By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
The Whitewater Common Council is about to get a facelift.
Aldermanic districts 1, 3 and 5 are up for grabs this spring, as is one of the city’s two at-large seats on the council.
But the shuffling does not stop with the city’s routine staggered two-year election cycle on the council.
In District No. 1, incumbent council member Phil Frawley has chosen not to seek re-election. In his place is newcomer Craig Stauffer, who is running unopposed.
Frawley’s stint on the council will be shy of two years. He joined the elected body in July 2013, filling the remainder of the term of former council member Jim Olsen, who resigned after moving outside Whitewater.
The third aldermanic district is the most active spot this spring. Incumbent Jim Winship will not seek another term in office. Winship actually stepped down from the council Dec. 31, and appointee Brienne Diebolt-Brown is keeping the seat warm through April. (See related story on page 1.)
Winship’s early departure came in light of a new opportunity. He is a sociology professor with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and is in the process of conducting research in Cartagena, Columbia, after being awarded a Fullbright Scholarship.
Diebolt-Brown’s spot on the council will be short-lived. She is not running in this spring’s election. Instead, newcomers Christopher Grady and Kenneth Kienbaum are facing off for the position.
Incumbent Sarah Bregant is not seeking re-election for the fifth aldermanic district on the Common Council. But another familiar face is expected to assume Bregant’s spot.
Stephanie Abbott, the District No. 2 representative on the council, has announced her intention to fill Bregant’s vacancy. Abbott is moving within the city, necessitating the switch in aldermanic district representation.
Abbott’s second district seat was up for grabs a year ago, meaning one year remains on the seat. The future of the position remains unknown, though a person could be appointed to fill it once Abbott transitions to the fifth aldermanic district.
Patrick Singer, who currently serves as president of the Common Council, is running unopposed as he seeks another term on his at-large seat.
All seven members of the Whitewater Common Council serve two-year terms.
One other municipal position is up this spring in Whitewater — that of the judge. Richard Kelly is seeking re-election unopposed.
School board roundup
Meanwhile, changes also will be afoot on the Whitewater Unified School Board.
The seats belonging to incumbent board members Thayer Coburn and Dan McCrea expire in April.
Coburn is not seeking re-election. McCrea will face off against newcomers Kelly Davis and Jim Stewart.
Stewart is a venerable elected official, having served previously on the Whitewater Common Council.
Members of the Whitewater Unified School Board serve three-year terms.
There will not be a primary election for any races this year. The spring general election will be held Tuesday, April 7.
