It's the first day of April soon, and with that in view, we have news.
Elections are here. Arriving Tuesday, April 1, voters across the area will head to the polls to decide for city, village, and townships. On the ballot as well are races for state school superintendent and Supreme Court, as well as a state constitutional referendum on voter ID.
State races are covered in a separate article. These are the local ballot candidates.
In the city of Owen, the candidates are Scott Jalling for Mayor, with Kenneth Martine for Ward 1 Alderperson, Pamela Jaffke for Ward 2 Alderperson, and John Mauel for Ward 3 Alderperson, all unopposed.
Moving to the Village of Withee, the candidates are Larry Klabon for Village President and Nancy Amacher for Village Trustee, both unopposed.
As for the Owen-Withee School Board, Adam Simington and Julie A. Wendler are on the ballot, two seats being open.
As for Thorp, the city will see three alderperson candidates: Brain Abramczak for Ward 3, Josh Rosemeyer for Ward 4, and Rodney Enkers for Alderson at Large. All are unopposed.
As for schools, four candidates are competing for two seats on the Thorp School Board, these being Lana Ciolkosz, Angela Hertz, Jason Maier, and Kari Bielecki.
At Greenwood there are several ballot candidates.
Starting with the city council posts, Mitch Behrens is running unopposed for the First Aldermanic Ward, while Dean Hinker is running unopposed for the Second Aldermanic Ward.
In addition, there are three school board candidates for two seats, Jamie Gardner for Area 1 and Shawn Kolano and Jessica Wolf for Area 4. Lastly, Greenwood voters will have an advisory non-binding referendum question, as follows:
Advisory/Non-Binding Question: Do you support the consolidation of the School District of Greenwood, Clark County, Wisconsin with the School District of Loyal, Clark County, Wisconsin?
The referendum is non-binding, being used to consult the voters on their thoughts regarding the matter.
Moving to Gilman, there are also several candidates.
Starting with school board, Gilman School District voters will choose between five candidates for three seats, the candidates being Lynn Rosemeyer, Derrick Romig, Holly S. Bacha, Vonda Kinas, and Josh Mann. Rosemeyer is the only incumbent on the ballot for school board at Gilman.
As for village board races, the ballot will feature incumbent Jane DeStaercke and challenger Jerry Smith. As for trustee, there are four candidates for three seats. The four candidates are Karen James, Mark Person, Russell Baker, and Derrick Romig.
Two other caucus candidates, Brian Mallo and Jim Czahor, did not fill out their candidacy paperwork following the January caucus.
Each of the Gilman village board candidates was given a chance to respond to a short questionnaire, with DeStaercke and Romig responding.
Currently the incumbent village president, DeStaercke shared more about herself for voters.

Jane DeStaercke
“I am Jane DeStaercke, a retired high school English teacher from the Gilman School District and long time resident of the Village of Gilman. As such, I have enjoyed many years serving the Gilman community and the surrounding area. I belong to the Gilman Lions Club, the CBA, and various other organizations. I also serve as a representative of the Gilman area with the Aspirus Hospital system and various other Taylor County committees
Serving on the Village Board as both a trustee and in recent years as the Board President has given me experience with the issues facing small, rural communities. Providing utilities at a reasonable cost, seeking affordable housing opportunities, and maintaining the quality of life provided in small town Wisconsin is a priority.
Quality leadership and local experience are what our present Village Board and I have been providing for the Gilman community. Through our multi-use TID program and various other efforts, I have helped provide housing and revitalization for our community. I pledge to continue these efforts to make Gilman an even better place to live.”
Also responding but for village trustee was Derrick Romig, who shared the following.

Derrick Romig
“My name is Derrick Romig. I am 39 years old. My occupation is a Journeyman Plumber for Romig’s Inc. in Gilman WI. I would love to serve as a Village of Gilman Trustee because I have been a lifelong resident of the Village of Gilman, have many different skills that I can use while serving as a trustee, use my experience to contribute to a cause I believe in, make a positive impact in our community, develop leadership abilities, and gain valuable insights into inner workings while shaping its direction through strategic decision-making.”
At Lublin, meanwhile, several seats are on the ballot as well. Incumbent Randy Madlon will face challenger Todd Benkowski for village president, while several different candidates exist for village trustee, with two seats available. Each of the different candidates was given a chance to response to a short questionnaire, with Benkowksi, Christine Compagnone, Richard Pulcher, Christine Nowak, and James “Frenchy” Lehouillier responding.
Starting with Benkowksi, the 54 year old Lublin resident on medical retirement shared why he seeks a post as village president.

Todd Benkowski
“My name is Todd Benkowski and I an honored to run for Village President. I have always believed in the power of hard work, community service, and standing up for what’s right. As a two-time cancer survivor in remission, I know what it means to face challenges head on, and I bring that same determination to everything I do.
For over 20 years I was a proud member of the Local 563 Laborers Union, where I gained firsthand experience in teamwork, leadership, and dedication to getting the job done right. My educational background includes training in auto body technology, a diploma in logistics, CPR instruction through the American Heart Association, and coursework in occupational health and safety.
Beyond my career, I have always prioritized giving back. I’ve had the privilege of:
• Helping build three houses for Habitat for Humanity
• Walking countless miles with my company team to support diabetes awareness.
• Playing Santa Claus for elderly residents and children in need.
• Volunteering at food shelves and homeless shelters, including in Minneapolis.
• Most recently, working with the Wellness Shack in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Lublin has so much potential, and I believe that with better leadership, we can take pride in our community again.”
Madlon did not respond to the questionnaire.
Responding for trustee, incumbent trustee Christine Compagnone is a 56 year old homemaker and hobby farmer. She shared the following on seeking reelection as a village trustee:

