By Kim McDarison

With the passing of a second deadline to submit nomination papers for one of two Whitewater Common Council seats, one new challenger has come forward to be added to the list of candidates whose names will appear on the spring general election ballot.

Keith Staebler submitted nomination papers in advance of the Friday, 5 p.m. deadline and will run against Greg Majkrzak for the at-large seat which is due for reelection in April, according to information released by the Whitewater city clerk’s office Friday evening. 

The incumbent, Jim Allen, died in December, leaving the seat open to challengers.

Additionally, the Tuesday deadline was extended to Friday to allow candidates to come forward to run for a seat held by Councilwoman Jill Gerber.

The incumbent, who represents Aldermanic District 4, failed to submit the required paperwork to run for her seat, leaving it open to challengers.

Brian Schanen submitted his nomination papers in advance of the Tuesday, Jan. 2. deadline and continues to be the only candidate to run for the open seat.

Voters heading to the polls in April also will find the name of Orin Smith on the ballot. The candidate is running for an open seat held by Lukas Schreiber. The Aldermanic District 2 incumbent filed papers of non-candidacy late last year, confirming his intension to forego a run for reelection to his seat this April.

According to information released by the clerk’s office, with two candidates vying for the open at-large seat, a drawing will be held to determine the order in which their names will appear on the printed ballot. 

The drawing will be held Monday, at 5:30 p.m., at the Whitewater Municipal Building, 312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, the release stated.

The event is open to the public, and although no official action will be taken, it is possible that a quorum of city council members could be present, the release noted. 

Those interested in attending remotely may use the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8140860175pwd=1jukmOSlmqORjlLSd0Dp2SWEiCbp0A.lTocz9sieOBVSfZ5.

Other required information includes a passcode: 503011.

The drawing also may be attended by telephone +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago), using Webinar ID: 814 0860 1750  and Passcode: 503011.