TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
On Tuesday, April 5, 2022, residents in Lincoln County and the City of Merrill will go to the polls to elect a new Mayor and a new City Clerk for the City of Merrill and Aldermen for the City of Merrill. Many of these races are contested, with a larger-than-average number of candidates running for local offices.
Voters will also decide whether to approve a referendum put forth by the Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS). [The March 10 edition of the Foto News included complete referendum information.]
Candidates running for election in key City of Merrill races include:
City of Merrill – Mayor
Steve Hass and William R. Bialecki will compete in the race for Merrill Mayor.
Name: William (Bill) Bialecki
Age: 76
Family: Spouse Judy, 9 children, 4 grandchildren
Employment/position: Part-time Director of Lincoln County Development Corp., retired master electrician and state certified commercial electrical inspector
Past/present elected offices: Two terms as Mayor, one term on City Council, three terms on County Board.
Other memberships/offices: Central Wisconsin Economic Development Fund Board Member, Grow North Board Member, Wisconsin County Forest Association Board Member and Treasurer, Lumberjack Research & Development Council Member, ex-officio member of Merrill Chamber of Commerce Board, 54-year member of VFW, past Post Commander, 6 years US Army active duty (3 tours in Vietnam), 1 year Wisconsin National Guard, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (retired), member Merrill Optimists, member of St. Francis Parish, 25-year member of Lincoln County Sports Club, 11 years as President, and 43-year member of Ducks Unlimited, Annual Fund Raiser Chairman.
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: In my two prior terms as Mayor, I worked with our management team to foster development that brought new businesses to Merrill and expanded existing businesses. We worked to increase the City’s tax base. We worked to maintain and replace infrastructure. We added new amenities for our residents. There is work that began while I was Mayor that continued on through Mayor Woellner’s term, and that work has not yet been completed. I want to see that work move forward. In addition, I intend to address the lack of affordable housing in our community. I will, as well, be working with Tomahawk and the County to expand broadband. Quality childcare will get my attention, as well. My platform also includes: Continued economic development, expansion of City’s tax base, and attraction of labor for our business community. Thank you.
Name: Steve J. Hass
Age: 52
Family: Wife – Lisa, Son – Andrew
Employment: Miller Home Furnishings – 30 Years
Past/present elected offices:
– City Council 2004-2014, October 2018-Present
– City Council President 2008-2014
– Personnel and Finance Committee Chairman
– Health and Safety Chairman
– Zoning Board of Appeals
– City Plan Council Representative
– Water and Sewer Committee
– Board of Public Works
Other memberships/offices:
– Member at St. Francis Catholic Church (Lifetime)
– Mitten Tree Coordinator (2021-Present)
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: There are several reasons that I have chosen to run for Mayor.
First and foremost is that Merrill needs a fresh outlook in City government and not a return to the same ideas and structures we have had in the past.
Secondly, Merrill must continue to move forward with responsible growth. While everyone wants to see Merrill grow and prosper, we have to approach it in a fiscally responsible way. Also, spending must be controlled. Budget limits must be recognized and maintained. The City must borrow carefully, as we are deep in debt. This will also help to restore our bond rating which has fallen significantly.
Next, transparency in government must be restored. The citizens of Merrill need to be informed of what is going on in our City. People must be able to have an active voice in their government. We also need to work towards returning to civility in the City. I would like to bring morale back to the City’s great employees and keep an open line of communication between them and City Hall. The Mayor needs to work with everyone and have a more open dialog.
Additionally, we need to encourage affordable housing. My plan is to create a program that would work with local landlords and contractors to remodel properties, rather than demolishing houses and leaving empty lots, which would be beneficial to everyone. We would be saving a property, retaining a tax base, and giving people an opportunity to find housing they can afford.
Lastly, the City of Merrill is a great place to live, work, and play. We must market it to be successful in bringing in new residents. People need to know about our great parks, high quality of life, and services we offer.
We need to move forward and not go back. Please show your support and keep Merrill moving in the right direction. VOTE APRIL 5, 2022.
City of Merrill – City Clerk
Lori L. Anderson-Malm and John Guenther will compete in the race for Merrill City Clerk.
Name: Lori L. Anderson-Malm
Age: 58
Family: Spouse – Eric; two step-children – Brittany and Austin; one grandchild – Forest; and two Miniature Dachshunds – Lady and Abby.
