Schreiber versus Ensign in Holton clerk’s race
On April 6, town of Holton clerk Jennifer Schreiber will face a challenge from resident Taylor Ensign.
Schreiber, 52, has been the town clerk since 2019, when she was elected to the office in an uncontested race. Prior to that, she had served as deputy clerk for the previous clerk, Lisa Bartnik.
Besides serving as town clerk, Schreiber works for Imperial Industries in Wausau, where she serves as the company’s industrial divisions coordinator. The job involves inputting job orders, invoicing and coordinating shipping.
Ensign, 26, is a stay-at-home mom who also helps out on her family’s dairy farm. She previously worked as the ag teacher and FFA advisor at Colby High School, from which she graduated. She has a degree in agribusiness with a minor in dairy science from UW-River Falls.
Why have you decided to run for office in the town of Holton?
Ensign said someone in the township suggested that she run for the position because of her education and background in business, and because she has some extra time now that she is no longer teaching.
“On top of that, I have an aunt who has been a clerk in her township for 20-plus years, and I was able to talk to her quite a bit about the position and what it entails. She had no doubt in her mind that I’d be able to keep up with it and do a good job with it.”
Schreiber: “I do enjoy doing it. I do enjoy being a part of what makes the town government click. Not to mention, there are a huge amount of people who live in the township that I probably would never have met.”
Schreiber said she initially got involved with the clerk’s position when several town officials contacted her and asked her to apply for the position after longtime clerk Jan Kloth left.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent? What makes you the best candidate for the job?
Ensign:“ I’m a good candidate because I have quite a bit of business experience. Growing up, I always helped my dad run his book work for his business. Now, in my adult life, through teaching I’ve learned how to work well with others. A lot of those experiences have led me to where I’m at now.”
“Also, a dairy farm is a business, so I have lots of different types of records that we keep with that.”
“I also have FFA experience. I was a state officer at one point in time, and that was when I really learned how to speak for the public, speak through somebody else’s point of view, their perspective. That really opened my eyes to how different people are affected in different ways.”
Schreiber: “I’ve got one term under my belt. Yes, there have been some errors. Yes, there have been some interesting spots because of the whole hall renovation. With COVID happening, I think overall it wasn’t your typical tenure. I think I have a lot under my belt right now, being able to know what needs to be done and when.”
“There’s nothing wrong with someone coming in fresh, but there is so much more than anyone can imagine for what’s needed. It’s sometimes hard to find guidance on where to get that. I’ve started to find the path on that.”
“Because of COVID and the lack of education being available during that time, I think a second term would only be fair so a person could actually operate under normal circumstances.”
What do you see as the biggest issues facing the township? What role do you have in addressing in those issues?
Ensign: “Right now there is a lot unrest on the board. They just can’t seem to be on the same page. One thing I like about the clerking position is that I don’t have a vote, which kind of takes a little bit of pressure off of me, but I can also use that perspective I was talking about to kind of bring everyone back together and ground everyone — and kind of be the middleman.”
She said she can be the one to look at both sides and “find common ground.”
“There’s been a few mistakes that have been made in the past, and from my understanding, that’s come from not working together. That’s one place where I think I would be a good part of the team.”
Schreiber said upcoming bridge and culvert projects are something she’s been involved in closely.
“Having been the one to write the grants for these projects, I think for someone new coming in, it would be harder on them — let alone learning everything else.” Schreiber said she will continue trying to find other grants to help with town road projects.
“I don’t have it all figured out, but I at least know the people to contact to figure out what is out there, because they’re constantly coming up with new grants and programs.”
Schreiber said taking out a loan for the town hall renovation was something new for the township, so she didn’t have anything to go off of for guidance.
“Everyone has to get back to the fact that we’re there for the betterment of the town, not for who gets the credit. I think that came up a lot with the town hall project. Maybe we were all guilty of that, I don’t know. I just really think that there’s a fine line between being on the board a nice period of time, to where you know what’s going and things run smoothly, to where you’re on the board too long.”
What is your plan for working with other town officials to make sure the town’s business is getting taken care of?
Ensign: “Part of being on the board is that you’re not looking out for your own best interest; you’re looking out for the township.”
“I would also say that staying at home gives me a lot more flexibility in being able to meet with people and fill in and be available when it’s needed, which is a big part of being there for the rest of the people in the township.”
Schreiber: “Our communication is key. People can have a difference of opinions and it doesn’t mean they’re a bad person. We as a board, no matter who is on there, have to find a way, if opinions are different, to still go forward. Even if we’re not all friends, we still have to be cordial. We need to find a way to get back to that.”
“I really do think it comes back to putting the town as the main focus and not who gets the credit for it. I really think, if someone gets on the board, to say that ‘I did this. I did that,’ it’s really a thankless job, so you’re kind of in the wrong area. You have to be willing to get those phone calls in the middle of the night.”
Jennifer Schreiber
