Outagamie County Board election: Mark Mitchell and Joe Santonato vie for District 20 seat
GRAND CHUTE - Incumbent Joe Santonato and newcomer Mark Mitchell will compete in the April 2 nonpartisan election for the District 20 seat on the Outagamie County Board.
Santonato is seeking his second term on the County Board and currently serves on the Legislative/Audit and Human Resources Committee.
District 20 covers a portion of Grand Chute, bordering Interstate 41 and Northland Avenue to the north and south, and Meade Street and Whitney Drive to the east and west.
All Outagamie County Board members are up for election to serve a two-year term on the board.
County Board members serve as a legislative authority for the county, making decisions on county ordinances and deciding how county money is used through committees they are appointed to.
The Post-Crescent asked each candidate to fill out a questionnaire telling us why they are running. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name and answers have been lightly edited for clarity.
Here are important dates for voters to remember for the upcoming election:
March 13: Deadline to register to vote online via myvote.wi.gov or by mail
March 28: Deadline to request an absentee ballot
March 29: Deadline to register to vote in-person at your local clerk's office for early voting
April 2: Spring election and presidential primary
Mark Mitchell
Age: 61
Occupation: Maintenance and regional supervisor
Highest level of education attained: High school
Relevant experience: U.S. Air Force veteran, small home repair business owner for 13 years, church board member and treasurer, facility maintenance for an assisted living company
Joe Santonato
Age: 59
Occupation: Sales executive
Highest level of education attained: Bachelor's degree in paper science and engineering
Relevant experience: 2 years on the Outagamie County Board, 3 years as Renaissance School for the Arts Charter Board President at Appleton West
Why are you running for Outagamie County Board?
Mitchell: I’m running for Outagamie County supervisor because I’m concerned with rising taxes and how our taxes are being spent. I want to ensure that taxpayers are getting value for their dollar and also ensure there’s no wasteful spending. I have lived in Outagamie County most of my life and want to ensure it remains a great place to live, work and raise a family
Santonato: I am running for reelection to continue the great work the County Board has done in the past two years. This includes securing financing to double the size of the airport, keeping and bringing jobs to Outagamie County, maintaining and improving county roads and parks, supporting our health care professionals at Brewster Village and other locations and keeping the county staffed for all the other county government functions that sometimes go unnoticed until needed.
What makes you the better candidate in this race?
Mitchell: I believe the office of the County Board has two parts. A servant and a steward. I will be both a dedicated servant and a responsible steward of taxpayer funds. I have spent my life in service to others. My experience in the Air Force, running a home repair business, and working with the elderly in a care facility has given me the compassion to serve others. I’m committed to serving the people of my district diligently and addressing their concerns effectively. I’ll work with board members to ensure our government runs efficiently without wasteful spending.
Santonato: I've lived in Outagamie County for over 20 years. I understand the values this community stands for. I am running for reelection to ensure the county remains a place where everyone can live, work and thrive free from discrimination, bias and hatred. This should be the goal of all residents and the example should be set by the board.
What are Outagamie County residents telling you are their top issues and how would you address them?
Mitchell: I have taken the time to speak to members of my district over the past couple of months and listen to their concerns. It has become clear that rising taxes are a pressing issue. I am committed to more efficient spending, and I’ll work with my fellow board members to identify where improvements can be made. Working in facility maintenance for the last 18 years has given me experience that will be vital to this role. We don’t always have to make cuts to save money. We can maximize their impact by ensuring we spend every tax dollar wisely.
Santonato: When I discuss issues with citizens several themes are repeated: maintain and bring good paying jobs to the county, maintain county services like healthcare, roads and parks, and finally to keep Outagamie County a great place to live, thrive and raise a family free from prejudice, bias and hatred.
Sophia Voight covers local government and politics in the Fox Valley for The Post-Crescent. She can be reached with feedback and story tips at svoight@postcrescent.com.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Mitchell, Santonato vie for Outagamie County Board District 20 seat
