Dennis Batchelet - Commissioner
President - Horsehead Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District
My wife, Kris, and I were introduced to Horsehead Lake in August of 1999 while camping near Eagle River. We bought our cottage on the east shore in September of that year and have enjoyed it ever since.
Both of us are retired Wisconsin public school teachers and split our time between our home in Hartford and the cottage. I taught high school history and Kris taught first grade. Two years ago we moved from Waukesha where we raised our family. We have two married children; John, an electrical engineer, who lives in England, and Sarah, a Wisconsin high school English teacher. In June, 2008, Stephanie, our third child, received a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and recently began a 1-2 year teaching/research fellowship. So, we are "empty-nesters" like many of you.
Since retiring, Kris and I have done some traveling, camping and enjoying our hobbies. Kris likes to spend time with friends and former colleagues. She also likes to read and complete knitting projects, especially sweaters. Recently, she knit some helmet liners for some soldiers overseas. As for me, I read as much as I can and try to keep up with current events. I also have a woodworking shop and enjoy making furniture in addition to spending time with friends. Writing newsletters and keeping our web site up-to-date for the Lake District as well as taking care of related behind-the-scenes business takes some time, but I've enjoyed getting to know the members.
You might be interested in some of my goals for Horsehead Lake:
1) better communication between the Commissioners and the members of the district.
2) improving the level of participation in the District.
3) getting an up-to-date scientific lake study so we can make a solid long-range plan to improve the lake.
4) improving the enjoyment level of lake users and protecting the lake from invasive species.
5) organizing and running our annual meetings in a timely way. I am hoping that our new Horsehead Lake web site, will enable members to learn more about current aspects of the lake in preparation for meetings.
I know that many of our members take great pride in the lake and want to see it improved. Certainly, none of us wants the lake to deteriorate and ruin our common valuable asset. It will take some time, and money, to move the lake forward, but I have seen how bold and decisive members can be at meetings to improve the lake.
If you have any issues or suggestions you would like to discuss, please contact me. Everyone has good ideas that can help improve our lake and/or District.
Thank you for the help you have given to the District. I look forward to working with you in the future.
Dennis Batchelet
For contact information, see "Contact Commissioners" on this web site.
Beverly Fagan - Commissioner
Treasurer - Horsehead Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District
I have been associated with Horsehead Lake since 1975 when my husband Richard accepted a position with Lakeland Union High School as a business teacher. He moved North in September with the start of the school year but our children and I stayed in Freeport, Illinois to sell our house and 16 rooms of furniture. We had purchased the Wavra property on Goose Road and the little 3-bedroom log cabin could not handle all those furnishings. Four of our six children moved with us, our two oldest daughters were in school in Madison at the time. Steven was a junior, Dianne a freshman, Sandra in 6th grade and David in 4th grade.
Christmas Day, 1975 we packed up and headed north. The following day we viewed he work party out on the lake taking soundings to find out how deep the different sections of the lake were, from the surface to the firm bottom. This mapping was beneficial for further lake studies. Since that time, the whole family has enjoyed the lake and helped on many of the work parties to put the first aeration system in the lake.
I have served the Town of Lake Tomahawk from 1977 to 1997 as Town Clerk. I helped the town board with preparation of the annual budget, handled the elections a the day-to-day operation of the Town, including payroll and monthly reports. I enjoyed working for the people of Lake Tomahawk but retirement is great. I also spent 6 years as a Supervisor on the Oneida County Board, serving on many various committees. Currently I serve on the Wilderness Rest Cemetery Board and the Beautification Committee (we put the flowers in the barrels around town, and put up a new town sign). I also serve on the Lake Tomahawk Historical Society.
This is my first term of 3 years as commissioner for the Horsehead Lake District and I have enjoyed serving the people as your Treasurer. Richard served in this position when we first moved here.
We now have many new folks on the lake and if you have any questions regarding the Lake District, the budget or anything relating to the area, please contact me by email or telephone.
Please remember that your commissioners are there to help and serve you.
Beverly Fagan
For contact information, see "Contact Commissioners" on this web site
Christy Nemcek - Commissioner
Secretary - Horsehead Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District
My name is Christy Nemcek. I live in Minocqua along with my husband John, and our sons, Harry (6) and Benjamin (4) and Charlie (11 mos.). We have owned our home in Lake Tomahawk since 1991 and only recently moved to Minocqua since our children started school. We hope to retire to our "lake home" one day. In the past, I have represented the citizens of Lake Tomahawk as a town board supervisor and vice chair for the Oneida County Unit of the Wisconsin’s Town Association. I created and have been active in the Lake Tomahawk Beautification Committee. I served as Chairperson of the Horsehead Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District from 2001-2004 and am pleased to be back.
The future and health of Horsehead Lake has always been important to me and is even more so now that I have children who enjoy the lake so much. Besides being a stay-at-home mom, I work in the Ophthalmology Department of the Marshfield Clinic on an "as needed" basis. I enjoy gardening, fishing, and frog chasing with the boys in my free time. Thank you to everyone who entrusted me with this valuable opportunity to serve our lake. Please feel free to contact me via email, snail mail or telephone with any questions or concerns you may have.
For contact information, see "Contact Commissioners" on this web site.
Shawn Tingley - Commissioner
Lake Tomahawk Town Board Representative
* Not available at this time
For contact information, see "Contact Commissioners" on this web site.
Tom Rudolph - Commissioner
Oneida County Board Representative
* Not available at this time
For contact information, see "Contact Commissioners" on this web site.