By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Per state law, candidates for Common Council and School Board would normally be required to file their nomination papers by Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 5 p.m. This time there is a filing extension until Friday, January 5 at 5 p.m. for one or two of the Common Council seats.
The following three seats on the Common Council will be up for election on April 2, 2024.
Aldermanic District 2 (Wards 9 & 10) – Currently held by Lukas Schreiber, a UW-W ’23 graduate who has filed a certificate of noncandidacy.
Orin Smith, 901 W. Starin Rd., #502A, has filed nomination papers for District 2.
Aldermanic District 4 (Wards 6, 7 & 8) – Currently held by Jill Gerber, who had not filed a certificate of noncandidacy by the December 21 deadline. The Banner has not received a reply from its inquiry on that date as to whether Gerber intended to run for re-election. The Gazette indicated on December 31 that Gerber had told them that she “did not have an answer” as to whether she was running again. It is possible that there will be a 72-hour extension for filing for this position. The Banner will seek to clarify this matter on Tuesday morning.
Brian Schanen, 441 S. Buckingham Blvd., has submitted nomination papers for District 4.
Council Member at Large – Was held by the late James D. Allen, who passed away unexpectedly on December 23. See this article.
Greg Majkrzak, 1294 Tower Hill Pass, has submitted nomination papers for the at large seat. Majkrzak previously served on the council in a district position.
The Jefferson County Daily Union indicates that Keith Staebler is also running for the at large seat. The Daily Union also states that due to the passing of James Allen the deadline for candidacy filing will be extended to Friday, January 5 at 5 p.m.
Persons who may be interested in running for a Common Council seat may find information about the process here. Nomination papers must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2 unless the deadline is extended. Signatures must be obtained from at least 25 people for a district seat or 50 persons for the at large seat. If there are more than two candidates for any seat, a primary will be held on February 20.
The following two seats on the Whitewater Unified School District School Board will be up for election on April 2, 2024. The Whitewater Banner did not receive a response regarding candidate status from the District office on December 20, the last day the office was open before winter break. If there are more than four candidates, a primary will be held on February 20. The seats are currently held by the following:
Larry Kachel, who indicated to The Whitewater Banner that he will be running for re-election.
Maryann Zimmerman, who indicated to The Whitewater Banner that she will be running for re-election.
Persons who may be interested in running for a School Board seat may find information about the process here. Nomination signatures are not required, and the paperwork may be completed in a matter of minutes. Candidacy papers must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2. The district office is closed for winter break until January 2 at 7:30 a.m.
