MONROE - The ballot for Ward 9 alderman will not be empty, and voters will have a choice.
Richard Thoman and Michael Rivers threw their hats into the ring before the cut-off time at 5 p.m. Friday.
Thoman said he spoke with several aldermen and Mayor Ron Marsh and received encouragement to run.
"When I found out Kent (Kallembach) wasn't running again, I decided I would," he said.
Thoman is running simultaneously for re-election to District 9 of the Green County Board of Supervisors. He said other county supervisors assured him that holding both a city council seat and a county board seat would not be a problem.
His experience on county board will be "quite helpful," he said. This is his fourth year on the board.
"The only thing was deciding whether I wanted to give up a few more nights a month for meetings," he said.
Mike Rivers announced his candidacy in a press release Friday.
"All we seem to get are people time and time again in office playing the 'Blame Game' with the only agenda being their own," he wrote.
"We really need to get back to the basics and quit making things more difficult than they need to be. We really need to get people back to work now. I believe this can begin on all levels of government. If everyone was to buy local in our community, you would be shocked on how that would impact our local economy and create new jobs.
"I would also like to see the residents of Monroe become more involved with what is going on in the city. The people also need to hold alderpersons more accountable than they currently do. One of my ideas on keeping people better informed is by holding listening sessions two to four times a year. This will allow me stay on top and always be doing things in the best interest of the people."
Both Thoman and Rivers expressed their personal interest in government.
"My interest is in local government," Thoman said. "I like to be involved."
Thoman said he uses a common sense and down-to-earth approach to problem-solving.
"I'm pretty fiscally conservative, but I am definitely open to listening and open-minded," he added.
Rivers said getting involved with local, state and federal government has always been a interest.
"Government needs to be run like a small business; a larger government is not the answer. It is truly a waste of our taxpayers' money. We just need to be more innovative and productive with the resources we already have. It's time we all work together and get the job done," he wrote.
Thoman said his interest is in the growing city finances.
"My taxes - that's why I'm involved," he said. "We're all struggling."
Thoman said he is looking to cut wasteful spending and keep spending under control.
Thoman said he and Rivers spoke about Rivers running Thursday night.
"I told him to go ahead. If I lose, my feelings won't be hurt," he said.
Thoman is a partner in the Super 8 and AmericInn Motels in Monroe. He also serves on the City of Monroe Visitor & Promotion Board.
Rivers grew up in Verona and has been in the Monroe area for the past 12 years. He has been president and CEO of RIVCOM Computers on Monroe's Westside for the past eight years. Rivers also said he has more than 20 years of experience in business and customer relations.
Kallembach informed City Clerk Carol Stamm on Tuesday that he had decided not to run for re-election.
"It was a tough decision," Kallembach said. "I decided not to seek re-election in order to pursue other interests."
Kallembach declined to elaborate on what those other interests were.
"I will finish my term and finish it strong, as I did when I started," he said.
Kallembach was appointed as Ward 9 alderman in January 2007 to finish out the term of Mike Capesius, who moved out of town. Kallembach then won a two-year term in 2008.
Kallembach said he wished more people would attend city meetings.
"In city government, you can really make a difference," he said.
Because of Kallembach's late notification not to run again, the deadline for Ward 9 was extended to 5 p.m. Friday for submitting nomination papers for the April 6 election.
Richard Thoman and Michael Rivers threw their hats into the ring before the cut-off time at 5 p.m. Friday.
Thoman said he spoke with several aldermen and Mayor Ron Marsh and received encouragement to run.
"When I found out Kent (Kallembach) wasn't running again, I decided I would," he said.
Thoman is running simultaneously for re-election to District 9 of the Green County Board of Supervisors. He said other county supervisors assured him that holding both a city council seat and a county board seat would not be a problem.
His experience on county board will be "quite helpful," he said. This is his fourth year on the board.
"The only thing was deciding whether I wanted to give up a few more nights a month for meetings," he said.
Mike Rivers announced his candidacy in a press release Friday.
"All we seem to get are people time and time again in office playing the 'Blame Game' with the only agenda being their own," he wrote.
"We really need to get back to the basics and quit making things more difficult than they need to be. We really need to get people back to work now. I believe this can begin on all levels of government. If everyone was to buy local in our community, you would be shocked on how that would impact our local economy and create new jobs.
"I would also like to see the residents of Monroe become more involved with what is going on in the city. The people also need to hold alderpersons more accountable than they currently do. One of my ideas on keeping people better informed is by holding listening sessions two to four times a year. This will allow me stay on top and always be doing things in the best interest of the people."
Both Thoman and Rivers expressed their personal interest in government.
"My interest is in local government," Thoman said. "I like to be involved."
Thoman said he uses a common sense and down-to-earth approach to problem-solving.
"I'm pretty fiscally conservative, but I am definitely open to listening and open-minded," he added.
Rivers said getting involved with local, state and federal government has always been a interest.
"Government needs to be run like a small business; a larger government is not the answer. It is truly a waste of our taxpayers' money. We just need to be more innovative and productive with the resources we already have. It's time we all work together and get the job done," he wrote.
Thoman said his interest is in the growing city finances.
"My taxes - that's why I'm involved," he said. "We're all struggling."
Thoman said he is looking to cut wasteful spending and keep spending under control.
Thoman said he and Rivers spoke about Rivers running Thursday night.
"I told him to go ahead. If I lose, my feelings won't be hurt," he said.
Thoman is a partner in the Super 8 and AmericInn Motels in Monroe. He also serves on the City of Monroe Visitor & Promotion Board.
Rivers grew up in Verona and has been in the Monroe area for the past 12 years. He has been president and CEO of RIVCOM Computers on Monroe's Westside for the past eight years. Rivers also said he has more than 20 years of experience in business and customer relations.
Kallembach informed City Clerk Carol Stamm on Tuesday that he had decided not to run for re-election.
"It was a tough decision," Kallembach said. "I decided not to seek re-election in order to pursue other interests."
Kallembach declined to elaborate on what those other interests were.
"I will finish my term and finish it strong, as I did when I started," he said.
Kallembach was appointed as Ward 9 alderman in January 2007 to finish out the term of Mike Capesius, who moved out of town. Kallembach then won a two-year term in 2008.
Kallembach said he wished more people would attend city meetings.
"In city government, you can really make a difference," he said.
Because of Kallembach's late notification not to run again, the deadline for Ward 9 was extended to 5 p.m. Friday for submitting nomination papers for the April 6 election.