The Pierce County Journal composed and sent out election questionnaires to all candidates running in local races, including Pierce County Board, village boards, school boards, city councils, one …
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The Pierce County Journal composed and sent out election questionnaires to all candidates running in local races, including Pierce County Board, village boards, school boards, city councils, one municipal judge race and three town board races. We tried to craft the questions in order to allow for citizens to get to know candidates and how they feel about local issues, which affect residents in their everyday lives.
The questionnaires were sent by email to candidates almost three weeks ago. For those who did not respond, they were sent two reminder emails. If they did not respond, that is noted below.
Incumbents are marked with an asterisk *. These are the people you will see on your April 7, 2026 ballot.
To find your local polling place, which will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Whats-On-My-Ballot or contact the municipality directly.
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Three trustee seats are open on the Spring Valley Village Board, with five candidates tossing their hats in the ring: Matt Huepfel*, Emily Keeler, Trahvell Larson, Sean McKenzie and Andrea Wallin*.
Huepfel did not respond to the Journal’s emailed questionnaire.
Occupation/profession: Marketing Communications Coordinator, Kinnic Falls Inc.
Prior elected offices (if any): N/A
In what community/civic activities/organizations have you been involved? Spring Valley Stagehands, September 2025-present; Spring Valley Public Library Board of Directors, Secretary, July 2025-present; North Wisconsin Rod & Gun Club, Volunteer Marketing & Grants Specialist, 2024-present; Friends of the Spring Valley Public Library Inc., President, 2022-2025, Member, 2022-present; River Falls Chamber of Commerce (various levels of involvement) 2021-present; Chippewa Valley Technical College Alumni Board of Directors, 2021-2023.
What specific experience or perspective do you bring that makes you well-suited to serve on the Village Board? While I didn’t grow up in Spring Valley, my husband and I have proudly called it home for more than five years. What first drew us to the Valley, and what keeps us invested, is the way this community cares for its own. From Dam Days and Cardinal football games to meat raffles, benefits, and pancake breakfasts for neighbors in need, Spring Valley is a place where people show up and support one another. That’s why we know this is our home. I believe strongly in honoring the history and traditions that define our community, while also recognizing that new perspectives help communities grow and move forward. I would be honored to serve on the Village Board and am committed to using my voice to help support a strong future for Spring Valley.
What issues are most pressing to the village? What solutions to you propose? Like many communities, one of the most pressing issues facing the village is the responsible use of resident funds. Residents want to know their money is being spent wisely while still maintaining the services, infrastructure, and amenities that make Spring Valley a great place to live. I believe the key is thoughtful planning and transparency. That means prioritizing essential infrastructure, while also looking for opportunities to pursue grants or partnerships that help reduce the burden on local taxpayers. At the same time, I believe in growth. We should continue supporting efforts that strengthen our local economy and attract people to live, work, and invest in the Valley. A strong, vibrant community helps sustain our tax base and supports the businesses and organizations that make Spring Valley special. My goal would be to listen to residents, work collaboratively with fellow board members, and make decisions that balance fiscal responsibility with the long-term health and growth of our community.
Elected officials often faces strong public opinions on social media and at meetings. How would you approach decisions when the community is divided on an issue? Through my previous work with the River Falls Chamber of Commerce, I became comfortable in a public-facing role and how to navigate both the opportunities and challenges that come with a wide range of perspectives. An elected role is unique in that it carries the responsibility of representing the community that placed its trust in you. I appreciate that the Village Board and its committees have expanded the use of community surveys to gather resident feedback, and I would support continuing and strengthening those opportunities. While not every resident will agree on every issue, I believe it’s important to listen, gather input, and make thoughtful decisions that reflect the best interests of the community.
While this is a nonpartisan office, there can still be divides in any governing body. How do you work with others who have opposing viewpoints? I believe mutual respect and open communication are the key to working with a variety of viewpoints. We are all working toward the same goal: serving the community we care about. At the end of the day, the priority should always be what's best for the village as a whole, not one person or group. If we keep that shared goal at the center of the conversation, we can continue to move our community forward in the best manner possible.