Employment/position: Accountant for a not-for-profit insurance company.
Past/present elected offices: I have not been elected to an office previously.
Other memberships/offices: Member of St Stephens Church; Friends of the Library Board Member and Treasurer since 2011; Volunteer at St. Francis Friday Night Fish Fries for 13 years; Committee member of the O’Tannenbaum Tour; and Redevelopment Authority Commissioner since 2019.
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: I chose to run for City Clerk because I believe in due diligence, integrity, and transparency in all City government operations.
As an active City Council citizen attendee and participant, I have seen a steady decline in ethics and civility since 2011. Information isn’t provided to the public in a concise and readily available format. Too much power has been given to administrators, people in appointed positions, and department heads, who are not directly accountable to the citizens. This needs to change.
Elected officials, as well as the public, should be treated with respect and civility. If information is requested, it should be provided without condescension or argument. Reports, documents, audits, and financial statements should be easy to find on the City website so elected officials and citizens can access that information when needed. The job of the City Clerk is to provide complete, understandable information to taxpayers, officials, and regulators. This is the only way to provide accountability and to provide long-term growth and harmony in a community.
I was born and raised in Merrill; moved back because my husband and I wanted to come back to our home town. We appreciate what we have in Merrill after living other places. I love this city and know Merrill has a lot of potential. I want to be part of creating a new City leadership team who will listen to, respect the citizens, and earn back their trust.
Name: John Guenther
Age: 49
Family: Wife – Staci; Children – Coty, Philip, and Savannah
Employment/position: Estimator at Wausau Tile
Past/present elected offices: None
Other memberships/offices: —
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: When I saw the article in the paper that the office of City Clerk was open and anyone interested should pick up paperwork at City Hall, I saw it as an opportunity to make the City I live in a better place. I will be honest, I have lived in Merrill my whole life and have worked out of town for most of my life. It wasn’t till I started to work with churches and other nonprofits in the area that I started to realize what we have. This area is full of passionate people who care and we can accomplish anything if we work together. I want to serve the City of Merrill, Wisconsin, to the best of my abilities. I want to know when you come to City Hall you will have the best experience you can. And when you leave, I want you to say, I live in the greatest city.
Those who know me understand my values: Hard work, respect, and kindness. I will treat everyone with respect and kindness because you deserve it. Everyone in Merrill has a voice. I want to hear it. I want to meet you. I am here. I will talk to anyone who wants to talk. Contact me and let’s go get a coffee at one of Merrill’s hidden treasures. I want to find out about you, your family, what you see, what you want to see here in town. My contact information is available on my Facebook page.
I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone. Say hi to someone you don’t know. Tell someone you normally don’t talk to, “Have a good day.” If you’re in line at a drive through, pay for the meal for people behind you, help someone with groceries. Why? The better question is why not. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do. We all deserve respect and kindness. My campaign is less about me and more about how I can serve the great people of Merrill, Wisconsin. I know politics is messy at times and leaves us with questions that don’t get answered. I believe every question has an honest answer, I believe every road block has a path. I believe every conflict can have a peaceful resolution. I believe that a team of people can solve anything. IF WE WORK TOGETHER, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING!!!
Street and Weed Commissioner – City of Merrill
Incumbent Ronald Liberty is running unopposed.
Name: Ronald Liberty
Age: 74
Spouse: Kathy
Employment/Position: Retired
Past/present elected offices: City of Merrill Street/Weed Commissioner, April 2018 to Present MAPS School Board Member, April 2020 to Present.
Other memberships/offices: Member of St. Francis Church; Life Member of the VFW; Merrill Lions Club, 2013 to Present, past President and current Board Member.
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: I am at present the Street and Weed Commissioner and enjoy my job.
City of Merrill District 1
Incumbent Paul Russell is running unopposed for the position of Alderman for District 1.
Name: Paul Russell
Age: 57
Family: Engaged to Alliesion Barden, two sons, Nick and Ian
Employment/position: Chairman Northwoods Veterans Post, President Merrill Common Council, and developer of a new Merrill area non-profit.
