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*.

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The town of Martell has three people running for three openings on its town board. The two candidates for supervisor are new to the office, while town chair candidate Dale A. Brathol previously held a supervisor position on the board.

Dale Brathol

Position: Martell Town Chairman

Previous elected positions: Martell Supervisor

Occupation: Retired

Community activities: Martell Town Board, St. Croix Valley Shrine Club, ZOR Shriners, Scottish Rite, River Falls and Baldwin Masonic Lodges, EAAS Operating Committee, Martell Planning Commission, River Falls Baseball Council, River Falls School Forest Committee.

Why are you running for the town board? I strongly believe in being engaged in the community. Western Wisconsin is going to see increasing growth and pressure on local government. We need citizen engagement to guide us to the best outcomes for everyone living here.

What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? I've served the last two years on the Martell Town Board as a supervisor. As such, I'm serving on the Ellsworth Area Ambulance Service Operating Committee and the Martell Township Planning Commission. I've also served as the president of the River Falls Masonic lodge, the Baldwin Masonic Lodge (three times) and on the board of directors of the St. Croix Valley Shrine Club. In addition, I served on the River Falls Baseball Council during the planning and construction of the baseball field in River Falls.

What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? Inadequate funding from the state to local governments, potentially increased pressure for development, preserving productive farmland.

What are the strengths of the township? The town residents! We have a great mix of people with a wide range of talents and skills, coupled with life experiences that can be shared/used to guide and advance the township and this region for the best outcomes and quality of life.

Why should people vote for you? I have been in a lot of leadership positions both professionally and in the community, but I consider myself a facilitator. There's great power in collaboration and I want to be part of citizen involvement.

What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? My wife and I have lived in the township for 41 years. We raised our two kids here and they both still live in the township along with their children. I love the rural character of Martell and the rural characters! And of course, the beautiful Rush River!

Beth Kidd

Position: Town Supervisor #1

Previous elected positions: I have never held an elected position.

Occupation: I worked in broadcasting for 35 years. After my retirement in 2015 I began my second career as a Special Education Paraprofessional. I like kids, I love to read and I gained patience as I grew older. This second career seemed like a good way to combine those elements. I did retire in 2023 but I do work as a sub on a fairly regular basis.

Community activities: When my kids were young, I was active in the Girl Scouts. I am a lifelong blood/platelet donor. Recently I reached 517 units or roughly 65 gallons. I am active in my church, and I have been an election clerk for the past few years.

Why are you running for the town board? Two good men have decided to step down. It seemed like a good opportunity to step up and try to do right by my community.

What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? I am willing to learn what I don't know. For the most part I am a patient person who will admit when I am wrong. Playing well with others is important; I try to live by that on a daily basis.

What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? Martell Township is facing growth pressure with conflicting ideas on what the future should look like in our communities. That may be our biggest challenge. I think it's important that the Board listen to all input from those in our community. People want and need to be heard. That doesn't mean we can fix all the issues brought before us. But those issues that we can correct, we should, after respectfully hearing all sides. We need to be careful with tax money entrusted to us. If possible, and cost effective, I think we might get more community input if we were able to stream our meetings.

What are the strengths of the township? We have a physically beautiful area. We have terrific people in our community too.

Why should people vote for you? I will do my best to be a good representative and to take care of the community that I have grown to love. This is where we raised our kids. This is where we are growing old. It's home. I would never intentionally hurt home.

What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? I adore my neighbors, my neighborhood and the beauty of the land around us. We bought our place in 1979. I am a city kid. Moving out here was a bit of a culture shock but as I noted earlier, it's home.

Ky Kaminski

Position: Martell Town Board Supervisor 2

Previous elected positions: None

Occupation: Data & Analytics Technology in the Insurance Industry

Community/civic activities: I served on the River Falls Fire Department for eight years as a firefighter and engineer, where I responded to calls, participated in training, maintained equipment and found other ways to contribute to the organization and community. This experience reinforced my ability to work under pressure, collaborate with a team, and serve my community in meaningful ways - qualities I believe will be valuable as a town board member.

Why are you running for the town board? Since moving to Martell township and leaving the fire department, I’ve had a growing interest in finding a new way to stay civically engaged and make a positive impact on my community. I believe local government plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving the quality of life for residents. As a town board member, I’d have the opportunity to help shape policies that protect our rural character, ensure fiscal responsibility, and support smart infrastructure investments.

What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? In my professional career, I lead a large technology organization in the Data & Analytics discipline, where I manage budgets, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and lead teams toward strategic goals. These skills—financial planning and analysis, clear communication, and effective leadership—are essential in town governance. I believe my experience in analyzing data to make informed decisions will be particularly valuable in ensuring our township’s investments are financially responsible and aligned with long-term community needs.

What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? While I have much to learn about all of the challenges facing our township, I believe one of the most pressing issues is ensuring a sustainable, long-term plan for maintaining and improving our roads and other town assets. Infrastructure investments should be aligned with the township’s comprehensive plan to maximize value for residents and minimize long-term maintenance costs. Additionally, as the community grows, we need to ensure that development is managed responsibly, balancing progress while maintaining our rural character and quality of life. I am committed to working collaboratively with residents and fellow board members to find practical solutions to these challenges.

What are the strengths of the township? The people and its natural resources. In my observation, the residents of Martell are hard-working, engaged and care about their neighbors and community members. We also have an abundance of natural resources throughout the township, including the Rush River, productive farmlands and woodlots.

Why should people vote for you? I’m committed to listening, learning, and working with you to find creative solutions to our challenges. My experience in leadership, financial planning, and problem-solving will help me make informed, responsible decisions that benefit all residents. I will work to ensure that Martell remains a great place to live, balancing responsible growth with preserving the qualities that make our community special.

What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? My family and I moved to Martell township from River Falls about five years ago. Some of my favorite parts about living here are the outdoors and being close to family. As an outdoorsman, I love being able to hunt, fish, forage and explore the natural resources available to us, and it’s great to be close to family in the township as well.