With the spring primary election only days away, how well do you know the candidates running for the position of Town of Fond du Lac Board Supervisor? As part of Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s ongoing advocacy work, the organization issued a candidate questionnaire for the Town of Fond du Lac primary candidates to elevate local issues, promote transparency, and help voters understand where they stand on matters impacting the community’s future.

The following questions were compiled by Envision Greater Fond du Lac and offered via email to all three primary election candidates (R. Scott Blamey, Lisa Rolfe, and Matt Newton). Candidates were given five days to reply in writing. Their full responses are published below.

Make sure to vote in the primary election on February 17, 2026 at the Town Hall, W5990 Pioneer Road. If you’re new to the Town of Fond du Lac, be sure to update your voter information before you vote. You can check or update your information on myvote.wi.gov.

 

February 2026 Spring Primary Candidate Questionnaire:

• Why are you running for the Town Board? What impact would you like to have in the next two years?

 Blamey: I’m running because I genuinely care about where our Town is heading and want to help move us forward in a thoughtful, practical way. My goal is to bring a disciplined, data-driven mindset to Town decisions while staying closely connected to the people who live here. • Work side-by-side with the Town Board to carry out the priorities in the Comprehensive Plan using a clear and logical approach. • Listen carefully to residents and make sure community voices are included in Town decision-making. • Use modern tools to improve communication, gather better input, and make more informed decisions. • Stay active in the community and keep a close eye on issues, concerns, and opportunities as they arise.

Rolfe: I have been a Town of Fond du Lac resident for the past nine years and found myself wanting to become more involved in the community. In a professional capacity I have had the ability to be involved in numerous communities throughout the state. This has given me a unique perspective to help make the Town of Fond du Lac an attractive community for everyone of all generations to want to reside in.

Newton: I am running for the Town Board to protect the rural character and farmland charm that define the Town of Fond du Lac, while supporting smart, targeted growth that strengthens our tax base and community without over-development that diminishes what makes our area special. 

In the next two years, I want to prioritize addressing STH 23 congestion—especially with added traffic pressures from schools and development—and ensure any growth preserves our rural feel. My impact would focus on pragmatic, collaborative decision-making: listening to residents, following the Comprehensive Plan, being conservative with spending, and delivering balanced solutions that keep our Town peaceful, family-oriented, and sustainable.

Economic Development & Land Use

• The Town’s Comprehensive Plan explicitly supports commercial and light industrial development along STH 23, CTH D, and the Aeronautical Business Park. What types of projects do you believe the Town should actively pursue — and what should we clearly say “no” to?

Blamey: I’d like to see the Town focus on projects that strengthen our economy and truly benefit the people who live and work here. That means attracting development that: • Brings reliable, above-average jobs for local workers. • Supports the needs of our aging population. • Works together with existing businesses and adds value to the broader community. • Helps educate and grow our workforce. • Contributes meaningfully to our tax base and improves the Town’s long-term financial position. • Creates supportive services, housing options, and amenities for employees and families. On the other hand, we should say no to projects that: • Bring only low-wage jobs without long-term value. • Create an unhealthy imbalance between service jobs and goods-producing industries. • Overreach into protected farmland or environmentally sensitive areas. • Lack proper safeguards for groundwater, wetlands, or natural resources. • Interfere with nearby agricultural operations or compromise “right to farm” protections. The idea is simple: welcome projects that lift the community up — decline those that don’t.

Rolfe: I would not say no to considering any proposal. Proposals are exactly that, but to adopt them, they would have to fall in line with the vision of the Town.

Newton: We should actively pursue commercial and light industrial projects along STH 23, CTH D, and in the Aeronautical Business Park—such as retail, services, manufacturing, or ag/tech-related businesses that create jobs, boost the tax base, and align with the Plan’s designated corridors.
We should clearly say “no” to high-impact uses near residential areas, heavy industry that could harm quality of life or the environment, or any development that sprawls into prime farmland or erodes our rural character. Growth must be smart and contained to planned areas to avoid over-development.

• Do you support using TIF to make commercial/industrial/residential development financially feasible, yes or no — and under what conditions?

Blamey: Yes — when a project truly benefits the Town and can’t move forward without help. If infrastructure costs are the barrier, and the project brings long-term value, a TIF can be the right tool. Any TIF proposal should include clear milestones, measurable outcomes, and transparency every step of the way. It should also include plans for how risks will be managed. No — when the criteria aren’t met, or when approving a TIF would strain the Town’s finances or delay other important priorities.

Rolfe: I believe that growing and expanding the Town can be done in a way that would draw in business and families. Any ideas or plans that can help to make this a reality should be considered and explored thoroughly.