Past/Present elected offices: 1st District Alderperson since 2016, Common Council President since 2020, Lincoln County Fair Board President from 2017-2021, current Vice-President since 2021, current Health/Safety Committee Chair since 2018, member since 2016, Board of Review and Community Development 2020-2022, Merrill Enrichment Center Committee since 2018-2022, current Chair and member of Historic Preservation Committee since 2016, member and current President Merrill Police and Fire Commission since 2018, member Personnel/Finance Committee from 2016-2020, Merrill Area Housing Authority Executive Director/Commision 2016-2020.
Other memberships/offices: Merrill VFW lifetime member since 2008, House Committee Chair since 2020, Honor Guard since 2021, Community/Public Affairs since 2020, member of Merrill American Legion since 2019, member of Lincoln County Fair Association since 2017, member Merrill Eagles Club since 2016, member Merrill Silver M since 2008, member of U.S. Military Officer Association since 1985, member Merrill Historical Society since 2016, and Chairman Merrill Area Community Rides from 2016-2020. I’m Christian and a member of Saint Francis and Trinity places of worship.
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: I wish to continue my service to the citizens and community I love and have called home for my entire life outside of my military service. I like to be in positions of leadership where I can make/influence decisions for the good and betterment of Merrill. The focus areas I have as priorities for the next two years are; making our city strategic plan more of a living document, road map, and tool for making best decisions on Merrill’s future. We need a property tax cut in 2023 for the real estate owners who weathered a pandemic and now an economy that asks for more and gives less. Merrill’s tax base has grown tremendously over the past decade but should not be the only measurement of what we are prioritizing. In 2017 there was a housing needs analysis done by a consultant for the city of Merrill. Three facts from this report were Merrill requires 288 more units of affordable housing, 50% of existing single-family homes were in some level of dis-repair, and there are over 2,000 rental units in the city. All three of these facts have grown in numbers since the study was completed. We need more affordable single-family homes and rentals if we want to support our manufacturing sector and attract young families to Merrill. Incentivize our landlords to house individuals/families that work in Merrill. Use ARPA, government grants, and community development funds to support existing home owners with repairs/upgrades. The largest demographic segment of our population in the city are age 47-65 (about 27%). That number will continue to rise for the next eight years when the projection is to have 4,000 residents of Merrill age 60 and over. The need for affordable housing in support of the elderly, disabled, and handicap will be tremendous. Planning for this needs to start now since some of these projects are on a two-year cycle. More accessible and affordable child care. We need to better support youth programs and initiatives like a new skate park and modernization of existing youth/recreational equipment at our parks. Need to do our part with the environment that we claim to be one of the attractions to the Merrill area. Plant two trees for every one that is cut, require partial solar power on all new construction, and develop a clean water (PFAS)/capacity mitigation plan. We need to better manage our debt reduction to increase our bond rating back to where it was recently. Priority projects should be part of a capital five-year plan that borrows less and uses more state and federal government funds that are available. The new Marketing and Communications Committee needs to be tied at the hip with the Merrill Chamber to bring more tourism to Merrill and attract new employees/families to the city. The last two census reports had the city of Merrill drop in population and is projected to continue until around 2030. We must recruit new families and young employees to Merrill. This Committee and the Chamber must also support existing businesses to remain viable and work with the Redevelopment Authority on attracting new businesses to the city.
City of Merrill District 2
Michael J. Caylor is running unopposed for the position of Alderman for District 2.
Name: Michael J. “Gus” Caylor, Jr.
Age: 50
Family: Wife, Valerie
Employment/position: Self-employed business owner, former communications officer at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for 27 years
Past/present elected offices: Member of the City of Merrill Festival Grounds Committee 2018 to present, City of Merrill Historic Preservation Committee 2021 to present
Other memberships/offices: Member of St. Francis Church, chair of the church food stand, chair of the seven permanent stands of the fairgrounds group, member and Capt. of the Pine River Fire Department since 2005
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: My family has always had a strong interest in the City of Merrill, its development and future. I feel deeply invested in the community that my wife and I chose to make our home. Since 1939, members of my family have owned businesses in Merrill and served the community in appointed and elected positions across generations. I truly believe Merrill has potential for strong growth, but somewhere along the way, the public has lost its voice. The appointed City officials often speak about the development they have created in the last 10 years but I ask, at what cost? Merrill, to my knowledge, has never had a bond rating as low as the one we currently have. I equate that to saying yes, we have a nice home, cars, and toys in the driveway, but we are in debt up to our ears. Our credit rating is in the toilet, and we keep borrowing more money just to make our budget. In the end, the property owners are paying the bill, and I think that is something that is often forgotten. I also mourn the loss of our greatest homegrown product–our younger generation who use our great education system but then leave Merrill and never come back. It is my hope we are able to continue to grow this community, to provide a safe environment in which to live and return, while sustaining our current businesses and manufacturers.
