The Pierce County Journal composed and sent out election questionnaires to all candidates running in local races, including Pierce County Board, village boards, school boards, city councils, one municipal judge race and three town board races. We tried to craft the questions in order to allow for citizens to get to know candidates and how they feel about local issues, which affect residents in their everyday lives.

The questionnaires were sent by email to candidates almost three weeks ago. For those who did not respond, they were sent two reminder emails. If they did not respond, that is noted below.

Incumbents are marked with an asterisk *. These are the people you will see on your April 7, 2026 ballot.

To find your local polling place, which will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Whats-On-My-Ballot or contact the municipality directly.

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Three trustee seats are open on the Ellsworth Village Board, with three familiar names on the ballot: Lance Austin*, Dick Hines and Tony Hines*. Lisa Hofacker also registered as a write-in candidate on Thursday, March 26.

Lance Austin*

Austin did not respond to the Journal’s emailed questionnaire.

Dick Hines

Occupation/profession: Retired

Prior elected offices: 0

In what community/civic activities/organizations have you been involved? From my work we did community work for the area. We did many things for the senior center when it was below the old library. I have been a member of St. Francis church my whole life.

What specific experience or perspective do you bring that makes you well-suited to serve on the Village Board? Just watching how money is being spent.

What issues are most pressing to the village? What solutions to you propose? The taxes for the village are out of control. I don’t like money being spent foolishly. We need to stop unnecessary spending!

Elected officials often faces strong public opinions on social media and at meetings. How would you approach decisions when the community is divided on an issue? I think I am very level-headed. I would listen to all the facts and make my decision based on that.

While this is a nonpartisan office, there can still be divides in any governing body. How do you work with others who have opposing viewpoints? Same answer as the last question.

What is your approach to funding critical infrastructure and service needs while ensuring responsible, sustainable fiscal management? I think with the East End project being done this year the infrastructure should be in fairly good shape! It’s hard to answer a lot of these questions when you’re not an incumbent.

If you are elected, what is one measurable outcome you would hope to see in the village over the next two years? Getting our taxes under control. There’s a lot of residents like myself that live on fixed income.

In one sentence, what makes the village worth investing in? The parks, schools, housing and businesses are awesome.

How can people contact you? By phone.

Tony Hines*

Occupation/profession: Retired

Prior elected office(s): Ellsworth Village Board trustee.

What specific experience or perspective do you bring that makes you well-suited to serve on the Village Board? I’ve been a trustee on the Village Board for six years.

What issues are most pressing to the village? What solutions to you propose? We are always looking for new business for the village. We have to work on saving as much money as possible and don’t spend it recklessly. We have to help the village businesses and we can’t spend money foolishly.

Elected officials often faces strong public opinions on social media and at meetings. How would you approach decisions when the community is divided on an issue? Listen to the people in the village and talk things out and work through it.

While this is a nonpartisan office, there can still be divides in any governing body. How do you work with others who have opposing viewpoints? Same as above.

What is your approach to funding critical infrastructure and service needs while ensuring responsible, sustainable fiscal management? . Try to get help for grants from the State to help before we start spending money we don’t have.

If you are elected, what is one measurable outcome you would hope to see in the village over the next two years? STOP spending money willy nilly before we get answers from State grant apps.

In one sentence, what makes the village worth investing in? We have really good business people and constituents to work with.

How can people contact you? 715-307-0852.

Lisa Hofacker

Occupation/profession: Currently a banker in Ellsworth; previously an Account Executive in the Information Technology Services Industry

