Byline: Sheila B. Lalwani
Feb. 19--Caledonia -- The primary Tuesday in Caledonia appears to be the most competitive race the community has seen in years. Thirteen candidates are on the ballot in Tuesday's primary, and 12 will advance to the general election for the community's first Village Board on April 4. The top three vote-getters in April will serve two-year terms on the board; the next three finishers will serve one-year terms.
Village President Jonathan Delagrave is running unopposed, while incumbent members of the former Town Board -- Howard Stacey, Ron Coutts, David Prott and Kevin Wanggaard -- join nine newcomers competing for the six new Village Board seats. The town filed a petition with the Racine County Circuit Court in 2003 and again with the state Department of Administration in 2004 to become a village. Becoming a village allows Caledonia to freeze its boundaries and prevent annexations to neighboring communities. Incorporating also will allow Caledonia to establish economic development tools, most notably tax incremental financing districts, to spur development. 'The momentum of incorporation and people wanting to get involved,' Delagrave said when asked to explain the number of candidates interested in running for the board. Candidate turnout no surprise 'The other issue was that because of incorporation, a lot other issues (came) to the forefront,' Delagrave said. Delagrave wasn't surprised with the turnout because first-time elections tend to attract more candidates, he said. When Mount Pleasant incorporated into a village in 2003, a record number of candidates -- 12 -- turned out for the village election. Major issue: Development The major issues surrounding Caledonia concern the village's economic development plan. Delagrave said the village is putting together a community development authority that will balance the rural character of the village while trying to attract pockets of high-quality development. About 24,600 people live in Caledonia, and many residents have indicated their wish to keep the rural quality of the village intact. Village Clerk Wendy Christensen said residents who want to vote and have not registered should bring a photo ID and proof of residency to the polls. The candidates: Bob Bradley Age: 55 Address: time in district: 6022 Leeward Lane, Caledonia; 8 years Occupation: Will retire Feb. 24 from the Racine Wastewater Utility Elective offices; other government experience: First try for public office Education: Graduated from South Dale (Florida) High School, 1969; environmental health degree, Milwaukee Area Technical College, 1986; bachelor's degree, communications, Concordia University, 1996 Family: Married, three grown children Patrick Cherf Age: 61 Address; time in district: 6931 Revere Road, Caledonia; since 1973 Occupation: Master sharpener, tool repairman Elective offices; other government experience: Defeated for state Assembly, 1990s Education: Obtained GED; attended Gateway Technical College Family: Married, 2 children
Ronald Coutts Age: 60 Address; time in district: 609 Kentwood Drive, Caledonia; 28 years Occupation: Retired from Racine Fire Department Elective offices; other government experience: Town Supervisor since 1993. Ran unsuccessfully for town chairman, 1997
Education: Graduated from Racine Horlick High School, 1965
Family: Married William A. Infusino Age: 56 Address; time in district: 4836 Erie St., Caledonia; 50 years Occupation: Employed In-Sink-Erator Elective offices; other government experience: First try for public office Education: Graduated from Racine Horlick High School, 1967; marketing, sales and broadcasting, Racine Technical College; attended Penn State-Erie, UW-Madison Family: Married, 3 children Stephen Kalmar II Age: 46 Address; time in district: 4305 Erie St., Caledonia; nearly 2 years in Caledonia, more than 30 years in Racine area Occupation: State Department of Health and Family Services, Bureau of Regulation and Licensing, child care center regulation Elective offices; other government experience: First try for public office; founding board member, Racine Interfaith Coalition; administrator, Racine Area Soccer Association; board member, Bright Public Power; Racine Unified PTA; Racine Theatre Guild Education: Graduated from Racine Horlick High School, 1977; bachelor's degree, UW-Parkside, 2002 Family: Divorced, four children Wendy McCalvy Age: 62 Address; time in district: 5400 Six Mile Road, Caledonia; 22 years Occupation: Runs horse farm; substitute teacher, Racine Unified Elective offices; other government experience: Defeated for Town Board, 2003 Education: Graduated from Appleton High School; bachelor's degree, Lawrence University; master's degree, education, UW-Milwaukee Family: Married Brett McDonald
Age: 40 Address; time in district: 4847 Aberdeen Drive, Caledonia; 7 years Occupation: Maintenance coordinator, Racine County Buildings and Facilities Management Elective offices; other government experience: First try for public office Education: Graduated from Racine Horlick High School, 1983; U.S. Navy nuclear program, 1985 Family: Married, two children Jeff McKeown Age: 32 Address; time in district: 2731 Cardinal Drive, Caledonia; 10 months Occupation: Owner, Express Personnel Services Elective offices; other government experience: First try for public office Education: Graduated from Aledo (Illinois) High School, 1992; bachelor's degree, political science, University of Illinois, 1996 Family: Married, two children Paul Orlowski
Age: 31 Address; time in district: 1211 Hialeah Drive, Caledonia: 2 1/2 years Occupation: Kenosha County Division of Health Elective offices; other government experience: First try for public office Education: Graduated from Milwaukee Rufus King High School, 1992; bachelor's degree, UW-Platteville, 1997; master's degree, business environmental management, Illinois Institute of Technology, 1999
Family: Married, one child David Prott Age: 39 Address; time in district: 2442 Rebecca Drive, Caledonia; 4 years Occupation: Shop operational manager, Racine County Highway Department Elective offices; other government experience: Appointed to Caledonia Town Board, May 2005; Caledonia Storm Sewer Utility Commission, 2003-'05 Education: Graduated from Racine Case High School, 1985; combustion engine technology degree, Milwaukee Area Technical College, 1988; attending Concordia University Family: Married, one child Howard Stacey Age: 62 Address; time in district: 5750 Five Mile Road, Caledonia; 30 years Occupation: Retired from Golden Books Publishing Co.
Elective offices; other government experience: Elected town supervisor, 2001, re-elected since Education: Graduated from Racine Park High School, 1961; Carthage College, 1967 Family: Single Kevin Wanggaard Age: 44 Address; time in district: 4932 Aberdeen Drive, Caledonia; 4 years Occupation: Racine Water Utility
Elective offices; other government experience: Elected Caledonia town supervisor, 2003 Education: Graduated from Racine Lutheran High School, 1979; bachelor's degree, labor and industrial relations, UW-Parkside, 1985 Family: Engaged Lee Wishau Age: 48
Address; time in district: 8345 Foley Road, Caledonia; 42 years
Occupation: Manager, retail operation accounting and inventory control, Roundy's Supermarkets Elective offices; other government experience: First try for public office Education: Graduated from Racine Horlick High School, 1975; bachelor's degree, business management, UW-Parkside, 1980 Family: Married
Copyright (c) 2006, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.
For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.),
(213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.
