Clark Co. sees contested races for county board

Editor’s note: The Tribune-Phonograph reached out to all candidates for the Clark County board race, but did not receive answers from all candidates in time for publication. The following answers have been edited for the sake of brevity.

Please share some information about yourself - occupation, family, education, interests...

Brodhagen: My free time is spent with family and friends, often up in Hayward on the Chippewa Flowage. I moved back to my hometown of Abbotsford in 2017. Prior to that, I was fortunate enough in my previous jobs to travel extensively throughout the United States and other countries. Today, although I continue to enjoy broad travel, I prefer to spend my time more regionally, in the Midwest. Wisconsin has so much to offer.”

Flink: “I am married to Kris O’Leary and we have five children: John, Lucinda, Conrad, Warren and Hazel. I have lived in Abbotsford for 17 years. I was raised on a family farm west of Colby. I graduated from Colby High School and served in the Army as a helicopter mechanic.

“After my service I came home and purchased the family farm from my parents. I farmed for eight years. After getting married I decided to change careers to have more time with my family. I started at TP Printing Company operating the printing equipment. I have worked there for 26 years and my wife and I are co– owners. I spent 20 years as a volunteer fireman for Unity, Colby and Abby fire departments.

“Outside of work I enjoy riding ATV, working on the Abbotsford Christmas parade floats and being involved with my church.”

Luchterhand: “Max and I have owned and operated the Luchterhand farm since 1973. We have four children and ten grandchildren. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in secondary education from Northland College in Ashland. My interests have always been in civic affairs that impact the citizens of Clark County.

“My appearances before many and various legislative bodies led to being appointed as the state director of USDA Rural Development and then as the director of the Governor’s Northern Office. I first served on the county board from 1982 to 1987, and more recently from 2016 to the present.

“I am most proud to have supported the modernization of the Clark County Health Care Center, keeping that critical facility viable and available for county residents; for expanding the county’s support of our public libraries; for increased efforts to prevent ground and surface water pollution; and for encouraging and supporting efforts to get repairs of county highways back on a sustainable rotation.”

Why are you running for county board?

Brodhagen: “Decisions made by our town, county and state officials have become increasingly impactful to our daily lives. As such, the importance of our local representation has grown in recent years. There have been recent events where the majority of District 1 Clark County residents have not been appropriately represented. My goal in running is to change that fact.”

Flink: “The reason I am running for the county board is that I believe I bring a balance of life and business experience to the board that is different than other board members.

“I believe everyone’s ideas should be heard and decisions should be made based on what is in the best interest for the whole county. As a business owner I have to make choices everyday from finding the best pricing on supplies and equipment, trouble shooting and repairing equipment, and working with customers and staff. “I believe this experience and my two terms on the board have given me a good handle on how the county board works.”

Luchterhand: “I am running for the county board to continue all of the above, but also to continue my efforts to stop the erosion of local control. Recent examples of that erosion include stripping county preferences from Shoreland Zoning, current attempts to remove Wildlife Abatement from county control, and the re-organization of UW-Extension to become more regional than county based. I currently represent the county on the Wisconsin Extension Association Board of Directors and am one of a seventeen member advisory group to the Dean of UW-Extension. I am also a member of the Wisconsin Counties Association Ag, Environment and Land Use Steering Committee and the Wisconsin Land and Water Association Board of Directors. In addition, I serve as the chairperson of the Clark County Conservation Congress and as co-chair of the Rural Living Tent for Farm Technology Days. My involvement in these groups reflects my interest in their purpose. ”

What do you want to do accomplish on the county board?

Brodhagen: “Given the opportunity to represent the residents of District 1 of Clark County, I would do so through a conservative approach; limited government in our daily lives, supporting law enforcement as they see fit, limiting local government overreach with excessive mandating, supporting current businesses and encouraging growth in our county and cities.

“I am looking forward to working to represent my district, should I be fortunate enough to earn the votes to do so.”

Flink: “I don’t have an agenda for being on the board. I just want to do what is best for the county with the information presented and what my experience can bring to the board.”

Luchterhand: “Put more simply, I am running for the county board to make Clark County an even better place to live and raise a family.”

INCUMBENT - Kevin Flink is seeking re-election for District One in the city of Abbotsford for the upcoming April 5 election for a seat on the Clark County board. If elected, this would be his second consecutive term.

SEEKING RE-ELECTION -Bryce Luchterhand seeks to retain his District 10 Clark County seat in the April 5 elections. Luchterhand faces a challenge for his seat in candidate Jeff Kozlow.SUBMITTED PHOTOS