Column: Last call for an informed vote

By Dan Kontos

We are merely a few days away from the spring election, and it’s time to dial in your selections for local elected offices. Coincidently, we are also just a few days past April Fools; so, thanks for the laughs. If we got you, even just a little, you’re not alone.

What is not a laughing matter are the decisions that we are called upon to make on April 5. At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, the future of our community will be shaped for years to come based on how we collectively choose our representatives in government. Doubt me? Just look around.

We are going to hire people for some very important positions. County executive, judge, county board supervisors, school board members, municipal board and council members, and one judge for court of appeals who will be running unopposed; forgive the eye dialect, but I betcha most don’t even know that.

Don’t forget that you will also be voting on whether to raise the county tax levy by $4.5 million annually to build a new 40-bed health care facility. That means that with the average home value in Portage County according to RealtyTrac ($191,000), taxpayers will potentially see an annual tax increase of approximately $129.30 (which is $67.70 per $100,000). I know it’s more complex than that, but this works for illustration purposes. Your mileage may vary, as they say, but you should know this.

So, this is our last chance to study up. If I may be so bold as to suggest that you go to myvote.wi.gov and print out a sample ballot. There is nothing wrong with making your choices now as you do your last-minute homework, and take it into the polling place with you. No one expects you to memorize every candidate for every office, and you can freely take personal notes with you when you cast your vote. No electioneering, mind you, but your own reminders are perfectly legal and appropriate.

Then take the next 48 hours or so to complete your choices. Find candidates that most closely align with your values and beliefs. Then go vote.

I like to look at the candidates’ own words. Nothing says what is really on their minds than what comes out of their own mouths, like at Get Involved Wisconsin, for example. What’s even better than the canned and polished answers to pre-submitted written questions, are the spontaneous answers to questions posed to the candidate in the moment. You can find several examples in local media, like the Metro Wire.

Our opinions may differ, and that’s alright. In fact, it is the essence of a constitutional republic, such as ours. I make no secret about what I look for in a candidate, and as I look at the April election, the choices for me are all too easy.

You may want a candidate who is a politician – not a servant of the people, someone who favors big government, limited parental rights, getting their information solely from woke social media, celebrates and promotes dysphoria, supports critical racism theory, opposes liberty and freedom, and who makes decisions in the shadows rather than in the full light of public scrutiny. I do not.

You may prefer someone who has made a career out of accomplishing very little, who gets credit for the work of others, someone who claims to be smarter or better than you just because of the virtue of their existence, who is supportive of criminals, or who defends the wasting of hundreds of thousands of dollars of our tax money on divisive and counterproductive programs and positions. I do not.

You may favor censorship, being lied to, accusing others of their own malfeasance, or simply being taken for a fool. I do not.

Sound like someone familiar? Perhaps, but I really wasn’t alluding to anyone in particular. I routinely use these values at all elections, not just this one. I see them all around me, and maybe you do too. You may want to elect these kinds of people. Sorry, I do not. 

Umm, no, not sorry. By the way, if you think I am writing about you in particular, then you are part of the problem. Not sorry in the least.

So, it’s time to stand up, take the power back from those who do not respect you, and exercise your right and duty to vote.

So, with that, let’s get to the polls, then meet in the opinion section to talk about all of it, boldly, unafraid, and with a healthy respect for our community and neighbors. Until then, God bless.

Dan Kontos is a paid columnist for the Metro Wire. He chooses his own topics and his opinions do not necessarily represent the staff of the Metro Wire. He lives with his family in Whiting. 

We are seeking a liberal columnist. Anyone with interest should email [email protected].