Supervisor Wellens leaves County Board

She was the longest serving among current board members
By: 
Warren Bluhm
News Editor

LENA — Longtime Oconto County Board supervisor Melissa Wellens has submitted her resignation.

Wellens’ May 5 resignation letter, effective immediately, was read at the beginning of the board’s May 21 meeting. No reason was given, although County Board Chairman Paul Bednarik hinted at health issues.

“We wish her well in her battle forward,” he said.

Having been appointed on June 15, 1992, to fill an unexpired term, Wellens cited the enactment of a county sales tax — “although I was not a supporter at the beginning” — upgrade of the county radio system and construction of the new Law Enforcement Center as highlights of her years in office.

She praised County Board Chairman Paul Bednarik, Vice Chairman Al Sleeter and Clerk Kim Pytleski for their leadership, and especially thanked county Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann.

“You have been and are a true asset to our county and county board,” Wellens said of Hamann. “Because of your love of charts and statistics, you have made our county business much easier to understand and make our decisions. Oconto County is fortunate to have so many good employees.”

Bednarik said he has known Wellens “forever” and noted the depth of her knowledge after years on the Board of Adjustment and the Law Enforcement/Judiciary and Emergency Management committees.

Her 28-year tenure in office was the longest among current supervisors. She represented District 16, which includes parts of the towns of Stiles and Oconto. The board will appoint a successor later this summer.

wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com