Gilman village caucus January 13 at 5:00 p.m.

by Joseph Back

“If we had two wards, the president would be ‘at large,’” village clerk Sandi Isaacs said in relation to the upcoming spring election for Boyd Village President along several trustees. As it turns out, being small and close-knit has its advantages, and the single political unit comprising the village of Boyd chooses its President from a simpler process. Submit nomination papers to get on the ballot, or do a write-in campaign, and hope to be selected. Speaking of which, Village President Randy Setzer and Trustee Tom Mc-Quillan have filed papers of non-candidacy, meaning there are at least two open spots on the ballot, but not for long it would seem.

“I do have a declaration of someone running for presidency, but they haven’t returned their papers,” Isaacs said of trustee Bob Seidl, who apparently seeks to take over from President Setzer, pending the return of official ballot-qualifying nomination signatures and the April vote.

Meanwhile, also up for election in Boyd is trustee Gwen Krizan, understood to be in the running for a second term as a Boyd village trustee though not declared nor filing papers as of last week. Those wishing to file their own papers for a spot on the Boyd ballot come April must pick up the needed parchment at the clerk’s office and then return it with enough signatures by January 5, 2021 at 5 p.m. The local clerk has further information on election procedures for those interested in serving, as does Chapter 8 of the Wisconsin state statutes.

In the meantime, it turns out not all village election processes are alike, as up in Gilman they do things a bit differently, also pursuant to statute.

“Nobody has filed papers yet,” Gilman clerk Candice Grunseth said when reached by phone.

“We have a caucus.” Among those seats on the Gilman village board open for candidate nominations this year are those of President Jane De-Staercke, and village trustees Eileen Grunseth, Greg Steinbach, and Bob Mechelke, the last due to the trustee’s recent death. Those interested in potentially serving on the village board can find more information by going to www.gilmanwi.

com or contacting the clerk’s office at (715) 447-8650. The Gilman village caucus is set for January 13th at 6:45 p.m. at the village hall.

Shifting from village boards to school board, the election is due to shape up quickly, with December 28th the deadline for filing non-candidacy and papers for nomination due by January 5th. Up for re-approval or else replacement on the school board this year are Area One Representative Chad Verbeten and Area Four Representative Ryan Lewallen.

Verbeten represents the townships of Edson, Thorp, Wilson, Worden and Butler in the Unified Stanley-Boyd School District. Lewallen represents the City of Stanley, though ballot places do remain open, or so it would seem.

“No one has filed yet,” Stanley-Boyd Administrative Assistant Renee Mahal said last week when queried about the upcoming Spring election. Don’t like how things are at the school?

Then put yourself out there and get involved!

For readers in Gilman, the school board reportedly has three candidates, two three-year seats held by the incumbent and one vacant seat good for a two-year term of public service for the lucky winner. So far the names to consider in terms of the ballot for Gilman School Board are Bruce Ewings (incumbent), Darrell Thompson (also the incumbent), and a third candidate named Chris Skabroud in the running, with a seat currently vacant on the board.

“The top two candidates with the most votes will get the three-year terms and the other the two-year term,” Board Secretary Valorie Kulesa made known via email. Should a fourth candidate enter the race, it could force a primary!

Stay tuned as developments continue to unfold in the Spring election race brackets for West Central Wisconsin and the local area.