Many of the 21 Vilas County Board of Supervisor seats up for reelection in the April 7 spring election will be uncontested races, but District 9 will have two names to choose from on the ballot.

In District 9, Town of Arbor Vitae, Ward 1 and Lac du Flambeau, Wards 6 and 7, incumbent Robert Hanson is being challenged by Stephen J. Bunda.

Meanwhile, District 21 will only have one name on the ballot, but a write-in candidate has launched a bid for the seat. The board’s current Second Vice Chair Daniel Kramer, who serves District 21 Town of Lincoln Wards 2 and 3, is being challenged by write-in candidate Ann Carlson.

Meet the candidates

Robert Hanson (incumbent): Robert Hanson has been serving District 9 on the Vilas County board since 2016, and has learned a great deal in his decade of service.

Hanson is a 1967 graduate of Rhinelander High School, and also served his country as a boots-on-the-ground Vietnam veteran. In the days of the draft, he served with the all-volunteer 173rd Airborne Brigade, earning a Combat Medic Badge, (parachute) jump wings, a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation.

“The 173rd is a small, light parachute infantry unit, and the greatest concentration of 173rd vets I have ever found has been right here in Lac du Flambeau, where I live,” Hanson said. He attributes that fact to the Ojibwe culture, which honors the warriors who defend their people. According to Hanson, those warriors (Ogitchidaa), both female and male, have proudly volunteered through many conflicts, and continue to do so.

His background as a defense attorney has served him well in this role, with one of his earliest teachings still guiding him today.

“One of the early lessons of that practice came from a law school clinical professor, who told me that the most important thing a lawyer can do is to ‘shut up and listen’,” Hanson said. “That advice applies to any number of settings, including local government. When my constituents contact me on an issue, I listen. If I disagree, I explain the reasons, but listening comes first.”
Hanson highlighted some significant issues in the county right now, especially focusing on the “critical housing shortage” and especially the lack of affordable housing.

That issue was one of the facets of the recent dispute over the potential sale of Riverside Park in Eagle River for private development.

“After spending time reading written reactions and engaging in telephone calls with a good number of people, I spoke and voted against the sale for two reasons. First, people rely on the park for relaxation and recreation. Second, and perhaps most importantly, the proposed development would have produced housing that would be beyond the means of the people who need housing most acutely. We don’t need high-end housing. Affordability is the key,” Hanson said.

If reelected, Hanson will continue to look for state and/or federal grants to meet local needs, and to explore any other opportunities to meet the needs of Vilas County citizens.

“I also look forward to any possible cooperative ventures that county and tribal governments can enter into together,” he said.

Hanson’s candidate statement: “I am running for re-election because I feel that I have something to offer on current issues. I am grateful to all those who contact me to register a concern regarding county issues, and I do my best to represent their interests. Thank you for your votes in the past, and please feel free to contact me in the future. As always, I will be listening.”

Steven Bunda: Steven Bunda has been a full-time resident here for five years and a property owner in northern Wisconsin for 45 years. He said he and his wife, Laurie, have worked hard to achieve their dream of living in the Northwoods.

Bunda brings his past experiences to serve as a citizen legislator which includes owning a small business in the marine industry for more than 30 years, as well as operating a home improvement company.

In addition, he served as a county supervisor for six years and a town supervisor for two years in another northern Wisconsin county.

He acted as first vice chair during his last term, and has served on many committees including Zoning, Forestry, Audit and Claims, Building and Public Property, Rules and Regulations. In addition he was a member of the Environmental and Land Use Committee with the Wisconsin Counties Association.

Bunda’s candidate statement: “It would be a privilege to represent you at the Vilas County board level. With my experience in local government I can hit the ground running and get involved with solving the issues at hand. Emergency services are one of those priorities that need to be looked at. I would appreciate your vote and support. I believe in open, honest, and transparent government. I welcome your feedback as a means to better represent you. If you cannot vote at the polls on April 7, please request an absentee ballot or early vote at the Town of Lac Du Flambeau Town Hall. Thank you.”

Daniel Kramer (incumbent): Daniel Kramer is a 15-year resident in the Town of Lincoln and a property owner in Eagle River since 1987.

He has served on the Vilas County board for the past five years and is currently a member and, in some cases the chairman or vice chair, on six committees: Human Resource, Finance and Budget, Highway, Land Information, Enterprise Resource, and Zoning and Planning.

Kramer earned a Technical Education BA from Winona State College in Minnesota in 1973, before getting an MA from UW-Stout in Menomonie in 1981. He went on to receive Administration Licensure to be a local vocational education coordinator from UW-Milwaukee in 1991.

Kramer spent 37 years as a high school technical education teacher and district administrator with the Racine Unified School District. He is the owner of DK Custom Construction and is now semi-retired.

Kramer is a member and volunteer with the Eagle River Historical Society and has completed custom woodworking projects at the museum. He was recently instrumental in creating the Schlack’s Fountain historical display at the Depot Museum on Railroad Street, and said he is an avid supporter of the society’s mission to preserve the culture and heritage of Eagle River.

He would like to remain on the board and continue his work of being a pragmatic steward of county resources while positively impacting the livelihood, health and welfare of the community.

