Oak Creek City Clerk Candidates State Their Case
Three residents are running for open clerk position.
The race for Oak Creek city clerk comes with a lot of questions.
Like, what does the clerk do?
The office is mostly out of sight for residents, but it plays an important behind-the-scenes role in keeping the wheels of Oak Creek government going round.
Administering elections is arguably the most important and most visible task of the clerk. But liquor licensing, city government meetings, workers compensation and insurance claims, record keeping and filing of contracts all fall under the clerk's umbrella, as well.
The next Oak Creek city clerk will be LeAnn Launstein, Suzette Emmer or Catherine Roeske. The three are vying to replace Pam Bauer, who retired in October.
The race will be on the primary election ballot Feb. 21. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election April 3.
The Oak Creek clerk is elected to a three-year term at a salary of $71,400, plus a $150-per month car allowance.
Launstein, 57, represented Oak Creek on the Milwaukee County Board from 1992-2002. During that time, she helped with the development of Bender Park, bike trails, economic development and other projects within Oak Creek.
But she was recalled in the aftermath of the highly-publicized county pension scandal, as she was one of 20 who voted for a deal that resulted in many county employees getting lump-sum payments in the six figures.
Reflecting on that now, Launstein said she cast her vote for the benefits package based on information she had at the time - information that turned out to be faulty. She noted that one county employee served jail time and the county got $45 million in a lawsuit against Mercer Inc., which the county alleged gave bad advice about the pension deal.
Seven of the 20 supervisors who voted for it were recalled, and "now we know that someone gave us bad information," Launstein said.
Before and after that time, Launstein has been active in the community. She was the first woman Oak Creek Jaycee of the Year, a judge for the Oak Creek Junior Miss program, a school volunteer for many years and is a current member of the Oak Creek Foundation for Education, among other activities.
Launstein also has experience managing people, having recruited, trained and managed some 120 volunteers while serving as director at the West Allis Interfaith. Now, she's hoping to get back into the public realm.
"I care about the Oak Creek community and I believe in public service," she said.
Emmer, 56, has worked for Milwaukee County for the past 15 years in the sheriff's office, zoo, behavioral health and in her current capacity as deputy administrator of the county elections commission.
Emmer said the elections experience and knowledge would greatly help her as city clerk. On the county level, she is intimately involved from the time candidates declare their intentions to reporting elections results.
That background is important as the elections process has become subject to intense public scrutiny, she said.
Emmer said she also wants to be part of what is an important moment in Oak Creek's history, with many large decisions and projects looming. She has also been a small business owner, working in the restaurant field, and feels she has a nice mix of private and public experience.
"It's an exciting time to become involved in city government," she said, adding that officials face the challenge of growing into a bigger city while continuing to provide quality public services.
Roeske, 44, is a former American Express employee who, along with her husband, owns Farmhouse Orchard and Gardens.
During her 18 years at American Express, she managed people, helped save the company money, developed technical skills and worked in programming and business analysis. She was laid off about a year-and-a-half ago when her job was outsourced.
Roeske said she wants to maintain the level of service the clerk's office has now but also sees room for improvement - like streamlining operations online to make services more user-friendly for residents.
Roeske worked as an elections judge in Illinois for eight years. She found participating in the democratic process rewarding and hopes she can resume that in Oak Creek City Hall.
"I would get that sense on a daily and weekly basis that what I'm doing really matters," she said.
"I think the citizens of Oak Creek deserve to have a fair and honest person managing elections and I think that I'm capable of doing that," she added. "I really like Oak Creek and it's my turn to give something back to the community."
In This article
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Bender Park
4300 E Ryan Rd, Oak Creek, WI -
Oak Creek City Hall
8640 S Howell Ave, Oak Creek, WI
vocal local 1
8:26 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012
I'm not so sure I agree that elections are the most important role of a city clerk. The Clerks main job is keeper of the records. Just why did Pam Bauer resign her "elected" post? One doesn't retire from an elected post and Pam was simply put too conscientious to walk out on her supporters. Pam was dedicated to her job. She dotted every I and crossed every t. Something stinks in Oak Creek on this one is my opinion.