Prior elected offices: No prior elected office experience

In what community/civic activities/organizations have you been involved? I have been actively involved in my community through both my professional work and local engagement. In my current role in banking, I work closely with individuals, families, and small businesses every day, helping them navigate important financial decisions—from opening accounts to supporting major life and business milestones. This has allowed me to build strong relationships and stay closely connected to the needs and priorities of our community. Throughout my career, I have also worked extensively with public sector organizations and led collaborative efforts that required thoughtful decision-making, accountability, and service. While much of that experience was on a larger scale, it centered on delivering solutions that support people and communities. Locally, I stay engaged by supporting community events, connecting with residents and business owners, and being a consistent, approachable presence. I believe strong communities are built through trust, communication, and a willingness to step up and serve.
What specific experience or perspective do you bring that makes you well-suited to serve on the Village Board? I bring a combination of real-world community connection and extensive leadership experience that makes me well-suited to serve on the Village Board. My job gives me a direct understanding of the financial realities, challenges, and opportunities facing our community. In addition, I have over 25 years of experience in operations, strategic planning, and leadership, including working with public sector organizations and managing complex projects and budgets. I have led large, diverse teams, built consensus among stakeholders, and delivered results in high-accountability environments. These experiences have prepared me to make thoughtful, informed decisions and to approach challenges with both a strategic and practical mindset. I also bring a perspective grounded in listening and collaboration. I believe good decisions come from understanding different viewpoints, asking the right questions, and focusing on what is best for the community as a whole. I am committed to being accessible, transparent, and focused on serving the residents of our village.

What issues are most pressing to the village? What solutions to you propose? Some of the most pressing issues facing the village include managing growth responsibly, maintaining infrastructure, and ensuring financial sustainability while continuing to provide high-quality services to residents. As our community grows, it is important that development is thoughtful and balanced preserving what makes the village a great place to live while planning for the future. This includes maintaining roads, utilities, and public spaces, as well as supporting local businesses that are vital to our local economy. From a financial perspective, I believe in careful budgeting, transparency, and making decisions that provide long-term value for residents. My background in banking and strategic planning has given me experience in evaluating trade-offs and prioritizing investments that make the greatest impact. In terms of solutions, I believe in a practical, collaborative approach: listening to residents, working closely with village staff, and making informed decisions based on data and community input. Strong communication and thoughtful planning will be key to addressing challenges and ensuring the village continues to thrive.

Elected officials often faces strong public opinions on social media and at meetings. How would you approach decisions when the community is divided on an issue? When the community is divided, my first step is to listen. It’s important to understand where people come from and make sure everyone has an opportunity to be heard, not just those who are most vocal. I also believe in making decisions based on facts, long-term impact, and what is best for the community as a whole. While not every decision will make everyone happy, it should always be made thoughtfully, fairly, and with transparency. I would approach these situations by staying calm, respectful, and focused on solutions. Clear communication and a willingness to listen go a long way in building trust, even when people don’t agree.

While this is a nonpartisan office, there can still be divides in any governing body. How do you work with others who have opposing viewpoints? I have spent my career working with diverse teams and stakeholders who often have different priorities and perspectives, so collaboration across differing viewpoints is something I am very comfortable with. I approach those situations by focusing on shared goals, listening carefully, and keeping discussions respectful and productive. I believe it is important to understand not just what someone’s position is, but why they hold it. That understanding often leads to better solutions and helps build mutual respect, even when there is disagreement. My goal is not to “win” an argument, but to find the best outcome for the community. That requires open communication, a willingness to compromise when appropriate, and the ability to stay focused on the bigger picture. I believe that kind of approach leads to stronger decisions and a more effective governing body.

What is your approach to funding critical infrastructure and service needs while ensuring responsible, sustainable fiscal management? I believe funding critical infrastructure and services requires a balance between meeting immediate community needs and ensuring long-term fiscal responsibility. My approach is to prioritize projects based on urgency, impact, and sustainability, while making sure resources are allocated efficiently and transparently. With my background in banking and strategic leadership, I am experienced in budgeting, evaluating trade-offs, and planning for long-term financial health. I would work closely with village staff, other board members, and residents to ensure that decisions are informed by accurate data and reflect the community’s priorities. I also believe in transparency and clear communication. Residents should understand how funds are being used, why decisions are made, and what the expected outcomes are. By combining careful planning, community input, and fiscal discipline, we can maintain and improve our village’s infrastructure and services in a way that is sustainable for the future.

If you are elected, what is one measurable outcome you would hope to see in the village over the next two years? One measurable outcome I would hope to see is improved financial sustainability, paired with visible progress on key infrastructure projects, like roads and utilities. I would also measure success by greater resident engagement—making sure people know how decisions are made and feel their voices are heard. By tracking results and communicating clearly, we can ensure real, tangible improvements in the village over the next two years.

In one sentence, what makes the village worth investing in? The village is worth investing in because it is a close-knit, vibrant community where neighbors support one another and local businesses thrive.

How can people contact you? https://www.facebook.com/lisa.g.hofacker https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahofacker/