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Primary narrows field for Walworth County Board seats

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Tim Schiefelbein

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James Boardman Sr.

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Elizabeth Lyons

ELKHORN — Most of the four candidates who got the nod in Tuesday's primary for two open seats on the Walworth County Board said they were not surprised they are headed into the April 3 election.

For two candidates, the primary was a landslide.

In the county board District 6 primary, Elkhorn resident Tim Schiefelbein garnered 50 percent of the vote with 257 votes. In the District 10 primary, Kenneth Monroe of Pell Lake garnered 58 percent of the total with 170 votes.

Schiefelbein said for he and one of his opponents, being longtime residents counted.

"I expected that (candidate) James (Boardman) and I would come out on top," Schiefelbein said. "We've both been in the community a long time."

Boardman, who had 122 votes, garnered about twice the vote total of either of the other two candidates, Paul Fisher and Pat Clancy, both of Elkhorn.

District 10 candidate Monroe, who is Bloomfield Village President, said he expected to make the ballot for county board, but the outcome Tuesday was a "confidence-builder."

His opponent, Genoa City resident Elizabeth Lyons, edged out the other candidate, David Nusberger of Genoa City, 64 votes to 55.

The four candidates spoke to The Gazette late Tuesday about the issues they care most about heading into the April election.

District 6

When it comes to public employee unions and collective bargaining, Schiefelbein and Boardman's philosophies are opposites.

Schiefelbein, 53, a retired captain at the Walworth County Sheriff's Office, has said he's concerned about new state laws this year that stripped away collective bargaining rights.

He said if he was elected, he would try to make sure county employees are treated fairly.

"I believe collective bargaining going away is going to impact the way workers are treated," Schiefelbein said. "The county's got a good workforce and good government. If county employees aren't treated fairly, I think that county government could suffer a lot."

Boardman said he and Schiefelbein are friends, but Boardman sees dealings with unions differently.

"I'm 71. I've worked at eight different companies full-time, and I've always got my jobs on my own merits. I always moved up in pay on my own," Boardman said. "Sometimes when collective bargaining gets too much, it scares people. It's good, it's just too big."

District 6 includes the city of Elkhorn and Sugar Creek Township.

District 10

Monroe, 72, said he is looking forward to a shot at county board. As a village official, he's had contact with county government before.

"I've worked with the county on a lot of development things, including intergovernmental agreements," Monroe said. "The issues are larger, but it's the same kind of thing, holding expenses down but keeping the services the same."

Small business owner Lyons, 52, said if she is elected, she would work hard for economic development, particularly in the county's tax increment financing districts.

"I hear the stories of how vibrant the area was," Lyons said. "I'm looking to rebuild some of that community that was here. I want to bring vibrancy back."

District 10 includes Bloomfield Township and Genoa City.