A View of the Valley

by Linda Schwanke It was nice to read that Governor Tony Evers agrees with something I’ve been saying for years. Last week, he issued a proclamation recognizing November 1, 2021, as Election Hero Day to celebrate the work our election officials – including town and village clerks – do to “uphold the integrity of our electoral system and ensure safe, secure, and accessible voting experiences for all.” The proclamation is filled with whereas’s and stuff including noting that the pandemic has made officiating elections more difficult than ever before (!), as well as recent events that have called the integrity of elections into question. The entire proclamation can be found on the governor’s website (evers.wi.gov under the newsroom – proclamations tab) but I wanted to note this part in particular: “Whereas; our election heroes never fail to display courage, flexibility, resilience, and dedication to facilitating safe, secure, and successful elections, even in the face of a global pandemic that presents additional risk and concern for health and safety; …” Our local election officials put in very long hours for not great pay. I know they don’t do it for the recognition – they do it to ensure that our system of government works. Come hell or high water, they are there for us. I reached out to the town and village clerks in the Valley for the names of the men and women who work the polls. Please join me in thanking: Poll workers for the Village of Arena: Karen Wilkinson, Kristen Shea, Debbie Stafford and DaNean Naeger, clerk. Poll workers for the Village of Lone Rock: Esther Marshall, Lisa Evans, Tammi Reno, Mary Gorman and Tammy Christianson, clerk. Poll workers for the Village of Plain: Mary Kraemer, Audrey Gerber, Cheryl Larson, Lisa Price, Marcia Ring, Kelly Yanke, Marilyn Dischler, Rita Brey, Lucille Herbrand, Rebecca Ellis, Nicole Feiner, Judy Ferstl and Sheila Carver, clerk. Poll workers for the Village of Spring Green: Paula Barta, Julie Bartlett, Barb Baxter, Audrey Blau, Marliss Buehlman, Clem Gillitzer, Marsha Grant, Judy Hottmann, Jeni Kast, Sue Maxwell, Ed Lilla, Maureen O’Neill, Rose Ellen Schneider, Deb Tafs, Linda Thering and Wendy Crary, clerk. Poll workers for the Town of Arena: Julie Jensen, Evy Halverson and Marian Wright. Poll workers for the big elections are John Wright, Cheryl Schmidt, Mariah Schmidt, Jenny Bailey, Eric Bolden, Janet Brandt and Michael Brandt. The town clerk is Joni Johnson-Kropp. Poll workers for the Town of Bear Creek: Cathie Faber, Judy Brassington, Cynthia Brickl, Emily Benz, Sandy Meise, Kelsie Faber, Barbara Johnson, Jane Furchgott, Rose Gilligan, Michael Wernsing and Sheila Carver, clerk. Poll workers for the Town of Buena Vista: Sandi Bindl, Karen Gald, Barbara Brockway, Lorraine Servias, Marie Nelson and clerk Van Nelson. Poll workers for the Town of Honey Creek: Dolly Schroeder, Linda Boettcher, Patsy Boettcher and clerk Crystal Fahrenkampf, clerk. Poll workers for the Town of Troy: Holly Breitkreutz, Susan Clearfield, James Haessly, Bobbi Hainstock, LaNell Jaquish, Katherine Lohr, Jean Reisinger, Meredith Selden, Diane Slark, Sharon Sprecher, Nola Weis, and Mary Zins, clerk  Poll workers for the Town of Spring Green - election workers that worked the February, 2020, election: Dave Williams (Chief Inspector through February, 2020), (Sue Meise was deputy Chief Inspector, and then took the role of Chief Inspector as of April, 2020), Carol Jefferson, Bonnie Richardson, Mary Gust, Ron Bauer, Pat Leifker, Ralph Patterman, Stephen Leerskov; Bill Carver (P), Caitlyn de Araujo (P), Cari Stebbins (P), Dave Terpstra (P), Denise Lins (P), Howard Marklein (P), Joan Kilian-Ikeler, (P), Jon Novak (P), Judith Ettenhofer (P), Kelsey Peterson (P), Kristin Stellberg-DeVillo (P), Lisa Andrewski (P), Maria Murguia-DeMoore (P), Mary Hahn (P), Peggy Marklein (P), Stefanie Morrill (P), Sue Meise (P), Brittney Williams (V), Carla Carmody (V),  Dave Radel (V), Deb Portwine (V), Debra Miller (V), Derek Miller (V), Doug Dion (V), Eric Olson (V), Fred Iausly (V), Gigi LaBudde (V), Jacqueline Singleton (V), Karen Shelton (V), Kim Russell (V), Lynne Herrli (V), Natalie Iausly (V), Rob Russell (V), Scott Savage (V), Sharon Stark (V), and  Vicki Terpstra, clerk. (P-poll worker, V-volunteer). Poll workers for the Town of Wyoming: Mary Paynard Shultz, Lara Stroud, Laurie Derse, Kim Prestangen, Katy Wyer, Herb Paaran, Kim Cates, Sara Stellic and Mary Lloyd-Jones, clerk. I hadn’t heard back from all the clerks as of press time. It’s not surprising. Most clerks have full time jobs outside of their work in their municipality so if you don’t see someone noted here but know they worked your polls for the elections, thank them, too. Don’t forget to thank veteran’s for their service, too, while you’re in a grateful mood. Veteran’s Day is tomorrow, November 11. While we won’t have the recognition ceremonies we’re used to, you can still remember them in words and thoughts.  Stay in touch. My phone number is (608) 574-3159 – call or text me anytime. You can also email me at homenewseditor@newspubinc.com or write to me at the Home News, P.O. Box 39, Spring Green WI 53588.  Visit our website at homenewsrv.com Get in touch with Gwen for sports or features at homenewssports@newspubinc.com. If you need a display ad, Dave Pronold can be reached at homenewssales@newspubinc.com or by calling him on his cell at 588-4777. Display ads, or ads that are in boxes, are due by 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. The classified ad deadline is noon Thursdays the week prior to publication for both the Buyer’s Guide and Home News. Classified rates are $13 for the first 10 words, then 30¢ per word for each additional word. Call (608) 767-3655 or email classifieds@newspubinc.com  Legal notices are due by 2 p.m. on Fridays, email them to legals@newspubinc.com Call the NewsPub central office at (608) 767-3655 for subscriptions and all other information Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, although afternoon hours can vary. Closed Fridays.