The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Merrill Foto News, its publishers, Editor, or staff.
To the Editor:
If you’ve been lucky enough to meet Jon Weiler, you’ll agree he’s the clear choice for Lincoln County Board Supervisor for District 12. Jon has a servant’s heart and treats everyone he meets like family, and he will do the same for the people of District 12.
He is a devoted family man, Christian, conservative, and a genuine friend who will represent the people of District 12 like he would his own family. Jon is a 28-year veteran of the US Army, an educator, and a public servant. These qualities make him a proven leader and the best person for the job.
Jon and his family moved to the area in 2016 after he retired from the Army. They quickly figured out why so many people love living here:the communities, the values, and the beautiful scenery. However, Jon recognized that some of our elected officials would rather play small town politics than do what’s best for the people. He is running because he believes there needs to be change. Our elected leaders need todo what is best for Lincoln County, be accessible, and above all, they must be held accountable. Jon has decided toget involved because that’s the kind of person he is when he sees something that needs fixing. He’s already spent many days getting to know the people of District 12 and hearing their concerns. I encourage you to vote for Jon Weiler for Lincoln County Board Supervisor for District 12 on April 5th.
– Brady Loos
Merrill, Wis.
To the Editor:
The geopolitics of oil is, once again, showing the dark underbelly of reliance on fossil fuels. Today it’s the German people being held hostage to Russian oil, and the entire world made victims of Middle Eastern petrol policies to keep prices high.
We should be running, not crawling, towards a solar and renewable energy future. Big government can’t control, cut supply, or manipulate its price. Solar provides great self-sufficiency, avoids conflict and dependency, and provides much greater individual and national security. It promotes small government solutions and free market policies to flourish.
Closer to home, clean energy also has a significant and growing positive impact on Wisconsin’s economy. In our state in 2015, renewable energy generated nearly $6 billion and employed 24,000 workers. Wisconsin can and should be a national leader in the development of innovative technology that will revolutionize our energy production and increase our security. Yet too many politicians, like our Rep. Tom Tiffany, are mired in the past, solely focused on fossil fuels. He hardly mentions renewable energy. This is akin to promoting the horse and buggy industry over a century ago as Henry Ford was gearing up his Model-T assembly plant.
As the owner of solar panels that power my household, I couldn’t be happier having the electric company pay me for the power I’m generating, for a system that requires nothing of me. Our elected “leaders” should promote renewable energy. It’s a win-win future of greater security and lower cost. A no-brainer.
– Mark Peterson
Bayfield, Wis.
To the Editor:
I would like to express my support for Mayoral candidate Steve J. Hass in the upcoming Spring General Election.
Mr. Hass has been our Alderman in the 2nd District for the last year [when we moved into that District] and has consistently proven to be a valuable, reliable resource for my family in so many ways. From providing contractor recommendations for various household projects, to providing insight and interpretation of city ordinance.
As first-time homeowners, his guidance has proven invaluable.
While Mr. Hass will be greatly missed as our Alderman, we feel these attributes and so many others Mr. Hass brings to the table, will prove likewise invaluable to residents of this beautiful river town we are proud to call home.
My professional experience with Mr. Hass spans over a decade.
Over the years, I have observed Steve to be a consistent and reliable acute listener to citizen concerns, as well as an advocate for commercial development and recreational opportunities in the city of Merrill.
Steve’s sense of foresight and genuine care for the progression of our city and the needs/opinions of its residents, are second to none.
I feel these are just a few examples of how Steve Hass is a genuine “Voice for the People.”
Please join me in supporting Mr. Hass: “A Voice for the People” on Tuesday, April 5, to be elected as the 37th Mayor of the City of Merrill.
– Jeremy Ratliff
Merrill, Wis.
To the Editor:
As a newly minted voter I am casting my vote for the Mayoral candidate who will continue to work for positive change. Bill Bialecki chose to give up 12 years of his retirement to serve the residents of Merrill and Lincoln County. During Bill’s two terms as Mayor, we saw unprecedented economic growth in our city – new and expanded businesses, new housing, new facilities, and new amenities, many of which his opponent spoke and/or voted against. Many of the positive changes that occurred during Mayor Woellner’s term were carried through with the momentum from Bill’s two terms. Bill continued working for positive change in Merrill and the County as Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation during Mayor Woellner’s term.
