GREETINGS FROM JOE M. ROSE – CANDIDATE FOR ASHLAND COUNTY BOARD, DISTRICT 12

I have represented the citizens of District 12 for the past 6 years, and respectfully request your vote in the April 7, 2020 election.

I sincerely hope that all of you are safe and healthy as we each do our own part to help protect our families, friends, and communities from the coronavirus pandemic. Although it is difficult to think about other things at a time like this, we have many serious issues to consider as we look to the future.

The Ashland County Board consists of many different subcommittees, and as a board member I have served on several of them including: the Planning Committee, Large Scale Assembly Committee, Mining Impact Committee, and the Land and Water Conservation Committee. In addition, I currently serve as the Chairman of the Zoning Committee.

When the entire Bad River Watershed was threatened by proposed mountaintop mining in the Penokee Hills, the Zoning Committee conducted public hearings, developed taconite mining ordinances, and submitted them to the County Board who in turn voted to pass them. After several years of strong local resistance, the proposed project was finally scrapped. Shortly afterwards, the Wisconsin Mining Moratorium Law, which had been in effect for many years, was voted out of existence by the Wisconsin State Legislature. In response to local concerns regarding this loss of protection, the Zoning Committee conducted more public hearings, amended the County’s existing taconite mining ordinances to address the threat of potential sulfide mining as well, and submitted them to the County Board where they were approved.

Many local citizens will recall the proposed Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) in the Fish Creek Watershed of Bayfield County, which empties into Chequamegon Bay and Apostle Islands area of Lake Superior. With the increased frequency and intensity of flood events that have occurred in our area, many local citizens and communities were highly concerned about the potential risks involved with this proposed facility. In response, the Land and Water Conservation Committee of the Ashland County Board followed a similar path as Bayfield County by conducting public hearings, establishment of a study committee to gather information, and the development of CAFO-related ordinances that were ultimately approved by the Ashland County Board.

As you know, our area has experienced three major floods in the past six years. The Zoning Committee has initiated a process to develop Wetland Conservation ordinances to protect, restore, and enhance local wetland habitats, and help reduce flooding. In addition, the Land and Water Conservation Committee is currently exploring state and federal funding opportunities that would be used to initiate a pilot project to help address these wetland conservation needs. Hearings are being planned to provide information and obtain public input before these ordinances are presented to the County Board for approval.

However, the statewide travel restrictions that have been enacted to slow the spread of coronavirus may require these hearings to be postponed. I am deeply concerned about the potential risks associated with the presence of Enbridge Line 5 in our area, and with the increasing amount of influence that this foreign corporation appears to have on our local communities.

As a member of the Ashland County Board, I have worked with many local citizens and elected officials to help protect the health of our local lands and waters for area citizens and the generations yet to come. If re-elected, I will continue these efforts to the best of my ability. I request your support to continue these efforts for the next 2 years. As always, let your voice count and be sure to cast your vote in the April 7, 2020 election.

Realizing the number of coronavirus infections continues to increase throughout the state, many Wisconsin citizens may not feel comfortable about voting in person on April 7. Voters can request an absentee ballot online by going to http://www.myvote.wi.gov, click on Vote Absentee and then follow the required steps. You will need to enter your name and date of birth to confirm that you are a registered voter. If you do not have a photo ID on file with your local municipal clerk, you will need to upload a copy of your (acceptable) photo ID card in order to submit your absentee ballot request.

Please note that absentee ballot requests must be made no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election (April 2) in order for an absentee ballot to be sent to you. Voters can also contact their local clerk to request an absentee ballot via email or fax, by mail, or in person.

A directory of clerks can be found by going to http://www.myvote.wi.gov, click on Find My Polling Place at the top of the page, then click on Find My Clerk on the left hand side. After filling in your address, click on the Search button, and the contact information for your local clerk will be provided.

Authorized and paid for by Joe M. Rose