TREMPEALEAU — Bridgette Turner would rather finish her term. The trustee told the Village Board at its regular Aug. 6 meeting that her daughter-in-law’s illness has her weighing whether to sell her home and leave Trempealeau. Absent a move, she said, she intends to serve until the term ends in April 2028.
A move out of the village would cost her the seat. Village ordinance requires trustees to remain Trempealeau residents throughout their terms. For Turner, who also represents District 1 on the Trempealeau County Board of Supervisors, relocating could affect that county seat as well. The minutes record no discussion of the county seat.
No vacancy exists yet. With Village President Jeff Barry presiding, trustees went through the options under Wis. Stat. § 17.24 anyway. Once a seat opens, the board can appoint a replacement for the unexpired term or order a special election. Leaving the seat empty until the next regular election is the third choice. Several trustees said the right course may depend on when a vacancy actually arises.
Nothing came to a vote. By consensus, the board asked Village Administrator Isaac Pooler to begin collecting letters of interest from community members. Turner said she supported soliciting letters if a vacancy occurs; the board’s request was not conditioned on one.