Miller chosen as village’s newest trustee
Five people were in the running to fill a vacant trustee seat on the Grafton Village Board on Monday, Dec. 2.
After two rounds of ballots, Jim Miller was sworn in, but the decision was met with opposition from Trustee Susan Meinecke.
Those seeking to fill the vacancy were asked six questions during open session by board members, who cast their votes on a written ballot. The process was established in 1997 and has been used several times.
The other four candidates included AnneMarie Wenten, Amy Luft, Daniel Delorit and Lewis Herro.
The board approved its decision to appoint Miller, 5-1. Trustee Susan Meinecke dissented because she said Wenten was overlooked after receiving 963 votes, or 13%, in last April’s election.
“Last year, 963 people voted for AnneMarie Wenten, and this board has just completely thrown that out the window to get their own personal agenda in. Nothing against Mr. Miller, but I just think that’s reprehensible,” Meinecke said.
Wenten also sought to fill a vacant trustee seat two years ago.
After the first round of voting, Miller and Luft were tied with two votes while Wenten and Delorit each received one. Herro received no votes and was not considered in the next round.
After the second round of ballots, Miller had three votes, while Wenten, Luft and Delorit each received one.
“I want to improve the quality of life in the village. I hope to make a small contribution moving forward,” Miller said during the interview process.
The board had been seeking to fill the vacant seat since October, when former trustee John Gassert moved to the Town of Grafton.
Miller has been a village resident for nearly 40 years and a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee for 15 years. Previously, he served in a similar committee role in the City of Port Washington for 10 years.
When asked what are the “biggest priorities facing the village in the next year?” Miller said it is addressing vacant businesses.
Miller moved to Grafton as a child in 1956 and said the growth in the village since then has been “night and day.”
“Grafton has come a long way,” he said.
Miller has a bachelor’s degree in political science with an emphasis in local government. While in college, he was an intern for the City Administrator of Mequon.
He currently works for the Grafton School District in a support staff role and is a junior-varsity golf coach at the high school.
Miller’s first official meeting as trustee will be Monday, Dec. 16. The term runs through spring 2021.
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