Welcome To Election Day’s Part 2 Special

816. Today we will explore the ins and outs of tomorrow’s election with help from our friends at Soupnutz.net and others.

Let’s start off with everybody’s favorite Bridezilla, Jenny Van Sickle. Do you guys remember that show? OMG, back in the day I used to kill myself laughing watching it. It’s right up there with Tool Academy. So let’s start off today with a truly uninspiring story about Superior’s most disliked Bridezilla and #1 narcissist Jenny Van Sickle. This story was published April 22, 2022.

817. The sickening and opportunistic story of “I Married the Mayor” Jenny Van Sickle’s rise to power (if you really want to call it that). And of course, special thanks to Jim Paine’s “Butt Boy” Tooler Elmo. From April 25, 2022, here is the story.

Van Sickle becomes first Indigenous City Council President in Superior

The first person of color to serve on the City Council in Superior, in far northern Wisconsin, is now the first person of color to serve as its president. Jenny Van Sickle, an Alaskan Native of Tlingit and Athabaskan heritage, was elected President with eight votes in favor, one opposed and one abstention at the council’s regular meeting Tuesday, April 19.

818. Keep in mind this article is from 2022 when “Woke” and “DEI” and all that other nonsense was “in fashion”. But based on the Biden administration, I think we have learned that “First is the worst” has been the result of most of these stupid policies. So I really don’t care about Jenny’s or anybody else’s background when it comes to color, sex and things like that. I only care about qualifications, experience and who really is best for the job. So the question here is, does Jenny have the best credentials to be president of the council? I want the “best” not necessarily the “first”. 

But you have to ask yourself how did this happen? You can read how in my final comments of this story. Only a couple of years ago she was almost booted from council because of her relationship with Mayor Paine. She and the Mayor dragged the city through a long and embarrassing process that divided the administration and the residents including the threat of lawsuits between her and city attorney Frog Prell and now she is “El Presidente”.

In an interview Sunday, Van Sickle said representation in public service is important to give young people someone to look up to. “(Superior) has a really rich, indigenous population, culture and history that has a real opportunity to shine. And you know, maybe I hope that I can be a part of the little kids in Superior starting to introduce themselves by their clan houses or with their Indigenous names,” she said. 

“I want little kids to see themselves in this landscape, in their government, in their art, in their food. And we have a really long way to go to realizing all of that progress in representation here in the Northland. This is a pretty good step towards that.”

She identified transportation as a top priority – especially creating a more sustainable transportation system.'



“Transportation is the lifeblood of my work,” she said. “We’re going to continue electrifying our city fleet. We will be electrifying our fire department as well. We just invested in solar. We are making a lot of environmental moves.”

Additionally, Van Sickle said taking over as president also gives her responsibilities beyond representing her own district. “When you make that shift into leadership, your goal becomes to help your councilors, your team, your council achieve the goals that their neighbors sent them to accomplish,” she said. 

Professionally, Van Sickle works as outreach specialist for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, and noted most of the 10 members of the City Council work full-time jobs and have young children. She noted that seven of the 10 are 40 years old or younger.



“This is a very ambitious Council, that is laser focused on efficiencies, innovation, and just a very determined forward facing council,” she said.

Van Sickle was named one of Madison365’s most influential Native American leaders is 2020 and was honored with the inaugural Wisconsin Leadership Community Choice Award for Woman of Excellence in 2019, awarded by vote of Wisconsin residents. That award came just months after she was formally censured for making a social media comment critical of the City Attorney. She said earning the vote of the community meant a lot at that time.

“(The award) really saved me because I had internalized all of the shame and all of the humiliation, all of the comments, the hatred. I internalized it all very, very personally,” she said. “And the Woman of Excellence recognition helped me start to see outside the bubble I was living in, and it changed things for me. And after that, I got obsessive about working really, really hard for the city. And just hoped that one day the hard work would shine through and I would earn trust.”



Van Sickle’s term as president will last one year.

821. Me, Me, Me,..I, I, I and a bunch of word salads. That’s what I took from this article. “Jenny the Nauseating Narcissist” is interested in one thing and one thing only and that’s her ascension to political power. I personally don’t see it going anywhere. But I still can’t figure this out. All this nonsense for basically nothing. As I said before she makes $7,500.00 a year as a councilor and that is pretty much absorbed by having a second home/apartment. Jenny, what is the end goal here? I’m at a loss. I don’t like the way she portrays herself as a victim because she brought all this on herself. The real victim here is the City of Superior. The whole thing reeks of a politician’s lust for power. 



Anyway here is how it went down:

PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN Tuesday, April 19, 2022 Selection of Council President.

MOTION by Councilor Bender, seconded by Councilor Elm and carried, to nominate Councilor Van Sickle as President.

