Do you believe the Town is headed in a positive direction?

On a scale from 1 to 5, how well is the Town of Lac du Flambeau government currently managed?
1 = not good ... 5 = excellent

Do you believe the LDF Town Board should be more transparent?

Do you believe the LDF Town Board should have 5 members?

Do you believe the LDF Town Chairman should attend Tribal Council Meetings?

Are you in favor of creating a Town and Tribal task force?

Are you in favor of creating an economic development committee?

Will you find and apply for grants to improve the Town?

In your view, what is the role of the LDF Town Board?

Matt Gaulke:

Declined to respond.

Bob Hanson:

The role of the Town Board is that of ensuring that the town meets its obligations to all the citizens of the town, not just one group. Perhaps the greatest duty of the board is that of listening to the citizens and responding to their concerns. All citizens should be treated with respect and honesty.

Gloria Cobb:

To listen to community members, make informed decisions on all aspects impacting the community within the state statutes that governing the Town. We are to work cooperatively with other agencies to improve or enhance our community. We need to stay informed on on top of all issues or concerns for Lac du Flambeau.

John Bernard:

Declined to respond.

Joe Wildcat Sr.:

To serve the Lac du Flambeau community for all residents.

What are your qualifications and what experience do you bring to the Town Board? How will the Town benefit going forward if you are elected?

Matt Gaulke:

Declined to respond.

Bob Hanson:

I have had two separate terms on the board, and I have repeatedly attempted to expand the board to five members. With the current three-member board, two members constitute a quorum, so no two members can discuss town issues without doing so in a properly noticed meeting. Additionally, a five-member board would create opportunities for a more diverse and inclusive board that would better reflect the makeup of our electorate.

I also bring my county board experience to the table, and I am able to balance town and county concerns as a result. I believe that there is a missing component in town, and that we need to have input from town, county and Tribe.

Gloria Cobb:

I believe I have a voice of reason. I've lived and worked in Lac du Flambeau my entire life. I've seen the improvements and challenges. I've been on both side of politics in Lac du Flambeau Tribal and Town Government. We need to work together on mutual areas of agreement. On issues or challenges we need to understand all sides of the issue. I will continue to be a voice of reason and listen to the community. My decisions are fair and informed. If we don't agree, I will respect others opinions and listen to all sides before making a decision.

John Bernard:

Declined to respond.

Joe Wildcat Sr.:

Business experience, tribal government, county government.

What will you do about the current road closure situation? And how do you intend to create a fair and equitable solution to not have this happen again?

Editors note: Answers were submitted the week of March 6th. So given the fluid nature of the issue, the candidates' responses may be outdated.

Matt Gaulke:

Declined to respond.

Bob Hanson:

I have offered one proposed draft agreement thus far. I have a second proposal prepared for the March 8 meeting, and I am hopeful that it will at least be a starting point for good-faith negotiations.

Gloria Cobb:

Apologize for the neglect on behalf of the Town for not keeping this on the radar. We can't rewrite history, but we can learn from the mistake made by previously and work together to correct. The Town needs to get their land records in order and up to date. This will help avoid the previous negligence by not addressing the trespass or expired easement issues. This is one area perhaps that a staff person maybe needed to be hired so these records are maintained properly. Also we can't negotiate by ourselves, so we need to work to open lines of communication up with the Tribe and Title Companies. We need to educate/understand the history behind this issue and work to resolve. Learn from mistakes made previously. We need to address the hard issues not avoid them. We need to respect the opinion of others even if we disagree.

John Bernard:

Declined to respond.

Joe Wildcat Sr.:

Work with all parties with respect for a beneficial outcome for all parties involved.

What are your beliefs on improving the relationship between the Town and Tribe?

Matt Gaulke:

Declined to respond.

Bob Hanson:

First and foremost, I believe that Congressman Tiffany, Governor Evers, Senators Baldwin and Johnson, and the BIA need to stay out of the way. Their participation has only served to raise the temperature of the situation. The town and the Tribe have a difficult history, largely due to the town's disrespectful treatment of Tribal government, and inflammatory and disrespectful statements (such as those of Tiffany) are counterproductive and harmful. We need a respectful dialogue between town and Tribe, followed by cooperative action.

The county has been considering reestablishing the County/Tribal Concerns committee. I believe the town should participate in that committee as well.

