• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Candidates believe they offer new perspective

Photo

Jane Thompson

Photo

Kathy J. Kelm

Photo

Wesley K. Davis

JANESVILLE — The two challengers for the Rock County Board District 20 seat think they can bring a fresh perspective to the board.

Kathy J. Kelm, 3603 E. Rotamer Road, Janesville, and Westly K. Davis, 4210 Castlemoor Drive, Janesville, challenge incumbent Jane R. Thompson, 4270 N. Polaris Parkway, Janesville.

Thompson has served the district on Janesville’s far north side since 2004.

Davis has taught for the Janesville and Beloit school districts as well as at Blackhawk Technical College.

He is well versed in public policy, especially in land-use planning, he said. He said he has the time to serve on several committees rather than just one or two.

Davis would advocate for careful land-use planning and is in favor of the county continuing to provide nursing home care at Rock Haven.

“I’ve had relatives who were using that facility many years ago,” Davis said. “I just believe in it and feel that as a county, we are obligated to keep providing care.”

Davis also supports term limits for county board members.

Kelm thinks her recent move to Janesville will bring a fresh perspective to the board. At the same time, the fact that she lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, gives her experience to deal with Janesville’s recent job losses.

“A sudden loss of three major manufacturers wrecked havoc with the Cedar Rapids economy,” Kelm wrote in an e-mail to the Gazette. “(That is) something that we can all relate to here in Rock County.”

Kelm thinks she can use that experience to help revitalize Janesville.

Kelm is especially interested in the human service aspects of Rock County government and is concerned about the growing workloads for caseworkers.

The Gazette was unable to reach Thompson for comment.

She currently serves on the Education, Veterans and Aging Services Committee and the Arrowhead Library Board.

ROCK COUNTY BOARD—DISTRICT 20

Name: Jane R. Thompson, incumbent

Age: 50

Address: 4270 N. Polaris Parkway, Janesville.

Job: Teacher at Janesville Academy for International Studies

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education from UW-Whitewater; master’s degree in education from National Lewis University.

Community service: Member of Rock County Diversity Action Team; Zonta International.

Elected posts: Has served on Rock County Board District 20 since 2004. Current member of the Education, Veterans and Aging Services Committee and the Arrowhead Library Board.

Name: Kathy J. Kelm

Age: 56

Address: 3603 E. Rotamer Rd., Janesville.

Job: Administrative assistant/bookkeeper

Education: Kirkwood Community College

Community service: None listed

Elected posts: None listed

Name: Westly K. Davis

Age: 63

Address: 4210 Castlemoor Drive, Janesville.

Job: Retired teacher from Janesville and Beloit school districts and Blackhawk Technical College.

Education: Earned bachelor’s degrees from UW-Whitewater in geography and English secondary education; earned a master’s degree in teaching with an emphasis on urban and environmental planning from UW-Whitewater in 1975.

Community service: None listed

Elected posts: None listed