BY JALEN MAKI, TOMAHAWK LEADER EDITOR
AND TINA L. SCOTT, MERRILL FOTO NEWS EDITOR
In townships across Lincoln County, most candidates on the ballot are running unopposed, with a few exceptions. The Town of Merrill will elect a new Town Chairperson. And three townships have three candidates each vying for two open Town Supervisor positions on each of their Town Boards. Those competitive Town Supervisor races are in the Town of Russell, Town of Skanawan, and the Town of Wilson. Details for each Township are shown below:
Town of Birch
David J. Fox will not face an opponent for the Town Board Chairperson post.
Debbie Gano and Terry L. Lokemoen are running for two open seats on the Town of Birch Board of Supervisors.
Cynthia R. Lokemoen and Marlene S. Fox are running unopposed for Clerk and Treasurer, respectively.
Town of Bradley
In the Town of Bradley, Kevin Koth (Town Board Chairperson), Joan Hilgendorf (Town Board Supervisor), Phyllis J. Evans (Treasurer), and Terry Hagar (Constable) are each running for their respective seats unopposed.
Town of Corning
John Kudick will not face an opponent for the Town of Corning Board Chairperson position, while Todd Luedtke and Jeff Simon will run for the town’s two open Supervisor posts.
Rick Hass (Clerk) and Katie Giese (Treasurer) will run unopposed.
Town of Harding
Mike Hornischer (Town Board Chairperson), Kristy Ament (Clerk) and Carrie Hintz (Treasurer) will each run for their respective posts unopposed, while John M. Tomajcik Sr. and Jason Ament will run for the Town of Harding’s two open Supervisor seats.
Town of Harrison
The Town of Harrison will see Brian Hanson (Town Board Chairperson), Kathy Voermans (Clerk) and Matt Boyle (Treasurer) run for their respective positions unopposed.
Tom Daigle and Gary Goes will run for the town’s two open Supervisor posts.
Town of King
Terry Weise will not face an opponent for the Town Chairperson post in the Town of King.
Georgene Linden and Julie L. Allen are set to run unopposed for Clerk and Treasurer, respectively, while Andrew Tomaszewski and Mark A. Martello will run for the town’s two open Supervisor positions.
Town of Merrill
In one of the area’s few competitive races, Darrel Dengel and Scott Streich will face off for the Town of Merrill Board Chairperson post.
Darrel Daniel Dengel
Age: 48
Family: Married 25 years to Missi; Children: Molli, Dustin, Dawson, and Malaynie; Grandchildren: Mia, McKenzie, and Jacob
Employment/position: Co-owner and President of Woodland Court Elder Services LLC
Past or present elected offices held, dates served: No Political offices held.
Membership in religious, service, fraternal, etc., clubs or organizations, and offices held, dates served:
• Member of Faith Lutheran Church
• Over the past 20 years I have served:
6 years as Chairman
6 years as Vice President
3 years as Financial Secretary
• Investment Committee member 2004-present
• Member of the Gleason Community Club
Vice President 2015-present
Race Committee Member 2017-present
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: “Providing quality, honest and professional leadership to the residents of the township is one of many reasons for running for the position of Merrill Town Chairman. Being a good steward of the town’s financial resources, all while continuing to maintain roads to the highest quality, and remaining budget conscious are among my top priorities. My main focus will be understanding current matters facing the town and being a primary resource to residents.”
“Today, many towns face issues with road maintenance budgets due to limited state transportation aids. With approximately 80 miles of roads, 18 miles of which are gravel, we need to be proactive with maintenance decisions. Our paved roads need to be maintained by crack sealing and chip sealing, as this will allow for their continued longevity. Many of the gravel roads are also in need of new material. My plan would include looking into options through grants that will assist in offsetting costs to the town and will also allow for additional projects to be completed.”
”Research around the current recycling program is another area I would like to focus on. Our current costs are above and beyond what we receive in grant dollars.”
“My background in owning and operating my own business for the past 21 years will be beneficial in serving as Chairman. In my day-to-day role, I work with budgeting, purchasing, payroll and maintenance of the buildings and grounds.”
“With your vote, together we will continue to move the Town of Merrill forward.”
vs.
Scott Anthony Streich
Age: 55
Family: Wife, Paula, and two daughters, Anna and Elly
Employment/position: Self-employed owner and operator of Scott’s Tree Service and Landscaping
Past or present elected offices held, dates served: None
Membership in religious, service, fraternal, etc., clubs or organizations, and offices held, dates served:
• Member of St. Francis Catholic Church
• Member of Lincoln County Sports Club
• Member of Wausau Skeet and Trap Club
• Member of National Rifle Association
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: “I chose to run for Town of Merrill Chairman because I want to make a positive change by being proactive and addressing resident concerns and complaints in a prompt manner. I also would like to preserve rural life for our Township, budget and spend tax dollars wisely, and to reach out and encourage residents to be involved in Town meetings.”
“Being a Town of Merrill resident for the last 22 years, attending 90% of our monthly Town meetings, and as a business owner, i have a great respect for the Township and its people. I believe a hard work ethic is going to be needed to face near future challenges, such as the unsettled fire protection contract, obvious road work, and equipment needs and repairs.”
