Shawano mayoral election tentatively slated for April

Council president Strebel to assume duties in the interim
By: 
Tim Ryan
Reporter

Shawano Common Council President Rhonda Strebel will serve as acting mayor starting Dec. 1 until an expected election to fill the vacancy can be held in April.

It was the consensus of the council at a meeting Wednesday that a mayoral election be held in April, but the council can’t order the election until after the seat is actually vacant on Dec. 1.

Mayor Ed Whealon is resigning his seat effective Nov. 30 to move to a recently purchased home in the Town of Wescott.

As council president, Strebel would normally assume the duties of a sitting mayor when the mayor is not available.

Her appointment as acting mayor will not affect her District 2 council seat, which she will continue to hold.

Prior to appointing Strebel, the council rejected an effort put forward by Seth Mailahn to appoint Lisa Hoffman, whose council seat would have had to be filled had she been appointed.

If, as expected, a mayoral election is ordered for April, those interested in running would have until Jan. 12 to circulate and return nomination papers.

If needed, a primary would be held on Feb. 16.

Three council seats will be on the April 6 ballot: the District 1 seat to which Jeanne Cronce was recently appointed; the District 3 seat held by Mailahn; and the District 5 seat held by Sandy Steinke.