Meet the three candidates aiming to be Weston's next president
Incumbent Mark Maloney will face off against challengers Jim Pinsonneault and Hooshang Zeyghami
Like Kronenwetter, Weston residents have three choices for village president on Feb. 18. They include the current village president along with two current board members. The top two voters will go on to the April 1 general election.
The Wausonian sent questionnaires to all three candidates and did very little editing, except to align with our style such as removing unnecessary capitalizations.
Mark F. Maloney
Age: 65
Occupation: Director of Retail Sales – CRAZY FRESH /Russ Davis Wholesale
Political experience:
Town of Weston 4yrs Supervisor
Village of Weston 6yrs Trustee (2nd stint)
Village of Weston 2yrs Trustee (3rd stint)
Village of Weston 4yrs President (currently)
Marathon County Board of Supervisors (2 non-consecutive terms)
Why did you decide to run for village president?
Wally Sparks resigned/retired and nominated me to replace him.
The Village of Weston - Board of Trustees voted and unanimously approved to appoint me as President.
I ran unopposed 2nd term and was reelected.
I truly enjoy and get much pleasure in service to others and finding solutions to fix or solve issues.
I also believe that I have an ability to bring others together, to find common ground, and respect each other’s opinions.
What's the biggest challenge facing the village right now and how would you address it?
We have several large challenges currently in no specific order . . .
*Closure of TID/TIF #1 is approaching in several years and I believe we are moving in a good direction with closure.
*Embracing the incredible positive opportunities that the Greenheck/Turner Community Center brings to our village and total surrounding area municipalities
*Increasing partnering and building lasting relationships with our neighboring municipalities. Sharing in costs, services, management, staff and all ways possible to stretch our residents tax dollars.
* Looking to move in a positive merger of Fire and EMS with more Neighboring Municipalities, . . . crucial for better response times and cost savings for area residents.
*Challenge that has been seized . . . the incredible merger of police departments creating the new identity of the Mountain Bay Metro Police Department. I am proud to say I had a part in working with these very accomplished, professional, brave, hard-working women and men, protecting and serving our City of Schofield, Town of Weston, Village of Rothschild and Village of Weston in accomplishing this outstanding merger!!
What would your top three priorities for the village be if you were elected?
*Being available and engaged with our residents, business owners, and all things “Village of Weston”
*Effectively presiding over board of trustee meetings, working with residents for accessibility, and help guide staff in a customer service attitude.
*Lower cost housing and possibilities . . . Municipalities must/need to seriously figure this out, relax codes on sizing, lot size, specific needs and get this done,
What is your pitch to voters? Why should voters choose you over your opponents later this month?
To the Village of Weston residents / taxpayers / my boss,
I believe I am engaged, responsive, try to fix issues or help find others who can help.
I am trying hard to listen better (according to my daughter who believes I need to try harder)
. . . I am working on “listening to understand” not “listening to respond”
I enjoy my elected position and hope it resonates out to the greater public.
I enjoy a good healthy discussion/debate . . . always trying to find a path to compromise.
If you agree, I would appreciate your vote !!
Leave it Better.
Jim Pinsonneault
Age: 42
Occupation: Automotive Service Technician
Political experience: I have served on the Village of Weston Board of Trustees for almost 2 years
Why did you decide to run for village president?
First off, service and giving back is in my DNA. I joined the United States Marine Corps right after September 11, 2001. I have continued to serve my country, and community long after my active duty status ended. Eventually that service transitioned to local government. In 2023, I ran for village trustee, and jumped in with both feet after being elected. The village president position is generally unopposed. I have a problem with that. When there is only one person to vote for, it really gives you no choice at all. I also feel that there is improvement which can be made in the village, and I want to lead in that positive change.
What's the biggest challenge facing the village right now and how would you address it?
I feel the biggest problem is spending. The cost of goods, services and contacts continue to increase, yet the only approach which is utilized to overcome it is to spend more. I am one who looks at things objectively and isn't afraid to think outside the box. Just because things "are always done" a certain way, doesn't mean they need to be. It's 2025 and there is no reason we need to continue to operate things in Weston like it's 1996. Times have changed, and we need to be open to change, and evolve with the times.
What would your top three priorities for the village be if you were elected?
1. Keep Weston a safe place to live, and raise a family. Police, fire, clean water, parks, low crime, etc are all reasons why Weston is such a wonderful community to live in.
2. Facilitate sustainable and responsible growth. Marathon County is growing, and much of that growth is taking place right here. We need to have appropriate planning and policy practices in place to encourage that growth to happen here, while keeping a high quality of services and keeping property tax rates low. Being business-friendly, and welcoming new business to Weston is critical in this.
3. Avoiding increases in property taxes, while maintaining and improving the services the village provides. When I moved here in 2008, the property taxes in Weston were very attractive when compared to other area municipalities. As time went on, the taxes continued to increase, and are much less desirable compared to our neighbors. There are many avenues to explore to achieve this goal. Closing our TIF districts, continuing to work with other municipalities to share services, and looking for increased efficiencies within our operations to do more with less.
What is your pitch to voters? Why should voters choose you over your opponents later this month?
My pitch is simple. In Weston government "EveryoneEATS"
Efficiency
Accountability
Transparency
Sustainability
By holding every elected official, appointed official, and staff member to those standards, it will promote keeping Weston a great place to live, with a high level of services delivered, at the lowest cost to the taxpayers.
I am not a cookie-cutter candidate. I haven't been on the board years and years. I have new ideas, and I welcome change. Continuing on the same unsustainable path we are on is what a vote for the other candidates will yield. It is time for a change in the Village. Let's break the mold, and stop rubber-stamping status quo ideas.
I look forward to continuing to serve the Village of Weston, and I ask for your vote for president on February 18 and April 1.
Hooshang Zeyghami
Occupation: Professional Engineer, PE (retired)
Prior Political Experience:
8 years – Village of Weston Trustee
Vice Chair of the Planning Commission
Chairman of the Public Works Committee
Commissioner of Tourism for the Village of Weston
Board member of the Convention and Visitor Bureau for Marathon County
Education:
BS - University of Wisconsin – Platteville- Civil Engineering
MS – Oklahoma State University – civil/environmental engineering Post-graduate studies – University of WI - Environmental Engineering
Community Involvement:
Board member of the UWSP@Wausau – in Wausau, Wisconsin
Past president of the Wausau Kiwanis’s Noon Club
Past president of youth soccer Association (DCESA)- introduced soccer to the area in 1980.
Member of the strategic planning committee for the original Greenheck Fieldhouse
1. Why did you decide to run for the Village President?
I have lived in Weston for 47 years and have seen significant changes. With my experience as a trustee, vice chair of the planning commission, as chairman of public works, I understand the challenges we face. I’m offering a fresh perspective, leveraging my engineering background and business experience to improve our village.
2. The Biggest Challenge
Our drinking water contains iron, magnesium, and (PFOS); and requires treatment. I propose the construction of a water treatment plant, funded partially through government grants to reduce cost for residents.
3. Top Priorities
1.*Keep Taxes Low*: Minimize tax increases and explore grant opportunities to support village projects.
2. *Construct a New Water Treatment Plant*: Our water contains iron, magnesium, and other contaminants (PFOS). I’ll pursue grant funding to help finance a new treatment plant, ensuring clean drinking water for our residents.
3.* Improving Our Roads*: Enhance our infrastructure to support residents and businesses.
As a dedicated member of this community, I’m committed to keeping the Village of Weston a great place to live in and ensuring that the Village has a reliable police department, fire/EMC department, and other essential services that are crucial for its growth and well-being. I ask for your support in this election.