“I believe a Town Chairman is to serve the residents by listening to their concerns and taking action with the help of the Town Board and Lincoln County Zoning. Being self-employed has given me the opportunity to better listen and communicate with people. I also have a strong knowledge of equipment operation, maintenance, and repair; knowledge of road material, grading, and pitch for correct drainage; and managing a business on a tight budget.”
“Many Town of Merrill residents that I have worked for in the past know that I am not afraid to roll up my sleeves and get a job done efficiently, safe, and in a detailed manner, even if it takes getting my hands dirty. These are some qualities that will go with being your next Town Chairman. I would appreciate your vote in this upcoming election on April 6. For more information on Town of Merrill Chairman candicates, go to Vote411.org.”
Michael Hass and Larry Simon are set to run for the town’s two open Supervisor seats.
Town of Nokomis
There will be one competitive race in the Town of Nokomis.
Wendy Smith and Kim DeBels will face off for the Town Clerk post, while Bette Stillman and Brian Schmidt will run for the town’s two open Supervisor seats. Gary Luedke and Judi Asmondy will run unopposed for Town Board Chairperson and Treasurer, respectively.
Town of Pine River
David Breunig (Town Board Chairperson), Amanda Gruetzmacher-Herdt (Clerk), Donna Opper (Treasurer), and Hannah Zastrow (Constable) will each run for their respective posts unopposed, while Steve Uttech and Raymond Zastrow will run for the Town of Pine River’s two open Supervisor positions.
Town of Rock Falls
Michael Specht will not face an opponent for the Town Board Chairperson post in the Town of Rock Falls. Tim Panfil and George Alery will run for the town’s two open Supervisor seats, while Heather Block and Cindy Frish will run unopposed for Clerk and Treasurer, respectively.
Town of Russell
The Town of Russell will see one competitive race.
David Heller, Marty Sosnovske and Nathan B. Roggenbuck are vying for the town’s two open Town Supervisor positions.
Marty B Sosnovske
Age: 53
Family: Wife-Mary, son -Ben, daughter -Alissa
Employment/position: Self employed dairy farmer, logger, contractor for Ahlstrom Munksjo.
Past or present elected offices held, dates served:
Customer 1 board of directors 2000-2012
Town of Russell Supervisor 2017-present
Foremost farms Dairy Coop
Delegate 1996-present
Merrill FFA alumni 1986-present
Lincoln county conservation congress
Lincoln county DNR CDAC 2017-present
Membership in religious, service, fraternal, etc., clubs or organizations, and offices held, dates served:
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: “I am running for Town Supervisor because, as a lifelong resident, I have a genuine interest in what happens in our community.”
vs.
Nathan Buth Roggenbuck
Age: 39
Family: Andrea Roggenbuck (spouse); River Roggenbuck, and Forest Roggenbuck (sons)
Employment/position: Self Employed/Owner at Prairie River Tire and Repair LLC.
Past or present elected offices held, dates served: None
Membership in religious, service, fraternal, etc., clubs or organizations, and offices held, dates served: None
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: “I chose to run for Town Supervisor because I would like to see more improvements to the roads, recycling and garbage pickup, and to try and add a town park for our residents. I would also like to help raise attention to all the things that the Gleason area has to offer, such as the Ice Age Trail, the Harrison Hills Recreational Area, the Prairie River Fishery, as well as the Underdown Recreation Area.”
vs.
David Heller (did not return candidate questionnaire)
Robert L. Kressel (Town Board Chairperson), Amy Brown (Clerk), and Susan L. Fischer (Treasurer) will each run for their respective posts unopposed.
Town of Schley
In the Town of Schley, Rick L. Dorn (Town Board Chairperson), Becky Dallman (Clerk), and Susan Podeweltz (Treasurer) will not face opponents for their respective positions, while Gerald Plamann and Tim M. Klimek are running for the two open seats on the town’s Board of Supervisors.
Town of Scott
Michael Woller will not face an opponent for the Town Board Chairperson post, while Peter Rajek Jr. and Gerald Engel will run for the Town of Scott’s two open Supervisor seats.
Becky Byer and Ann Krueger will run unopposed for Clerk and Treasurer, respectively.
Town of Skanawan
In another competitive local race, John S. Lazarz, Michael J. Lucas, and Walter H. Horabik will vie for the two open seats on the Town of Skanawan Board of Supervisors.
Benjamin Mehring (Town Board Chairperson), Loyetta K. Dennis (Clerk), and Jean M. Zoellner (Treasurer) will each run for their respective posts unopposed.
Town of Somo
Scott Melquist (Town Board Chairperson), Heather Marheine (Clerk) and Jody L. Isaacson (Treasurer) will not face opponents in the races for their respective posts, while Steve Isaacson and Corey Marheine will run for the Town of Somo’s two open Supervisor seats.
Town of Tomahawk
In the Town of Tomahawk, Gary Jaecks (Town Board Chairperson), Jesse Hoffman (Clerk) and Loretta Wanta (Treasurer) will each run for their respective positions unopposed.
Dale Wanta will be the only Supervisor candidate on the ballot.
Town of Wilson
Timothy D. Ketcham, Allen Russ, and Dan Sennett will face off for the Town of Wilson’s two open Supervisor seats, while Fran Plum (Town Board Chairperson), Teresa Lepkowski (Clerk) and Laurie L. Peterson (Treasurer) will not face opponents in their respective races.