By Brandi Makuski

The first candidate for Village of Plover Board President has announced his intentions to run.

Tom Davies, currently serving at Board Trustee for Ward 2, announced on Wednesday he will be run for the position in the spring 2015 election.

“I’ve always had an interest in it, but I think when Dan said he wasn’t going to run, it just felt like a natural thing, timing-wise,” Davies said on Wednesday, referring to an announcement earlier this year when current Board President Dan Schlutter said he would not seek another term.

Davies has been serving on the board since first elected in 2001. He also currently serves on the Finance, Negotiations and the Springville Pond Management committees, as well as the village’s Revolving Loan Committee.  Davies was also appointed to the Joint Village and Stevens Point Municipal Court Committee, with oversees functions of the new court system.

He also represents the village on the Portage Co. Transportation Coordinating Committee.

“It takes a considerable amount of time to be involved in this operation, and now I’ve got the time,” Davies said.

According to Davies, there aren’t a lot of hot button issues facing the village, where leaders are often applauded by area developers and residents alike to smooth transitions and approvals- at least publicly- for local development.

“But certainly the Post Road reconstruction will be a big issue, and I think we just want to keep consistency, that’s what my goal is,” he said, adding his knowledge of early-stage developments in the area are key for the position he’s running for.

Davies was elected to the Village Board in 2001 and has served for 14 years on the Board.  D

Davies, 62, has a background in business and global capital equipment manufacturing for more than 20 years. In 2003, he opened Express Employment Professionals, which provided temporary and permanent employment to local residents. Davies sold the business in late 2013.

“I believe everything has worked out to enable me to now dedicate the time necessary to this position,” Davies said. “The village has experienced a well-balanced growth that we can all be proud of.  I have worked with administration, staff and my board colleagues these past 14 years and look forward to working with Plover residents, businesses and the Village to continue our progress forward.”

Davies and his wife Kathy had lived in Plover for 35 years.