Welcome to the Eau Claire Chamber Blog

​Chamber 2019-20 Board Chair Terry McHugh speaks at April 15 Joint Finance Committee hearing in River Falls
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A significant number of local business and community leaders traveled to River Falls to testify on behalf of the project. UWEC Chancellor James Schmidt was joined by Dr. Rick Helmers, the Northwest Wisconsin Region head for Mayo Clinic Health System, talking about the research partnership with Mayo that is part of the initiative. Three members of the Board of Regents with local ties, Chair John Behling, Regent Jason Plante, and Student Regent Ryan Ring presented information about the full UW System request, with emphasis on the value and importance of the UWEC project. Also making presentations were Terry McHugh, the Eau Claire Chamber's 2019-20 Board Chair, who is Vice President and General Manager of WEAU 13 News; Scott Rogers, the Chamber's Governmental Affairs and Workforce Director; Daneille Strong, Attorney with Weld Riley, and Jennifer McHugh, Director of Public Affairs & Financial Education for Royal Credit Union, who is also the 2019-20 Chair of the Chamber's Governmental Affairs Committee. Also present were Matt Frisbie, Vice President of Architecture for Ayres Associates; Eau Claire City Manager Dale Peters; UWEC Student Body President Branden Yates; and UWEC Student Senate Governmental Affairs Director Charlie Johnson. Eau Claire City Council Member Emily Berge also spoke on behalf of the Science Building project.

The Joint Finance Committee has 12 members, with equal representation from both the Assembly and the Senate. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) is the only member of the committee from West Central Wisconsin. Other local legislators attended the hearing, including Senators Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) and Patty Schachtner​ (D-River Falls) and Representatives Warren Petryk (R-Eleva) and Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond).  The JFC's final hearing will be April 24 in Green Bay. It also had sessions on April 5 in Janesville and April 10 in Oak Creek.

Also last week, Governor Tony Evers held a Budget Round Table in Eau Claire on Tuesday evening, April 16, that drew about 100 people. 

More information:
Budget panel hears campus pleas for buildings (Hudson Star Observer)
Recorded video of River Falls JFC Hearing (Wisconsin Eye)
Western Wisconsin residents weigh in on budget proposal, Evers offers warning to Republicans (WQOW News 18)
Governor listens to budget wishes of area residents (Leader-Telegram)
Gov. Evers listens to people of the Chippewa Valley ahead of budget deadline (WEAU 13 News)

Posted by Scott Rogers, Governmental Affairs & Workforce Director
rogers@eauclairechamber.org

On Monday, April 15, Rep. Ron Kind (D-3) met for lunch with members of the Chamber's Board of Directors, Governmental Affairs Committee and Business Advocacy Investors to discuss federal issues important to the business community.  Chamber Legislative Intern Nate Kane reports on the discussion:

Infrastructure:
The Congressman is cognizant of the issues harming our roadways, and he is actively seeking solutions to fix them. In fact, he listened intently to a few policy suggestions from the Board. One solution offered up was a mileage tax. Under a mileage tax, drivers are taxed not for the gas they consume but for miles they drive. Although this would certainly increase the federal transportation revenue, some worry about the implications it might have on personal privacy. 

The Congressman, citing a few state-policy proposals, also expressed discontent with the current gas-tax scheme. This tax, he said, cannot sustain our roads forever because cars are becoming increasingly fuel efficient, which means that in the future less gas will be taxed and less money will be sent to Congress for road repairs and construction. For innovative solutions, he said that he is studying transportation policies in Oregon, a state that has recently dealt with this struggle.

Broadband:
Broadband, which falls under infrastructure, was an area for which the Congressman conveyed steadfast commitment. He said that every home and business in America deserves to have access to the internet. He also said that the United States must continue to increase 5G access. 5G internet is the way of the future, so to stay competitive with nations like China, we must ensure that America is among the first nations to adopt this technology.

Student loans: 
The Congressman seemed sympathetic to the struggles of current-day college student who have to pay back large sums of student-loan debt. To improve conditions in this regard, he advocated increasing the number of Perkins loans available to lower-income students. He promoted, too, making the process of consolidating and refinancing loans easier. If those systems were improved, the burden of existing debt would become significantly lighter.

