TOWN OF NEW HAVEN — Mark Bartz, a dairy farmer in the Town of New Haven, is running for the position of town treasurer in the April 2 election against incumbent treasurer Laura Ulrich.
Bartz and his wife, Renee, have been married 34 years and have five children: Jason, Justin, Stewart and his wife, Emma, Tessa and Emily.
The Tribune Press Reporter sent out a questionnaire to Bartz, and here are his answers:
• What is your occupation? — I have owned my dairy farm since 1975. I sold the dairy herd to our son, Stewart, in 2015. This makes me semi-retired with doing just a few chores and cash cropping 220 acres. With my semi-retired position, I will have plenty of time to focus on the town treasurer’s responsibilities. I feel it is time for a change in the treasurer’s position.
• What is your educational background? — I graduated from the University of River Falls with an associate’s degree in Agriculture.
• What experience do you have as an elected official? — I was on the board of directors for the Connorsville Feed Mill for many years while it was in operation.
• Why did you decide to run for the treasurer position? — I think I would be a good fit for the town treasurer because I have the time and experience to do a terrific job. If I could run a successful dairy business for 40 years, I have the business sense to do a great job as treasurer.
• What makes you particularly suited to serve as treasurer? — I have always done well with making financial decisions in the dairy industry, which doesn’t allow for making bad financial choices in this day and age.
• What do you believe to be the biggest challenge facing your township? — The main issue has always been the budget and trying to figure out which project should be handled first.
• What do you hope to accomplish serving as treasurer? — I hope to bring more confidence to the board for getting things accomplished.
• Other comments? — Get out there and vote everyone!
