Trustee Seats Remain Vacant, School Board Seats Contested

There will be an uncontested race for village president this spring and no candidates on the ballot for two open trustee seats on the Whitefish Bay Village Board.

However, there will be a contested race on the School Board in the April 5 election.

School Board President Marie Greco, 5400 N. Lake Dr., is seeking another three-year term on the board, as is incumbent James Phillips, 4930 N. Woodburn St.

They will be challenged by attorney Anne Berleman Kearney, 6001 N. Berkeley Blvd. Kearney is principal of Appellate Consulting Group and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Marquette University.

In an e-mail statement sent Tuesday afternoon, Kearney said she and her husband Joseph have two young children in the school district, and she believes her career experience will be an asset to the School Board.

"My background in law and finance provides broad experience in analyzing relevant issues, resolving conflicts, and forging compromise; I will put this to work as a School Board member," Kearney stated. "I also look forward to using my skills as an attorney and law teacher to improve communication with the community about School Board issues and actions." 

Incumbent Pamela Woodard, 4942 N. Diversey Blvd., is running for a one-year term. The board appointed Woodard to fill the seat of Joe Martinelli, who resigned earlier this year. As a requirement under state law, Woodard is running to serve the remaining third year of Martinelli's unfinished term.

In village government, Trustee Julie Siegel, 5267 N. Diversey Blvd., will not be contested in her bid for the village president's seat. Village President Kathleen Pritchard is stepping down after nine years.

No candidates have filed to run for the two trustee seats left open by Siegel and Trustee Thomas Fehring, who did not seek re-election after serving a three-year term.

Village Clerk/Finance Director Jennifer Amerell said the Village Board can choose to fill the two vacancies through a special election or appointment, or the board can choose to leave the seats empty.

Municipal Judge Paul Christensen, 5227 N. Berkeley Blvd., will not be contested in the local judicial election.

 The deadline for candidates to run for public office in the April election was 5 p.m. Tuesday.