He also agreed that universities must do a better job informing their students about the realities of life after graduation. Many students go to school unaware of the debt they are accumulating along the way. That, all agreed, needs to change if the problem of student-loan debt is going to improve.

Immigration and Workforce:
To Congressman Kind, sovereign nations have a right to protect their borders. But he believes the current administration is exercising that right inappropriately. America, he noted, is experiencing a crisis in employment; there are too many jobs and too few employees. As a result, the country should not be limiting the number of immigrants it takes in. He emphasized as well that throughout history some of the most brilliant American minds have been immigrants, their achievements earning them Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes. So he said that limiting the number immigrants, especially legal immigrants, is wrong—and harmful to the economy. 

Deficit Spending:
The national debt seems to be a rare area of bipartisan concern. The Congressman explained that overspending forces the government to bond out to cover its expenditures. When a country bonds out, he continued, financial stability then relies on a stably low interest rate. And since the interest rate have been so low for so long, no one knows where it will go in the future—whether it will remain low or shoot up. Whatever happens, though, that uncertainty is unhealthy for the economy, and if the rate were to get unreasonably high, it could spell problems for the entire nation. Consequently, the Congressman, and most of his colleagues, are exploring solutions to this ongoing issue.

Affordable Care Act federal court decision:
He spoke briefly about the recent healthcare case where a federal judge in Texas held the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional, and he did so at a moment when Republicans lack a replacement plan. That means that if the case were to remain good law, the healthcare market could face serious dangers.

Posted by Nate Kane, Chamber Legislative Intern
kane@eauclairechamber.org

Local Sales Professional Phillip Swiler recently joined the Print Production team at EO Johnson Business Technologies where he will be responsible for selling EOJ’s Canon’s Wide Format Line, as well as the Oce PlotWave Hardware and Service Solution.  Swiler has 27 years experience in sales and marketing, he is a long time Chamber Ambassador and attended the Disney Institute in 2006.  Swiler stated he is very excited to be working at EO Johnson as well as with the clients he serves.  In his free time, he owns a DJ business and likes to spend time with his family.
 
Merchants Financial Group, Inc. (MFGI) announced first quarter net income of just over $3,470,000 according to MFGI President & CEO Gregory M. Evans. 

“We are on target for a strong 2019 and we’re pleased with both our financial results and progress on key strategic initiatives,” said Evans. 

As a result of continued profitable performance, the MFGI Board of Directors authorized a semiannual dividend of 70 cents per share to shareholders during its April meeting. Dividends will be paid in June to shareholders of record as of May 17. 

Net income is ahead of MFGI’s plan for 2019 by $442,818, but is behind performance of a year ago by $476,827. One impact on year-over-year earnings was a necessary contribution of an additional $240,000 in loan loss reserve put aside to cushion against possible future loan stress. Contributing to the overall positive first quarter performance, three of the Bank’s four regions exceeded their 2019 first quarter plans. Additionally, MFGI saw year-over-year growth in total loans of $80 million and total deposits of $53.2 million. 

“Our commitment to provide exceptional service to our customers and support our communities is what continues to make us a unique player in the financial industry,” notes Evans. “It’s our stakeholders – everyone from our customers, employees, boards and shareholders – recognizing and valuing this commitment that has helped us achieve a solid start to 2019.” 

The ownership of Merchants Financial Group is made up of its more than 440 employees and its shareholders, mostly individuals and families from southeastern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin. 

Merchants Bank is a full service community bank with 21 branches in southeastern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin. Headquartered in Winona, MN, the Bank has more than $1.76 billion in assets and was founded in 1875. Member FDIC. 
 
“Writers Read” will hold an open mic at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire on Thursday, May 9 at 6 p.m. in the Eau Claire Room. The program will celebrate the summer travel season. Bring a travel-themed story or poem, or any other original you’d like to share (5 minutes or less). Sign-up starts at 5:30 p.m. Listeners are welcome.
 