City of Merrill District 3
Incumbent Rick Blake is running unopposed for the position of Alderman for District 3.
Name: Rick Blake
Age: 69
Family: Single
Employment/position: Retired
Past/present elected offices: City of Merrill Alderman District 3, 2018-Present
Other memberships/offices: Past member Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Wisconsin; past member Habitat for Humanity of Merrill, Chair of Fundraising Committee; current member Our Way Inc. of Merrill Wisconsin, 2017-Present
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: The main reason I’m running for Alderman District 3, is that I want to work for a continuation of the recent progress we have seen in the City of Merrill. The debt the City has recently incurred has been very reasonable. By reasonable, I mean it will not have a negative impact on the general obligation of the City, or the tax rate paid by our property owners, in fact, just the opposite. First, I’ll point to the Fox Point project (the apartments by the high school) which has been completed months ahead of schedule; second, the Champagne Park project (the houses built at the North end of Champagne Street) where the houses are all being sold before the foundations are set. In addition, we have new apartments, houses, and duplexes being built between Eugene and Alexander Streets, as well as off Grand Avenue. These projects result in a positive cash flow into the City’s coffers, and an expanded tax base, taking some of the pressure off our current taxpaying property owners.
I also want to help the city of Merrill meet the other critical challenges it now faces. Some of these include: a lack of affordable housing; difficulty attracting and retaining workers in the private sector; difficulty attracting and retaining employees working for the City of Merrill; and keeping up with needed repairs and improvements to the City’s infrastructure.
City of Merrill District 4
LaDonna Fermanich will be listed on the ballot for Alderman for District 4. However, Clyde R. Nelson is challenging Fermanich as a registered write-in candidate.
Name: LaDonna Fermanich
Age: 58
Family: Husband – Dave Fermanich. We have been married 36 years and have lived in Merrill 28 years. Adult children – Hannah & Raymond Yeager II and Gretta Fermanich.
Employment/position: Currently bookkeeper for private Wausau business. Prior employment includes 5 years with Wynn O. Jones & Associates of Schofield; 10 years with Merrill Housing Authority, including 3 years as Executive Director; 12 years with Church Mutual Insurance as a Rating and Statistical Analyst; plus multiple bookkeeper and administrative jobs while raising my children.
Past/present elected offices: None – however I was significantly involved with the Merrill Recall Committee and have been actively monitoring and providing public comment at various City meetings ever since. I am also attuned to other local, state, and federal political matters, including limiting government overreach and election integrity.
Other memberships/offices: Served 10 years as a volunteer for the Merrill Relay for Life including 3 years as chair/co-chair. Attend Downtown Mission Church. My public accolades are few. I prefer to help individuals one-on-one behind the scenes.
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: As a concerned citizen, I can no longer sit by and do nothing! I’m concerned by the number of TIDs in Merrill. The demand for “affordable housing” is being met with new rental units costing $1,200 to $1,500/month. MAPS is seeking a $2.5 million referendum to maintain a system with a declining enrollment. Any business growth and expansion in Merrill has essentially been offset by those forced out of business due to COVID. The TIDs are long-term payoffs at best, and in the meantime, taxpayer money is being tied up in offsetting the deficits created by them.
Every housing expansion comes with the need for additional services, including police, fire, street department, etc. These services also come with the highest personnel related expenses. I don’t know if those additional costs are being taken into consideration for future budgeting, but we all know costs for everything have and will continue to rise. Who builds a house without first counting the cost? We need wise stewards of our tax dollars. There’s no such thing as free money, yet some people feel if it isn’t a direct City tax, that it’s just that – free money.
I am also concerned with the open-ended contract with the City Administrator which has basically handcuffed the current City Council from having any meaningful oversight or disciplinary control over the position. This issue alone has proven problematic several times over the past 3-4 years and needs to be addressed.