Gloria Cobb:

Respect for each other. Respect history both Tribal and Town. Work together on common areas of concern or agreement. Those areas where there's conflict, continue with utmost respect with the goal of options for resolution in the best interest of our community.

John Bernard:

Declined to respond.

Joe Wildcat Sr.:

Respect, transparency, and coordination.

If you believe there should be a Town and Tribal task force, what might this task force work on together?

Matt Gaulke:

Declined to respond.

Bob Hanson:

If the town participates in the above committee, there will be many opportunities for cooperative efforts. Town and tribe could jointly apply for funding for drug programs, for cultural awareness education, and for green economic development that would bring prosperity to the area without damaging its natural beauty.

Gloria Cobb:

Roads resolution. Interagency agreements, Medical Transportation ie Med5, Fire Department. Long Term Strategic planning for our community. Where do we see ourselves in 10-20 years.

John Bernard:

Declined to respond.

Joe Wildcat Sr.:

Emergency services, infrastructure improvements, natural resource protection, tourism, finding funding for improvements.

What are some ways you’d like to see the Town advance? e.g. infrastructure, technology, education, library, modern governance, clean water, arts and culture, tourism, business development, etc.

Matt Gaulke:

Declined to respond.

Bob Hanson:

Broadband is a large area of need which is currently in progress thanks to the Tribe’s pursuit of a grant for use in this area of need. We need to improve and develop our EMS and Fire Departments, and offer opportunities for the Fire and Ambulance volunteers to develop professionally. At some point in time, we may not have the ability to rely on volunteers any longer, and we may need to develop a plan for paid services before long.

Education is vital to any community. It is the future of our world. We must focus on giving our children the skills needed to replace the older generation. An effective library is a key to educational development, as well.

Modern governance, to me, means involving younger people in government. Younger people have new ideas and are more likely to make progressive moves to improve the future of our community.

Clean water - without it we cannot survive. We need to protect the waters around us.

Arts and culture are the lifeblood of any community. We all benefit from a strong arts and cultural aura in our community.

If we address the preceding issues effectively, tourism and development will follow.

Gloria Cobb:

Technology. Improved Communication within the community and community members. Quarterly updates to the community via newsletter or website. Maybe surveys on what our community would like to see improved.

John Bernard:

Declined to respond.

Joe Wildcat Sr.:

Answered in the previous question.

Do you support and would you foster the creation of Town initiatives? If so, what is important to you?

Matt Gaulke:

Declined to respond.

Bob Hanson:

Yes! One current crisis is the need to develop an EMS initiative to replace the arrangement with Oneida County.

Gloria Cobb:

Yes I support a creation of Town initiatives. Building a strategic plan for growth and what does that include. This needs input from our community. This is where the survey might come I handy. Where do we see LDF in 5, 10, 15 years?

John Bernard:

Declined to respond.

Joe Wildcat Sr.:

I don't know what the town initiatives are other than a new fire station, and yes, I would foster the creation of town initiatives.

What are your thoughts about economic development for the Town?

Matt Gaulke:

Declined to respond.

Bob Hanson:

Economic development can be an important part of a town, but it must be pursued with care. In an area such as this, the air and water must come first. No amount of economic development is worth the destruction of nature’s greatest gifts.

Gloria Cobb:

Need to work with Tribal Business Development Corporation and identify needs for community.

John Bernard:

Declined to respond.

Joe Wildcat Sr.:

Natural resource-friendly business and assistance to capture funding through various granting agencies.

What three things do you believe the Town can improve on and how would you approach them?

Matt Gaulke:

Declined to respond.

Bob Hanson:

1) Emergency Medical Services - possibly developing a county-wide system to assist our local service.

2) Expanding the board to five members to create a more inclusive and diverse board that is able to address the concerns of all citizens.

3) There needs to be more follow-through on board issues. Too many issues fall through the cracks.

Gloria Cobb:

1) Communication - be open minded to change.

2) Work together - ask ourselves are we part of the problem or part of the solution. I like to be part of the solution, far to often we get caught up with history and who did what and it derails any advancement.

3) The Town Board should create an action list from each meeting and use it as a working document to show progress, challenges orb obstacles, this shows transparency.

John Bernard:

Declined to respond.

Joe Wildcat Sr.:

Modern age governance equipment, legal services, and town officials' education of the people they serve. Follow approval process, research and planning, procurement process, implementation.