The program will be hosted by Eau Claire’s Writer in Residence, Karen Loeb. Loeb is a Professor Emerita of the UW–Eau Claire English Department. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Fiction Southeast, Hanging Loose, New Ohio Review, and other magazines. Her poem “In the Science Museum,” won the 2016 Wisconsin People & Ideas contest. 
“Writers Read” is a monthly library series organized by Eau Claire’s Writer in Residence. Each reading features original poetry and prose written by writers living and working in the Chippewa Valley. 
For information, stop at Information & Reference on your next visit to the library, call 715-839-5004, or email the library at librarian@eauclaire.lib.wi.us. To learn more about library programs, check the library website atwww.ecpubliclibrary.info.
 
The Friends of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library will host their annual meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, in the Eau Claire Room on the library’s lower level. The Friends will recognize Nancy Sowls with the Distinguished Service Award, elect new Board members, hear a report from the Executive Board, and recognize the 174 volunteers that provided over 5,400 volunteer hours for the Friends and the library in 2018. At 6:30 p.m. the meeting will adjourn to the Chippewa Room to enjoy substantial appetizers.
Following the annual meeting, guests are encouraged to attend the One Book, One Community presentation at 7 p.m. entitled “Our Magnificent and Vulnerable Great Lakes.” The presenter will be Jane Elder, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters, and U.S. Co-lead on the Great Lakes Water Quality Board Emerging Working Group. The program is co-sponsored by Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters.

Both events are free and open to the public. Registration is recommended for the One Book, One Community program.  To register, please visit www.ecpubliclibrary.info/onebook.
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For information, call 715-831-5301 or email friendsofthelibrary@eauclaire.lib.wi.us. To learn more about the Friends of the Library,https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/friends.
 
    
 
 

​Congratulations to WNB Financial for your groundbreaking in the River Prairie area.

Chippewa Valley Technical College
A Menomonie businessman who grew his beer distributorship into a national leader, two local farm implement dealers and a young IT professional were among the honorees when the Chippewa Valley Technical College Alumni Association held its annual Spring Gala Thursday, April 4.
 
Terry Giertz, now retired as the CEO of Bill’s Distributing in Menomonie, was named the 2019 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner. Erin Garney, a network systems shift manager at WIN in Eau Claire was named the Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award winner. And Value Implement and Tractor Central were honored as the 2019 Proven Business Partners for their support of CVTC agriculture programs.
 
Larson Companies/Holiday Inn Eau Claire South and Staybridge Suites
Holiday Inn Eau Claire South and Staybridge Suites Altoona were honored with the IHG 2018 Quality of Excellence Award for achieving superior levels of excellence.  This distinction is awarded to less than 3% of properties selected from the company’s more than 5,000+ hotels. This is the 2nd consecutive award for Holiday Inn South and the first for Staybridge Suites, who received the IHG Newcomer Award last year.
 
“I am pleased to announce this recognition and applaud the continued performance excellence of Holiday Inn South and Staybridge Suites” says Thomas Larson, President of Larson Companies. “Clearly both hotel teams put our guests at the heart of everything they do, and they exemplify what it means to truly be the very best in hospitality. We couldn’t be more proud.”
 
Cathy Leibke, General Manager of Staybridge Suites and Justin Hinnenkamp, General Manager of Holiday Inn Eau Claire South both extend their heartfelt thanks to their team members who live the brand and the mission of guest first every day, and are an integral part of the reason for the properties receiving this Excellence Award.  Both Cathy and Justin extend a special thanks to the Eau Claire, Altoona and surrounding communities for their continued partnership and support.
 
HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph's hospitals
Hannah Schroeder, nursing educator at HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals, recently earned the international Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) credential from the Society of Simulation in Healthcare. She is one of less than 1,400 people internationally to have this credential, and is one of three people in the Chippewa Valley to have earned it. 

Schroeder passed an exam that assesses the knowledge and understanding of the principles, processes, and fundamentals for developing and delivering high quality healthcare simulation activities. The comprehensive CHSE credential covers educational design and healthcare simulation principles, and the application of these to meet the needs of healthcare learners at all levels.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire will host the second annual Earth Claire event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, on the campus mall east of Schofield Hall.  The student-led event, which is free and open to the public, will celebrate both Earth Day and Arbor Day (officially observed on April 22 and 26, respectively). Guests driving to campus can obtain a parking permit at the university's Visitor Center, 127 Roosevelt Ave. (See campus map.)

