COVER FEATURE
by B.C. Kowalski
COUNTY BOARD BATTLE
Voters in more districts than not have a choice for who represents them on the county level There’s a good chance next Tuesday that you will have two people to choose from for county board. That’s because more than half of the 38 seats — 19 in total — are up for reelection. That includes eight of the 11 districts that cover Wausau. But metro and rural districts also have contested races. There will be at least eight new board members who have never served before, and the potential for 23 — more than half the board — to be new. We sent questionnaires to the emails provided by the county clerk, and last week resent the questionnaires to anyone who hadn’t responded yet. We didn’t hear from everyone, unfortunately. Looking around at other previews, it was pretty common City Pages always took pride in interviewing all the candidates for office over the phone or in person, but this time around with only one editorial person and nearly 100 candidates in contested races this election, questionnaires are the only feasible way to do it. It’s imperfect — but we do our best in imperfect situations. Take note that the districts changed a bit as a result of the redistricting that happens due to
the U.S. Census every ten years. Log on to www. myvote.wi.gov to find your polling location and who is on the ballot. Here are the candidates competing for your vote:
DISTRICT 1
Christopher Wood
Michelle Van Krey
Michelle Van Kray (incumbent), 32, is an administrative assistant with the city of Wausau. Besides seeking her second term on the county board, she is the former chair of the Bridge Community Clinic Garden program committee and the Schofield Beautification Committee. Her priorities for the next term are being proactive versus reactive, spending ARPA funds wisely, continuing broadband expansion and engaging Marathon County Residents Christopher Wood, 27, works for a lawn care company. Wood says he was called to run by the heavenly father and says
there is a plan to rebuild society from the ground up. Wood’s priorities are to revolutionize local politics and he plans to hold regular meetings with constituents, building transparency and community. Wood says he would actually like to meet with residents weekly if not more often to thin the veil between government and citizens.
DISTRICT 2
Ann Lemmer
Ann Lemmer, 53, is a Wausau School District teacher on sabbatical. She
is president of the Wausau Festival of Arts and as a parent of three says gives her insight into the needs for child care and demands parents face. Her priorities are spending ARPA funds wisely in the wake of the pandemic, attracting a qualified workforce, and bolstering child care, affordable housing, broadband and transportation. She touts her ability to foster relationships to help the county. Destiny Goretski did not respond to our questionnaire but told other media she wants to walk back government overreach and return life to the old normal. Substance abuse, PFAS removal and employment issues are also key priorities.
DISTRICT 5 Gary Gisselman, 79, is a retired Marathon County librarian. Gisselman served on the county board and city council previously, both for more than a decade. He wants to see people work together better. He considers supporting A Community For All as his number one priority. Other priorities include continuing efforts in rural broadband and protecting the soil, land and air in Marathon County. Cody Nikolai is a doctor and currently serves on the Wausau School
Board. He did not return our questionnaire but told other media that his top priorities were enhancing emergency services, being fiscally responsible and encouraging local growth in the economy.
DISTRICT 6 Jeff Johnson
Stacey Morache
Stacey Morache, 51, works in sales. Morache is an interpreter for the deaf and believes those communication skills will serve the board well in bringing people together. Her number one priority is addressing mental health issues by bringing back those programs at North Central Health Care. Maintaining a robust public safety department and finding a way to address the child care shortages and expenses in the county are also key priorities for her.
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March 31-April 7, 2022
Rebecca Buch
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DISTRICT 7
Jeff Johnson (incumbent), 62, is a former probation and parole agent. He has served on the coun-
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ty board for four years. Johnson wants to see the partisanship on the county board end in favor of serving citizens. Johnson says his number one priority is public safety, and ensuring residents have clean water. He also emphasized the need to maintain the county’s infrastructure. He says many of the county’s functions are entwined; it’s hard to pick just a few.
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