My name is Mike Kappers, father, coach, teacher, entrepreneur, village board president, and hard-worker. I’ve owned and operated several businesses and properties. I love constantly learning new things and meeting new people. My passion is helping people, solving problems, and being the best dad possible.

We constantly need to pivot in life. I’ve owned a liquor store, a few bars, and a party atmosphere campground, and started drinking at a very early age. The universe has pushed me away from the campground and any sort of drinking or party atmosphere life and is pushing me towards new opportunities. Focusing on doing things that give me the maximum amount of time with my three children. With only seven years left before they are all graduated and off to college, I’ve organized my life around them.

Kennedy is an exceptional athlete and is currently focused on softball. She plays on a club team called Minnesota Force out of Roseville. Her practices are typically three hours long, several times a week with numerous national tournaments on the weekends. Instead of going to a bar or restaurant, I’ve become her professional driver. I signed up for Uber and Lyft so I’m able to write off all of my miles driven and make money during her practices instead of spending it. The fact is, I really enjoy ridesharing and networking with amazing people. Kennedy is considered one of the best pitchers in the state for her age group. It’s crazy to me that colleges are already sending their propaganda to 13 year old…. We have the best father daughter relationship and we literally tell each other everything.

Maverick is uber smart with an engineering type brain. He’s not into sports but loves his electric bike, electric skateboard, YouTube, and video games like Farm Simulator. He’s super into tools, tearing things apart and sometimes puts things back together:). Maverick and Kennedy scored in the top 96 percentile in the nation in the Cogat Testing, so keeping Maverick intellectually stimulated can be challenging at best. He has an Elon Musk type brain and a great work ethic. Too smart for his own good sometimes:)

Titan loves sports and people are naturally drawn to him. At 10 years old, he’s already a two-time state champ in wrestling, 3x runner-up, and 5 time place-winner. He’s running back and linebacker on his tackle football team, which is currently 2x undefeated state champs, and currently we are 5-0 on the season, outscoring our opponents 194-6. We seem to be smaller than most of the teams but the kids work hard and work as a team. Titan is also an exceptional pitcher on his baseball team and is an overall good utility player.

My kids are best of friends with each other and they have an amazing camaraderie. As a family we are lucky to have the right balance of respect and friendship. I’ve always treated my kids like responsible young adults, are honest with them about everything, and have never said, “Because I said so”. We talk everything through so that they can come to their own conclusions and make the best decisions for themselves. There is very little arguement when the decision is their own. As they’ve aged, I never want them to get any older but as they do, it somehow gets better at every step.

As the universe has thrown some challenging curveballs, I always remind myself that we are are all healthy and that I have the most amazing kids and that we can handle anything that comes our way.

I grew up in Hammond playing sports, working at neighboring farms and managing the Baldwin Dairy Queen. In 1997 I received my undergrad at UW-Stevens Point for Resource Management and Environmental Law Enforcement. During college I worked as a park ranger and special game warden while also working at apartment buildings doing maintenance and repair. Right after college I was hired by the Somerset Police Department and part-time for the St. Croix County Sheriff's Department. As a young officer at Somerset I uncovered police corruption within the police station. I knew the things that were happening were not right, and not right for the community. Even as a young officer I knew the difference between right and wrong. I built a case working with the sheriff's department and the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Based off of my investigation, they found probable cause to conduct a search warrant on the police department. The warrant and its finding led to the termination and criminal charges of the individuals who were responsible for these unfortunate events.

First Day of School 2023, Maverick 12 (6th grade), Titan 10 (5th), Kennedy 13 (7th grade).

For the next year I was Officer-in-Charge (acting chief) until they found a replacement. I was quickly and deservingly promoted to Sergeant in 2001, taking care of the day to day operations of the department for several years. I had the privilege of being a K-9 handler for 12 of those years, investigated all types of crimes, worked numerous drug cases with task forces and the Drug Enforcement Agency and was even able to work undercover on several state and federal cases.

From 1998-2006 I was the assistant wrestling coach for Somerset High School. 2007-2010 I acted as head coach until returning to my assistant coaching position until 2013.

