WASHBURN -- Six of eight Bayfield County Board candidates facing opposition in their election bids were on hand Tuesday night at the Washburn Historical Museum to present their views to county voters.

The only missing candidates were James Collins and Kenneth "Bucky" Jardine.

Following a format laid down by the host Ashland-Bayfield County League of Women Voters, candidates were given two minutes to introduce themselves before answering questions posed by audience members.

Gayle Gonsior of Port Wing introduced herself as an area resident with three children who held a master's degree in public policy form the University of Wisconsin who presently serves as program coordinator for the Healthy Families program. She is also treasurer of the South Shore School Board and is also an Emergency Medical Technician for the South Shores Ambulance Service.

She said the most important part of being on the board was planning for the future, and recognized that most people were passionate about their local communities. She said the most pressing issue facing the board was pending cuts in state revenue sharing, and pledged to be an activist to oppose these cuts and to minimize impacts to the county.

Harold Maki of the Town of Bayview introduced himself as a lifelong resident of the area and an owner of a trucking and bus firm. He said in his business he was frequently called on to negotiate with local governments and businesses. He said important issues before the county included the increasing prices of property which he said by the next generation would price working people out of the market.

Roy Settgas noted his record of four terms on the County Board, and said the was a self-employed construction trades worker and a resident who was also concerned about the future of the county.

Fred Janz noted that he had served 26 years as a member of his town board as well as 14 years on the county board. He listed among his accomplishments a complete remodeling of the Bayfield County Courthouse and support for road maintenance. He said it was important for board members to work for the people and not for themselves.

Bill Kacvinsky described himself as another longtime resident who operated a construction business. He observed that he was nearing the end of his second term and pointed at issues such as the new jail and cuts in revenue sharing as the chief issues facing the board.

Brett Rondeau said when he first got on the board, it was a learning experience, and in his second term he had learned to speak his mind. Rondeau said board members faced a tough balancing act between the need for services and the need to maintain a responsible tax level.