Tuesday primary reflects high county board interest

Redistricting and an interest in challenging local government have driven enough interest in two Trempealeau County board seats that voters in districts five and 12 will decide next Tuesday which candidates will move on to the April election.

In District Five, located from the town of Dodge through the city of Arcadia to areas north and east of the city, incumbent Beth Killian faces competition from Arcadia residents Paul Losel and Andrew Todd. In District 12, which includes Independence and areas north and south of the city, two-term incumbent Tim Zeglin is being challenged by Robert Baecker and Kerry Franks. All are Independence residents.

The top two vote-getters in the Tuesday primary will be on the ballot April 5.

Killian said she would like another four-year term to see the completion of the county’s $43.5 million Justice Center, but is ready to accept the wishes of district residents if they want a change.

“They know my name and they know me,” Killian said. “But if they want a change, that’s what will happen.” 

Killian said she sees one force for change being a group of individuals aligned with the Liberty Alliance who are running in numerous board districts. The alliance successfully fought to defeat a county proposal to fine people for not wearing masks but was unable to convince the board to back making the county a sanctuary for the Second Amendment.

Alliance candidates are running in nine of the 16 county board districts.

Andrew Todd hopes to push aside what he believes are very divisive partisan politics and be a voice to constrain spending and taxes. 

“I want to be the person who listens to people,” Todd said. “In our district we pay such high taxes that we need to get answers why there’s so much spending. I’m just so frustrated with all the partisan stuff.”

The third District Five candidate is Paul Loesel who is also concerned about spending.

“It’s my goal to bring in some common sense, oppose government overreach and to not be afraid to say no to spending,” Loesel said.

In District 12, incumbent Zeglin is urging voters to consider his track record of the last eight years that includes his work to advance the new Justice Center while keeping county government financially sound. Zeglin says during his two terms he has helped move the county forward. 

“I listen attentively, research thoroughly, reason carefully and act decisively,” Zeglin said. He said he supports the wishes of his constituents even if he doesn’t agree with the majority in his district.

Zeglin attributes the interest in board membership on the shift in district boundaries, redrawn in 2020 following the census. But he also sees a division of opinions as inspiring candidates to run for the board.

“I personally think,” Zeglin said, “that the number and variety of candidates is a healthy development in our county.  It’s better to have a wide variety of people express their opinions than to stagnate.”

District 12 candidate Kerry Franks describes herself as being one of a group of conservatives determined to scrutinize spending and protect Constitutional rights. She vows to not take any per-diem or mileage reimbursement if she is elected.

The group’s goals are to control spending, make government transparent, encourage citizens and parents to be heard and to “insure no one’s Constitutional rights are limited in any way,” Franks said.

Baecker, the mayor of Independence, said he wishes to bring a city’s perspective to the board. Baecker said he expects this to be his last term as mayor, giving him time to learn all the county’s processes.

“We also need better communication between the board and the people,” Baecker said. “I’m a firm believer in listening to all points of view.” 

Primary for G-E-T school board next Tuesday

By Andrew Dannehy

Times Editor

Candidates running for town of Gale seat on the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau school board will be narrowed from three to two at the primary election this coming Tuesday.

Incumbent Pat Malone is being challenged by Tara Jergenson and Adam Leavitt. The top two vote getters will face off in the April election for a spot on the G-E-T school board.

Also on the April ballot will be a challenge in the town of Caledonia with Deb Lakey going against incumbent Kari Marley and in the village of Trempealeau where incumbent Larry Moore will face Sara Olson.