Election Matters: Mistele hailed as 'nightmare for Dane County liberals'

John Nichols  —  1/28/2009 9:02 am

CALENDAR:

PRIMARY ELECTION: Feb. 17

GENERAL ELECTION: April 7

DANE GOP HEARTS NANCY MISTELE 

The contest for Dane County Executive is, technically, a nonpartisan one. But former Madison School Board member Nancy Mistele's challenge to incumbent Kathleen Falk has the county's beleaguered Republican Party all excited.

Once upon a time, Republicans won elections in Dane County. As recently as the 1990s, Republicans were winning races for Dane County Sheriff and District Attorney. But the Bush era made politics matter, and Republican contenders started to find themselves on the losing end of the ballot -- to such an extent that the party has avoided running candidates for partisan county jobs in recent years.

But Mistele, a former Republican contender for the state Senate, has the Republican Party of Dane County (RPDC) all excited. The Web site of the RPDC, which bills the organization as "The Right Choice for Dane County" -- that's "right" as in conservative -- features an article hailing Mistele as: "Smart, energetic, courageous ... in short, a nightmare for Dane County liberals."

Here's the statement in full:

Nancy Mistele for Dane County Executive

Nancy Mistele is no stranger to running for public office. Elected twice to the Madison Board of Education in the 1990's, Nancy ran two very strong campaigns for the State Senate in 1994 and 1998 in the 27th Senate District. Over the past 15 years, Nancy has been a courageous and vocal advocate of reduced spending, lower taxes and public policy that responds to the everyday concerns of rank and file citizens in Madison and Dane County. Many people talk the talk, but Nancy has always walked the walk.

Smart, energetic, courageous . . . in short, a nightmare for Dane County liberals.

In 1976, Nancy and her husband Tom started Aztec Builders, a commercial construction enterprise for which Nancy still serves as the Chief Financial Officer. From the early 1980's to the late 1990's, Nancy led the development of software for the healthcare and broadcast industries and eventually formed a real estate partnership to create Pinnacle Health & Fitness, Inc., a business she co-owned with her husband and other family members. In 2004, Nancy became the President of Prairie Condominium Development Inc. A new career as a real estate developer and broker was underway.

Tommy Thompson also recognized this rising star in Dane County politics when he named Nancy to the Wisconsin Teachers Retirement Board in 1995.

After conquering the business world and successfully raising two sons and a daughter, Nancy is now bringing her considerable talents and energy back to the public arena and has announced she will be challenging Kathleen Falk for the position of County Executive in the spring 2009 election. After 12 years of Kathleen Falk serving as Dane County Executive, Nancy Mistele is convinced it's time for a change.

We agree.

Mistele said her campaign will focus on restraining government spending and taxation, effectively addressing public safety, including the 911 deficiencies, developing a comprehensive and common sense strategy for meeting transportation needs in Dane County, cleaning up Dane County lakes and waterways, preserving green spaces, fighting to preserve Dane County jobs and attracting new good-paying jobs to Dane County.

If you're interested in helping the Mistele For County Executive campaign, you can email Nancy at nmistele@yahoo.com or by calling her at 608-575-8589.

LOCAL DEMOCRATS AND FALK

Just as Mistele is associated with the GOP, Falk is associated with the Democrats. She's run for the party's nomination for governor and as its candidate for attorney general.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin clearly recognizes the partisan outlines of this nonpartisan contest. DPW chair Joe Wineke tore into Mistele recently.

But, amusingly, the Democratic Party of Dane County does not mention Falk in its listing of county elected officials.

SPEAKING OF FALK

After Election Matters noted Mistele's campaigning the other day, Falk campaign aide Melissa Mulliken wrote:

Saw the column about Mistele's "smart start" this morning as I'm reading on-linedid you see the Isthmus column on the fact that Jim Pugh from WMC wrote her announcement speech?

http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=24661&sid=af6d0fcf61c93c65b4b84584393ebb6b

Yes, Election Matters did notice the report by our friend Isthmus writer Bill Lueders about Pugh, a veteran Republican operative now aligned with the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce business lobby.

Frankly, we are not all that surprised that candidates get help writing speeches.

Nor are we surprised that Pugh and Rick Berg, veteran GOP wordsmiths, have assisted Mistele. (We recall the exceptionally fine speech that Berg crafted for the Scott McCallum when the longtime lieutenant governor was sworn in as governor in 2001. Unfortunately for McCallum, it was downhill from there -- as Berg soon left the gubernatorial circle.)

