Current Board Members Bios and Terms

Ed Brien was born in Morton Grove, Illinois. He spent his early childhood in Fennville, Michigan, and later moved to Chicago where he attended grade school and high school. After high school, Ed joined the Air Force where he served until his discharge after VJ day. He then married the beautiful Betty Lou Vistine.

After his discharge from the Air Force, Ed attended Aeronautical University at Midway Airport outside Chicago. He worked for various companies until starting his career with the Trucking Division of Burlington Northern Railroad where he spent the next 35 years driving and taking on organizational responsibilities through his involvement with the company's Credit Union.

In 1975, Ed and his wife Betty bought a summer home in the Highlands Subdivision on Delavan Lake, and 10 years later moved here to live year round. With Ed's outgoing personality and leadership skills, it was not long before he became involved with the Highlands Homeowners Association, which had a membership of around 250. After 5 years of membership Ed's skill in leadership and organizational management were recognized and he was elected as President of the Association. He served in this capacity for 20 years.

Over the years, Ed has been involved in most of the large lake projects. During the lake drawdown, he was closely involved with the Highland Channel dredging project as well as the overall Delavan Lake Rehabilitation Project. He worked closely with the Town and soon he was appointed to the Town Board to fill a vacancy. He was also appointed to the Town's Public Works Committee and continues to provide valuable service on its committee, to this day.

Ed was appointed to the Delavan Lake Sanitary District in 1992 and has been reelected twice. During this time, he has worked tirelessly for the protection of DLSD and Delavan Lake.

Information provided by Ed Brien

Robert Buckles (I), of Yorkshire, born in 1702, left England in 1719, for the New World. He settled near Sheppard Town, Virginia, the beginning of our family in America.

They moved slowly across the continent, to Ohio, then to Indiana. In the spring of 1862, Robert V, my great grandpa, moved to Walworth County. He married Anna, in 1863, daughter of Sefferenus Young, who came from New York State in 1843. He bought land for $1.50 an acre, in north Walworth, 3 miles south of Delavan Lake and transformed this virgin soil into a fine productive farm.

The couple had ten children. My grandpa, Joseph, the eldest son, worked at many jobs on or near Delavan Lake, starting as early as 1885. In 1904, he purchased the "Shadow Lawn Farm" near the South Shore area now known as Del-Mar Subdivision. He and wife Maggie had three sons, who helped on the farm. They ran a very successful dairy business, and the boys delivered to the whole South Shore; first by horse and wagon, then by model "T"'s. He sold the farm in 1923 and moved down the shore to the Harrington Subdivision, where he built a beautiful home on the lakefront, then a cottage across the road.

My dad, Claude, built his new home there, just next door. This is where I was born and raised.

Over the years, I have met a multitude of great people, eventually many dear friends. I spent most of my time, at or in the water, fishing in our flat bottom boat and of course, much swimming. Yes, there was algae even then. Weeds were thick, and each shore owner was responsible for them. Many, many heavy weeds were dragged out of the lake. It was our job, Cousin Joe, and I, to do this. We hauled them up a high bank in front, we made a pile, and Grandpa would haul them away to become mulch for his vegetable garden. My favorite memories came from my time exploring, and learning something new each time out.

Then my dad, at 40 years, suddenly passed away. A terrific blow and loss. He was known and highly respected by all neighbors and friends. Playtime was over. My mother, who was town clerk then, accepted a second position at Lake Lawn, as head of the reservation department. After over 30 years, retired from both jobs in 1971.

I too, had to go to work to help support myself. Attended Bailey School (now DLSD offices) and Old Delavan High School, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Spenserian Business College. I spent time in the Army during the Korean War. I am a member of the Delavan American Legion Post 95, Delavan Methodist Church since1942, and was a manager at a local auto dealer for over 30 years, until it was sold.

Spent 8 years as a caregiver, followed by a short retirement. I stopped loafing in 2000, to start and run a courier service for the Community Bank. In 2007, I started my current retirement.

I am extremely proud of being an 8th generation American, truly love the lake area. Feel it is in my blood and I will always strive to maintain my commitment to its well-being.

Article written by John C. Buckles

John Pelletier was born in Boston Massachusetts in 1949. The second son of a career U.S.Coast Guard officer, John's family moved frequently and John resided on the East, West and Gulf coasts as a child. His father retired in Massachusetts, and John graduated from Wayland High School in 1966. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1970 with a BA degree in Economics and Mathematics. After a brief tour in the Army as a reservist trained to be a truck driver, John moved to Chicago to attend graduate school. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 1973 with an MBA degree specializing in Industrial Relations and Finance.

John's work career began in consulting. Working for McKinsey and Company, he counseled companies and institutions in the United States and Western Europe on matters of organization, strategy, and efficiency. He left consulting in 1981 to join Chicago based MidCon Corp,an interstate producer, transporter, and marketer of energy products including natural gas, as director of administration. From 1981 until 1998, John held a variety of positions with MidCon and its subsidiaries including Vice President of Human Resources and Senior Vice President of Administration. His broad executive experience included responsibility for hundreds of employees and direction of the company's human resource, procurement, aviation, communication, computer, and facility management activities. In 1998 the business was sold and relocated to Denver. John joined a family environmental consulting business founded by his wife, and worked as head of administration there until his retirement in 2004.

John and his family have owned property in Walworth County since 1989, and have lived full time in Delavan since 1999. In 1999, John became involved with the Town of Delavan as a member of the Administrative Committee. He served on that committee until 2004, leading Town labor negotiations with the Police and Public Works unions. His involvement with Town government steadily expanded as he served on various committees including Lake, Finance, Police, and Fire and Rescue. He was twice appointed to the Town Board to fill vacancies, most recently in 2004.

In 2005 John was elected Chairman of the DelavanTown Board. As Town Chairman, John lead or participated in a number of important changes for the Town. He is most proud of the rezoning of all the lakefront properties to prevent more dense development of our lakefront. His financial conservatism produced balanced budgets without debt additions while increasing the road budget and purchasing new plow trucks, a backhoe, and a chipper. A town-wide reassessment in 2006 was completed without litigation. The new Police facility was completed on time and on budget. John ran for reelection unopposed in 2007. Although reelected, for personal reasons John chose not to serve a second term.

Continuing to pursue his interest in Delavan Lake, John began attending Delavan Lake Sanitary District meetings in 2007. He was appointed by the Delavan Town Board to fill an open position as a District commissioner in September of 2008. As a Commissioner, John represents DLSD on the Town's Lake Committee.

John resides at 3268 South Shore Drive. He and his former wife share parenting responsibilities for sons Louie and Frank. These teenagers attend school in East Troy, and spend about half their time in Delavan.

Information provided by John Pelletier