MONROE - A lack of willingness to take part in local elections has left some area municipalities grappling for candidates, especially the City of Monroe, which has had trouble finding any challengers for years.
Alderman Reid Stangel served on the Monroe Common Council for the last six years and recently took part in his final council meeting as a member.
"It's more than just sitting on the council," Stangel said. "To really be dedicated to this job, one really has to keep their ear to the community."
Stangel began the first of his three terms when he was approached to replace then-council member Dan Henke, who had served for 10 years unopposed. Stangel considers the time commitment one reason fewer people run to oppose incumbents or to fill an empty position.
Retirement was borne of his belief in "government by the people, just not the same people," Stangel said. Despite unsuccessful attempts to convince young leaders throughout the community to run in his stead, he said Rob Schilt, who won the April 4 election as a write-in candidate, is a good choice.
As the week of the election on April 4 approached following the deadline to file nomination papers in January, there were no registrants for write-ins on the ballot. A last-minute development brought three contenders to the race for the council position that Schilt ultimately won.
In his memory of Monroe city government, Stangel said there have been few candidates challenging incumbents. In April of 2016, then-alderman Louis Armstrong ran for his current position of mayor against Bill Ross. Because he ran unopposed for his council position, Armstrong appointed recently re-elected Ron Marsh to the position.
In Darlington, City Clerk Phil Risseeuw said in the last 23 years, the position of alderman for Wards 5 and 6 has been particularly hard to fill. Felix Pereza held the seat from 2015-2017, but did not seek re-election in 2017. A write-in candidate named Erin Gallagher eventually registered for candidacy and won the seat. When candidates face opposing candidates, Risseeuw noted "it depends on the year" and that incumbent David Gough of Wards 1 and 2 defeated challenger Dale Weigel.
Despite neighboring problems, Brodhead has had a relatively smooth experience dealing with council members and turnover among aldermen. City Clerk Teresa Withee noted that when two seats were available on city council, residents were ready to fill them.
"We had a couple people step up and run," Withee said. "I don't believe they've ever had a problem getting people to run."
Alderman Reid Stangel served on the Monroe Common Council for the last six years and recently took part in his final council meeting as a member.
"It's more than just sitting on the council," Stangel said. "To really be dedicated to this job, one really has to keep their ear to the community."
Stangel began the first of his three terms when he was approached to replace then-council member Dan Henke, who had served for 10 years unopposed. Stangel considers the time commitment one reason fewer people run to oppose incumbents or to fill an empty position.
Retirement was borne of his belief in "government by the people, just not the same people," Stangel said. Despite unsuccessful attempts to convince young leaders throughout the community to run in his stead, he said Rob Schilt, who won the April 4 election as a write-in candidate, is a good choice.
As the week of the election on April 4 approached following the deadline to file nomination papers in January, there were no registrants for write-ins on the ballot. A last-minute development brought three contenders to the race for the council position that Schilt ultimately won.
In his memory of Monroe city government, Stangel said there have been few candidates challenging incumbents. In April of 2016, then-alderman Louis Armstrong ran for his current position of mayor against Bill Ross. Because he ran unopposed for his council position, Armstrong appointed recently re-elected Ron Marsh to the position.
In Darlington, City Clerk Phil Risseeuw said in the last 23 years, the position of alderman for Wards 5 and 6 has been particularly hard to fill. Felix Pereza held the seat from 2015-2017, but did not seek re-election in 2017. A write-in candidate named Erin Gallagher eventually registered for candidacy and won the seat. When candidates face opposing candidates, Risseeuw noted "it depends on the year" and that incumbent David Gough of Wards 1 and 2 defeated challenger Dale Weigel.
Despite neighboring problems, Brodhead has had a relatively smooth experience dealing with council members and turnover among aldermen. City Clerk Teresa Withee noted that when two seats were available on city council, residents were ready to fill them.
"We had a couple people step up and run," Withee said. "I don't believe they've ever had a problem getting people to run."