2001 I started a painting business and painted several of the homes in the Somerset Meadows development along with starting my Masters Program in Police Leadership, Administration, and Education at the University of St. Thomas in 2003.

In 2005 I was hit by a car while riding motorcycle. My foot was facing the wrong way. I was able to return to work a few times before needing more ankle fusions and surgeries.

From that experience I knew that my law enforcement career would eventually come to an end and that having a "job" would not sustain my future family.

I went to work starting Grassbusters Lawn Care Business (2006), bought a four-plex for a rental property (2007), started Apple River Liquor (2008), and Apple River Hideaway (2010). All while between surgeries and starting a family.

In 2012 it was time to say goodbye to my law enforcement career. I had been off for nearly a year from a fusion that didn't take and needed another fusion. It was time for me and the department to move on. Luckily, two metal bars and fourteen screws in my ankle later, I can get around but my days of chasing down the bad guys are over. I try not to let anyone see my limp, I hide it well, but please don't ask me to run, there is no hiding that:)

We purchased the Corner Saloon in River Falls in 2013 and renamed it Maverick's Corner Saloon after my first born son. In 2018 we purchased the old “Anne’s Cafe” in Somerset and named it Kennedy’s Cafe after my first born daughter. Life got to busy so we sold Maverick’s in February of 2022 to spend more time hauling around and coaching the kids.

We have properties in the township at Apple River Hideaway Campground, and recently purchased a property in Stillwater because the kids wanted to try a year of school in that district. Becky and I share custody so whenever they’re with Becky, I’m always sleeping at the Somerset place since I pick them up for school every morning. Plus with the two businesses and rentals in Somerset, I still spend a majority of my time there.

I worked as a substitute a few days a week in the Somerset School District for seven years. In addition to teaching I also enjoyed coaching T-ball, Machine Pitch and Wrestling.

If someone needs help, we will always be there. While in Somerset, I’ve had the pleasure of starting an organizing many super cool events. Friendsgiving where we feed 150-200 people on Thanksgiving, Santa on Main that I love taking pictures of all the young and not so young smiles :) Halloween on Main, and organized 40 men and women with heavy equipment to clean up after the recent riots. Last years tornado that hit New Richmond, we were there too. We help wherever we can. Organizing bike runs and fundraisers for those in need…. We are always donating and giving however possible and we have a special fondness to our amazing Somerset Community Food Pantry that help SO MANY! Our immediate family and our extended family has a rule, never pass by garbage, pick it up. If others see garbage on the ground, they are more likely to throw it down too. Take pride in yourself and take pride in your community. It takes a village!

As a police officer, I never went after a person. I would help them realize that it was their actual behavior that was bad and then would mentor them to fix that negative behavior. As a business owner, I've learned that only you are in control of your own future and the future of your family. It's been a great mix along the way.

My entire life I have been setting high goals for myself and the people around me. As your village president, I promise that I will do my best to bridge the gap with other boards, help solve citizen issues, great rid of the things that have given us a bad name, and make Somerset a great place to work, live, and play. People have asked me why I want to run. The honest answer, I really don’t want to be a politician or a target for the few that are fighting it every step of the way. The way I look at it…. If I don’t stand up and do what’s right, how can I look my kids in the eyes and be proud, then if the going gets tough, they would be more likely to back down from a challenge. If all goes well, positive change will be swift and painless for most. We will do the right things for the right reasons and save us all some valuable tax money in the process. Thank you for your support.

The campground property and home is just under 100 acres with a mile of river-frontage along the beautiful Apple River. When my camping, tubing, and events were taken away, I could either sell to the people working to put me out of business or work with a development team that shared my goals and vision for the future of the area. After about six months of working with the group, I realized my love for real estate. I have been buying, selling, and investing in real estate for over 25 years, so now I’m taking that knowledge and applying it to the next level. I now have my real estate license and look forward to helping everyone with their real estate needs.

-If it was easy, everyone would do it…. We do it because it’s worth it!