a fresh perspective, a listening ear, and the ability to strengthen communication channels. Everyone who lives, works, or serves here shares the same dedication to this community — its businesses, organizations, churches, school, and families. My desire is to serve this community in a way that leaves us stronger for generations to come.”
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