Newton: Yes, I support TIF when used responsibly and sparingly, but not at the expense of community needs or taxpayer burdens. It should only apply to projects that strictly align with the Comprehensive Plan, deliver significant job creation or tax base benefits, involve strong private investment, provide clear infrastructure improvements, and have a short, low-risk payback period. TIF is a tool for targeted wins—not a routine subsidy.

Housing

• The Town Plan recognizes an aging population and calls for senior housing and increased density in serviced areas. Where specifically in the Town do you believe higher-density or senior housing should go — and where should it not?

Blamey: We’re geographically fortunate, with a mix of rural and agricultural areas and close access to the City of Fond du Lac. We already have modern senior care facilities along County D and Rolling Meadows Drive, with SSM Health and ThedaCare both located within minutes of many residents. Although I’d want more data before recommending specific locations, the areas that make the most sense to explore first are: • Along County D • Along Highway 175, south of Highway 151 These areas already have easier access to services and infrastructure. I’d be more cautious about expanding along Highway 23 until we address safety and access concerns there.

Rolfe: Our aging population is important and should be valued. Efforts should be made by the community to ensure their needs are met. Housing should be located near, or have access to, grocery stores, health care and transportation.

Newton: I am open to reviewing any well-designed plans for higher-density or senior housing, but only in areas with existing services and infrastructure (e.g., near major corridors like STH 23 or CTH D) where it fits the Plan and minimizes impact on rural areas. Designs should prioritize walkability, green space, and compatibility with surroundings.
It should not go in prime agricultural zones, isolated rural pockets, or locations that would fragment farmland or undermine the low-density rural feel we value.

• How do you balance preserving rural character with the reality that workforce housing shortages threaten local employers and tax base stability?

Blamey: We have several already-developed areas that can support additional housing without changing the Town’s rural feel. By focusing new housing in areas with existing utilities and close access to City services, we can help employers, support local workers, and still protect farmland and open space. This aligns with the Comprehensive Plan’s guidance to focus on infill development. Concentrating growth where it naturally fits also keeps infrastructure costs lower and creates stronger, more efficient “clusters” of housing and services. In the end, preserving our character isn’t about saying “no” to growth — it’s about making small, smart decisions over time that guide the Town in the right direction.

Rolfe: Workforce housing shortages put a strain on and threaten the livelihood of local businesses. The thoughtful development of planned residentially zoned areas and expansion of existing residential areas is key to helping resolve this problem. One of the avenues that can be explored is placing a time requirement on developers to make improvements on purchased land that has already been approved by the town for housing development.

Newton: Preserving rural character is my firm priority—it’s the heart of our community. Workforce housing shortages are real, but the answer isn’t unchecked sprawl. Balance means reviewing proposals carefully, directing moderate-density options to serviced, Plan-appropriate locations, encouraging designs with open space buffers and rural aesthetics, and avoiding over-development that threatens farmland or neighborhood charm. Thoughtful growth can support employers and stability without sacrificing what residents cherish.

Infrastructure, Transportation & Utilities

• The Town Plan identifies STH 23 congestion and east-west connectivity as long-standing issues. What is your priority for addressing this in the next four years, and who needs to be at the table to make progress?

Blamey: Reducing congestion on STH 23 needs to be a priority, especially with more young drivers on the road after WLA’s opening. Real progress will require teamwork — the Town, City, County, schools, and the State all need to be at the table. Because the DOT controls the highway, we’ll need a strong partnership with them to study safety, look at traffic patterns, and consider reasonable design or operational improvements. This is a shared challenge, and solving it will take shared responsibility.

Rolfe: I have worked for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for over 13 years which provides me with a unique perspective. WisDOT needs to be involved in and make decisions regarding any modifications made to State Hwy 23. WisDOT has an unfathomable amount of data and conducts endless traffic studies to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities. In addition to WisDOT, the county’s Traffic Safety Commission, and local first responders would all provide positive insight to increasing traffic safety and improving traffic flow. These are all resources that exist and should be utilized in aiding our decisions in addressing these issues.

Newton: My top priority is tackling STH 23 congestion, particularly future increases from school traffic west of Streblow Estates and Faith Redeemer on Esterbrook, along with broader east-west connectivity needs. We must plan proactively for safety, flow, and reduced backups without unnecessary spending.
Key participants include WisDOT (for highway expertise and funding), representatives from affected schools (to understand traffic patterns), Fond du Lac County, the City of Fond du Lac, local residents/businesses, and regional groups like Envision. Collaboration that respects Town autonomy is essential to secure solutions.

