Outgoing sheriff endorses Kowalczyk

Citizens of Chippewa County, On January 5, 2023, after a lifetime of dedication to law enforcement, and having spent the last 16 years as your Chippewa County Sheriff, I will become a private citizen. It is important to me, not only as a member of our Chippewa County Community, but as someone who has dedicated my life to quality and professional law enforcement that the next Chippewa County Sheriff be an experienced, dedicated and qualified public servant. It is also extremely important to me that the current staff of hardworking, professionals that make up the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office continue to have a Sheriff that possesses the experience, wisdom, insight and leadership qualities it takes to make the right decisions to ensure their safety and well-being as well as provide a safe environment for the citizens of Chippewa County.

The Chippewa County Sheriff is an important leadership role that oversees a large department. A good Sheriff has the qualifications and experience to maintain best practices for the daily operation of the entire department and a large budget that must be utilized carefully. A good Sheriff will be involved everyday to lead our staff while holding staff accountable and continue to maintain transparency within the Chippewa County community. A qualified Sheriff must have a good and varied background with years of experience in law enforcement, and the ability to work with various government agencies and the public.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to observe and evaluate the current candidates’ experience, qualifications and perspectives for the upcoming Sheriff’s election. There is only one candidate that meets my expectations to be your next Sheriff and that is Chris Kowalczyk. Chris is pragmatic and honest with the experience that provides him with the wisdom and insight to make the right decisions for the Chip- pewa County Sheriff’s Office. Chris also has 34 years of Law Enforcement experience and ability to support quality profes- sional law enforcement, fiscal responsibility and discipline within the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office.

This election is not about yard signs, fundraising and knocking on doors, I would encourage each and everyone of you to take a careful and hard look at the two candidates and put your family’s and community’s safety first and join me in electing Chris Kowalczyk as your next Sheriff. Yes, Chris is my brother, but I would not endorse someone that I did not feel was qualified and could hit the ground running in January 2023 to ensure a smooth transition in leadership of this office. The Chippewa County community, my family and the Chip- pewa County Sheriff’s Office staff are all too important to me to put my support behind any candidate I didn’t feel could fill this important position.

Sheriff James L Kowalczyk

Retired sheriff endorses Hakes

Soon you will be voting for many elected positions at the county, state and federal level. I was asked by Travis Hakes several months ago to support him as a candidate for sheriff of Chippewa County.

As your former sheriff I have had the great experience and pleasure to work with so many professionals and citizens of the county.

While I may not still live in Chippewa County, I have many connections to the county through family, friends, civic groups and current and retired officers. I care about Chippewa County and want what is best for all of you.

Travis has experience as a patrol officer, firearms instruc tor, chief of police, business owner, real estate broker and volunteer. His endorsement by a former chief of police, deputy sheriff, village president and others shows he has proven himself. His knowledge of running a business and police department and dealing with a budget will serve him well as sheriff.

Believe me that when you first are sworn in as sheriff and assume that role you are overwhelmed and start learning all of the different aspects of being a sheriff and never stop.

You need to lead by example and earn respect, not demand it. You must not only ask others to follow you unless you know how to follow also. Humility is a trait of a good leader and Travis has that humility. A leader treats others the same way they want to be treated. Travis will be that type of a leader. He will show the men and women of the sheriff’s department that they are not only heard but also appreciated.

In the time I have known Travis, I have seen his ability to listen and learn as well as build support and trust. He is not only humble and honest but he will inspire and motivate those around him. Another sign of being a leader is someone who has given of themselves as Travis has Thank you for allowing me to serve as your sheriff. It was truly a humbling experience.

Doug Ellis, Sheriff retired

County resident supports Hakes

“During my 3 years on the board (Village of Elk Mound) I had the pleasure to work with Travis. Over those years Travis applied for and received several grants for the Village of Elk Mound and showed us how important having police presence in the area would help our great community. I did several ride alongs, both at night and during the day. I was very impressed with his professionalism he displayed each and every time, not only to our residents, children, and businesses; as well as visitors to our area. Now I am a Chippewa County Resident, and Travis will have our votes.” – Patrick McDougall Thank you, Pat McDougall

Retired deputy sheriff supports Hakes

My name is Kenny Briggs. I’m a retired deputy sheriff from the Chippewa Co Sheriff’s Office. I have also worked for the Chippewa Falls PD as a Telecommunication and Vil- lage of Cadott Police Department as a Police Officer. I have known Travis Hakes for a lot of years and have been on calls with Officer Hakes. He puts safety of the public fist before all other. With his knowledge of working with several departments, one being Chief of the Elk Mound Police Department, he has seen how different departments work, could bring new insights to the Chippewa Co Sheriff’s Office. Travis would make an excellent Sheriff. I’m asking all my friends and fam-ily to support and vote for Travis Hakes November 8th as your next Sheriff.

Kenny Briggs Ret Deputy Sheriff

Cadott resident questions credentials of Congressional office seekers

As I listen to all of the political ads currently running I worry about the future of our democracy when over half of one political party’s candidates haven’t accepted the results of the last election.

I also question Derrick Van Orden’s often repeated claim that being a navy SEAL qualifies you for being a Congress man. I commend anyone who makes a career in the military but having served for four years myself I really don’t think that qualifies me any more than the person who spent 4 years in college or who made a career about serving in government. Brad Pfaff grew up on a farm, worked for the Federal Dept of Agriculture and served as the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. He was born and raised in western Wisconsin and knows the issues we are faced with. Van Orden’s whole campaign is based on distrust of government and hate of anyone who disagrees with his views. We don’t need that; we need someone who is willing to work with others even if their views are different. And ladies, Van Orden doesn’t think you should be able to make your health care decisions without government approval.

Then we have Ron Johnson. Every year this country has a budget crisis where it comes down to the wire and sometimes ends in a government shut down until they agree. Ron Johnson wants to change Social Security and Medicare funding and put it in with the annual budget to be fought over along with the rest of government expenditures. Social Security and Medicare are paid for with a separate tax and should remain separate. It needs to be fixed in the future but throwing it out there for Congress to fight over every year isn’t the way to do it. Ron Johnson also doesn’t think women should be able to make their own health decisions. Anyone paying into or on Social Security should be worried about the consequences of his election because he has supporters in Washington that agree with him and more than a few of them are willing to shut the government down to get what they want.

Both Van Orden and Johnson had roles in the January 6 insurrection in Washington. Van Orden was there as an active participant, Johnson was there as an elector and was talked into giving an alternate, and illegal, list of electors to VP Mike Pence. He also said the rioters seemed like a bunch of tourists. I’ve done a lot of travelling but have never been part of a tour like that.

In conclusion, I urge all voters to think long and hard about voting for these two candidates. The future of Social Security, Medicare and women’s rights may be in the balance. In addition to these two we have Tim Michels and Tom Tiffany who both share the same political philosophy as Van Orden and Johnson. Think! Think! Think, before voting for any of these guys. Your future and your children and grand children’s futures are at stake.

Mike Burke Cadott, WI