Post Messenger Recorder -

Dear Editor,

I served with New Glarus Village President Roger Truttmann for 8 years on the New Glarus Village Board, and in that time I came to like and respect him as a person. I’ve never doubted his intentions or affection for the Village. Nevertheless, I have at times admittedly been openly critical of his leadership and efficacy.

I often found his inability to take firm positions and embrace difficult choices frustrating. I believe that opportunities to put some of our community’s most vexing long-term challenges behind us have been missed, as a result.

I’ve also had a brief opportunity to get to know and work with his opponent, Mark Hawley, on the successful “Save Glarner Park” campaign. I believe his will to serve this community is genuine, and that his intentions are good.

Under different circumstances, I very well might vote for Mark. But given the current unprecedented turnover in Village government, I will be voting for Roger for Village President. This spring, New Glarus will be breaking in three new Village Trustees (out of a total of six), and replacing two-thirds of its administrative staff (Village Administrator and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer).

Given all of that change, New Glarus currently needs stability at the top, not even more change. My hope is that Mark will join me in throwing his support behind Roger, for the good of the Village. I will also be casting a write-in vote for Mark, for one of the vacant Village Trustee seats. As a Trustee, Mark will be able to gain much-needed experience, so that he can effectively serve our community in whatever role he pursues, in the future.

Please join me in voting Roger Truttmann for New Glarus Village President, and writing in Mark Hawley for Village Trustee.

Greg Thoemke,

New Glarus