Merrill needs to continue working to provide reasons for young people like me to stay in Merrill when I complete my education. What was “good enough” for our grandparents is not good enough for us. From everything I have seen and heard, Bill Bialecki has a vision for Merrill’s future, something that his opponent does not. Merrill needs more of the positive changes that Bill Bialecki has worked to bring us. Bill’s commitment to our community is demonstrated by his work and experience inside and outside of city government which is heads above his opponent’s.
Vote for what is best for Merrill’s future, VOTE FOR BILL BIALECKI.
– Alex Johnson
Merrill, Wis.
To the Editor:
I am a city taxpayer and I refer to a March 10 Letter to the Editor regarding the TIF program; these statements are ALL in error. 1) There are 14 TID’s but 2 are closed. 2) The increased tax revenue from new development within TID’s goes into the TIF fund by LAW and is NOT for services; it is for TID tax base growth. 3) The 4 tax jurisdictions (city, county, MAPS, NTC) agree to give up very limited potential tax base growth now in return for much greater growth after a TID is developed. 4) The average life of a TID IS 23 years, but can be closed right after development; also, the part of the TID that is developed CAN be closed rather than waiting “23 years.” 5) “They have to raise levies …” Not true—the 4 tax entities follow the TIF State Laws in implementing the program when they agree to divert current tax dollars for higher future tax dollars. 6) “No matter what the city tells you, TIF’s are tax hikes …” People, property tax DOES increase after a TID is developed, but only on the NEW development; the tax base for existing property in the TID stays the same. 7) “The tax base will not increase until the TID’s expire … prepare for property taxes to rise.” Not true; please refer again to point #4. Whoever wrote this does NOT understand the TIF program and is purposely and irresponsibly misleading the public.
– Heather O’Neill
Town of Harding, Wis.
To the Editor:
(Reprint with correction, as a critical word was omitted in the first publication.)
In the last statewide election, 44.8% of voters cast their ballots for the GOP. Gerrymandering by conservatives allowed this minority of voters to capture 63.6% of seats in the Wisconsin legislature. The minority party now controls the majority. This has been done everywhere the GOP has gained a majority of elected positions. The GOP has determined that conservative votes are more important and have more authority than other votes. Therefore the minority wins.
How far will this go? Already the GOP is trying to consolidate even more power for their minority by further gerrymandering. This assures that your vote, if NOT conservative, will mean even less. Many people have fought for “one person, one vote.” Conservative legislators have created a situation where their voters are more important than others and therefore their votes count more. This is not what we are taught in school. However, GOP legislators, representing the minority, are trying to change that as well. They want to determine what type of history should be taught, what books are permitted, and what historical figures should be ignored.
The GOP cheats. They know the numbers and they know, all things being equal, they cannot win. They can only prevail by making “one person, one vote” a thing of the past. Look at the shape of the districts they have created and you will see the lengths they will go to cheat. They have made dishonesty and lies their platform.
– Doug Curtis
Gleason, Wis.
To the Editor:
Parkinson’s Disease Informational Open House
On Tuesday, April 12, at 5:30 p.m., the Langlade County Senior Center at 904 Fifth Avenue in Antigo will hold an informational open house for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, their family members, caregivers, and friends. This meeting is being held because there are currently no Parkinson’s support groups in Antigo or the surrounding areas.
During the open house, attendees will be informed of the programs that are currently available in other areas of the state, such as: support groups, care givers, exercise programs. (Davis Phinney Foundation, LVST Big, LVST Loud, Rock Steady Boxing, etc.) We will also share the benefits of those programs, gauge interest in developing a local support group, and gather ideas from the attendees.
There will be speakers there who are trained in the medical field of neurology movement disorder (Parkinson’s Disease & Multiple Sclerosis).