I’m a proponent of less government, more transparency, accountability, and integrity. I believe it’s time to replace the entrenched and well-connected with new faces and common sense administration. It would be my honor to represent the 4th District in that fashion.
Name: Clyde R. Nelson (Write-In Candidate)
Age: 67
Family: Married to Wendy; Three adult children – Stacy, Craig, and Scott; eight grandchildren.
Employment: Executive Director of the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce (part time); Moved to Merrill in 2014 to become President of Lincoln Community Bank (Retired)
Past/present elected offices: None
Other memberships/offices: St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, member of Finance Council 2019–Present; Father Rene Menard Council 1133 Knights of Columbus 2015–Present, Financial Secretary 2016–2020, Deputy Grand Knight 2020–2021, Grand Knight 2021–Present; Lincoln County Fair Association Board, 2015–Present; Merrill Area United Way, 2014–Present, Vice President 2016-2018, President 2018–2019, Executive Board 2014–2020; Habitat For Humanity, 2015–Present, Merrill FFA Alumni, 2016–Present; Merrill Area Food Pantry Volunteer 2016–Present; Ascension Northwoods Board representing Good Samaritan Hospital, 2016–2019, Vice President 2018–2019; Merrill Rotary, 2014–2019, Vice President 2016-2017, President 2017-2018; Junior Achievement Volunteer at Kate Goodrich School, 2016–2018; June Dairy Month Breakfast, 2015–2019.
Why have you chosen to run for office you seek: I am seeking the Office of Alderperson for District 4 to “Be the Change.” I want to bring back a sense of professionalism and decorum to City Government that we haven’t seen in a while. We need to work together for the common good of the citizens of Merrill and specifically, for me, those that live in the 4th District. We can disagree on ideas, but we must have an open dialogue about those ideas without taking things so personal. Just because you disagree with someone or an idea that they have, it doesn’t mean that you lash out at them. To a certain degree, we must check our egos at the door and work for the betterment of Merrill and its citizens. It’s not constructive to lash out, berate people, and have a “get in your face” attitude. We need to “Be the Change” if we want to change. It needs to start at the local government level and then flow upstream to other elected officials.
I want to continue the hard work that has taken place to make Merrill a community that welcomes individuals and businesses. We have a great community to live and work in. Whether you are an individual with a dream of starting and owning a small business and being your own boss or a multimillion dollar company that wants to expand or relocate here, we need to continue to utilize the tools we have to make that happen. Growth of both small and large businesses are the life blood of this community. It provides for countless employment opportunities for all of its citizens and it can make Merrill a “go to” destination. Without that growth we are destined to die a slow death. In order for the growth to occur, we must continue to utilize our Tax Incremental Districts (TID) and offer Tax Incremental Funding (TIF) to help those businesses grow and create more jobs in Merrill. With the continued growth there comes an increase in Equalized Value and greater tax revenues generated for the City. It is vitally important that these incentives are provided in a fiscally responsible way.
With more jobs, we need more housing. We need to draw more people/families to this great community by providing the necessary housing for them. Whether it’s Section 8 or a market rate apartment or a home that they can afford based on their current employment status. To quote the Field of Dreams, “if you build it, they will come.” In my opinion, Merrill needs to continue to provide opportunities for a diverse population so we can all live and thrive as a community. These are hard tasks to accomplish while working to keep the tax burden of the citizens as low as possible.
Thank you for your support, and I would be honored to serve you as your District 4 Alderperson.
City of Merrill District 5
Richard A. Lupton is challenging incumbent John VanLieshout for the position of Alderman for District 5.
Name: Richard (Dick) Lupton
Age: 64
Family: Wife – Debra for 41 years; Children: – Two daughters, Stacey Hoff and Sara Lupton; grandchildren – two granddaughters, Hailey and Jasmine.
Employment/position: Retired from City of Merrill on Dec. 31, 2015.
Past/present elected offices: Merrill Street Commissioner from May 2010 through Dec. 31, 2015, when I retired.