More than 20 campus and community organizations and businesses will participate, promoting sustainability through activities for all ages, including giveaways (seeds for spring planting, free vegetarian and vegan pizza, snow cones in compostable cones), raffles for items that encourage sustainable practices, an ongoing waste-sorting demonstration by UW-Eau Claire’s waste research team, zero-waste “swap” giveaways, and more. Educational booths also will provide information on getting involved in sustainable initiatives on campus and in the community.

Security Financial Bank
With Americans spending more and saving less, young people often don’t learn valuable personal finance skills that will benefit them throughout life. 

Together, educators, bankers and parents can help children build good financial habits from an early age. That’s why Security Financial is participating in the annual National Teach Children to Save Day campaign on April 12.
 
Volunteers from Security Financial Bank have found a way to teach kids about saving that provides instant gratification – and can be continued at home. Using a Wisconsin Bankers Foundation program called Reading Raises Interest, bank staff will read age-appropriate books with a message about money or saving to students at area schools in Altoona, Bloomer, Durand, Eau Claire, Ladysmith and River Falls.
 
This year’s featured book is Sammy’s Big Dream by Sam Renick. In the story, Sammy Rabbit has a big dream: to ride the world's first outer space roller coaster! Read along as he works to earn and save enough money to do it. The book can also be a good starting point for conversations about money between children and their parents.
 
“Although parents may initially feel uncomfortable talking with their children about money, it’s a topic that can’t be overlooked,” said Cathy Couey, SFB’s chief retail officer. “The discussion can begin with something as simple as wants vs. needs.”
 
In addition to reading books to their children about money, parents can involve kids in spending decisions, encourage them to save part of an allowance and explain the family’s finances in general terms.
 
To encourage students and parents to read more, Security Financial Bank will donate copies of Sammy’s Big Dream to the class. Throughout the month of April, Security Financial Bank also will give free piggy banks to anyone opening up a Youth Savings Account. Individuals are encouraged to see a personal banker at a SFB location in Bloomer, Durand, Eau Claire, Ladysmith and River Falls for more information on Youth Savings Accounts. 
National Teach Children to Save Day is an initiative sponsored by the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation and the American Bankers Association Education Foundation. Last year, bankers from more than 30 institutions reached out to their community to make Teach Children to Save Day presentations. Together, these bankers reported nearly 300 presentations to almost 9,000 students. 

For more information about the program, contact SFB at information@sfbank.com.
 
Physician assistant Brittany Jensen recently joined the Emergency Medicine Department at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.  Jensen earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She received a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Rush University in Chicago, Illinois.

Jensen is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.  Her professional interests include emergency medicine and procedures.

“I enjoy the fast-paced setting and the wide range of patients and conditions that require medical assistance in the Emergency Department,” says Jensen. “I am looking forward to applying what I have learned into clinical practice, making a difference for patients, and growing professionally.”

In her free time, Jensen enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with family.
 

WNB Financial is pleased to announce that Angela Czerwinski has joined the Bank as a Mortgage Loan Officer at its office in Holmen, Wis. Czerwinski brings over a decade of comprehensive mortgage lending experience to her new role. In both 2017 and 2018, she was recognized as the Top Mortgage Lending Producer at Citizens State Bank in La Crosse due to her consultative, client-first approach. Czerwinski has also served as a branch manager, financial advisor, and other sales roles. “We’re fortunate to welcome someone with the talent and experience that Angela brings,” said Chad Anderson, Vice President and Business Banking Manager. “Her dedication and commitment to customer service, combined with her ability to find innovative solutions, embodies our core values and that will position us for long-term success in the Holmen market.” “I’m thrilled to join WNB Financial at the forefront of its expansion in Holmen and beyond,” Czerwinski said. “The outstanding reputation of this community bank, which has had a presence regionally since 1874, and the incredible growth-focused rebranding, exhibits how much opportunity is ahead of me in the future. I’ve been impressed with the progressive attitudes built upon the stability WNB Financial exemplifies.” Czerwinski earned her degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse in 2001. She serves as an active club member for both the Downtown La Crosse Rotary and Onalaska Toastmasters, in addition to volunteering her time with the Finance Council at the Roncalli Newman Catholic Parish and as past chair of the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.

