Meet one of the candidates running for Portage County District 9 supervisor in the April 2 election
Incumbent Andrew Rockman will face challenger David Eiden for the District 9 seat on the Portage County Board in the April 2 election.
Portage County supervisors serve two-year terms. All 25 Portage County Board seats are up for election this spring.
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The Stevens Point Journal asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the county and why they are running for the position. Eiden did not provide responses.
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Andrew Rockman
Age: 45
Residence: Stevens Point
Occupation and education: General manager of Rockman’s Catering; bachelor's degree in environmental ethics and religious studies from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with minors in writing and psychology
Relevant experience: While I have only served one term as a county supervisor, I have been working for Rockman’s Catering for nearly 34 years, over 20 of which are in various leadership roles, though it is the nature of service work itself that bears more relevance.
Why are you running for office?
Rockman: Truthfully, it is because of the questions outlined below. The three asking about the justice center, the health care center and our groundwater. I ran last term because I felt I had insight and perspective to offer the conversation. There is still much of that conversation that needs having.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues in the county, and how would you address them?
Rockman: The majority of the calls and emails I receive have been about the issues below. However, in the last few months, the accountability and integrity of the board itself has been questioned. I hope to do a better job keeping us honest about our intentions.
The future of the Portage County Justice Center and the need for a new jail has been discussed for decades. What would you like to see happen with a new jail, justice center and courthouse?
Rockman: It’s a complicated issue. So, I should like to be clear. I do not pretend to be an architect or social engineer. I acknowledge the real and pressing need for this to get done and done well. I acknowledge that I have little in the way of answers. However, I am not willing to vote to take on a very large debt to the county without a functional plan. Too much of what has been presented is more agenda than solution.
In 2022, Portage County residents approved a referendum to build a new Portage County Health Care Center. Due to a variety of concerns and issues that has not yet happened. What would you like to see happen with the county-owned health care center?
Rockman: I believe it can and should have happened already. We were given a directive by the voters to fund the Health Care Center. And it appears to be coming up for another round of consideration. For my part, I will do what I can to keep certain interests from selling it before the voters get their say in November.
Clean drinking water is a top concern for many in the county. If elected, how would you work to ensure safe drinking water for all residents?
Rockman: It is the County Board’s directive to help provide and protect clean and safe drinking water. We are failing to do our job. It’s just that simple. There is much about the committee that oversees this that needs examining and fixing. Too many voices that don’t speak for the citizens of our community. We need stronger action and less obstruction.
More local news: Portage County Board 'pumps the brakes' on Health Care Center sale and sends purchase offer back to committees
More local news: Portage County Board gives approval to purchase Plover land for possible new jail and justice center
Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA-TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Reach him at epfantz@gannett.com or connect with him on X (formerly Twitter) @ErikPfantz.
This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: April 2024 election: Portage County Board District 9 candidates
