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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While the Spring Lake Town Board candidates are all running unopposed, Fred Larson, who is running for chair, would be new to the board. Supervisors Mie Jacobson* and Tim Anderson* are running unopposed.

Fred Larson

Position: Spring Lake Town Chair

Previous elected positions: None

Occupation: Farmer

Community/civic activities: Church trustee, church deacon, 4-H project leader, Town Land Use Committee

Why are you running for the town board? To help protect and preserve Spring Lake Township's financial, material and natural resources as well as its rural character.

What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? Honesty, integrity, transparency and independence.

What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? Protecting our investments in our roads and not overburdening residents with regulations and taxation. Open, honest discussions can lead to pragmatic solutions.

What are the strengths of the township? Our people.

Why should people vote for you? My entire life has been spent here. I understand the character of Spring Lake and its residents and want to protect and maintain the way of life that is unique to our township.

What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? I'm the fourth generation to farm our land (next year will be our 150th anniversary), alongside my father and son. Cady Creek and the Eau Galle were my playgrounds as a kid, fishing with my grandfather, camping with childhood friends and enjoying the beautiful valleys and woods that dominate Spring Lake. I get to spend every day surrounded by that little changed landscape with all the memories it invokes and look forward to teaching my own grandchildren how to fish, someday.

Michael 'Mike' Jacobson*

Position: Supervisor #1-Town of Spring Lake

Previous elected positions: Supervisor Town of Spring Lake since 2003, Vice President St. John's Lutheran Church

Occupation: General Manager Food Industry/Crop Farmer

Community/civic activities: Spring Valley Lion's Club, Cady Creek Crickets 4H, Red Birds Youth Football

Why are you running for the town board? It is a privilege and honor to serve the community for the past 22 years and we still have un-finished business to complete. We continue to make progress taking back our ROW's (Right-of-Way's) and keeping our roads safe year-round. We also want to take steps to protect our town roads, our water supply and our environment/rural character.

What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? I currently run a $50 million business in Red Wing making sauces, employing 80 team members. I enjoy spreadsheets and budgets and bring over 37 years of management experience to the table having previously worked at Land O' Lakes and AFP advanced food products.

What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? Our biggest challenge is trying to maintain our 42 miles of hard surfaced roads with a limited and declining budget and also supporting our local ambulance and fire departments. My experience in creative financing and securing grants will help us with our allocated revenue. As the current President of the Spring Valley Area Emergency Service, we are blessed to support our current Ambulance Director and Fire Chief in maintaining the exceptional services both departments provide.

What are the strengths of the township? Our town is fortunate to be part of the drift-less area, with beautiful topography. Our proximity to I-94 and its connection to the Twin Cities metro area and the Eau Claire-Menomonie area provides ample job opportunities. We also have the Eau Galle River and Cady Creek running through our Town supporting an abundance of wildlife to nature lovers, hunters and fishing.

Why should people vote for you? For continuity of a good thing we have established. In my 22 years on the board I have been fortunate to work with three wonderful Chairs (Richard Johnson, Gary Peterson, Jack Leo) who I learned a lot from and for the past 19 years with a Donna Borgschatz as our Town Clerk. Both Richard and Donna are retiring, so having Tim Anderson (Supervisor #2) and myself supporting our new Clerk/Treasurer (Amber Weber) and potential incoming Chairman (Fred Larson) will help in this transition.

What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? Having traveled the world while working to support my family, this is home. This is where my wife Heidi of 39 years raised our three children with a grandson Brooks recently born making us grandparents. Our roots date back to 1862, when my ancestors came over from Norway and made this area home. We have lived in the Town for 38-years and crop farm corn and soybeans on the family farm with my son, who is the sixth generation.

Tim Anderson*

Position: Supervisor II

Did not respond