Uncontested races have become the norm in South Milwaukee in recent years — and that won’t change this April.
All candidates running for city office will run unopposed, as the 5 p.m. Tuesday deadline for prospective candidates to declare their intentions to run and submit the necessary signatures came and went with no challengers stepping up.
So here is who you will see on the April 3 ballot:
- Mayor: Tom Zepecki
- City Clerk: Jim Shelenske
- City Treasurer: Karen Skowronski
- City Attorney: Joseph Murphy
- Municipal Judge: William Fenger
- 1st District Alderman: Fran Van Dusen III
You’ll recall that Frank, appointed to his seat this summer to replace Mike Karbowski, must run for the seat and the chance to serve a one-year term. He will be up for re-election again with the rest of the aldermen in April of 2013.
The South Milwaukee School Board will see some competition in April, as incumbents David Maass and Kathleen Molus and challenger Sophia Williams vie for two seats. I will post more information on this race in coming days and weeks.
At the county level, Supervisor Pat Jursik, who represents South Milwaukee, is also running unopposed (as is County Executive Chris Abele).
Frankly, I’m surprised at the lack of competition at the city level, especially in the political climate were in — and given the rancor surrounding the Walmart debate last fall. There was so much anger over that issue — along with threats of ballot challenges and recalls — that I was certain that that votes taken by the council (and mayoral support) would lead to at least one candidate for mayor (and perhaps a couple of the other seats).
I was wrong.
In a way, that’s disappointing. I think competition is a good thing. It makes everyone better.
Of course, I’d like to know what you think. Post your comments below!
South Milwaukee Blog 
The Aldermanic elections next year will have candidates…
As I said, I welcome competition. And I stand by my record.
You are correct Erik….As you said regarding the increase in taxes over the last THREE (3) YEARS: ……
Erik Brooks says:
December 16, 2011 at 9:41 am
Of course, individual tax bills vary, but tax levy increases were 2.49% in 2010, 1.86% in 2011 and now 2.55% in 2012. I think those are all responsible increases that reflect the fact that our budget is cut to the bone already. We’re at the point where cuts in budgets equal cuts in services, and I feel a responsibility to maintain those services if at all possible. My constituents demand it. If that means small tax increases, so be it. I stand by the budgets we have passed. “Zero percent” is a great bumper sticker, but it does not deal with the reality that costs (and unfunded mandates) continue to increase significantly while our revenues (especially from the state) decrease.
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