What is your approach to funding critical infrastructure and service needs while ensuring responsible, sustainable fiscal management? Through my career working with nonprofit organizations, I’m familiar with operating within budgets and making thoughtful decisions about how to prioritize limited resources. My experience has reinforced the importance of planning carefully and ensuring that every dollar is used in a way that provides the greatest benefit to the community. I believe in taking a proactive approach to infrastructure maintenance and improvements, which can often prevent larger and more costly problems in the future. Maintaining critical infrastructure and services requires responsible planning and stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Public roads, utilities, and facilities are long-term investments, so it’s important the village plans ahead rather than reacting only when issues arise.
If you are elected, what is one measurable outcome you would hope to see in the village over the next two years? One measurable outcome I hope to see over the next two years is increased community engagement with village government. Residents can learn a great deal about what’s happening in the community simply by paying attention to the discussions taking place. This can be through attending village board meetings (they're even virtual now), joining a committee, reading meeting minutes, or participating in community surveys. Strong participation helps ensure that decisions reflect the needs and priorities of the community and deter the spread of misinformation. Less than 1% of village residents currently attend monthly village board meetings, including those serving on the board. If elected, I'd like to encourage participation and increase this number by 1% annually. If more residents feel informed and engaged in the process, it would be a sign that we are strengthening the connection between local government and the people it serves.
In one sentence, what makes the village worth investing in? Spring Valley is worth investing in because of its strong sense of community, proud traditions, and the opportunity to continue building a vibrant future for the people who call it home.
How can people contact you? emilykeeler12@gmail.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekeeler3/
Larson did not respond to the Journal’s emailed questionnaire.
Occupation/profession: Election
Prior elected offices: None
In what community/civic activities/organizations have you been involved? None
What specific experience or perspective do you bring that makes you well-suited to serve on the Village Board? I’m a professional worker and just need to have some time.
What issues are most pressing to the village? What solutions to you propose? We need to update the village board to understand what’s going on.
Elected officials often faces strong public opinions on social media and at meetings. How would you approach decisions when the community is divided on an issue? I am very calm and understand the situation that you need.
While this is a nonpartisan office, there can still be divides in any governing body. How do you work with others who have opposing viewpoints? I can work with anybody in the state.
What is your approach to funding critical infrastructure and service needs while ensuring responsible, sustainable fiscal management? We need to balance the budget
If you are elected, what is one measurable outcome you would hope to see in the village over the next two years? We need to be open to the whole public and understand what the village is doing.
In one sentence, what makes the village worth investing in? I love Spring Valley
How can people contact you? My phone number
Occupation/profession: Client-Volunteer Coordinator (Staying Put, Inc.)
Prior elected offices: I currently serve as a Trustee on the Village Board. I was nominated by Brad Jorgenson to fill his vacancy for the remainder of his term.
In what community/civic activities/organizations have you been involved? I am an active member of the Friends of the Spring Valley Library, where I have served as secretary since 2022. In late 2024, I joined the Spring Valley Education Foundation and currently serve as vice president. My volunteer experience also includes providing friendly visits and Meals on Wheels deliveries through Staying Put, Inc. From February 2024 through August 2025, I served as Volunteer Director for the Spring Valley Food Pantry before transitioning into a staff role with Staying Put, Inc. I am especially passionate about supporting the Spring Valley Community Cancer Fund and the Spring Valley Area Ambulance, as both organizations provided meaningful support to my family during a time of need.
What specific experience or perspective do you bring that makes you well-suited to serve on the Village Board? I have served on the Village Board as an appointed trustee since November 2025. Prior to being nominated by Brad Jorgenson to fill a vacant seat, I regularly attended Village Board meetings over the previous two years. This direct involvement provided valuable insight into the current needs and future priorities of the Village of Spring Valley. As a Trustee, I serve on the Finance Committee, Emergency Services Committee, and the Nursing Home Subcommittee. While I am new to the board, I actively contribute to discussions to help guide thoughtful decisions that serve the best interests of both our residents and the village as a whole. Before joining the Village Board, I served on the Planning Commission and participated in several meetings focused on updating the Village of Spring Valley’s comprehensive plan. In collaboration with Cedar Corporation, the committee addressed key areas such as housing, land use, and long-term community development. To ensure the plan reflected community priorities, we distributed a village-wide survey to gather resident input. I strongly believe that engaging community members is essential when planning for the future and making decisions that impact the entire Village.
