More newcomers enter county board races 
by Brian Wilson
The Star News
January 7, 2010 —  There will be a number of races for the Taylor County Board of Supervisors this spring as retirements and challenges will give voters in those districts a choice on the April 6 ballot.
Newcomer Greg Toro has joined Raymond F. Soper on the ballot as a candidate in District 16. The two men are vying to replace longtime county board member and first vice chairman Joe Sweda. Sweda decided not to file for reelection to the seat. District 16 covers the Village of Lublin, the towns of Taft and Roosevelt and a portion of the Town of Maplehurst.
David A. Lemke has filed candidacy in District 7 to replace George Southworth, who decided not to seek reelection after 14 years on the board.
The City of Medford could see some changes in its representation on the Taylor County Board as two incumbent members have challenges and a third seat will switch to a newcomer.
Incumbent Jim Seidl is being challenged for the District 2 seat by Mary Bix. Bix is also an incumbent on the board, as she was elected in District 3 in 2008 before moving into the new district earlier this year. In the City of Medford's District 1 Gordon W. Thielke is challenging incumbent Fred Parent. District 1 is Medford's wards 1 and 2 while District 2 serves wards 3 and 4.
In District 3, newcomer Daniel Minter is the only candidate. District 3 represents Medford wards 5 and 6. Medford School District voters will have a choice between four candidates for three positions, newcomer Paul Dixon and incumbents Mark Reuter, George Southworth and Cheryl Wibben.
Gilman school voters will also have a choice as incumbents Jerry Sromek and Alexis Goebel and challenger Robert Schuelke have filed for the two open seats."
Dennis Fuchs has come forward as a candidate in the Rib Lake School District to replace incumbent Leslie Hebert. Positions on the Rib Lake School Board are apportioned, meaning the replacement for Hebert must come from the Town of Greenwood. School board president Jerry Blomberg has filed for reelection.
The City of Medford will have at least two new council members as incumbents Mike Riggle and JoAnn Simek filed non-candidacy forms. Newcomer Gary Jansen and former council member Tom Gebert have filed to run for Riggle's District 1 position. Jim Peterson has filed for the District 3 seat held by Simek. Incumbents Clem Johnson and Peggy Kraschnewski have filed in their districts.
There will be a race for mayor as incumbent Mike Wellner and newcomer Thielke have taken out papers.
In the Village of Rib Lake, incumbent trustees Ned Orthmann, Vernell Van Hecker and Greg Thums are all seeking re-election.
In the Village of Gilman, electors will nominate a slate of candidates at the January 13 caucus. The incumbents in Gilman are Kelly Webster, Rodger Mravik and Jane DeStaercke.

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