PLATTEVILLE, April 1 — While there will be new faces on the Grant County Board after the April 7 election, only one will come from a contested race.
Dan Durley of Potosi and Dave Hottenstein of Platteville are running to replace Sup. Lester Jantzen in District 14, which includes Dickeyville, Potosi, Tennyson and the towns of Harrison, Paris and Potosi.
“I have always been very progressive in promoting our area,” he said. “I have spent the last few years attending Grant County Economic Development meetings and enjoy hearing the progression of Grant County as a whole. By attending these meetings, I have much more respect for the best interests of our county in relation to not just economic development, but also the future growth of the county. I want to offer guidance on our county's continued success.
“I have offered my services for many years on several boards to encourage growth to this area. Making decisions isn't always easy and can be controversial, but necessary for the greater good of Grant County. The committees and boards that I have been involved with are proof that I evaluate the issues brought forth, collect and analyze data before making decisions on ways to move forward.”
“I was encouraged to run after a conversation with our current retiring county board supervisor,” he said. “I just wanted to step forward and continue the steady leadership he provided our district. I believe I can offer valuable experience to the county board. My 35 years in the school transportation industry required daily problem-solving, collaboration with the public, and working closely with the school board, parents, and teachers. I also understand the challenges and responsibilities of our local highway and transportation systems — issues that directly affect rural residents. I respect my opponent and believe we are both qualified. What I bring to the table is a lifetime of connection to Grant County, decades of hands-on experience working with the public, and a commitment to representing District 14.”
Durley believes Grant County’s biggest issue is “rising costs and being able to balance the budget. I plan to be involved in looking at ways to keep up the infrastructure while also being respectful of the need for preventive maintenance. There's a trade-off with getting new, while still taking care of existing assets.”
“One of Grant County’s biggest challenges is keeping our infrastructure strong,” said Hottenstein. “My priority is to work closely with the highway department to ensure our roads and bridges are properly maintained.”
The two candidates differ slightly on the proper role of the county board.
“I believe the county has many challenges to face,” said Durley, including “loss of federal and state funding. I think the addition of the new role of Grant County Administrator will provide oversight to some of these challenges. I believe the board of supervisors has experienced task forces that evaluate the budgets, issues and analyze and prioritize solutions as presented.”
“The county board sets policy, approves the budget, and provides oversight for county government,” said Hottenstein. “It does not manage day-to-day operations — that responsibility belongs to the county’s administrative officer. My position as supervisor is to represent District 14 to ensure county services follow the policies and priorities set by the board.”
Two of the hottest-button issues in the county now are wind and solar projects and proposed data farms.
“Solar farms can have a place, but we should be asking whether they belong on our most productive farmland,” said Hottenstein. “Why not prioritize land that isn’t profitable for agriculture or areas with better sun exposure? Incentives can be appealing, but we need to think about what we’re leaving for future generations. Once good farmland is covered in panels, it’s gone. Solar panels on roofs of private homes I'm all for that.
“The Data Center proposal is moving far too quickly, with many unanswered questions. After attending the February meeting, my concerns only grew. I don’t believe the county has fully addressed the potential consequences, and I want to ensure progress stays balanced with the voice of our community. There are simply too many unknowns right now.”
“Wind and solar has certainly been front and center in discussions in Grant County,” said Durley. “While I would personally prefer not to have them in our footprint, I also think the Board of Supervisors has a responsibility to make sure they protect our roadways if the Wisconsin Public Service Commission approves a project in our area. In other words, if the project is coming and we really have no way to stop it, then we must do everything possible to protect our environment.
“Data centers are the newest hot topic. I honestly don't know fact from fiction and have only heard negative impacts. Again, I personally would prefer to not have them in our area, but as a Grant County Board Supervisor, I would also need to hear the pros and cons before I could make an educated and informed decision.”
Another county issue is keeping and retaining county employees.
“Every employer struggles with finding and retaining good quality employees,” said Durley. “I would expect Grant County has that same issue. But the answer isn't always just throwing more money at the problem. It's listening to what the employees are requesting and weighing in and evaluating what is reasonable.”
“The best way to attract and keep county employees is to make sure they’re heard,” said Hottenstein. “Our workers — especially in the Highway Department and Law Enforcement — do excellent work, and retention improves when we listen to their concerns and support them in their jobs.”