Dan Vitek
11:32 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012
The excuss that Mrs Launstein had given at the time was she did not read it but voted for it any way now she claims she was given bad information ,bull she claims to have a degree in math ,if the lowest person working for the county could figer out what they stood to gain I am sure did also . Did she every sign off on the pensiion deal ?????
vocal local 1
6:29 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Dan, I agree. Every year we see an increase in our County Tax and the county budget keeps increasing directly related to funding the retiree's extravagant pensions. Launstein knew what she stood to gain and can now transfer her investment in the Co. Pension Plan to the State Employee's Trust Fund. We couldn't trust her then, we shouldn't trust her now as keeper of the city records. City records are problematic: forged degrees, sealed records, why was DeGrave fired? I think he was in a trick bag. Bolender et al placed all blame on him. If he spoke out would he have incriminated himself and them? This is what I suspect. I'm also very concerned why Pam left. In speaking with council members it is clear that they do not understand the WE ENERGIES AGREEMENT and Public Utility Funding Formula which is why the residents were given inaccurate financial information in the literature given at the most recent public hearing with the school board and council prior to the decision to move the library to the Delphi site. I'm leaning towards Roeske and have yet to hear anything much about Emmer. I haven't seen her have you? Apparently its not in the mucky mucks best interest to have a debate. How much you wanna bet the political machine supports LeAnn? She'd fit right in with their behind the door deals. Shes already in bed over at the community center and with the Chamber of Commerce. The feds can access private assets. Bring the feds in to investigate is my take and don't vote LeAnn.
Dan Vitek
6:47 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
I agree if you look back they got rid of the women in short order and hired DeGrave he did not appear to want to go along with Dicky on issuies I suspect it was this whole WEPACK deal it stinks as you said Dicky stacked the deck with his cronies to do his bidding Le ann would fit right in with the rest of the crooks on the aldermatic board What every happen to the honnest Goverment we use to have in Oak Creek were the needs of tax payer came 1st .and not the special interest groups
vocal local 1
7:44 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Your talking about Barb Johnson, the very short term city administrator that tried with Terry Peterson to teach all at city hall a problem solving model and move away from opioniated and self serving decision making. Barb locked horns with Bolender. She knew she was either going to do her job or hit the hwy. I don't think We Energies or WisPark, Jerry Franke are to blame. They worked with the characters holding power much to the demise of OC's better interest. We could have had a free hot water park on the lake as a draw that families could have enjoyed but it didn't self serve the elect.
As far as what happened to honest government we have to look to the powerful Republicans up Madison way. The republicans realized that local mayors were critical and moved into communities all over the state selecting and financing mayorial candidates as well as our state assemblymen and senators. The Dems snoozed and loosed.(lost) I know you didn't want to hear this as your a republican and so am I but on paper only. I know you made your way on the back of Democratic labor law and I also know trickle down doesn't work. The greedy, crooked, corrupt keep the money on top.
Local supporter
10:09 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
While I agree that we are all entitled to our own opinions and beliefs, I am appalled by your comments to say the least! First of all, regardless on your opinions of Mayor Bolender, the man did what he promised to do and passed away doing it! Could you show a little respect and not call him Dicky!!! I believe HE EARNED IT!! You also obviously need to get your facts straight. I am VERY much involved with the Oak Creek Community Center. I can tell you not only is Ms. Launstein not "in bed with anyone at the center", she's barely involved with it at all. She WAS involved with the POLISH CENTER....which is in a different city!! I do agree with the fact that she is now paying the consequences for a bad decision and is blaming it on bad information. Lastly, it would be helpful if your going to say such ridiculous things that you check your spelling, it is atrocious!!
MaryJ
10:37 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
I totally agree. This has gotten so nasty and keep referring back to Mayor Boldender. Cmon you just keep this going on and on and it is all crazy. Mayor Boldender and the council have done an exemplery job and this city wouldn't look as great as it does if not for the council and committees. You people are a very small majority. As you saw when Mayor Bolender was elected and ran away with every district. HELLOOO The people did speak and the ones that count continue to speak. Clean up your own houses, then throw stones.