Christine Compagnone
“I am seeking re-election for Village of Lublin Trustee. I have been a Lublin resident for six years and have served as a Village Trustee for the past two. I have spent the majority of my life living in small, rural communities. This is what originally drew me to Lublin. I learned a lot during my first term. I am ready to use this knowledge to help the board clean up our village. I say this because in addition to speaking with local residents, I have heard from a number of outsiders that the village is unsightly due to dilapidated buildings and junk seen when passing through. I’d like to be proud when I tell people that I live in Lublin. Right now, that is not happening. If elected, I will do everything in my power to make sure current ordinances are enforced so that we can all be proud of the community we live in.”
Also responding to the questionnaire for trustee, retired 74-year-old Richard Pulcher shared his reasons for seeking a village trustee post.

Richard Pulcher
“The reason I am running for the Lublin Village Board is my dissatisfaction with the current board. They seemed determined to pass ordinances that will make law abiding citizens pay fines for things the board doesn’t like about their property. While the current board wants to fine citizens, village property is in disrepair.
The current board dismisses the fact that the village employees are to be protected by regulations at least as strict as OSHA regulations. They hire contractors who do not have insurance for their workers. This exposes the village to unnecessary risk in case a worker is injured on a village job.
They seem to have ‘lost’ some money that was designated to improve the ballpark, about $5,000. The village books need to be audited by a CPA.”
Next on the list of candidates for village trustee is Christine Nowak, a 71-year-old retiree born and raised in the village. She shared the following thoughts on why she seeks a trustee post.

Christine Nowak
“As a concerned citizen of the village I am running because I want to see the village beautiful again. I grew up here, went to school here and retired here. Most people take pride in their property or properties. There are some dilapidated buildings that need to be dismantled because they are beyond repair and are dangerous for curious individuals especially during village events. The same goes for junk vehicles, they too are a threat, a child could easily get locked in one and die from heat exhaustion or freeze to death before they are found. This is my main concern.
I see letters are sent out to some in the village and these people have many good qualities. Helping others in many areas but not Lublin. What have you done in the village? Lublin Days could always use a hand, we have dances, the American Legion has many activities to participate in. We have three churches that you do not attend or help in their festivities.
The village board is doing an excellent job maintaining all it does, no problems with the DNR, books are up to date and accurate, they work together well. And yet you complain about a sign that is leaning. Ever hear of frost? Let’s look at the big picture.”
Thank you for your time,
Christine Nowak
Closing out the list of trustee candidates at Lublin is James “Frenchy” Lehouillier, a 67-year-old painter. Lehouillier shared his thoughts on why he seeks a trustee post.

James Lehouillier
“I’m running for Village of Lublin Trustee because I’m not happy with a board that makes up it’s own rules, sometimes against state statutes, to benefit themselves and attack residents they don’t like.
The monthly minutes are prepared as an opinion page. Misquotes and fabrications have been numerous.
If elected I plan on using the resources of the Towns Association to make sure the actions of the board are legal and do not violate the rights of village residents.
I do not want to attack others, but I wish to use the village resources to benefit all.”

With the above candidates for city, village, and area school boards, these are the township candidates.
At Aurora: Damon Brandner for Chairperson, Ryan Reimann and Donald Purvis for Supervisor, Sharon Noland for Clerk, and write-in for Treasurer.
At Cleveland: Scott Capelle for Chairperson, Vince Anglemyer and Norman Mudgett for Supervisor, Joseph Liegl for Clerk, and Tammy Wojcik for Treasurer.
At Ford: Scott Nichols for Chairperson, Leonard Nichols and Davey Winger for Supervisor, and Kimberly Meyer for Clerk.
At Maplehurst: Mark Nosko for Chairperson, Tony Friedenfels and Andy N. Friedenfels for Supervisor, Marilyn Ovyn for Treasurer, and Michael D. Barna for Assessor
At Longwood: Art Petke Jr. for Chairman; Jeff Rasmussen for Supervisor 1, Travis Greshcner for Supervisor 2.
At Loyal: Jesse Zvolena for Chairman, Ray Weyer and Kevin Froeba for Supervisor at Large, Denise With, for Treasurer, and Lacii Kautzer for Clerk
At Reseburg: Michael J. Lewien for Chairman, Matt Grajkowski for Supervisor 1, Roger Vetterkind for Supervisor 2, Lore Nowobielski for Treasuer, and Jacqueline Vetterkind for Clerk.
At Roosevelt: Gerard W. Nicpon for Chairperson; Tom Dubiak and Cheryl A. Ustianowski for Supervisor.
At Taft: Darrel Thompson and Benjamin Niedzwiecki for Chairperson, Delano Kroeplin Sr. and Gerald Czubakowski for Supervisor, Lorrene Czubakowski for Clerk, and Lana Knox for Treasurer.
At Thorp: Michael Boehlke for Chairman, Bob Kodl for Supervisor 1, Louis Andruszkiewicz for Supervisor 2, Raymond Jacks and Michelle Pogodzinski for Treasurer, and Arlene Kodl for Clerk.
At Withee: Joe Waichulis Jr. for Chairman, Al Marek for Supervisor 1; George Jarocki for Supervisor 2, Virginia Kodl for Treasurer, and Sue Boehlke for Clerk.
Early voting is in progress, with Election Day polls open Tuesday, April 1 from 7 a.m to 8 p.m.