The Press emailed a candidate questionnaire to the two candidates running for reelection to the Town of Verona Board of Supervisors: Mike Duerst and Deborah Paul.
Both Duerst and Paul are running unopposed for two-year terms. Paul was first elected to the board in 2022. Duerst served on the board from 2000-2004, 2015-2021 and then was reelected in 2022.
Candidates were required to limit their responses to 50 words, with the exception of one question where they could write up to 100 words. Responses may have been trimmed to meet word requirements.
Mike Duerst – Supervisor, Seat 3
Biographical Information
Duerst
Age: 64
Years in Verona: Lifetime
Education: Graduated from the Verona Area High School; Associate degree in Auto Mechanics from Madison Area Technical College
Occupation: Owner and operator of a farm
Family: Married to Shirley for 31 years with two adult sons
Political Experience: Twelve years on the town board at three different times
Notable Affiliations: Member of the Dane County Farm Bureau; Member of the Dane County Towns Association; Member of the Upper Sugar River Watershed; Lifetime member of the Verona FFA Alumni; Lifetime member of Deer Creek Sportsman
Essay Questions
Q: Why are you running for reelection to the Town of Verona Board of Supervisors?
A: “To represent all citizens, the board needs members with diverse backgrounds from throughout the township. I operate a large farm in the southwest, an area not represented on the board, and I understand the concerns of landowners – large and small – as well as the heavy equipment used by the town.”
Q: What do you believe are the top three issues facing the Town of Verona today, and how will you address them?
A: “Annexation – the town loses hundreds of acres annually to the cities of Verona and Madison. Towns can’t oppose annexation but through our Comprehensive Plan and our boundary agreement with the City of Verona, we maintain our viability and planned growth. Rising costs of services – we operate with no debt and through a careful budgeting process, we deliver the same quality of services without taking on debt. Road repair and construction – we continually monitor the condition of our roads, adjust our Capital Improvement Program and look for grants and cost sharing opportunities with other municipalities.”
Q: How will you work to balance development in the Town of Verona with the preservation of its rural characteristics?
A: “I will vigorously support the town’s Land Division and Development Ordinance that requires most, if not all, development to use specific conservation design principles to preserve viewsheds and open space.”
Q: In what ways will you represent Town of Verona residents in your decision-making?
A: “I have lived in Verona all my life. Folks know they can contact me at any time to share their concerns and opinions. We can then discuss options for resolving their concerns.”
Q: How will you work to make the Town of Verona a better place, for both current residents and future generations?
A: “I will continue careful land planning, balanced and debt-free town budgeting, providing quality services, keeping the roads in the best condition our limited funds allow and supporting town staff to do their best for the residents.”
Deborah Paul – Supervisor, Seat 4
Biographical Information
Paul
Age: 57
Years in Verona: 20
Education: Graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Occupation: Owner and operator of Midwest Decorative Stone & Landscape Supply
Family: Married with two children
Political Experience: Seventeen years on the Town of Verona Plan Commission; Two years on Town of Verona Board of Supervisors; Seven years on the Joint Town/City Verona Planning Committee; Nine years election worker; Chief inspector for the Town of Verona
Notable Affiliations: Verona Area Chamber of Commerce; Fitchburg Chamber; BBB (A+ rating); ICPI; NCMA; NFIB; AARP; AAA; D.S.A.W.; Former member of WLCA, WLNA, 4-H, MABA and NASET.
Essay Questions
Q: Why are you running for reelection to the Town of Verona Board of Supervisors?
A: “I am running for reelection because I believe I am a great fit. I grew up in a rural community and understand how precious these communities are. I believe in an open government that protects residents’ property rights by following our extensive comprehensive plan.”
Q: What do you believe are the top three issues facing the Town of Verona today, and how will you address them?
A: “Top three issues are the continued annexation of large tracts of land, the cost to maintain town roads and infrastructure and balancing the town budget with no debt faced with rising costs. Annexation is not forced; property owners must want to annex out of the town. We cannot stop them as it is their right, but as a board member, I have tried to give our residents opportunities to stay in the town. By adhering to our comprehensive plan, we can shape the developments into more low-density rural developments. I have supported some developments that, if not approved, would have been annexed into high density housing.”
Q: How will you work to balance development in the Town of Verona with the preservation of its rural characteristics?
A: “The adopted Land Division and Development Ordinance helped many of the developments use design principles that conserve 30% or more open space to save existing woods, prairies and special features. Building envelopes that encourage homes to have varied setbacks and protect view sheds helps smart growth that creates rural character.”
Q: In what ways will you represent Town of Verona residents in your decision-making?
A: “Attending as many meetings and gatherings as possible. I sit on the senior center and joint planning committees and work elections whenever possible. My door is always open and I am only a phone call away. Many of my fellow residents know where I work and live and have shared their opinions and asked questions.”
Q: How will you work to make the Town of Verona a better place, for both current residents and future generations?
A: “As our community grows, I hope to continue to show our current and future residents the benefits of living in the town through hosting more town gatherings and listening sessions at our town hall. (I will) work to keep our taxes low through careful and calculated spending in our balance budget meetings.”