Here, by the way, is Mistele's speech:

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Dane County Executive.

Dane County is the greatest county in the state with treasures

beyond our wildest imagination - lakes, streams, farms, factories, great schools, the University of Wisconsin, and most of all our people.

And it is those great people who deserve change in Dane County government. Change we can believe in. Change that we deserve.

We face challenging times ahead in county government - times that require new leadership to ensure our citizens are safe.

Public safety is the most basic element of government. Everything flows from there.

As a mother & grandmother, I know that when we are in our homes, we expect to be safe. When our kids come home from school, we expect them to be safe. And as a business executive, I know that when we go to work, we expect to be safe.

Furthermore, as a citizen I understand that if we are ever placed in harm's way, we expect that police will answer the call when we dial 9-1-1.

As Dane County Executive I will fix the 911 center, get us the technology we need, hire the dispatchers we need and make sure police are sent to fight crimes, especially violent crimes.

And let's be clear. The failures of the 911 center are not new, and they are not isolated. A consultant reported five years ago that we needed to fix technology and personnel. All of these failures can be laid at the doorstep of Kathleen Falk.

And we deserve better, we deserve positive change.

When it comes to the failed leadership and management of the 911 Center, I am in full agreement with Police Chief Noble Wray who said there has been an unfortunate tendency of the center to "fail to look ahead, strategically plan and lead."

As Dane County Executive, I will make safety Job One. I will focus on fixing the 911 system so our families will be as safe as possible in their homes. I won't be running for governor. I won't be running for Attorney General. I will fix the 911 center or I won't run for reelection.

In addition to fixing the 911 center, I have to add that I agree with Dane County Circuit Court Judge Bill Foust that the county executive shouldn't be forcing community service sentences as part of the budget.

As a former Democrat Dane County District Attorney, Bill Foust understands that fighting crime requires a separation of powers between the branches of government.

Unfortunately, the current County Executive - Kathleen Falk - thinks the judges should be running a "catch and release program." Even District Attorney Brian Blanchard opposed the community service mandate.

Catch and release works for muskies in Lake Mendota. But judges should be free to put criminals in jail without pressure from the county executive to put them on the street.

In addition, I will put a stop to taxpayer funded bail for defendants.

Taxpayers should not be acting as bail bondsmen as part of the Falk catch and release program. I will cut that program and use those funds to hire more dispatchers.

And there is so much more that must be done.

More than ever we need an executive dedicated to the position, with a vision for a vibrant and growing Dane County.

My vision for Dane County includes ...

Creating an environment of coordination and cooperation between various sectors of government and the private sector.

We must work together to promote policies that preserve our existing jobs and to create new high-paying . . . high-skill jobs. A vibrant Dane County economy benefits everyone.

We need to ensure Dane County is strategically positioned to encourage economic growth and send the right signals to companies and entrepreneurs - namely that we WANT your business in Dane County.

I will work with developers and environmentalists to ensure balanced growth that allows communities to grow so we can support more jobs and affordable housing.

I will implement plans to maintain our infrastructure in order to support and facilitate growth. If Dane County is to be competitive for jobs, we need safe roads that will move people, goods, and services efficiently.

This includes the North Mendota parkway and other significant routes to move traffic more efficiently and with less pollution.

I will make sure that we get what we pay for and that government works harder than the taxpayers.

I know what it takes to balance a budget. I know what it means to prioritize spending. And I know the importance of getting value out of every $1 spent.

You deserve to trust that your money is being spent wisely and effectively. And you know you can trust me to follow through.

I will work with our schools to ensure that all of our children - black, white, Latino and Asian - get a great education.

I will partner with the University of Wisconsin and MATC on economic development initiatives aimed at keeping good-paying jobs in our community.

I promise our gay and lesbian communities that I will maintain the domestic partner registration program and domestic partner benefits for county employees.

And, I will not run for higher office because I will be running Dane County government to keep our families safe and our communities strong.

I believe it's time for an executive -- not a politician -- to lead our county. I have the experience and the vision to do the job. To make Dane County great.

I'm asking you to consider this ... do you want someone who is willing to devote all her time and energy to the county's needs ... or do you prefer an executive with one foot in Dane County and another one on a higher rung of the political ladder?

Kathleen Falk has had her turn. And now she's looking at Dane County in her rear view mirror.

The time for change is now. I ask for your vote on April 7th, and we'll make safety, Dane County's first priority! Thank you.