WNB Financial and Hoeft Builders will join together for a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, April 16, to celebrate the new, full-service WNB Financial Office in Altoona, Wis. The event will take place in the River Prairie Development at the corner of Blazing Star Blvd. and Woodman Drive. At 3 p.m., representatives from WNB, Hoeft, and other prominent community members will address the crowd before the ceremonial groundbreaking. A social hour will follow with food and refreshments at Hoeft Builders, 2423 Builders Edge Drive, Altoona. The new WNB Office, with completion projected in fall 2019, will offer a full range of personal, mortgage, and business banking services, as well as retirement planning, wealth management, and financial advising.

Mayo Clinic Health System
Family nurse practitioner Tony Maul recently joined the Emergency Medicine Department at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.  Maul earned bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and Latin American literature from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He received a master’s degree in family nurse practitioner studies from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, Tennessee.  Maul is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and National Council of State Boards of Nursing. His professional interests include emergency medicine and procedures, and pediatric care. 
“I enjoy caring for pediatric patients and the overall opportunity to immediately address patients’ conditions and make a significant difference in their lives in the Emergency Department,” says Maul. “Mayo Clinic Health System has a stellar reputation, and I am happy to continue my professional career in Eau Claire.”  In his free time, Maul enjoys hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing.

Huebsch Services
Huebsch Services, a family owned and operated commercial laundry business established in 1891, was honored on March 27th in Washington, D.C. for its commitment to  customers and the community. 


Huebsch services was recognized by the Textile Rental Association (TRSA) with the Above and Beyond Service Award. This award recognizes an individual service rep, team of service people, or an entire company for exceptional attention to customer needs. Huebsch was recognized as a company for maintaining a 98% customer retention rating in 2018. Huebsch was also recognized for having outstanding customer survey results with 99% of customers either agreeing or strongly agreeing that their route representative understands their business and 99% of customers stating they would recommend Huebsch to others.
 
Huebsch Services was also recognized by TRSA with the Company Community Service Award. This award recognizes volunteer projects that make significant contributions to their local communities. Here are some of the commitments Huebsch made to community service in 2018: Special Olympics Polar Plunge, Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, Feed My Starving Children, Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley, Open Door Pantry of Eagan, Jeffers Park donation of 700 trees and a volunteer team of tree planters, donation of $18,075 through United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley’s workplace campaign, over 100 hours of volunteer work through United Way’s Day of Caring, and Huebsch helped break a world record of 8,148 backpacks stuffed with Simon Says Give. In addition, 10 members of the Huebsch management and leadership team served on 13 different community boards and committees in 2018.      
               
HSHS Sacred Heart & St. Joseph’s hospitals
HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals echocardiography labs have both been granted a three-year term of accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in the area of adult transthoracic echocardiography. This marks the first time both hospitals’ echocardiography labs have been accredited.

Echocardiography is used to assess different areas of a person’s heart and can detect heart disease or signs of serious cardiovascular conditions. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, followed closely by stroke as the fifth highest cause of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

There are many factors that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on echocardiography. “IAC accreditation is the seal of approval that our patients can rely on as an indicator of the consistent quality care we offer at both of our hospitals and our dedication to continuous improvement,” said Nancy Demars, director of cardiopulmonary services at HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals.
 
 
Per Mar Security Services
Per Mar Security Services, a leading provider of total security solutions for residential and commercial clients based in Davenport, IA, announced it has acquired American Pride Security Services of Bloomingdale, IL.  American Pride Security Services specializes in part-time and full-time security officer services in the Chicagoland area. Neal and Michelle Loftus, owners of American Pride Security Services, expanded the business to Fort Meyers, Florida. They will be relocating to Fort Meyers to focus solely on their Florida operation. All 32 of American Pride Security Services employees in Bloomingdale, IL will be joining Per Mar’s Chicago branch.
 
