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. 

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*.

----

Incumbent Brad Ristow is facing challenger Tim Lorenz for the Supervisor I position on the Ellsworth Town Board. They were sent questionnaires to fill out.

Incumbents Roger Billeter (chair), Bordon Borner (Supervisor II), and Lisa M. Hines (treasurer) are running unopposed. The clerk position, which is now appointed, has been held by Phyllis Beastrom, who is retiring. Russ Korpela will be taking over the clerk role.

Tim Lorenz

Did not respond

Brad Ristow*

Position: Ellsworth Town Board Supervisor 1

Previous elected positions: Ellsworth Town Board Supervisor 1

Occupation: VP Electric Operations Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services

Community/civic activities: St. Paul's UCC church council, St Paul's Building Maintenance Committee, Ellsworth Masonic Lodge, Ellsworth Ambulance Operating Committee member and chair representing the Ellsworth Town Board, past Ellsworth Basketball Association, past Ellsworth Baseball Association, Past Village of Ellsworth Planning Commission member.

Why are you running for the town board? I have been on the board for four years now. I am a forward-thinking person. Going forward the township needs to be in position to make good decisions. In order to make these decisions it is important to have the right tools. Roads are our biggest asset; we need to plan ahead for the future maintenance which includes replacements. In the last few years cost of rebuilding a road has gone up 75% or more along with maintenance costs and labor for town employees. This all needs to be managed by the board. We also need to maintain a safe work environment for township employees.

What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? I worked as an electrical lineman 23 years with 20 of those years at Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services. This gives me the insight to what is going on in the field and also helps me understand what needs to be done. The last 12 years I have been overseeing all construction, maintenance and budgeting on the electric side at Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services at the Vice President of Electric Operations. I am tasked by the Cooperative Board to maintain a 10-year work plan, the yearly maintenance of substations, sectionalizing equipment, overhead and underground distribution systems. I work with utility easements as well as with the State Department of Transportation, four county highway departments and all townships and villages within our service territory for electric and broadband when a construction project interferes with the electric or fiber system and feel that I have good working relationships with all partied involved. I was on the original team that brought broadband to all underserved residents in Pierce and Pepin counties and currently work to maintain the fiber system.

What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? One of the biggest challenges of the township is having a balanced budget. This year we proposed at the annual meeting an increase in taxes above and beyond what is allowed per state statute. With this increase we still needed to prioritize some road maintenance items from the budget while having to defer some items that need to be completed to a later date. The township is responsible for approximately 54 miles of road which has a life span of 50 to 70 years. We need to be responsible on how we maintain these roads and replace when needed. The Village of Ellsworth enacted ETZ (Extra Territorial Zoning) years ago. The village oversees all zoning within 1.5 miles of the village which includes areas of our township. This program will not go away but some moves the village has made in the last decade have taken too much control away from the township. I am the best candidate to work with the village in making it a good program for both parties.

What are the strengths of the township? A good balance between residential and farming communities. We can bring in more housing and still maintain the farming community. We invest in our equipment so that we can maintain the roads and invest in the Ellsworth Fire Department to protect our properties and the Ellsworth Ambulance Service to protect our residents in their time of need.

Why should people vote for you? I am forward thinking and understand the tasks before the township. I am the best candidate for working with the Village on the ETZ issues. I am the current chair of the Ellsworth Area Ambulance Operating Committee, and we have prioritized working closely with the director to update equipment, maintain the staffing and ensure proper training. The town board position is more than just showing up once a month for a meeting. have been engaged throughout the month to ensure I am in tune of what is happening in the township.

What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? We moved to the community 33 years ago and lived within the village for 26 years. We have been in the township for seven years now. When we were able to, we took the opportunity to move out of the village. We enjoyed our house in town but with my background of growing up on a hobby farm I have welcomed owning acreage where we have planted trees, wildflowers, mow a large area and tend to our bee hives. I have neighbors to the sides who have cattle and horses and farm fields to the south. I would say we live in somewhat of a planned development where farm and residents are together.