And here, for comparison, is Falk's announcement speech -- complete with a discussion of manure digesters -- announcing her candidacy for reelection:

Thank you for those kind words, Governor Doyle. And thank you for joining this wonderful group of your fellow Dane County residents here today.

Many of you were on these steps 12 years ago when I announced my first run for County Executive. You come from all across the county from different backgrounds: you are business people, conservationists, realtors, social workers, elected officials, labor leaders, law enforcement professionals, educators.

All of us throughout Dane County, regardless of our political party or profession, share a common bond: a deep affection for this wonderful, beautiful, diverse county we live in and a strong commitment to its future.

Over the time I've been County Executive, citizens throughout the county, exemplified by those of you here today, have come together, put aside differences, listened respectfully, spoken their minds and have helped me find creative, effective solutions to some very complex issues.

During the 12 years I've served you, I've focused on the areas that reflect our shared values and priorities:

Fiscal responsibility that's helped us hold the line on property taxes. My self-imposed levy limit of population plus inflation is tough, but fair. Our fiscal integrity has helped Dane County maintain our Triple A bond rating, one of only two counties in the State to earn the highest rating.

Public protection so our communities and roads are safe. I've added 128 staff to the Sheriff's department, developed a traffic safety team to improve safety on the county's roads; vetoed expensive and unnecessary jail building to save $30 million; and created "smart on crime" programs that keep people from reoffending.

Human Services so our seniors, families, kids and people with developmental disabilities have the services they need in order to succeed. We invest in many innovative programs for kids from the day they are born throughout their teens, including youth resource centers and the nationally recognized Early Childhood Initiative that helps moms and dads in poverty get jobs and their children get the right start. From our nationally recognized community-based system for people with developmental disabilities to our innovative alcohol-initiatives, Dane County continues to provide high quality, cost-effective services to some of our most vulnerable residents.

Protecting and improving Dane County's remarkable natural resources so that we have cleaner air and water; protect our farmlands, preserve wetlands and prevent sprawl. We've enacted some of the most comprehensive ordinances in the Country to protect our land and water. And we created the 30 million dollar Conservation Fund to buy almost 10,000 acres for parks and preservation. Most recently, we've created the Land and Lake Legacy Fund with money to protect wetlands, prevent floods and keep our lakes clean.

In Dane County we've built a foundation that is strong enough to see us through difficult times. That strong foundation not only means Dane County is uniquely positioned to confront the challenges we will face but to seize the opportunities our hard work has created.

And that is why I am excited to announce today that I am running for re-election as your County Executive.

When I think about all we've gotten done over the past 12 years, I can't wait to get started on the next chapter.

Let me tell you why. First, we have a great, great opportunity when it comes to energy and our local economy.

Within several years, Dane County can become a producer rather than a consumer of energy through technology that turns waste products into natural gas and electricity.

Two great examples are manure digesters that help dairy farmers turn a pollutant of our lakes into clean energy and second, using the same sort of process at our landfills.

In both cases, waste becomes valuable, clean energy -- either natural gas or electricity.

And, with the State's and MGE's commitment to ending coal in the major plants, our farmers will have a real market for selling biomass such as switchgrass. We can use this clean power to heat major state and local government facilities. It will take a lot of work and involve a number of partners including the State, our farmers, the private sector and the County. But the payoff is simply astounding: cleaner air, cleaner water, cheaper power, stronger farms.

Second, there is life-saving work that needs to be done in the area of alcohol abuse.

Here in Dane County -- this beautiful, wonderful place -- too many of us drink too much, drink too often and drink to destruction. Our cultural tolerance for the excessive use of alcohol endangers individual lives and our entire community. It's killing us.

I and the very smart team I assembled to work on defining solutions have done a lot of research, homework and listening. There are some solutions that focus on what we can do to change our culture, our behaviors and keep kids from abusing alcohol.

I look forward to making my initiatives on alcohol abuse public and getting to work on the solutions in the very near future.

In the past 12 years, we've seen tremendous change. Dane County has grown by 70,000 more people: that's twice the growth as any other county in the state. The sorry state of our national economy threatens our security, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought grief and sorrow close to home. In Dane county, we've weathered -- literally -- tornados, record rains, floods, record snowfalls and cold.

And throughout it all, our citizens have always looked out for their neighbor and worked for a better tomorrow.

I am inspired daily by the half million Dane County citizens who want a better future for all our people and this place we love. I ask for your support. It is an honor to serve you.

Thank you very much.

Did we mention the manure digester part?

Oh, yes, we did.

John Nichols  —  1/28/2009 9:02 am