“I ask insightful questions and have the judgment to balance the fiscal needs of the county with the financial impact on its constituents,” Kramer said. “I am a strong advocate of protecting people’s rights as our community continues to grow.”

Some of the biggest challenges Vilas County faces are filling staff positions and dealing with the budget constraints for ongoing maintenance and improvements of county highways, parks and recreation and salaries of county employees, which Kramer hopes to tackle.

Kramer’s candidate statement: “I respectfully ask for your vote to continue serving as your representative on the Vilas County Board. Over the past five years, I have served on six key committees, including Finance and Budget, Highway, and Zoning and Planning, often in leadership roles. My background as an educator, district administrator, and small business owner provides practical experience in budgeting, management, and problem-solving. I am committed to responsible stewardship of county resources, supporting our workforce, and maintaining vital infrastructure. I value transparency, thoughtful decision-making, and protecting the interests of our residents as Vilas County continues to grow and evolve.”

Ann Carlson: Ann Carlson is running as a write-in candidate against Kramer. She is a retired chief petty officer with the Navy Reserves and a retired law enforcement officer. She also is a former adult protective services caseworker and serves on the board of the Veterans Resource Center in Eagle River, in addition to being a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League.

Carlson has owned property in Vilas County since 2019 and is now a full-time resident in the area.

She said her extensive background will help her to foster responsible and prudent growth for Vilas County.

Some of the important topics to Carlson include deciding the future of Riverside Park now that the sale is no longer being considered, the perception of too many storage units in the Northwoods, and the continuation of the bike trail.

As a supporter of open, honest, collaborative county government leadership, she aims to enhance communication with constituents and local towns by using email, social media and monthly face-to-face coffee talks at various times and locations.

Other goals include responsible management of resources and budget; realistic long-term plans, with resident input, to address local needs; and appropriately funded programs and services for residents. High on her priority list is the protection of the quality of life and natural resources in the Northwoods.

Carlson’s candidate statement: “I am Ann Carlson and I am running for county supervisor for District 21, Wards 2 and 3. My vision is to maintain our quality of life in the Northwoods. I support the revitalization of Riverside Park and the fairgrounds. I support the completion of the bike path. I am committed to open communication and am receptive to others ideas. My roadmap, while in office, will be determined by issues of importance to those living in my district as well as the overall good for the county. I value your support and would appreciate your vote.”

Uncontested races

The Vilas County board also will have a few seats vacant due to no candidates launching bids after current members filed non-candidacy.

Jacob Postuchow, who served District 1, Town of Land O’ Lakes, Ward 1 and Town of Plum Lake, Ward 1; Arleen Harsvick, District 7, Town of Arbor Vitae, Wards 5 and 6; and Arthur Kunde, District 14, Town of Conover, Ward 1 and Town of Lincoln, Ward 1, all filed for non-candidacy.

District 1 and 14 both have nobody running to fill the open seats, while Michael Rayala will run unopposed for the District 7 seat.

Others running unopposed include: Richard Logan, District 2, Town of Presque Isle, Ward 1 and Town of Winchester, Ward 1; Thomas Petrusky, District 3, Town of Boulder Junction, Ward 1 and Town of Lac du Flambeau, Ward 1 and Town of Manitowish Waters, Ward 1; Michael MacKenzie, District 4, Town of Boulder Junction, Ward 2 and Town of Presque Isle, Ward 2; Ann Konopacky, District 5, Town of Arbor Vitae, Wards 2 and 7; Leah Trojan, District 6, Town of Arbor Vitae, Wards 3 and 4; Tom Maulson, District 8, Town of Lac du Flambeau, Wards 2 and 3; Joseph Wildcat, Sr., District 10, Town of Lac du Flambeau, Wards 4 and 5; Marvin A. Anderson, District 11, Town of St. Germain, Ward 1; Carolyn Ritter, District 12, Town of St. Germain, Ward 2; Lake Edwards, District 13, Town of Cloverland, Wards 1 and 2; Joseph Muehlbach, District 15, Town of Conover, Ward 2 and Town of Land O’Lakes, Ward 2 and Town of Phelps, Ward 1; Daniel Swiecichowski, District 16, Town of Phelps, Ward 2 and Town of Washington, Ward 2; Holly Tomlanovich, District 17, Town of Washington, Ward 1; Aron Houdini, District 18, City of Eagle River, Wards 4 and 5 and Town of Lincoln, Ward 5; Gerald Burkett, District 19, City of Eagle River, Wards 1, 2 and 3; and Patrick Weber, District 20, Town of Lincoln, Ward 4 and Town of Washington, Ward 3.

Oneida County

Seats with no opposition in our readership area for the Oneida County Board of Supervisors include: Robert Briggs, District 7, Enterprise, Schoepke, Monico, Piehl, Three Lakes Ward 2; Daniel Hess, District 10, Newbold Wards 3 and 4; Collette Sorgel, District 13, Three Lakes Wards 1 and 3; Scott Holewinski, District 14, Sugar Camp Wards 1 and 2; and Lenore Lopez, District 15, Newbold Wards 1 and 2 and Lake Tomahawk Ward 1.