Incumbents retain their seats

Incumbents Clem Gottsacker and Don Gotcher each won a seat on the Belgium Village Board in the April 7 election, along with newcomer Sarah Heisler.

Four ran for three seats on the board. Howie Manos came in last. Incumbent Victor Lecato did not seek re-election.

Trustee seats carry two-year terms.

Results were delayed because absentee ballots that were postmarked on April 7 were accepted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Heisler is a dental assistant and a member of the Belgium Fire Department, and she volunteers with the Chamber of Commerce.

Her involvement in the village, she said, helps her understand what Belgium needs.

Heisler said she wants to maintain responsible spending and attract business, especially in empty buildings near I-43.

Gottsacker has been on the board for 16 years. He has been a longtime supporter of paving Silver Beach Road that leads into the village’s industrial park.

“I know of at least one business out there that would expand as soon as this road is in. He said it’s not going to happen without the road,” Gottsacker said.

Gotcher earned a second term on the board. He also supports paving Silver Beach Road and said a larger industrial base would cause taxes to decrease.

The village is slated to create an exploratory committee to examine paving the road. The committee could be appointed at the Village Board meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, April 21. The meeting will be held via a Zoom webinar. Visit the village website, www.village.belgium.wi.us, for the link on how to attend.

School Board makeup remains the same

Incumbent Nancy Niebauer beat former Belgium Trustee Gail Kowalkowski for the Ozaukee County seat on the Cedar Grove-Belgium School Board, and incumbent Aileen Dahlke defeated challenger Phil Burns for the Sheboygan County seat.

Niebauer, a nurse coordinator who has served six years on the board, developed a plan to help recognize depression that the district adopted.

She said she wants to continue improving the district’s curriculum and increase Advanced Placement classes, school options and apprenticeships, as well as technology classes.

In Ozaukee County, Niebauer got 415 votes to Kowalkowski’s 294. In Sheboygan County, Niebauer got 491 votes to Kowalkowski’s 309.

Dahlke a health care auditor who has been on the board for 20 years, said she wants to maintain the board’s good working relationship.

She has long advocated for small class size in the younger grades.

In Ozaukee County, Dahlke won 403 votes to Burns’ 300. In Sheboygan County, Dahlke got 445 votes to Burns’ 423.

School Board terms are for three years