Security Financial Bank
Paul Rudersdorf, president and CEO of Security Financial Bank (SFB), is pleased to announce the promotion of Nikki Frickson to Call Center Representative II. In this new role, Frickson will be focused on promoting SFB products and understanding the digital needs of SFB’s customers.  In addition, she will serve as a customer resource for remote deposit and cash management questions or concerns.  

Frickson has been with SFB for six years. She began her career at the bank as a teller and then transitioned into customer service for the past five years. Frickson is excited to start her new adventure and help more of SFB’s customers.
 

Junior Acheievement of Wisconsin, Northwest Wisconsin
Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Northwest Wisconsin is pleased to announce that Bob Ayres, President of River City Transport LLC and past Junior Achievement Board Chair is slated to receive the 2019 JA Hero award at the upcoming JA Hero’s Gala.  Bob’s long history with his work as an entrepreneur and leadership in his local philanthropic efforts help keep Junior Achievement prospering throughout Northwest Wisconsin.

WNB Financial is pleased to announce a donation in the amount of $300 to the Wabasha Area Food Shelf. The donation was made possible from “Jeans Day” collections, where employees choose to pay $2 each Friday to wear casual jeans during the work day, with the proceeds benefiting non-profit organizations. The Wabasha Area Food Shelf provides food assistance to adults and families living in the Wabasha and Kellogg areas. Shelves are stocked with a selection of non-perishable foods, frozen meats, eggs, bread, and personal care items. March has been named “Food Shelf Month” because it’s a critical time of year after donations are down following the holiday season, yet the need still remains. WNB Financial employees understand the importance of giving back to the community they serve. In 2018, 36 employees donated 2,211 hours of service to 91 organizations. Over $377,900 was gifted to the community in the areas of education and youth programs, fine arts and culture, health and wellness, economic development, and community service.

HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital is among more than 80 Donate Life Wisconsin member and partner organizations that will simultaneously host a statewide Donate Life Flag-raising ceremony and moment of silence to promote the mission of organ, tissue and eye donation, and honor donors and their families. A heart recipient will available to share his story with media. 

The ceremony will take place on Monday, April 1 at 10:08 a.m.  10:08 highlights that one donor can save eight lives. Followed by a moment of silence for 1 minute and 14 seconds to recognize the nearly 114,000 patients
waiting for a life-saving transplant. Of those patients, nearly 2,000 are right here in Wisconsin.  The ceremony will take place at the Healing Garden, outside of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital front entrance

 
 
  

On April 2nd, Wisconsin voters will have the opportunity to elect a new state Supreme Court justice and many key leaders in their local governments.

Why is it important to vote in the Spring Election?
Click here to view and share our video, including early voting information
length: one min, 16 seconds
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Wisconsin Supreme Court:
One seat for a 10-year term
Brian Hagedorn
Lisa Neubauer
Profiles and candidate links on ballotpedia

​​Court Of Appeals Judge District 3
Judge Lisa Stark is unopposed for reelection 

Eau Claire City Council:
Council President: Winner will fill one-year vacancy
Terry Weld
Andrew Werthmann
Chamber Good Government Council Questionnaire
Recorded Chamber Candidate Forum
Council President Forum (Video: Chippewa Valley Home Builders Assn)
Individual Candidate Video Interviews (Valley Media Works)
City council president candidates debate at WEAU (WEAU 13 News)

Council At large: five seats for 3-year terms
Kirk Ausman
Kate Beaton (incumbent)
Kate Martin
Laura Benjamin
Donald Motzing
Catherine Emmanuelle (incumbent)
Dale Poynter
David Klinkhammer
John Lor
Kyle Woodman
Chamber Good Government Council Questionnaire 
Recorded Chamber Candidate Forum 
Candidate Profiles (Volume One)
Individual Candidate Interviews (Valley Media Works)

​Eau Claire School Board:
Three seats, each for 3-year terms
Aaron Harder (incumbent)
Tim Nordin
Eric D. Torres (incumbent)
Erica Zerr
Recorded Chamber Candidate Forum
Chamber Good Government Council Questionnaire
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Polling Places, Registration, and Identification
If you’re not a registered voter, you can register on election day at your polling place, which you can find here. But once you’re registered, you’ll need to present a valid form of identification, which you can read about here.