Please call 715.627.2881 or 715.350.4388 to register, so we can estimate how many people will be attending.
– Christine Macklem
Antigo, WI 54452
To the Editor:
Paul Gilk has been a friend of mine for about 25 years. In my opinion, he is a man of the highest integrity, estremely capable, and greatly concerned to make his life count for the well-being of the people. If I were in his District, I would vote for him without hesitation.
– James A. Lewis
Village of Maine, Wis.
To the Editor:
There is a very important election coming up on April 5, and Lincoln County is fortunate to have many great candidates running for local office. For years, members of our local government have run un-opposed. This has led to issues, whether it be through complacency, lack of communication, or representatives just not listening to their constituents. For example, in April of 2021, the Lincoln County Board voted to extend the ‘wheel tax’ through 2022. This came shortly after Lincoln County residents voted down a $700,000 per year for five years referendum to fund Highway Department operations and road maintenance. Some members of the Board blame the failure of the referendum on the citizens not knowing they had planned to get rid of the wheel tax had it passed. However, it is the responsibility of the Board to make sure the community is well informed before they vote on a referendum that will cost them $3.5 million over the next five years.
It is important that we elect representatives who will be honest, transparent, communicate with their constituents, and most importantly, listen to and serve those whom they represent. The Republican Party of Lincoln County has thoroughly vetted candidates and have identified 29 candidates that will uphold those values. These candidates are running for County Board, School Board, City Council, Merrill City Clerk, and Tomahawk Mayor and can be found at https://rplcwi.com/local-candidates.
– Dylan Anderson
Merrill, Wis.
To the Editor:
I am writing as a lifelong resident of Lincoln County and someone who plans to raise their family here in the near future. Our local government needs to do more to make Lincoln County more appealing to young and talented individuals that will bring a positive impact to our community. The only way we will be able to do this is through change. We need to elect people with bold, fresh ideas, who have a vision for the future in Lincoln County. If you are like me, and want to see positive change brought to Lincoln County, vote for the following candidates on April 5th:
Lincoln County Board: Steve Osness, Landis Holdorf, Jay Downey, Jesse Boyd, Chris Heller, Randy Detert, Julie DePasse, Jon Weiler, Calvin Callahan, Marguerite Lyskawa, Sarah Miller, George Brixius, Ken Wickham, Matt Webb, and Angela Cummings.
City Council: LaDonna Fermanich, John Van Lieshout, Mike Rick, and Steve Sabatke.
Merrill School Board: Bob Wegner, Paul Proulx, ane Jacquelin Gremler.
Merrill City Clerk: Lori Anderson-Malm.
Tomahawk City Council: Christie Fletcher and Brandon Kato.
Tomahawk School Board: Mandy Street, Lonny Calhoun, Doug Turner, and
Tomahawk Mayor: Roxanne Consolver.
– Mikayla Alft
Merrill, Wis.
To the Editor:
Paul Gilk will be running as a “write in “ on the April 5, 2022, ballot for Supervisor for District 12. I am asking for your vote for Paul. You may not know him, but I do, and I admire his determination to find the best options for the Pine Crest facility.
He has been a Supervisor for 10 years and is committed to making common sense, fiscally sound, responsible decisions. He strives to maintain and improve the services for the elderly, the fastest growing population in Lincoln County. He is willing to ask the tough questions. He is not afraid to ruffle some feathers as he strives to find the best answers for Lincoln County. He is an advocate for the poor.
If you want honesty, fiscal responsibility, and common sense to represent you, Paul Gilk is that person.
– Judy Woller
Merrill, Wis.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
*Letters must be 250 words or less (There will be no exceptions to this. Any letter longer than 250 words will not be printed.)
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*Letters will be published at the discretion of the Editor. While letters on most any topic will be published, any letters deemed derogatory, inflammatory, slanderous, or involving vulgar language, will not be published.
*Letters will be published on a “first come, first served” basis. Any letters which we are unable to publish in the printed newspaper will be run online at www.merrillfotonews.com and may be printed in the paper at a later date if possible.