Councilor Van Sickle was elected Council President by roll call vote: Aye – 8 Ledin, Van Sickle, Bender, Sweeney, Elm, Ludwig, Johnson, Graskey

No – 1 Fennessey 

Abstain – 1 Herrick 

OH, ONE OTHER THING I FOUND

CITY ASSESSOR JOHNSON recommending waiving the bidding requirement and approving an agreement with Associated Appraisal Consultants, Inc. (AAC) for revaluation services for the City of Superior, in the amount of $355,000.00. 

MOTION to approve by Councilor Elm, seconded by Councilor Bender, and carried. 

The Regular Meeting of the Common Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Paine at 6:31 p.m. in the Government Center, Board Room 201

Meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.

822. So in less than one hour (58 minutes to be exact)) on April 19, 2022 Jenny Van Sickle was was voted in as city council president. And guess who seconded the motion? Yep, Tooler Elmo.

And Associated Appraisal Consultants were awarded a contract in the amount of $355,000.00 for the property tax reevaluations. And if that wasn’t bad enough they waived the bidding

requirements. And to make it worse guess who brought up the motion to approve it? Yep, Tooler Elmo.

I’d say that was a lot of damage in a short amount of time and Tooler has been a busy little boy.

823. Next is another great article from our friends at Soupnutz.net.

Anti-NTEC UMD Professor and City Councilor’s Wife Walk Into a Bar… And Endorse Jenny Van Sickle?

Ah, endorsements—where political alliances are wrapped in a warm, fuzzy blanket of “concern for the people.” Let’s take a closer look at this one.

Jackie Ledin, one of the signers, just so happens to be the wife of City Councilor Nick Ledin—a proud card-carrying member of the Rubber Stamp Committee, where the only thing faster than his “yes” vote is the time it takes for him to text the mayor for approval. So, let’s not pretend there’s any objectivity here.

Then we’ve got Lynn Wohlwend Professor in Writing Studies, an anti-NTEC professor who has been quoted in the exact same articles as Jenny’s husband, Mayor Jim Paine—which, let’s be honest, makes this whole endorsement read more like an inside job than an independent opinion.

Now, about Jenny—sure, she’s passionate. She’ll stay up all night reading and researching, which is great, but let’s hope that research goes beyond her Femininist Justice League on Facebook. She’ll “listen to concerns, call experts, and guide you to the right resources.” That’s nice, but is she calling experts or just the same politically connected crew that wrote this endorsement?

Look, we all want leaders who stand up for what’s right and put residents first, but let’s not act like this isn’t a well-orchestrated nod from the mayor’s inner circle. If you like political dynasties and closed-door deals, this endorsement’s for you. If you want real independence? Might want to look elsewhere.

Superior’s Budget Projection Was Only Off By $2.5 Million — So Basically Perfect, According to City Hall.

The Budget Is “Balanced”—If You Ignore the Math

Back in 2022, the City of Superior passed a budget with a clear financial vision: by 2025, they projected a lean and reasonable $33.4 million in expenditures.

Fast forward to 2025: the adopted budget now sits at $35.88 million — and that number is still climbing.

By 2029? The city is projecting a $39.2 million budget and a $2 million shortfall to go with it. Which raises an obvious question:



How do you grow a $30 million budget into a $40 million one… in a shrinking city?

"responsible financial planning have all positioned our city for continued success."

 Telegram Quote - City Councilor Tylor Elm

Elm & Van Sickle: The Budget Hawks Who Keep Missing

Enter Tylor Elm and Jennifer Van Sickle — two Superior City Council members who love to talk about fiscal responsibility almost as much as they love to miss budget projections by millions.

They were part of the team that adopted that 2022 budget and helped shape the trajectory that got us here. Now, as the budget balloons and deficits loom, they’re doubling down on the claim that this is all part of some master plan.



It’s fiscal leadership, they say.


It’s forward-thinking, they say.


It’s math — and we’re supposed to believe it.

Declining City, Rising Budget – Something Doesn’t Add Up

Here’s the kicker: while the city’s budget has grown by more than 30% in just a few years, Superior’s population has declined.

The school district has lost over 1,000 students since 2019. That’s not just an education statistic — it’s a warning sign about the long-term health of the community.

Elm and Van Sickle continue to promote themselves as the budget adults in the room. But if this is adulting, maybe we need to bring the kids in to fix it.

The 2029 Cliff: Spoiler Alert, It’s a $2 Million Drop

According to the city’s own 2025 adopted budget, things aren’t getting better.

By 2029, they’re already forecasting a $2 million shortfall, even as they plan to spend $39.2 million that year.



Let’s be clear: you don’t “project” a shortfall unless you know your current spending is unsustainable. And yet, Elm and Van Sickle are pressing ahead, as if fiscal cliffs are just scenic overlooks.

"Van Sickle said they were all achieved while improving the city's financial stability."