Intergovernmental Cooperation & Local Control

• The Comprehensive Plan explicitly calls for ongoing coordination with the City of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County, and Envision. What does “good cooperation” actually look like to you in practice?

Blamey: To me, good cooperation means more than exchanging updates — it means actually working together to get things done. That includes aligning with the City, County, and partners like Envision on land use, infrastructure, and economic development so we’re all moving in the same direction. The Comprehensive Plan gives us a structure for this, with regular reviews, strong communication across agencies, and shared goals. What matters most is following through: showing up, being accountable, and keeping lines of communication open. Real cooperation happens when each organization commits time, attention, and decision-making authority to solving problems together.

Rolfe: Collaboration between entities is crucial for progress. Each organization provides unique benefits and insights that can benefit each other. The understanding that each organization is stronger when working as a joint committee will guide progress in the right direction.

Newton: Good cooperation means practical partnerships: regular joint planning on shared issues like transportation or boundaries, exploring cost-saving shared services where beneficial, and always respecting the Town’s autonomy and rural priorities. It’s transparent dialogue and win-win agreements that protect local control—not one entity dominating the other.

Leadership & Decision-Making

• The Town’s Comprehensive Plan is now nearly a decade old but still legally guides decisions. When a project aligns with the Plan but faces public opposition, how should the Town Board respond?

Blamey: When this happens, the Town Board has to balance two important responsibilities: following the Comprehensive Plan and listening to residents. In practice, that means: • Confirming how the project fits the Plan. • Listening closely to community concerns and addressing what we reasonably can. • Making sure decisions remain grounded in the goals and legal standards in the Plan. • Explaining clearly why the Plan supports the project and how it benefits the Town. • And, if the concerns reveal real gaps or outdated assumptions, considering whether parts of the Plan may need updating. The goal is to stay true to the Plan while staying engaged and responsive to the people who live here.

Rolfe: The Board should listen and be open to public comments to understand and consider why the project is being opposed. The Plan needs to have the ability to adapt and grow as the needs of the community dictate. The Town’s Comprehensive Plan should be considered for revisions on a 5-year basis.

Newton: The Board should lean toward following the Comprehensive Plan for consistency, but always start with thorough public input through hearings and outreach. Listen to concerns, assess if they highlight overlooked site-specific issues, and incorporate reasonable mitigations or adjustments. Public voices matter, but arbitrary overrides of the Plan risk inconsistent governance.

• What is one area where you believe the Town Board has been too cautious — and one where it should remain cautious?

Blamey: I have a lot of respect for the Town Board’s thoughtful approach. As someone who has lived within the Town of Fond du Lac only a few years (Taycheedah prior), I know there’s context behind many decisions that I’m still learning. Right now, I’m most focused on understanding that context and contributing positively — not second-guessing past decisions. I’m looking forward to working collaboratively and offering a fresh perspective where it’s helpful.

Rolfe: The Town has done a great job at being cautious to preserve what we’ve all come to know and love of the town; however, I’d like to see and consider more proposals for commercial and residential development.

Newton: I don’t see areas where the Board has been too cautious overall—the focus has been prudent. However, we should remain especially cautious on development that risks over-development or harming rural character. Protecting against congestion, farmland loss, and quality-of-life impacts demands careful, conservative stewardship. 

• Finally, what does success look like for the Town of Fond du Lac in 10 years — and how will we know we didn’t just preserve the past, but positioned the Town for the future?

Blamey: Success means we’ve managed growth in a smart, sustainable way — protecting what makes this Town special while still moving forward. A successful future includes: • Growth that fits within our land-use tiers • Strong protection of our natural and rural character • Reliable transportation and infrastructure • A healthy mix of businesses that provide good jobs • Community facilities that meet residents’ needs • Strong partnerships with neighboring communities • Active involvement from residents in Town decisions We’ll know we’ve succeeded when people feel not only that the Town preserved what they love — but that it also positioned itself well for the future.

Rolfe: Growth is progress. Growth in all areas that promote the desire of multiple generations to live and work in this community is what a successful town looks like.

Newton: Success looks like a Town that has firmly protected its rural character and farmland charm while achieving a stronger tax base through targeted, smart growth along Plan corridors. We’ll have manageable STH 23 traffic, appropriate housing options without sprawl, vibrant but contained commercial/light industrial areas, and collaborative regional relationships—all while keeping the peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere intact.
We’ll know we’ve positioned the Town for the future when young families and workers choose to stay or move here, local employers thrive, property values remain strong, seniors age comfortably in place, and our rural landscapes still define us—not frozen in time, but thoughtfully sustained with pragmatic progress.