Sharon Armstrong
3:08 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Local Supporter and Mary J - I couldn't agree with both of you more! Please let Mayor Bolender "rest in peace" - he does deserve it and so does his family!!!
vocal local 1
3:18 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Hello Local Supporter and MaryJ, BACK TO REALITY...I have no intent of disrespect for the dead but an ace is an ace and a spade a spade, call the cards as they fall. Launstein is involved with the community center, chamber of commerce with some fund raising program involving scholarships and fund raisers at the HS. Neither Mayor Bolender or this council have done an exemplary(your spelling is wrong it's an a not an e) job as evidenced in the minutes on record. The cupboards are bare and now were faced with a bad fiscal year budget for this year, 2012, and the carry over of millions of dollars of debt on the near horizon per this council and appointed mayor's votes. Alan Foeckler, Dan J, first district, Tom, 6th district and Gehl, 5th district can bring this matter back in front of the council the next meeting for reconsideration and should. THE PUBLIC IS DEMANDING A REFERENDUM. Do you get it??? The people of OC haven't spoken in years. The silent majority doesn't even vote. Again, get with the program. The political machine, the city employee's thier relatives and neighbors are destroying the city we all live in and getting extremely FAT in the process. When the civil servants earn more than the residents paying their salaries and benefits something is wrong. DON'T YA THINK?
MaryJ
4:01 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Sure the people of Oak Creek have spoken, but you and your gang have been too busy waiting for the next reply at the meetings. You are just about jumping out of your seats. Listen, they are speaking. as for my spelling, excuse me, how about your grammar , "and now were faced" shouldn't that be we're faced"?
Alan, Tom, Dan and Gehl. stay with your decision!!!! At least these men had the guts to do exactly what the people are asking for and what this council and committees have worked so hard on in the past three years. I can sincerely hope those few that go on and on and on are really not who speaks for Oak Creek. Well, of course they are not.
vocal local 1
4:36 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
The people DEMAND a reconsideration and REFERENDUM. We've been without voice for ten years and more so since the Direct Legislation was over turned.
Local supporter
9:31 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Vocal local, I want to make sure you understand me....I am NOT a supporter of Launstein and I am not getting FAT from anything she did, or anyone else for that matter. As far as I'm concerned her actions bordered on criminal and there should have been bigger consequences back then. She's not what the city needs at all. However, to again say that she is involved with the Center is NOT correct. She has been there for public events, like the city tree lighting but does NO fundraising or has nothing to do with scholarships as they relate to the Center. I'm very proud of that building and the people that support it and I'm CERTAIN she isn't one of them!!!
Chris Schuerman
10:43 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I think Catherine Roeske is a great candidate. Everyone should vote for her today! :)
Molly Schuerman
5:39 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
In my opinion, Catherine Roeske would do an excellent job in this position! Please vote for Catherine! (:
vocal local 1
3:14 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Launstein had 1,369 votes (42%) while Roeske had 1,142 votes (35%). Emmer had 763 votes (23%). HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? It's already proven that Launstein does not deserve the public trust and ONE THOUSAND, Three Hundred and Sixty Nine stupid OC residents who believe they are politically correct and hold the majority and have held the majority for years voted her back in? K Roeske, work hard and remember, the average OC resident didn't vote in this primary. The political machine did. The political machine protects themselves and desires more of the same. A few of them didn't vote either but basically their manpower went to the polls and voted Launstein and Scaffidi. THE SILENT MAORITY HAD BETTER GET OFF THEIR LAURELS OR WERE ALL IN DEEP trouble. Launstein cannot be trusted with the records. This is fact. I'm not sure I trust the OC records. I don't believe Pam Bauer retired. People don't retire from elected positions while serving their terms. We need an honest intelligent Clerk. The good ole boys are obviously running out of corrupt candidates that will fledge undying loyalty to their cause to bring this one back into the arena.
OC loyalist
1:08 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
If any of you knew C Roeske personally, you would not vote for her. Her interests have always been for self motivated. I would not wish for her to be in position of clerk either. Ever wonder why she isn't working now?
Molly Schuerman
1:50 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
@OC loyalist Before you make negative comments such as: Ever wonder why she isn't working now?, Do your research. C Roeske is not working because she got laid off. She is hard working, and yes, self-motivated to succeed. She would make an honest clerk and work hard to serve the city.