Voters say ‘No’

Voters reject scaled back high school renovation referendum

NEWS EDITOR

Attempts to get voters to approve a renovation and expansion project for Medford Area Senior High School failed and some new faces will be on area boards as a result of the April 5 spring election.

A well-organized “vote no” campaign proved insurmountable for the Medford Area Public School District’s third attempt to get a major remodeling and expansion project approved for the high school.

Voters rejected the $29.9 million referendum by a vote of 1,327 in favor and 2,464 opposed. This is slightly fewer yes votes and more no votes compared to last spring’s failed attempt at a much larger referendum.

Voter turnout was high for a spring election with 4,941 area voters heading to the polls across the county. This is down slightly from last year’s turnout of 5,140 voters. On the ballots were school board and municipal races. By comparison, the county had 10,710 voters cast ballots in the November 2020 general election. “Clearly there are facility needs that have to be addressed at the high school, so we would encourage community members to share their thoughts on what they think the majority of voters would support,” said Pat Sullivan, Medford district administrator, noting it is too early to tell where the board goes from here.

The board had hoped to address security and ongoing infrastructure issues with the high school project as well as provide upgraded and more spaces for science, technology and shop classes.

In Gilman, the voters agreed to continuing to allow the district to exceed the state revenue cap for the next four years. The district has been faced with continued declining enrollment and the additional taxing ability is needed to stabilize the district’s budgets due to reductions in aid based on enrollment. Among Taylor County Voters, the referendum passed 326 yes and 298 no. While the majority of the school district is in Taylor County it extends into Chippewa and Rusk counties.

“On behalf of the School District of Gilman Board of Education and staff as well as the students and families we serve, we want to thank our entire community for their support for Gilman Schools. Together we will continue to increase student achievement and readiness to be successful for whatever their future holds,” said Walter Leipart, Gilman administrator.

Overall the election ran smoothly in the county with few issues reported. According to city clerk Ashley Lemke, the only issue in the city was with two individuals voting in the wrong wards.

In Rib Lake, resident Renee Norgaard has stated she intends to file a formal complaint with the state claiming the Rib Lake election should be invalidated over Tammy Mann serving as an election official. Mann’s spouse, Cliff Mann, was one of four candidates seeking three seats up for election on the board. Norgaard contends this presents a conflict for Tammy Mann to serve as an election official. Norgaard had initially raised this concern in an email to the village’s attorney Ruthann Koch last week and Koch on Monday responded disagreeing with Norgaard’s complaint and stating that while state law doesn’t allow a candidate from serving as an election official, there is no such prohibition for the spouse of a candidate.

County races

There will be some new faces on the Taylor County board as two incumbents fell to challengers and two members did not seek reelection.

In District 3, which includes the southwest portion of the city of Medford, incumbent Dave Roiger received 106 votes and was defeated by Sue Swiantek with 133 votes.

In District 7, which includes parts of the town of Hammel and the town of Medford, incumbent Gene Knoll received 207 votes compared to 220 for challenger Lorie Kohn Floyd.

In District 13 which includes the towns of Molitor and Westboro, incumbent Lester Lewis survived a challenge from registered write-in candidate Ted Obermann. Lewis received 182 votes to Obermann’s 65 and there were two other write-ins.

In District 2 which covers the southeastern part of the city of Medford Tim Hansen did seek reelection. Greg Knight ran as a registered write-in candidate and received 26 votes. There were an additional 17 write in votes with Kris Nelson, Jim Metz, Greg Frenzel, Cathy Taber, Bryan Borman, Steve Grssue, Wally Thums, Kelly Weiler Mike Bub, Erica Petersen, Gene Knoll, Ken Hesser, Michael Knight, Eric Petersen, Jeff Lange and Jeff Miller all receiving write in votes.

In District 15 which includes the village of Gilman, Lynn Rosemeyer was elected with 240 votes to replace Earl Hinkel who did not run for reelection.

Running unopposed and winning their seats were Lisa Carbaugh (District 1), Mike Bub (District 4), Jim Metz (District 5), Scott Mildbrand (District 6), Chuck Zenner (District 8), Diane Albrecht (District 9), Catherine Lemke (District 10), James Gebauer (District 11), Rollie Thums (District 12), Lester Lewis (District 13), Myron Brooks (District 14), Ray Soper (District 16) and Rod Adams (District 17).

School boards

There will be new faces on the Medford School Board as the result of a hotly contested election with six registered candidates vying for three seats. Newcomer Corey Dassow sailed to victory with 2,817 votes with incumbent Aemus Balsis retaining his seat with 1,922 votes. Newcomer Kurt Werner rounded out the top three vote getters with 1,885 votes. Longtime incumbent Cheryl Wibben was not among the top three vote getters with 1,624 votes and Fred Ebert received 1,433 votes. Rebecca Beebe launched a last minute write-in campaign and garnered 216 votes with four additional votes for other write-in candidates.

In the Rib Lake School District incumbent Amanda Treffinger (town of Greenwood) held off a challenge by Mitch Peters winning 208 to 162. Rollie Thums was unopposed for his at-large seat and won with 319 votes.

In Gilman School District newcomer Tammy Weir received 367 to take a place on the board, incumbent Cheryl Ustianowski won reelection with 364 votes and incumbent Jessica Wisocky won reelection with 305 votes. Other candidates not among the top three vote getters were incumbent Gina Timm with 234 votes, Stephanie Clabots with 227 votes and Derrick Romig with 212 votes. There were two additional write-in votes.

Medford city council

There will be one new face on the Medford city council this spring as Erica Petersen received 188 votes to replace Tim

118120

Hansen who did not run for reelection.

Incumbent aldermen Dave Brandner (wards 1 and 2) received 258 votes, Christine Weix (Wards 5 and 6) received 201 votes and Clem Johnson (wards 7 and 8) received 204 votes and were unopposed. Mayor Mike Wellner was unopposed winning reelection with 839 votes.

Village boards

In the village of Rib Lake four candidates sought three positions. Incumbent Cliff Mann received 107 votes, incumbent Jack Buksa received 81 votes and newcomer Megan Jonasen received 71 votes. Incumbent Vernell Van Hecker received 68 votes and did not win reelection.

In the village of Stetsonville, incumbent trustees Joseph Dowden received 126 votes and Will McCarron received 125 votes.

In the village of Gilman, Cheryl Rosemeyer won reelection with 92 votes, Dee Bornheimer had 81 votes and Ericka Bertsinger had 69 votes.

Vote totals remain unofficial until after the board of canvassers meets for each government entity.

Poll worker Mary Williams rings the bell to ceremonially open the polls at Medford City Hall Tuesday morning.KIMWILSON/SUBMITTED