Jeff Radtke, the newest member of the Bangor Village Board, had about five seconds to acclimate himself to being a board member. As a prospective candidate for office in the April elections, Radtke attended the Jan. 12 meeting and was sitting in the audience when he was nominated to fill out the remainder of Greg Peterson’s term, which expires in April 2011. The spot was vacated that same meeting when Peterson was voted board president in the wake of Rob Gjertsen’s death.

After Peterson was named the new president, Radtke was confirmed by a 3-2 vote to fill his slot and immediately invited to take a seat at the table for the remainder of the night.

“I didn’t realize I’d start right away,” Radtke said. “I guess I thought they’d ask me to come to the next meeting.”

Radke, who grew up in the Milwaukee area, has lived in Bangor for the past 15 years and retired two years ago. A state trooper for 30 years, he patrolled the interstate in La Crosse County for most of that time. His wife, Pam, is La Crosse County Circuit Court clerk.

Radtke said it seemed like a natural decision to serve on the village board. “It kind of goes hand in hand with law enforcement. In some ways it’s just another facet of that,” he said. “Plus, law enforcement guys typically get a chance to retire a little earlier.”

Although Radtke was appointed to the board, his name remains on the April ballot. That is by law, not design. “He had filled out all the necessary paperwork to run,” said Village Clerk Shelly Miller, “and, by law, the only way he can be taken off the ballot is if he would die.”

That came as a surprise to Radtke and he admits to mixed feelings about remaining on the ballot.

With three board seats opening up —those belonging to Kimberly Shrake, Eric Vaughn and Kristy O’Heron — and only O’Heron running for re-election, there will be at least two new faces on the village board come April. In addition to O’Heron and Radtke, other candidates on the ballot will be Dan Hesse, Kevin Hilby and Eric Faas.

Since he must remain on the ballot, Radtke said he’d abide by whatever decision the voters make. “If I get enough votes to win a two-year seat, then I’d have to resign the one-year term. If I’m not elected for a two-year term, I’ll be happy to serve until 2011.”

Although Radtke said he’d like for Bangor to see some growth, he also wants it to keep its character. “I’d like to see controlled growth and keep the small-town feel. I grew up in Milwaukee and I don’t ever want to go back, yet I’d like to keep the infrastructure strong here.”

Radtke decribes himself as a fiscal conservative who’s mindful of the impact of tax increases, yet also mindful that “there can be times where, if you try to save a dollar today, you might suffer greater consequences for failing to act.”

As far as board member relationships go, he said, “I realize we can’t always be in 100 percent agreement, but I would hope that disagreements don’t become personal.”

Given Radtke’s background in police work, Peterson already has appointed him head of the Police Commission. He’s also on the 20-year planning committee.

“Sometimes I think people are not looking ahead as much as they should,” Radtke said. “I think you should have short-term, mid-term and long-term goals.”

He would apply some of those outlooks to the Bangor Police Department.

“As someone who’s had contact with the Bangor police my entire career, I personally think the conditions that the officers operate under here are an embarrassment,” Radtke said. “In the short-term I’d like to alleviate the crowding with existing buildings, if possible, but mid-range or long-range I think it would be reasonable to try and find more space for the department. I’m hoping that, with my background and good rapport with the other board members that maybe we can do something.”