Editorial: Consider seeking local boards

Talk about it

It is a difficult time of the year to think about civic duty, but that’s exactly what must happen if someone is thinking about running for a position on a local board in the spring election.

Despite the hectic schedule surrounding the holidays, now is the time to explore the procedure for seeking office on the Ellsworth Village Board, Ellsworth School Board, Pierce County Board or the various municipal and school boards elsewhere in Pierce County.

Some positions require the circulation of nomination papers, others need only a declaration of candidacy. The spring election is April 6, 2010 (Feb. 16, 2010, is the primary election, if needed), but all necessary preliminary work, regardless of the governmental unit (except those using the caucus method), must be completed by 5 p.m. next Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010.

It is too early to tell if incumbents in each of the positions will run again—some will, some won’t. That, of course, should not discourage a citizen who is interested in seeking office. When voters are offered a choice, it brings more people to the polls and gives citizens options to consider. We pay tribute to all the people currently serving in local government and to those considering the possibility of running for office. The pay is low, criticism is often high and the responsibilities are huge. Those willing to serve are true public servants.

Positions open on the Ellsworth Village Board are three trustee seats currently held by David Deiss, Dick Hines and Rick Sweig.

Positions open on the Ellsworth School Board are three board seats currently held by Laurie Andrews, Mary Erlandson and Steve Georgakas.

All positions on the Pierce County Board are up for election. They are currently held by Leo (Chip) Simones in district 1, Jim Camery in district 2, Richard Purdy in district 3, Ben Plunkett in district 4, Paul Barkla in district 5, Nikki Shonoiki in district 6, Ron Lockwood in district 7, John Kucinski in district 8, Ken Snow in district 9, James Ross in district 10, Don Rohl in district 11, Greg Place in district 12, Daniel Reis in district 13, Ronald Bartels in district 14, Jerry Kosin in district 15, Jeff Holst in district 16 and Mel Pittman in district 17.

Elsewhere in the county: Elmwood has three seats available on the village board, currently held by Bruce Hartung, Bob Rupakus and Pam Marson, plus two seats available on the school board, currently held by Paul Peterson and Steve Thompson; Plum City has two seats on the village board, held by Kent Gilles and Peggy Gilles, plus two seats on the school board, held by Todd Glaus and Jeffrey Heit; Prescott has two seats on the school board, held by Maurice LeBreck and Nancy Paulson; River Falls has two seats on the school board, held by Dennis Behnke and Manville Kenny; and Spring Valley has three seats on the village board, held by Rick Hagen, Matt Huepfel and Dale Jacobson, plus two seats on the school board, held by Allan Faber and Jim Helmer.

Additionally, the Town of Trenton has two seats available on the town board, currently held by Herbert Oberg and David Johnson. Meantime, Bay City and Maiden Rock will hold caucus meetings in January, the former for two seats on the village board, held by Jerry Enevold and Beverly Bach, and the latter for one seat on the village board, held by Roger Erickson.

And a Pierce County Circuit Court Judge will be elected to succeed the retiring incumbent, Robert W. Wing.

Now is the time to put your plan into motion if you are considering becoming a public servant at the local level.

Tags: local government, pierce county, plum city, river falls, opinion, editorials, elections, ellsworth, elmwood