NAME:
Joseph (Joe) H. Bilskemper
ADDRESS:
PHONE
NUMBER: (608) 781-8697
E-MAIL:
none
AGE: 54
NUMBER
OF YEARS LIVED IN
FAMILY:
Married, wife Bette
EDUCATION:
Graduate,
OCCUPATION
(if retired, former occupation): Owner, Lawn Care Specialists Inc.; owner,
Christmas Décor; owner,
ELECTED
OFFICES HELD (include years served): Appointed to
COMMUNITY
ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS:
Member,
PLANET – Professional Lawn Care Network of
Member, LaWN – Lawns of
Member,
WLF – Wisconsin Landscape Federatioin
Member,
IAHP – International Association of Hydroseeding
Professionals
La Crosse
County Board Candidate Questionnaire
A. Why do you want to serve on the La Crosse County Board? (Please limit
this answer to 75 words so it will fit into a standard format.) I really enjoy
being part of government and contributing to how it functions to better
people’s lives. We need to oversee the workings of county government to improve
services to our citizens and insure they will be a viable part of our future. I
hope that in some small way I’ve contributed to that over the years.
B. What
are the two most pressing issues facing La Crosse County, and what do you think
La Crosse County government should do about them?
Certainly the new jail addition is an
important issue along with instituting a new justice sanctions philosophy. With
the cut in state revenues we also need to insure the essential services to the
people who need them are provided for.
The next
several questions will ask your feelings about past and future actions by the
county board. Please answer by putting an “X” next to the statement that most
closely reflects your view. Then, please explain your reasons in writing
1. Do you
support or oppose reducing the size of the county board by half?
Strongly
Support
Support
No
opinion
Oppose X
Strongly
Oppose
Reason:
There is no evidence that I know of that will make the board better by doing
this. The county is getting bigger, not smaller. Our challenges are more
complex and our population is more diverse. Concentrating power in a small
number of people and reducing representation makes no sense.
2. With
the switch to a county administrator four years ago, how satisfied are you with
the county board’s new role as a board of directors that makes policy decisions
rather than operational decisions?
Very
satisfied
Satisfied
X
No
opinion
Unsatisfied
Very
unsatisfied
Reason:
Are we a “Board of Directors”? I didn’t know that. What I do know is that Mr.
O’Malley has done an excellent job of leading the county and focusing the Board
on challenges and solutions. He has helped to make our decision making process
clearer and easier.
3. How
satisfied are you with the county administrator's new four-year contract?
Very
satisfied
Satisfied
X
No
opinion
Unsatisfied
Very
unsatisfied
Reason:
He’s an excellent administrator that would be hard to replace. His work is
always thorough and he always responds to people’s requests for “more information.”
We are lucky to have him! He is a very good leader.
4. How
satisfied are you with the proposed “smart growth” comprehensive plan scheduled
for county board approval in coming months?
Very
satisfied
Satisfied
X
No
opinion
Unsatisfied
Very
unsatisfied
Reason:
The plan has been long in the making and well thought-out. It provides a
blueprint for transportation, development, planned growth, and protecting the environment.
5. Do you
support or oppose having the county board hold a referendum before borrowing
money for buildings or other capital projects?
Strongly
Support
Support
No
opinion
Oppose X
Strongly
Oppose
Reason:
As
6. Do you
support or oppose
Strongly
Support
Support X
No
opinion
Oppose
Strongly
Oppose
Reason:
None given
7. Do you support or oppose La Crosse
County's criminal justice philosophy, which includes finding alternatives to
jail for offenders who are not a danger to the community?
Strongly
Support
Support X
No
opinion
Oppose
Strongly
Oppose
Reason:
It goes beyond just locking offenders up and not addressing their needs or the
reasons they are there. Relieving over crowding in the jail and providing a
transition for offenders who are not violent is important to their
rehabilitation. It is very expensive to just house and feed prisoners. We’ve given
ourselves more options and a greater chance of success to cut down on
recidivism.
8. Do you
support or oppose spending more of the county's budget reserves to reduce the
property tax levy?
Strongly
Support
Support X
No
opinion
Oppose
Strongly
Oppose
Reason:
We could possibly spend more of our reserves for this purpose. However, it
should be done cautiously because we do need to have reserves for major and
costly unforeseen expenses and emergencies. Plus it improves our bond rating to
have a strong reserve.
9. Do you
support or oppose the state of
Strongly
Support
Support
No
opinion
Oppose X
Strongly
Oppose
Reason:
It punishes counties like ours that live within and balance our budget and
don’t practice wasteful spending. We can live with a 2 percent cap but 2 ˝
percent would be a lot better if we needed it.
10. Do
you support or oppose the county's plans for a $29.5 million jail expansion?
Strongly
Support
Support X
No
opinion
Oppose
Reason:
The current jail is out of code, over crowded, dangerous to inmates and staff,
and not functional in our criminal justice philosophy. We have been getting by
being out of code but we need to act now and in the future. This is only the
first stage of the jail addition.