By Press Times Staff
BROWN COUNTY – Three candidates are vying for the District 7 supervisory seat on the Brown County Board.
Incumbent Tom Frieberg will face two challengers, Leanne Cramer and Roger Patrick Moore, in a primary election Feb. 15.
The top two vote-getters will move on to the general election April 5.
District 7 includes a portion of the City of Green Bay’s west side near the Bay of Green Bay.
The Press Times emailed each candidate the same question:
“What do you see as the most important issue facing Brown County and District 7, and if elected, how will you address it?”
Each candidate had 200 words to respond.
Leanne Cramer
A: (I’m a) provider representative at a local insurance company, (and a) graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Trying to make a difference by doing my part. So many people complain, and I want to try to change things. In all areas of government, there has been too much overreach.
I have been following issues and I am very passionate about this area and want it to be the best.
We have too much government overreach and crime going on.
Increasing crime/drug issues – (I want to) make sure we allocate enough money for the drug task force(s). Increase our tax base.
Tom Friberg
A: I believe that climate change and its increasing effects on our local environment and economy will continue to pose new challenges to this and future County Boards. In recent years, we’ve experienced an increase in floods that has shut down and eroded roads, while also preventing farmers from planting and harvesting crops.
These are not one-off occurrences, rather it is a trend that will continue and worsen for generations to come.
We need to start planning for a future that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, and prepare our infrastructure to withstand more frequent and severe weather events.
In 2021, a resolution I introduced was approved by the County Board that formed the Brown County Energy subcommittee.
The purpose of this committee is to evaluate the county’s energy usage and make proposals that would increase Brown County’s energy efficiency and prepare us for a future we are not currently prepared for. If re-elected, I will continue my work with the BC Energy subcommittee, as well as collaborate with the City of Green Bay and De Pere’s Sustainability Commissions to become better stewards of our environment and create a future we can all be proud of.
Roger Patrick Moore
A: I believe county boards have a duty to its citizens to provide safe secure services that are needed and at a price people can afford to pay from taxes and property taxes.
That said, while Brown County steadily grows in population, our mental health programs have actually decreased over the past 20 years. Sadly, our county jail houses many mentally-ill inmates at a high cost to taxpayers.
Mentally-ill inmates need treatment, not incarceration at our jails.
I want to strengthen our drug task force and the Brown County Sheriff’s (Office) to deal with the ever-increasing drug and gun violence problems that we have seen, even just last year more than 60 shootings in Green Bay and Brown County area.
People come here from other cities like Chicago, Minneapolis and Milwaukee to get away from the violence and shootings.
I want Brown County to be like the old days, when I moved here 25 years ago and settled down and bought a house. Neighbors hung out with each other, were friendly and (had) barbecues, invited neighbors to graduation and christening of their children, (held) block parties, (and it was a) safe, secure community. This is what I strive to get back into Brown County. With the help of our communities, we can get this back (and) make Green Bay great again.