There are two candidates for the Ward 2 seat on the Weyauwega Common Council in the April 1 election.
They are Shani Appleby and Jack Spierings. They were the two candidates who received the most votes in the Feb. 18 primary to move on to the spring election.
Ald. Donna Allenstein is not seeking re-election for the Ward 2 seat. Incumbent Bruce Brunner is running unopposed this spring for the city’s Ward 1 seat, and incumbent Scott Rasmussen is running unopposed in Ward 3.
Appleby is a first-time candidate, and Spierings is a former alderman.
Appleby was born and raised in Weyauwega. A 1995 graduate of Weyauwega-Fremont High School, she has lived in the community for more than 20 years.
Appleby and her husband, Mike, have two children.
She works part time for the city, cleaning City Hall. For more than 10 years, she worked in the nursing field as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Spierings is a native of Little Chute. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and is a Vietnam-era veteran who served two years in the U.S. Army.
A resident of Weyauwega since 1978, Spierings was the manager of the former Ace Manufacturing for 17 years and then drove truck for Larsen Co-op. He is retired and continues to drive part time for the co-op.
He previously served on the Common Council for 5 1/2 years.
Qualifications
Appleby said she is running for Common Council “to get more younger people involved, I think sometimes, we take a back seat to what is going on and want to say so much.”
She sees herself as being someone who could be the voice for others who may not want to step up, to be a person with a family who gets involved.
Appleby said, “I may not have the experience as the gentleman that I’m running against, and that is ok to me. I feel that I qualify for a seat on the council for many reasons. I’m younger and have a family. I want to help make the city grow in a positive way. I have the energy and time to put into being on the seat. Lastly, I can make decisions and disagree with the best of them. I think having more younger people on council will help give a bigger outlook on the city’s future.”
Spierings said, “I previously served three terms on the council, only resigning from my position due to moving into a different Ward. During the time I served, I was involved in a number of projects for the future, that I believe to be of great benefit to the city.
“I am interested in continuing that involvement to see those projects realized. Many of these projects will provide employment opportunities as well as increase the tax revenue for the city. I believe my experience of prior service in this position allows me to be the most qualified candidate to represent Weyauwega’s Ward 2.”
Approach
The two candidates were asked how they would approach the council position and seek input and feedback from their constituents as they made decisions or brought forward ideas.
“I believe that as a representative of Ward 2, it is important to be available to the constituents to gather their input, feedback, as well as their concerns. I am actively involved in the community and will make every effort to seek out the input of those I serve. It is my intention to represent the interests of the residents of Ward 2,” Spierings said.
Appleby said, “I would approach my position on the council as ready to go. We have a great Common Council already who has put in a lot of hours on making decisions for our community. Therefore, I need to be ready to listen and help keep things moving in the right direction.”
In regard to seeking input and feedback, Appleby said she is ready to listen to the constituents and for them to also listen to her.
She would seek guidance from them when needing assistance in research or advice.
“The council members are very knowledgeable and I feel they will listen to me if I need someone to talk to and help direct me in the right direction for any research I may have to do,” Appleby said. “I feel that it is important to be open minded and to be able to sit down and talk with any of them.”
Vision
Spierings’ vision for Weyauwega today and into the future is “continued growth of the present industry within Weyauwega, as well as pursuing those organizations that have shown interest recently in relocating to our current industrial parks. Industrial growth would have a positive impact on all aspects of our city.”
Appleby said, “My vision for Weyauwega today, tomorrow and for the future is to help make this city grow and to be the best city I know it can be. This is a wonderful city my kids and husband love as well, and I would love to be able to help it grow into more.
“I would love to see more businesses move in and for us to help make the city more appealing to others, as well as getting it more family friendly. I think with all of this, it will be great today, tomorrow and in the future. I think we are heading in the right direction for all of this, and I want to be a part of that.”
Appleby said, “I have grown up and gone to school here, and now my kids are doing the same. I take pride in everything I do and want to be able to help make this city into even a better place to live. I hope you can give me that chance and get out and vote April 1.”
“My father instilled in me that it is vital for each individual to play a role in the community in which he lives. After retiring from the fire department with 28 years of service, I believe there is more that I can contribute to this community, and serving on the council is a positive way in which to do so,” Spierings said.