7QUESTIONS+PLUS

A father of five full grown children and seven healthy grandchildren (ages 6 months to 12 years), Mark Wisnefski loves his cabin in the north woods. So much so he said that if he and his wife of 43 years, Barb, didn’t live in Kenosha County, they would reside in Eagle River, Wis. But no matter where the interim county executive lives, he said he would never miss the Kenosha County Fair

Mark Wisnefski will now take your questions ...

What's your goal as interim county executive, given that it might be a short-term job for you?
1. To return trust and integrity back to the Office of County Executive.
2. To provide a seamless transition through the June 2008 election.
3. To start the 2009 budget process.

Your appointment has caused some controversy among County Board members; how do you handle that?
The entire County Board of Supervisors have been very supportive as I assumed the Office. Some supervisors questioned the process of the appointment, however, the process was determined by State law.

After two weeks, how does the job compare to what you were told it would be or what you had expected?
Long, long hours and many meetings.

What is an average day like for the county executive?
Busy. I had not anticipated the amount of time required to conduct the business through this office.

The county has been a big part of ongoing negotiations planning for a Kenosha casino. What is your opinion of the project and its status?
It is out of local control at this point in time.

What’s the most sage political advice you’ve ever gotten? Who gave it to you?
“Listen to your constituents” by former County Board Supervisor Earl Hollister.

What is are your favorite books/magazines/publications (not including the News)?
The biographies of Leroy Butler and Ray Nitschke, both stories of overcoming great adversity.

If you were to explain what you do for a living to a class of second graders, how would you describe it?
We take care of the parks where you play. The Sheriff's Department keeps you safe where you live. The Health Department keeps you in good health so that you can play.

What is Kenosha County's greatest asset?
The people who live and work here. Kenosha has a great location and great recreation.

What's the one county event you never miss?
The Kenosha County Fair.

Who inspires you the most?
My mother, the late Oveda Crane Wisnefski.

What are your hobbies?
Old cars and motorcycles. I'm looking forward to a happy retirement with family and grandkids in June of 2008. I am currently restoring a 1993 Mustang convertible and am looking at a retirement project of restoring a 1955 Ford T-Bird.

Complete this sentence: Happiness is ...
Family, good health, faith in God and loyal friends.

If your mother were to describe you in five words or less, she would say:
Cantankerous.