Pierce County voters will once again head to the polls April 1, 2025 to cast their ballots for important local village board, city council, town board and school board elections. One school district, Spring Valley, will ask voters to consider two referendum questions related to facilities and maintenance expenses.
Local races have a crucial role in shaping the lives of citizens. They determine the leadership and policies that govern schools and communities. Those elected make decisions on education, public safety, infrastructure, services, and what to do with taxpayers’ money. Serving in a public office role is often a thankless task that involves hours of discussions, research, presentations and meetings.
The Pierce County Journal sent questionnaires to candidates in local races. The hope is their answers will allow voters to get to know them a bit, what they stand for and how they would approach these roles if elected. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk*.
---
Two men are vying for the position of town chair in Trenton: Incumbent Randy Trok and Bryan Reuvers, who has served as a town supervisor. Reuvers is also on the ballot as an incumbent Supervisor 1 against challenger Greg Sprick. Supervisor II Dennis Rieck*, Clerk Steve Thoms* and Treasurer Jaimie Marie Holt* are running unopposed.
Bryan Reuvers*
Position: I am running for two positions in Trenton Township: Chairperson and my current position as Supervisor 1. If elected to Chairperson, I would accept that role. Under Wis. Stat. § 8.03(2m), a candidate can appear on the ballot and voted for more than one local nonpartisan office in the same election. However, if a candidate wins more than one office, they can only accept one. This would result in a vacancy for any office they decline. In such a case, the new board members and clerk would be responsible for voting to fill the vacancy after the new terms begin, following the process outlined in Wis. Stat. § 17.25.
Previous elected positions: Trenton Township Supervisor 1
Occupation: Owner/operator of Reuvers Nursery
Community/civic activities: I have served as a member of the Trenton Township Planning Commission and am currently serving as an alternate. Additionally, I have been serving as Trenton Township Supervisor 1 for the past three years.
Why are you running for the town board? I’m running for the town board because our township has great potential. I’m committed to improving the town’s infrastructure, such as its roads, equipment, and buildings, as they’re essential for the safety and well-being of our community. At the same time finding smart, cost-effective solutions. Additionally, I see a need for stronger communication with our residents, ensuring that everyone stays informed.
What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? My wife and I have owned and operated Reuvers Nursery in the township for the last 20 years, giving me a deep understanding of what it takes to run a successful business. Prior to that, I worked as a Certified Quality Engineer with Smead Manufacturing, where I gained experience in improving product quality, proactive maintenance, maintaining equipment, managing facilities, process improvement and working with people. Growing up on a dairy farm also taught me the importance of hard work, responsibility, and managing resources efficiently.
What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? The biggest challenge facing our township right now is managing funding, especially with the rising costs due to inflation. This has made it increasingly difficult to maintain and improve our infrastructure, while also keeping taxes reasonable for our residents. Last fall, the town board unanimously made a resolution to increase the tax levy for the first time in over 20 years. However, I believe we must be proactive in finding ways to control costs and ensure the long-term financial health of the township. A proposal has been made to generate income by leasing out Trenton Township FEMA land, like Trenton Island, for camping. While this may seem like a good idea, it has several drawbacks. It could negatively affect nearby residents’ property values, zoning changes and stress on local roads. It would also require additional infrastructure investment for campsites, despite taxpayers already funding the FEMA buyout. The township would also compete with private businesses running similar campgrounds, creating an unfair advantage. The project would come with extra costs for emergency services, management, legal matters, insurance, and maintenance. All this would erode the additional income away. Additionally, developing land in a flood zone could harm the environment.
What are the strengths of the township? We have a mix of agricultural land, high-density residential areas, industrial and commercial zones, and beautiful natural areas along the river. This provides a foundation for growth and sustainability, supporting both our rural and urban residents.
Why should people vote for you? I am committed to protecting what matters most to our community: our homes and property, our environment, and our township’s comprehensive plan so we can grow in a way that benefits everyone.
What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? My favorite part of living in this township is definitely the people. Over the past 30 years, I've seen how supportive this community is.
Position: Chairman of Trenton Township
Previous elected offices: Four years on Trenton Planning Commission, four years as supervisor on Trenton Town Board and two years as your past town chairman
Occupation: Retired from Ford Motor Company and 20 years driving over the road and all I do is work for Trenton Township
Community/civic activities: I spent 15 years in the Army Reserve in Ellsworth and retired in 1985 as staff sergeant of the motor pool
Why are you running for the town board? I am running again to keep going with the five-year road plan that we have. Hopefully, we see our new town hall completed and also help keep our machinery in good shape and keep the people of Trenton Township happy.
