County board finds two races in Medford seats 
by Mark Berglund
The Star News
December 31, 2009 —  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. Bix moved after the county sold the house she was living in at a tax deed auction to pay $21,387.16 in property taxes.
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 so far. Bix filed non-candidacy for the position. District 3 represents Medford wards 5 and 6. Newcomer District 7, which represents parts of the towns of Hammel and Medford, has no candidate at this time as incumbent George Southworth has filed non-candidacy.
The upcoming election will mark the end of an era in Taylor County politics as District 16 supervisor Joe Sweda has filed non-candidacy paperwork. Sweda, who served as first vice-chairman in the last term, has 25 years of service on the county board, the most of any of the current 17 supervisors. Sweda has served in either the military or public office since three days after his high school graduation. His departure leaves the county board without a World War II veteran for the first time. Sweda served on the County and Town of Roosevelt Boards as well as being elected to the state assembly and serving as the state’s highway commissioner.
Raymond F. Soper has filed nomination papers in District 16, which includes the Village of Lublin, the towns of Taft and Roosevelt and a portion of the Town of Maplehurst. 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.
Meanwhile, the Rib Lake School District needs at least one new candidate as incumbent Leslie Hebert has filed her intent of non-candidacy. 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 not filed his paperwork for re-election yet, but is expected to.
In the Gilman School District, incumbents Jerry Sromek and Alexis Goebel are the only candidates who have filed.
Candidates have until January 5, 2010 to return nomination papers. If a primary election is needed, it would be February 16. The spring election is set for April 6.
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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