When: Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024; polls open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Find your voting location at myvote.wi. All absentee ballots must be requested by March 28th, 2024 and turned in no later than 8:00 p.m. on April 4th either by mail or dropped off in-person. In-Person absentee voting will start Tuesday, March 19th and end Friday, March 29th. This will take place at City Hall. You can vote Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you plan to vote by mail, voters are strongly encourage to mail their ballots as soon as possible to ensure their ballot is received by the deadline.
What it’s about: There are 45 candidates running for the 29 seats this April. The Eau Claire City Council includes 29 members who each serve a two-year term. The candidates include:
District 27 Loralee Clark, Tim Hallett Jr.
Who can vote: The election is open to all eligible voters in the Eau Claire Area School District.
Where you vote and who is on your ballot:
Go to myvote.wi.gov
Enter your voting address to learn which races are on your ballot and where you vote.
Why this questionnaire: The Good Government Council (GGC) is a committee of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce dedicated to encouraging voter participation and providing members of the business community with non-biased information about candidates’ positions on important issues. Although the Chamber is active in policy issues, it is non-partisan and does not endorse political candidates.
Candidate Responses:
1. What are your background and qualifications for this position, and what value will you bring to the County Board personally?
Loralee Clark
I am a retired prosecutor, having spent 33 years litigating nearly every type of crime, while focusing mostly on violent crime, especially violence against women. This entailed making difficult decisions based upon the best available evidence, advocating for victims while honoring the rights of the accused. Before law school, I was a biologist. I participated in research into contaminants in Wisconsin lakes and the Mississippi River. While working as a foreign fisheries observer aboard Japanese and particularly Soviet freezer trawlers, I was inspired to go to law school, because I was concerned about how people can be treated by their governments. I have a strong interest in supporting individual rights, environmental sustainability and local business. I believe I can continue my life's work of protecting individual rights and my hobbies of advocating for clean air, water, gardens and wild places, as a County Board Supervisor.
2. What should the County’s role be in responding to the healthcare crisis created by the HSHS and Prevea closings?
Loralee Clark
The County's role in responding to the healthcare crisis created by HSHS and Prevea's closures should be that of a leader and collaborator, to ensure that all stakeholders are at the table and have a voice. I believe the County Board Chair is on the HSHS/Prevea Recovery Task Force, which is appropriate. The County should be mindful of ways in which to support those affected by the closures, to ease the transitions for those affected and to support entities who are interested in coming in to provide services.
3. What is the County Board’s role in promoting economic development, business maintenance and commercial growth in the county?
Loralee Clark
I am new to this issue, having spent most of my life as a public servant, a criminal prosecutor. I have a lot to learn. I think the County Board's role in promoting economic development, business maintenance and commercial growth in our county should be to work with our private and public community partners, listen to their needs, and actively work for the betterment of our economy.
4. How and on which issues and services should Eau Claire County work more collaboratively with the municipalities in its jurisdiction?
Loralee Clark
I would like to see the County lead and collaborate with area municipalities to develop county-wide recycling and composting programs. Having spent a lot of time at sea, I have witnessed pollutants in the middle of oceans, hundreds of miles from land, and here, far too many recyclable materials end up in landfills.
Again, I will want to learn more about the County Board's level of collaboration with its municipalities. If there are not liaisons for each municipality, perhaps there could be, to ensure there are opportunities for communication. We should always strive for more collaboration.
5. What should the County’s role be through its DHS department in working with the City of Eau Claire and other municipalities on issues related to mental health and the unhoused population?
Loralee Clark
The County's role through its DHS department in working with the City and other municipalities on mental health and homelessness issues, should be that of a leader and collaborator. The County should actively seek information of how things are out in the County. The County should research evidence-based mental health and addiction treatments and use best practices. If possible statutorily, perhaps the City County Health Department's role could be expanded to include mental health.
Posted by Mallory Williams Governmental Affairs Intern
williams@eauclairechamber.org