What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? I have skills running heavy equipment, excavator, loader, crane and after retiring from Ford motor, I drove semi over the road for 15 years.
What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? Of course, our biggest challenge is our road which we work on constantly, even though we went over the town levy by 50% this year, the first time ever for Trenton Township; hopefully they get a little more money for our roads. It’ll help a little bit, but we will still be lacking, and we always will try our best to keep the roads in the best shape that we possibly can. I did apply and receive for state funds to completely redo the road from Highway 63 to County Road K. I am also applying to do programs again this year through state programs.
What are the strengths of the township? My strengths through the township are that I have my CDL driver’s license to drive heavy truck. I haul black top, crushed rock breaker rock, sand as needed for the township. I also run for parts to fix our equipment and chase and return dogs. Other strengths this township has is the revenue that we could produce if three more of the town board people would vote yes to lease out the lots that belong to Trenton Township on flood plain property. We do a few now, but we have 30 more to do, but they won’t do it.
Why should people vote for you? If you read my resume that I just wrote, you get a pretty good idea of what I can do and see the experience that I have to help run this township.
What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? My wife and I love living in Trenton Township. We’ve raised three kids. Here we have five grandkids, two cats and a dog and we have been married for 55 years. Thank you all for reading my resume. I appreciate your support and I thank you very much.
Position: Supervisor 1
Previous election positions: Gilford Township (Minn.) Treasurer, church council chair, president real estate board, Cattlemen’s Association board, church, treasurer, Habitat for Humanity board, United Way board.
Occupation: Owner/operator storage facility in Hager City
Community/civic activities: Sportsman’s club, Habitat for Humanity, Lions Club, United Way, Cattlemen’s Association.
Why are you running for the town board? Compassion and concern for the community in which I reside. Assist in providing unity through input that is relevant. Using the experience that I have gained from my current position as chair of the planning commission, which has involved interacting with the town board and the county planning and zoning office.
What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? Others have noted my skills of listening, discernment, negotiation, and fairness, while understanding the goals of all parties involved.
What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? Developing a plan of receiving money from revenue resources that will assist in maintenance/correction of the following …the current meeting place of the citizens needs to be addressed. There are no bathrooms, the roof leaks, etc. Also implementing a plan, for the construction of a building, that would be for the township workshop and storage of its equipment. It would also be important to continue with the current road upkeep plan and revising it as needed. This is why it is crucial to develop a plan of receiving money from revenue resources that will assist in all of this.
What are the strengths of the township? The manner of engagement between the citizens, industry and agriculture, has been productive. And all have demonstrated the willingness of future improvements.
Why should people vote for you? I am very eager to implement advantageous programs that would benefit the township citizens.
What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? I have found that the township people are concerned citizens and enjoy living in the township, as I do. My wife and I have lived in Hager City since 2013, and prior to that in Red Wing. I was born and raised outside of Lake City, Minn., on a cattle farm. I like the way the residential, farming, and industry is physically placed in Trenton Township. The terrain/landscaping is beautiful here.
Position: Supervisor II
Previous elected positions: Supervisor II, Svea Church Board
Occupation: Farmer, carpenter
Community/civic activities: Svea Lutheran Church, been on the town board for a few years, operating committee for Ellsworth Ambulance and I represent the town board on the Ellsworth Fire Department.
Why are you running for the town board? To try to keep things in check, to try to help the community here. I know what’s going on around the community in Trenton. Try to do the best for the people in Trenton.
What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? I’ve got a lot of common sense and experience over the years. I don’t vote in haste. I consider things for a while. I have to know more of7 the facts.
What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? It doesn’t seem like we get the funds from the state we need anymore. They keep cutting that and raising taxes. The biggest challenge is that everything keeps going up. Blacktopping, machinery repair, new vehicles.
What are the strengths of the township? The township is growing.
Why should people vote for you? I am very eager to implement advantageous programs that would benefit the township citizens.
What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? I’ve lived in the town all my life and will be 69 in May. Born and raised on the same farm. I just like it all. It’s close to Red Wing, the Cities, Eau Claire. It’s just a nice place to live and beautiful country.