Other memberships/offices: Member of St. Stephens United Church of Christ
Why you have chosen to run for the office you seek: I have chosen to run for 5th District Alderperson because I love the city of Merrill and, if given the chance, would like to make it even better. I served the City of Merrill for 37 1/2 years, first working on the Street Department crew, until I was elected Merrill Street Commissioner in April of 2010. With the time that I spent serving Merrill as its Street Commissioner, I was a voting member on the Board of Public Works and managed all functions of the Street Department. This included developing and working with the Street Department annual budgets, recommending street repair and replacement projects, and assisting in the planning of those projects. I oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Garbage and Recycle Collection, Street Maintenance crew, and Equipment Maintenance crew. I feel this gives me both the experience and skills needed to serve the City well.
Some issues I feel are important are affordable housing, maintaining the city infrastructure, city growth, public safety, and attracting and retaining employees.
I always enjoyed serving the Merrill community, and it would be a privilege to serve Merrill as its 5th District Alderperson.
Name: John M. Van Lieshout (Incumbent)
Age: 47
Family: Wife – Katie; Children – Emma, Colton and Piper
Employment/position: Lincoln County, Network Admin 1
Past/present elected offices: Current District 5 Alderman
Other memberships/offices: Commander American Legion Post 46 (1999-Present), Executive Board Member Northwoods Veterans Post (2016-Present), Board Member Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation (2018-2021)
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: I enjoy being involved with our community. I will continue to work with all of the other Aldermen, whoever that may be, and the City staff, to continue the progress that we have already made. I would love the opportunity to continue on this path and help make Merrill a city that we can all be proud of.
Thank you for all of your support.
City of Merrill District 6
Kyle Gulke is challenging incumbent Mike Rick Jr. for the position of Alderman for District 6.
Name: Kyle Gulke
Age: 30
Family: —
Employment/position: Helene’s Hilltop Orchard, Apple Picker/Bartender
Past/present elected offices: —
Other memberships/offices: Aware and Active Citizens, Friends of the River Bend Trail, Ice Age Trail Alliance
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: Some of the experience I have that make me qualified for Alderperson are serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Plan Commission. I understand how the government operates, and I know how to get things done. I have also been involved with various community groups, Aware and Active Citizens and Friends of the River Bend Trail to name a few. I grew up in the sixth District so I know why it’s a great place to live, but I’m also aware of the areas that could use improvement. It’s a phenomenal neighborhood to grow up in, I always felt safe and had friends to hang out with. Some skills that make me qualified are excellent reading, math, and problem solving skills as well as logic, critical thinking, and common sense. I also have a good memory and pay attention to the details.
One of the biggest issues the City of Merrill needs to address is the declining population. The declining population trend can be reversed by increasing tourism and providing more affordable housing options. Increasing tourism will highlight the advantages of living in Merrill, attract new residents, and create new jobs. I have witnessed the impact tourism has on the Merrill area while working at Helene’s Hilltop Orchard. Hundreds of visitors every weekend supporting a small business and stimulating our local economy! Providing more affordable housing will make it easier for these visitors to make the decision to move here.
Parks! We are known as the City of Parks for a reason. The River Bend Trail has been a huge addition to our park system and has helped unite the community! It has attracted new visitors in the past few years and will continue to attract more for a long time. The next step is to get it in the state trail system by connecting to the Mountain Bay and Hiawatha-Bearskin trails. The M.A.R.C. hosts baseball tournaments that fill our hotel rooms and puts the spotlight on our fantastic athletic facilities. The Merrill Memorial Forest attracts mountain bikers from across the state and has been hosting the Badger State Games winter bike races for the past few years. Prairie Trails Park is a beautiful space to do some birdwatching, and the Prairie River is a Class “A” trout stream for the fishing enthusiast. We already have a lot to offer, we just need to do a better job of advertising it to the rest of the state.
My plan is to have block parties twice a year to answer questions and concerns. The main point of these block parties will be to get everyone together to have some fun and to get to know their neighbors a little better. I will do my best to keep the public updated via Facebook and letters to the editor. I will also be available via email, phone, and Facebook. I will only make one promise. I promise to do my best!
Name: Michael Rick, Jr. (Incumbent)(Photo not provided)
Age: 52
Family: Spouse – Teri; children – Michael, Nick, Bryce, Andrew, and Kelsey; and grandchildren – Lucy and Raelynne.
Employment/position: Employed with Lincoln County Highway Dept as parts clerk for 17 years; recently started at Napa as a parts counter person.
