Brett Smits

Occupation: Brett Smits, rooms division manager for Green Lake's Heidel House Resort.Experience: First run for political office.Education: Lourdes High School, associate degree from Fox Valley Technical College, bachelors degree from University of Wisconsin--Stout.Issues: comprehensive planning, parent involvement, solving Sunset Elementary School's physical problems with a practical solution.

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Brett Smits knew he wanted to be on the Oshkosh school board when he was in the voting booth last November, casting a ballot against a proposed construction referendum.

He wondered if the five construction plans rolled together in one question was the result of a bigger goal or whether they were just a quick fix for temporarily crowded elementary schools.He wasn't convinced the referendum was worth giving more of his money to the school district.

"I don't typically like to vote to raise my taxes without knowing I won't have to do it year in and year out," said Smits, rooms division manager for Green Lake's Heidel House Resort."It seemed like there was no vision.I didn't see it was part of a long-range plan."

Developing a comprehensive building use plan, encouraging parent involvement and solving Sunset Elementary School's physical problems with a practical solution are the main legs of Smit's campaign platform for the Oshkosh school board.He is one of four candidates vying for two seats on the board made vacant by incumbents Sue Werblow and Patrick Kogutkiewicz not seeking reelection.

You need not rent a room at the resort to take advantage of this perk because cruises are open to "transients" as well as resort guests, said Brett Smits, a Heidel House manager.

The Heidel House yacht is just one of many rental boats available to visitors to Green Lake, said to be the oldest resort community west of Niagara Falls.

The 60-foot catamaran-style vessel plies the deep waters of the lake twice daily during the summer season, giving sightseers the very best way to enjoy the lake and learn a little about its history, Smits said.

"It's a very relaxing tour, no rush.You do learn a lot about the lake.It's the deepest in the state," Smits said.

To catch the morning sightseeing cruise, just show up 15 minutes prior to 9 a.m. departure for the hour-long trip.For $12.95, visitors receive the cruise along with freshly brewed coffee, orange juice and bakery.
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Reservations aren't necessary for either of the daily cruises, Smits said.

The slow-paced tours allow visitors a closer look at some of the cottages and beautiful homes that line the shore of the seven-mile-long lake, Smits said.

The Escapade, built by a Berlin boat-builder and christened in 1995, is powered by twin 180-horsepower engines and can travel faster than 26 miles an hour.

The yacht has an air-conditioned lower deck with a stairway to the upper deck where guests can enjoy the sunshine and lake breezes as they tour.

The Escapade is available for private parties such as weddings, corporate outings and family reunions.The boating season ends in late October at Heidel House.