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​In-Person Absentee Voting
Both Eau Claire and Altoona allow in-person absentee voting, and specific information about each city’s policies are provided below.
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              Eau Claire:
             Weekdays: March 18-29
             Location: Downtown City Hall (enter from the alley behind 203 S. Farwell Street - follow the signs.)
             Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  
             Additional note: You must be registered before an absentee ballot can be sent to you.
             More Information: visit Eau Claire's elections page 
              Altoona: 
             Weekdays: March 18-29
             Location: Altoona City Hall, 1303 Lynn Avenue. 
             Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

             Other townships and cities: Contact your municipal clerk for location and hours
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​Election Day, April 2
Polls will be open in Eau Claire and Altoona from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling place here.

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​Races to Keep an Eye On
A competitive and highly important race is shaping up for Eau Claire City Council President. Last June, Council President Kerry Kincaid resigned and Andrew Werthmann assumed her role, becoming the acting president of the City Council. But rules now require Werthmann to face the voters, so Terry Weld is battling him for the remainder of Kinkaid’s term—one year, or, until April 2020. In his announcement address, Weld vowed to bring a “fresh and positive image to the council presidency and a more rounded leadership style to [the] city council.” Meanwhile, Werthmann has emphasized that the main priorities “have got to be tackling poverty and equality, investing in our neighborhoods, and making sure that everyone is lifted up by the success in our community.” To listen to their candidate forum, click here.

 
The 10 general-election candidates for the five at-large City Council seats are now set. You can view the primary results here. Turnout in that election was low--around 15%--so it's hard to tell who will be elected to the Council in April. That means general-election voters could sway the final outcomes. As a result, we encourage every member of the Chamber to cast a ballot in that race. For more information about the at-large candidates, check out their bios in our previous post, which can be found here. Or, read through their Good Government Council Questionnaire responses.

​Four candidates are vying for three spots on the Eau Claire School Board. Incumbent Eric Torres, who is a university professor, has continually stressed the importance of electing public educators to the school board. And Tim Nordin, who ran last election cycle, has sustained his message that equity and innovation are the essential components of progress in our schools. Much like Torres, Erica Zerr, a first-time candidate, has advocated strengthening the role of teachers in developing curriculum and guiding classroom operation.
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Altoona's David Rowe has decided not to seek another term on the City Council, so his wife, Susan Rowe, is running to replace him. Right now, she faces no competition in District 6. The term spans for two years, or, until April 2021. 

For the Altoona School Board, all candidates will get elected, but the top two finishers will earn full 3-year terms, while the third-place finisher will earn only a 1-year term.

Questionnaires and Candidate Forums
The Chamber's Good Government Council has published questionnaire responses for these races: 
City Council President Good Government Council Questionnaire responses
At-Large City Council Good Government Council Questionnaire responses
​EC School Board Good Government Council Questionnaire responses

The Chamber, along with the Leader-Telegram, WQOW TV 18, Wisconsin Public Radio, and Valley Media Works, is proud to be sponsoring three candidate forums before the general election. Each will give different sets of candidates the opportunity to debate with one another and talk with voters. The dates, times, and location of each follows. 
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               City Council President Candidate Forum and Meet & Greet
              Audio recording available here.
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               Eau Claire School Board Candidate Forum and Meet & Greet
              Recorded Forum available here
              
               At- Large City Council Candidate Forum and Meet & Greet
              Recorded Forum available here
               

The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library is moving forward with plans for a $20M renovation and expansion project. After a 2017 building evaluation by Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Inc. revealed a litany of problems with the current library facility, the City of Eau Claire pledged $11.5M from its 2018, 2019, and 2020 budgets to affect the necessary upgrades.

​The library is now seeking to maximize the cost and time savings potential of the upcoming renovation to expand the facility, creating a structure that meets the needs of current usage and future growth. The remaining $8.5M needed for the privately-funded expansion will be sought through a capital campaign with pre-campaign committees now underway.