JoeHeidemann.com

2024 Spring Election Candidate Q&A

Joseph V. Heidemann
4819 South 12 Street
Sheboygan Wisconsin 53081

Occupation:
Retired, my last job was working for RCS Empowers as Business Development Manager.
The best job I ever had, life is about contributing to the betterment of society by helping others.

Highest level or education and where it was earned:
Sheboygan County Teachers College
UW Sheboygan; Lakeland College
A genuine interest in talking to people of all races, religions, occupations, and ages has taught me more than any school.

All relevant experience:
Currently, Alderman of 10th District, I was on the Sheboygan Common Council previously. I was also an Alderman and Mayor of Sheboygan Falls, Having served two communities, addressing issues during different time periods of growth and lack of growth, I have a hands-on, real-time understanding of how the cities must adapt to changing financial issues.

Why are you running for office:
I like serving the constituents of the 10th district as well as all the citizens of Sheboygan. I believe all electoral contests should have competition. At the time of taking out my papers, no one else was running. I am pleased the residents of the 10th will have a choice to make.

What makes you the best candidate?
I have never liked this question. Not knowing much about my opponent, I believe it is presumptuous to assume to be the best. What I can say is that I have experience, that I am on the common council, and have been chair and vice chair of many committees. I have in the past had the vote of my colleagues which enabled me to serve as Vice president of Council and as Committee of the Whole chairman. I have served under eight different Mayors in two communities. I have learned a lot about providing services, solving problems, and creating an environment for people to thrive and be happy in.

What is the most important issue you want to address?
Affordable housing and the development of the Gartman and Poth farms. We have heard this over and over. What type and size of development will best fit the neighborhood? We all have it in our hearts to make Sheboygan a better place. How does this effect Police and Fire protection or the DPW in bringing us the services we need at a reasonable cost? I want to see a plan for the future that will avoid mistakes and that will work for a long time.

How would you approach addressing the above mentioned issue?
*By making sure we adopt a solid and do-able plan when working with developers.
*By having citizen input from the neighbors.
*By making sure that the need for this housing is an actual need according to the projected population and work force.
We need to be able to make changes if the economy doesn’t produce as forecasted. As much as is possible, we have to be responsible for getting the right plan in place.

What people are saying about 10th District Incumbent Joe Heideman: