Town of Erin, WI – Common Sense Citizens of Washington County held a Candidate Forum at the Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center.
Two of the four candidates running for a 2-year term for Town of Erin Supervisor participated including Maripat Blankenheim and Jeff Millikin. Eric Casetta and Michael Stapleton are also on the April 5, 2022 ballot.
Opening statement:
Maripat Blankenheim – Seeking third term. Volunteering and giving back is important to me. My job is to do what is best for Town of Erin. Managed project to remodel town hall, no local funds were used. Worked for wired broadband service for community.
Jeff Millikin – Served community for many years. Served 25 years in Navy. 23-year business owner. Strong desire to serve people in Erin. Preserve rural nature, parks and roads. Kids involved in Washington Co. 4-H. Continue to do best to maintain quality community.
Eric Casetta – Opening statement read by moderator. Proud to live in Erin and want to be more active in community. Graduated from Hartford HS and served in military. Got engaged in local government following conversation about bad roads. Not proposing raising taxes, there doesn’t seem to be a long-term plan. What if we get federal funding? To me, there should be a better plan. Need to drive accountability and transparency into decisions we are making.
MP – Erin accounts for 8-12% of calls from Richfield FD. We enjoy services but Richfield is looking at a possible referendum. Based on usage – we should not see that big of cost increase.
JM – this is working for us with Richfield but to raise prices I don’t see that for us. We should continue as we are.
MB- originally looked at pit off Hwy 83. Legally we have a contract that restricts what is currently done. The county purchased land on 83 and 167 for the tower. I was opposed to that. If there are four corners in our community that, is it. Definitely opposed. On Friday the lease was delivered to Wash Co and now agreed to it. Co passed a referendum the authority.
JM – Town of Erin opposed to STH 167 and Hwy 83 location. I’m totally opposed to it.
MB – Whatever money we get we use but it is never enough. We always need more. There was a county meeting to see about federal infrastructure funding. But if you take federal funds you need to meet their standards. That costs more and not good. What is the solution? We passed a resolution to look at a referendum over 10 years to put on ballot in November. Costs are always going up. We have a responsibility to provide good roads.
JM – referendum is a way to pay for the roads over 10 years and in full support.
MB – we have a hard time now hiring someone to pick up dead deer on the road.
JM – not as many residents hunting deer and that’s why herd is increasing. I would encourage local hunters to participate. Deer are good eatin’
All town of Erin residents vote at the Erin Town Hall, 1846 Hwy 83. Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for all elections. Visit myvote.wi.gov to register to vote or to request an absentee ballot.
MB – Erin budget is tight and small by comparison to other communities. Not a lot of leeway. How do we manage with funds we have. We have a bucket of money. I’m not opposed to raising taxes when it makes sense to do so. Increased costs for basics
JM – I’m all for a referendum for roads and if we have to raise taxes, the money has to come from somewhere and if we have to raise taxes I’m for it.
MB – the last person in Erin wants to be the last person in Erin. I love rural nature. We don’t have conglomerates coming to town. We’ve very rural and it is our responsibility to maintain it.
JM – I agree with it.
CLICK HERE as Village of Jackson Clerk Jilline Dobratz answers ballot questions
before April 5, 2022 election
Closing statement
MB – Enjoy work I do. I’m results driven. If there’s a problem, I want to solve it. Love meeting people and working with the community. We’re a small town. I want to see more people involved and I want to be reelected.
JM – Served as Town of Erin supervisor for 15 years and in next election I have the qualifications and experience for another term.
The Spring Election is Tuesday, April 5, 2022. In-person absentee voting starts March 22, 2022, and runs through 5 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2022.