Beissel assumes duties as new Village President

ELLSWORTH -Ellsworth Village President Becky Beissel took her oath of office at the Ellsworth Village Board Organizational Meeting last Tuesday night, marking the first time there’s been a new leader of village government for three decades.

Beissel won election to the seat, and she joined Village Board Trustees Dale Hines and Andrew Borner and incumbent Lance Austin in reciting the oath of office under the direction of Village Administrator/ Clerk/Treasurer Nicole Stewart.

There will be another new face on the board as well, as Beissel’s first order of business was appointing Mindy Anderson to the trustee seat Beissel vacated when she won the top job.

In comments at the start of her term, Beissel said she wants the board “to move forward with proactiveness, enthusiasm and fresh ideas.”

“I’m proud to be serving as the new Ellsworth village president. Thank you to the community for entrusting me with this role. It was a great honor, and I’m humbled.

“I was elected on a platform of change, progress and hope … We come with varied backgrounds, great talents and ideas. Do not be limited to the way things have always been done,” she urged fellow board members. “We have a community that has entrusted the success, health and vibrancy of Ellsworth to us, but we need to be smart with strategic, well-thought-out action plans, and yes, sometimes a calculated risk or two.”

Beissel credited the previous board members for leaving the village in good shape.

“The previous board did an excellent job creating a firm financial footing, and we need to be wise with our future decisions. But let’s also remember we are here to serve,” she said. “I see and appreciate everything you each bring to the table. We have a well-balanced board and a strong board, and I believe we will do great things together.”

Beissel handed out her appointments of committees, and the board voted on annual business, such as: The official paper is The Journal.

The official depository is CCF Bank.

Robert Loberg is the village attorney.

President Pro-tem is Scott Feuerhelm.

Pierce County Public Health serves as Health Officer.

Police Chief Eric Ladwig is Humane Officer.

Cemetery Sexton duties are handled by village staff.

Mike Huppert of the Public Works Department is weed commissioner.

The appointments were approved unanimously.

Village committee chairs are:

•Finance, Purchasing and Buildings – Feuerhelm

•Health, License and Welfare – Austin

•Salary and Labor – Hines

•Street and Sidewalk – Hines

•Water and Sewer – Mike Steele

•Parks, Recreation and Development – Borner

•Public Safety – Committee is made up of Austin from the Ellsworth Fire Department and Hines from the Ellsworth Ambulance Service with Feuerhelm as alternate.

•Solid Waste and Cable TV – Austin.

•Community Development Authority – Feuerhelm.

•CEBG Housing Program – Steele

•Cemetery – Austin

•Plan Commission – Wayne Lundgaard

•Board of Appeals – Gerald Christianson

•Police Committee – Greg Place

•TID Joint Review Board – John Marko is the citizen representative and Steele is the village board representative.

•ETZ Committee – Hines

New trustee

Beissel said Loberg informed her that there were two routes to fill the seat she vacated: Either she could appoint someone or applications for the position could be taken and then the board would interview candidates and pick someone.

“I felt it would be a little more streamlined to try to find someone to fill that seat to kind of get things off and running faster and more smoothly,” Beissel said. “We have a lot of strengths in analytical and mechanical and those kinds of strengths, so I wanted really to find someone to balance out the board. I really think that balanced boards are the strongest boards.”

She said that Anderson fits the bill, and she agreed to take the position.

“I’ve worked with her on a couple of community projects, school referendums and also the walking trails group. She’s creative. She has fresh ideas. She loves to learn, and dig in and be enthusiastic about things,” said Beissel.

Her nomination was approved unanimously.

Senior flags

The board approved the placing of banners honoring the Ellsworth High School Class of 2021 along Main Street.

“The Senior Lock-In Committee reached out to me. They aren’t able to do a lock-in again this year because of COVID, so they thought it would be a nice thing for the community to see the seniors recognized on banners on the light poles,” said Beissel.

City workers would put the banners up in mid-May and take them down at the end of the month.

The board voted unanimously to allow the banners.

Photo by John McLoone

Photo by John McLoone

New Ellsworth Village Board President Becky Beissel was sworn into office last Tuesday by Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer Nicole Stewart.