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Councilman challenges long-time Milton mayor

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Nathan W. Bruce

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Tom Chesmore

MILTON — Much like the presidential election, Milton's spring mayoral election will pit change against experience.

Councilman Tom Chesmore, 50, of 345 Elm St., is challenging incumbent Nate Bruce, 74, of 3 E. High St. It's Bruce's first challenge since he won a write-in campaign to become mayor in 1999.

In an e-mail to The Janesville Gazette, Chesmore said he respected Bruce's years of service but it's time for change in city leadership.

"I do believe the city is moving in the right direction, but more can be done," he wrote. "I will take that momentum to a new level as Milton's mayor."

Chesmore, a three-year council member, wrote he wants to see more openness in Milton government and a greater willingness to listen to different points of view.

"Of course some issues must be discussed in closed session, but the vast majority of issues facing the city—and the discussions surrounding those issues—should be an open book," he wrote. "I feel the council needs to see things from every point of view, not just the point of view that is put in front of them."

Bruce defended his style of government. He said he addresses some issues with Administrator Todd Schmidt and department heads before bringing them to the council.

Bruce, a retired principal, compared his style to leading a school.

"When I was a principal at the elementary school, do I tell the teachers everything that happens, or do I bear some of the burden myself?" he said. "If there's something substantial, they (council members) are in on it right away."

Council members are free to attend meetings or ask questions of city staff, he said.

"If anybody ever makes a request from me, I've always shown up to talk to people," he said.

Bruce said the voters will decide if they're happy with his leadership or want a change.

"I've had experiences in the past that allow me to do what I feel is a pretty good job as mayor in the last 10 years," he said. "The city has grown, but it hasn't gotten out of proportion, hasn't gotten too big...

"If I've done a satisfactory job as far as people are concerned, then they will reelect me."