Past/present elected offices: Currently 6th Ward Alderman City of Merrill appointed Sept of 2019; elected April 2020 to present; Town of Merrill Supervisor April 2016-2018
Other memberships/offices: —
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: I have chosen to run for re-election as Alderman to keep the city moving forward while keeping the borrowing to a minimum. Keep taxes as low as possible while keeping the current services we have. I have always listened to the citizens and will continue to do so if elected. Since being elected, I have voted against a budget that has included borrowing funds and will continue doing so if elected. There is a lot of wasteful spending and I will continue to vote against that. That needs to be done to keep taxes at bay.
City of Merrill District 7
Incumbent Mark Weix, Jr., is running unopposed for the position of Alderman for District 7.
Name: Mark J. Weix, Jr. (Incumbent)
Age: 59
Family: Married for 35 years to my wife, Debbie (Swan) Weix. Children: Four daughters – Elizabeth (Jeff) Steffek, Erin (Quinn) Conn, Elyse Weix, and Molly Weix. Grandchildren – Cameron, Adalie, Emerie, and Hayden.
Employment/position: Education: MHS grad 1980, B.S. UW-SP Broad Field Social Science – History 1985, M.S. Education 1995 UW-SP. Retired educator/coach, 33 years teaching Social Studies and coaching high school football and wrestling. Currently, Substitute Teacher for Merrill Area Public Schools.
Past/present elected offices: 2020-2022-Present: 7th District Alderman, currently sit on the Health and Safety Committee, the Communications and Marketing Committee, and the Airport Commission.
Other memberships/offices:
– Member of St. Francis Xavier Church
– Member of the Knights of Columbus, Punt, Pass, Kick Coordinator 2016-Present
– Member of the Merrill Community and Economic Growth Committee
– Member of the Silver M Club
– Past member of Merrill Girls Softball Board 1998-2018, equipment manager, secretary, and coach
– Member of WREA (Wisconsin Retired Educators Association)
– Member of Merrill Wrestling Club, former WIAA wrestling official
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: I chose to run for Alderman for the next two years because I wish to continue to serve my community in a positive way. I came into City government with no hidden motive or “score to settle.” I want to do what is best for the common good of Merrill. I believe in transparency and feel it is important to listen to others’ ideas, suggestions, and the facts. I was born and raised here and have always felt proud to call Merrill my home. Through my life experiences, and as a former Merrill teacher and coach, I have worked with many students, athletes, parents, and peers. I believe this has given me the communication and leadership skills that make me an effective Alderman. I have the time and energy to research the issues and to commit myself to serving the 7th District and the people of Merrill.
The City has had its share of turmoil and mistrust, especially after the recent recall of City government officials and then the pandemic. Merrill needs to set the “reset button” and have an open and communicative style of governing moving forward. The election of new leadership in the Mayor, along with the new Communication and Marketing Committee, which was established six months ago by the City, will play a big part in rectifying some of these issues. Transparency and working together are essential for a vibrant community. The political polarization and hyper partisanship that’s present through government needs to stop. As they say, “together we stand, divided we fall.” Teamwork and clear dialogue, no matter what your political affiliation, makes for the best government.
Our City needs to attract young families to Merrill. Merrill has been working hard to do this by providing aid for new apartments on Hwy. G, creating new subdivisions at Champagne Street, Rock Ridge, and now Alexander Street for housing. Merrill is competing with other communities for workers. To do this, we need to be welcoming and ready, no matter what the social or economic status of the newcomers are. For the size of our community, Merrill is very fortunate to have high quality public services, whether it be the school system, health care facilities, police, fire, parks and recreation, street, library, transit, enrichment, and water/sewer departments. The quality and variety of those services will also attract and keep people within our community.
Merrill needs to continue working with our existing businesses and industries, addressing their concerns and needs. Recruitment of new businesses to the Merrill area is ongoing for the City and needs to be done in a way to promote growth that allows the whole area to prosper.
Taxes are high, we need to use TID money effectively to create a strong tax base, and keep taxes in check. Planning and prioritization will be key in maintaining existing services and competing with surrounding communities , while being fiscally responsible.
City of Merrill District 8
Ann Heller is challenging incumbent Steve Sabatke for the position of Alderman for District 8.
Name: Ann Heller
Age: 44
Family: Spouse – Christopher
Employment/position: UMR – Senior Enrollment Specialist
Past/present elected offices: I have not held any prior elected offices.
