Villages face possible changes in April election

Editor’s Note: The Wittenberg Enterprise & Birnamwood News interviewed several of the candidates in the contested village races on the ballot Tuesday. All village seats are two-year terms. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Here’s a glance at the village races:

• Eland

Incumbent Shane Larson is up for a second term as trustee. If elected to another term, he says his focus will continue to be making it easier to live in Eland and helping it to grow. He feels proposing ordinances to tell people what they can do rather than what they can’t do is a step in the right direction. Fewer restrictions can make it easier to develop properties, he said.

Larson’s focus was on improved public parks and roads and sanitation. He would like to see the village accomplish more at minimal or no cost to the taxpayers – through fundraising with the baseball clubs, the fisheree and local donors. While he has been in office, the village was able to take advantage of a deal through a local asphalt company to help repair roads.

Incumbent Dee Dorow has served three terms as a trustee but not consecutively. During her time on the board, the village adopted a comprehensive plan, worked on road improvements and made improvements to the Mill Pond area, including adding a flower ring around a tree, a new sign for the pond, improvements to the playground equipment and updates to the walking bridge in the back of the pond.

Dorow said her focus is building up people and processes, not tearing down.

“We are a small village that should take pride in looking out and helping our fellow neighbors and working together,” Dorow said.

“I am also looking to promote more of Eland’s history and events such as Eland Day, showing the rich railroad history of the town while offering a flea market and food, Eland Fishery, for our very young and young at heart — our wise seniors, our athletics, the baseball diamond that attracts all ages and working on getting some awareness of what we can do as a village together to help slow down/stop the growth of invasive plants in nature,” she said.

Dorow and Larson face challenges from Deb Parker and Linda Spaude.

Parker has not held village office but takes an interest in the community. She likes that Eland has historical significance with the train depot and Mountain Bay trail. She moved here 16 years ago and thought it was a nice quiet community. She also loves the area’s wildlife.

“I walk a big white dog, Kasper, and we meet a lot of nice people,” Parker said. “If I can do something to make it a better place to live, I’d like to try.”
Spaude is a lifelong resident and has served as a trustee on the board. She lost when a coin toss decided the last election, which ended in a tie.

“Ordinances are falling by the wayside,” Spaude said. “When it gets to a meeting and no movement is taken, it’s hard to get something passed.” She sees the need to maintain the depot and clean up a few properties.

• Mattoon

President Brian Owen has served the last four years as president and as trustee before that. “It takes time to figure out how to do the job, and somebody’s got to do it,” Owen said.

Owen faces a challenge from James Zahn, who used to be on the board as a trustee and worked for the village water and sewer department for 20 years.

“I thought it would be good to run for president,” Zahn said.

There are four candidates are vying for two trustee seats.

Incumbent Corey Zarda is at the end of his first term. He has been a member of the Greater Mattoon Area Advancement Unincorporated Association, a nonprofit started in 2016 when the Unified School District of Antigo closed the Mattoon school.

GMAAUA works to keep Mattoon a family friendly area by hosting events. By increasing tourism, Zarda said the village can grow and bring in businesses.
He noted a bike path runs through Mattoon, and cyclists stop at the grocery store, which just added a deli. “The board can do more to promote camping at Sportsman’s Park, and there’s a pavilion which can been rented for reunions and weddings,” said Zarda. He said he was pleased that the board brought back Fun Days.

Incumbent Rachel Torres Rodriguez is finishing her first term.

“I got into it because I’m bilingual, and I love being able to help the Hispanic population in this area,” she said. She likes learning the process of government and being able to bring her expertise to the board.

Incumbent Donald Fuller, longtime trustee since about 1990, enjoys serving on the board.

“I like knowing what’s going on and keeping it going in the right direction,” Fuller said. He would like to get the school building ownership issue resolved to move forward with plans for a Christian community center.

Challenger Paul Mort Beck could not be reached.

• Tigerton

Four candidates are seeking three trustee seats.

Incumbents Bonnie Clark and David Dent are facing challengers Amanda Gauthier and Steve Reinert.

Gauthier has not served on a village board but said she is looking forward to an opportunity to do a better job of serving the community.
Reinert has not served on a village board before but said he was approached by several people encouraging him to run. He said he has no personal agenda but wants to keep an open mind as issues come up.