What issues are most pressing to the village? What solutions to you propose? Municipalities are facing rising costs across nearly every area, and the Village of Spring Valley is no exception. Like many communities, we must balance a limited budget while continuing to provide essential services to our residents. To help minimize the impact on taxpayers, I am committed to identifying ways to control costs while also growing our tax base. This includes encouraging business investment in our community and planning for thoughtful population growth, all while preserving the safe, close-knit character that makes Spring Valley such a strong rural community. Another important priority in the coming year will be leadership transition. Our current village administrator has announced her retirement in January 2027, and it will be critical for the board to work closely with both the outgoing and incoming administrators to ensure a smooth transition.
Elected officials often faces strong public opinions on social media and at meetings. How would you approach decisions when the community is divided on an issue? Transparency and open communication are essential when navigating issues with strong and differing viewpoints. I am committed to listening to all perspectives and taking the time to consider each situation from multiple angles. I believe in asking questions, gathering the necessary information, and making informed decisions that serve the best interests of our residents. At times, that means allowing additional time before making a decision. I am comfortable requesting more information and taking extra time to fully understand an issue before casting a vote. Thoughtful, well-informed decisions are critical when those decisions have a direct impact on our community.
While this is a nonpartisan office, there can still be divides in any governing body. How do you work with others who have opposing viewpoints? To effectively serve the residents of the Village of Spring Valley, it is essential for the Board to work together as a team with shared goals and keep the community’s best interests first. An effective and well-rounded Board is made up of members with different perspectives, each bringing their own strengths and ideas to the table. By working collaboratively, we can make stronger, more thoughtful decisions. This requires listening to understand, approaching discussions with a willingness to learn from one another, and maintaining empathy and respect in our communication, both with fellow Board members and with the residents we serve.
What is your approach to funding critical infrastructure and service needs while ensuring responsible, sustainable fiscal management? The Village of Spring Valley is at a point where we must address key infrastructure needs to better serve our residents and support future growth. While short-term solutions can be helpful, I strongly believe in investing in long-term improvements that will provide lasting value and help reduce costs over time. For example, our current lift stations are nearing capacity, and we have been exploring solutions that meet increasing demands while remaining fiscally responsible. We are fortunate to have outstanding emergency services in our community. I support continued collaboration with these departments to ensure residents have continued access to the high-quality, reliable services they depend on. Additionally, pursuing grant opportunities is a responsible way to help offset costs and reduce the financial burden on our community whenever possible. I also believe in identifying practical ways to manage expenses, such as purchasing pre-owned government equipment when appropriate. Our recent police squad car purchase demonstrated how this approach can provide significant cost savings while still ensuring our departments have the reliable equipment they need to serve the community effectively.
If you are elected, what is one measurable outcome you would hope to see in the village over the next two years? The Village of Spring Valley is a unique community that offers a variety of amenities while maintaining its small-town charm. If elected, I will support thoughtful population and business growth to strengthen our local economy, reduce the tax burden on residents, and encourage new investment. Maintaining a high quality of life also means supporting residents at every stage of life. This includes expanding access to reliable childcare and ensuring a range of housing options exist for residents, including rental opportunities, starter homes, family homes, and senior living. Thoughtful housing planning helps ensure individuals and families can remain in our community as their needs change. I support responsible, well-planned development that meets these needs while preserving the character of our village.
In one sentence, what makes the village worth investing in? Simply speaking, the community members make the Village of Spring Valley worth investing in - our community cares for one another and steps in to help their neighbors without hesitation.
How can people contact you? Email andreawallin1@gmail.com or phone 715-928-1345
