Village Board picks new president

Belgium has a new village president.

Trustee Pete Anzia was appointed by the Village Board on Monday night, edging Clem Gottsacker on a 4-2 vote.

Anzia received votes from himself and trustees Josh Borden, Rose Sauers and Dale Pfeifer.

Gottsacker received votes from himself and Trustee Don Gotcher.

It was the second consecutive meeting in which the board tried to pick a new president. Four votes are required, and the first two attempts at the body’s May 14 meeting ended in 3-2, one favoring Anzia and the other Gottsacker.

Pfeifer, who rarely attends board meetings since he was switched from third to second shift at Oshkosh Corp., wasn’t at the May meeting.

Anzia and Gottsacker provided comments on why they would be a good fit for the position at the May meeting.

“I have time. I don’t have any kids at home any more. There are all kinds of things to learn yet. It would be a good experience,” Anzia said.

Gottsacker said: “I feel I have the most experience. I’ve been on the board for 15 years. I know the ins and outs of it. I’ve  done (the job) pro tem for a while.”

Anzia is an industrial machine operator at Kohler Co. He is married with four children and has been a trustee for four years.

He succeeds Vickie Boehnlein, who resigned her post to pursue the village treasurer position. Elected officials may not be village employees. Boehnleins’ job at the How-Dea Service Center was being eliminated.

Boehnlein got the treasurer job and started June 4, taking over for Kelly Brinkman, who resigned because her husband got a job in Madison.

Anzia will complete  Boehnlein’s term, which ends in April 2019.

That left one spot open on the Village Board. Two residents, Rebecca Johnson and Victor Lecato, expressed interest at the May meeting.

The board unanimously appointed Lecato. 

Both provided comments on why they are interested in serving on the Village Board.

Johnson has a husband and two children and is a stay-at-home mom who plans to rejoin the workforce when her children begin attending school.

Lecato has been living in the village for three years and said he and his wife decided to make this their permanent home.

“I just want to be interested and make sure the community grows and develops the way the residents of the community want it to be done,” he said.

He will fill Anzia’s term, which is up in April 2020.

The board thanked Johnson for her interest in serving.

“Don’t give up because seats open all the time,” said Rose Sauers, an appointee.

“Over the years I’ve seen where we have a hard time finding people to fill the spots, so it’s great to see some of the support here,” Gottsacker said.