Other memberships/offices: I am a member of St. Francis Xavier Church.
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: I was born and raised in Merrill, which was and still is a great place to grow up. I met my husband while working and attending school in Milwaukee. We moved back to Merrill in 2007. I have many family members and some childhood friends here. I adore Merrill and it would be nice to see others return, as well. I want people to experience all that Merrill has to offer and cherish our city.
Before I tell you why I am running, I first want to share with you that I am not running for personal gains, for a power-trip, for name recognition, or a title. I am not running to further my own business or to favor a friend with their agenda.
I am running for City Council to listen to my community members, to learn how to improve the quality of all our lives, and to serve the citizens of Merrill as those in public office should. I have a desire to help solve issues and to make critical, thought-out decisions needed for the city. I care about my neighbors, and I want to represent them respectfully.
I am running because I want to assist businesses and families. I want to promote the City, support development, and enhance our neighborhoods. We must all work together to improve and grow. There will be disagreements, however, our duty and concern should be for the people. We need to do what is best for the citizenry as a whole and not take matters personally.
If elected, I will work hard to find common ground and make well-informed decisions. The choices we make today are going to have significant impact on the livability of Merrill for the future. I want to help ensure generations to come don’t bear unnecessary burdens from our actions.
I believe I would bring new perspectives and ideas as a member of the City Council. I will be committed to do what is right and work towards our goals that benefit all of us.
Merrill is a wonderful place to live, to work, to raise a family, and to retire. This is where our children can receive a good education, where you can enjoy the outdoors and feel a part of an awesome community.
I am running for District 8 Alderperson to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of Merrill, give back to the city I love, and make a difference for the better. I would be honored to receive your support and your vote.
Name: Steve Sabatke (Incumbent)
Age: 68
Family: My wife of 46 years and I were born and raised in Merrill. After relocating for assignments over 17 times, we chose to settle back in Merrill to raise our three daughters. They have given us five wonderful grandchildren.
Employment/position: Most of my career involved the building industry. I have worked every stage of construction from being a carpenter to home center manager, national sales rep, real estate agent, and selling high end equipment.
Past/present elected offices: Alderman of Merrill’s 8th District for the last three years. The first year I won in a recall election and then I was elected to a full two-year term in the next regular election. Effective Aldermen need to be experienced in City Committees. My background includes three years being the lonely voice of reason on the following: Board of Public Works, Historical Preservation, Redevelopment Authority and the Festival Grounds (Fair Grounds) Committee.
Other memberships/offices: As a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and AMVETS, much of my spare time is devoted to veteran causes and supporting fellow war veterans and families in need. I am a long-term Eagles Club member. Over the years, I have belonged to way too many other organizations to mention here.
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: My name is Steve Sabatke and it would be an honor to continue to serve you as Alderman of Merrill’s 8th District.
There is great concern about all the spending and borrowing on recent building projects in Merrill. We thank the manufacturers and businesses who put in their own funds and hard work for Merrill to prosper. It is necessary to honor all spending (TIF/TID) projects Merrill has committed to so far. However, all this “Development & Progress” has come at a price.
Merrill is in financial trouble. Just the payments on our existing loans are over $3 MILLION A YEAR. Increased tax revenue from the recent building projects will take years to recover. Due to overspending, our long-standing AA Credit Rating has dropped to a substandard BBB. This poor credit rating raises our interest rates on future loans and makes it less desirable for bond holders to finance us.
A select few city officials now run the show and have been giving away money, land, and services through inadequate negotiations and awarding City funds in unbalanced proportions. Our City Council and current Mayor normally vote to go along with any spending and any new borrowing proposed. The result is you hear much fanfare about successes but nothing about many “investments” that have been overfinanced or outright failures.
We must make better spending decisions that do not favor a select few. Most 8th District residents are a thrifty working class that in many cases live on a fixed income. The unfortunate future is high inflation that turns our concerns more to putting gas in the car and buying groceries rather than borrowing to finance another high-rent apartment complex. That being said, we will still need to invest in AFFORDABLE housing.
In closing, I must point out that too much of Merrill’s history has been demolished in recent years. I will continue to fight for preservation of our historic structures. This will be accomplished by promoting pride in home ownership by assisting residents and businesses rather than bulldozing them. We need to invest in and protect our common citizen’s needs.
Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, April 5!