 Telegram Quote - Jenny Van Sickle "Mayors Wife"

Voters Are Watching — And Doing the Math Themselves

Both Tylor Elm and Jennifer Van Sickle are up for reelection. Their campaign messaging is heavy on financial stewardship, efficient government, and responsible budgeting.

But here’s what voters see:

• A $2.5 million increase over 2025 projections
• A $2 million deficit on the 2029 horizon
• A city that’s shrinking, not growing
• And two council members still insisting they’re the fiscally sound option

That’s not a platform — it’s a punchline.

For the Busy, Broke, and Baffled

• 2022: City projects 2025 budget at $33.4M
• 2025: Actual budget is $35.88M — and rising
• 2029: Projected budget is $39.2M with a $2M shortfall
• Meanwhile: Population and school enrollment are falling
• Elm & Van Sickle: Running on “fiscal responsibility”

Coming Soon: Even More Responsibility, With Fewer Results?

This is the part where most officials would take a step back, reevaluate, maybe even issue a statement of accountability.

Instead, Elm and Van Sickle are asking for two more years. Two more years to grow the budget, shrink the reserves, and hand out another batch of financial forecasts we’ll all regret reading later.

So as you stroll past their campaign signs that say:

“Van Sickle 2025: A Proven Record of Leadership”

“Elm for Council: Trust, Transparency, and Results”

Just remember — some records aren’t worth repeating.

825. Thanks again to our friends at Soupnutz.net for their fine work. Check out their website for some really great articles, pictures and humor. I only post a handful of their articles here on the Blog but I read everything on their website. 



Now let’s switch gears here to some of Craig Sutherland’s recent posts:

Councilor Van Sickle seems eager for recognition for the “time and effort” she’s spent, and claiming to have “taken seriously the responsibility” to find a solution for lead line replacement. However, all this “time and effort” has yet to bring forward any assistance to the residents for replacing their lead lines. 

It’s quite commendable that she has now “taken seriously the responsibility,” because she didn’t take it seriously when she voted NO for the recent lead line resolution, and when she voted NO for funding lead line replacement funds in the amount of $1.5M in 2024, and $1M in 2023. (receipts in the comments)



Talk is cheap, especially when you are seeking re-election, but that’s all this is…cheap talk.

1. I mean, God forbid she do anything to endanger her husband's pet broadband project. After her seeming miscalculation of Superior's water rates vs other municipalities, I'm wary of trusting anything she has to say about money.

2. When are the people in her district going to get it. Time she goes. 

3. They could take dollars from the Federal money that comes into Superior that seems to be a mess of a hidden budget. The funds are partly used to fully fund the city sidewalk budget and pet park projects among other things. Its over a million dollars annually. A couple of years ago they wanted to build a new laundry for the city owned trailer park for over half a million only to find out it couldn’t be used in that instance. So. They dumped the entire sum into the pubkic works sidewalk fund. PS. The funds are supposed to produce affordable housing units. To date - none ever. 

If you see a sign in your neighborhood, feel free to take a picture and tag me - let’s keep the momentum going!



And if we haven't had a chance to chat yet, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm happy to stop by, deliver a sign and learn what's important to you. 

Tossing the blue signs up! I'll be on the move in district 2 this weekend so you can put a face with that name, toss more signs, and to remind everyone to Vote April 1st !

**If you believe I am not qualified for running in the race for the Superior City Council, let me tell you more about myself, as the local media has failed to mention much of anything of importance**

My name is Sarah Anderson. I am 48 and have lived in the 2nd District neighborhood since 2007. My husband was born and raised right in East End neighborhood and his family’s small business has been around since the 70’s. I am a mom of 2 kids 15 and 18, who attend the high school; both kids have spent all of their school years in the Superior Public Schools. My family has been extremely involved in the Spartan and Superior community, whether it be through youth sports, other volunteering, or my husband coaching varsity football and lacrosse for the high school.



I am a Licensed Mental Health Professional with St.Louis County PHHS and have been employes there since 2014. I am a clinician in the Children and Family’s Division where I specialize in intensive trauma focused therapy with children who are at risk of out of home placement, who are already in placement, or at risk of being in residential placement due to unsafe behaviors caused by complex trauma that they have endured through situations that they had no control over. Prior to this position, I was an adult mental health social worker, I case managed adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses and/or who are chemically dependent. These individuals are ordered by the court for civil commitment. 

Lastly, I was the first Lead Worker in the Initial Intervention Unit of Child Protection. In this position, along with investigating reports of child malteatment, I was responsible for training new and current child protection workers. I was tasked with staying up to date on current DHS ever changing policy and statute, as well as best practice guidelines, trainings in the community, and collaboration with other entities within the division and agency. Along with a partner, we created the new worker onboarding curriculum, which is still used today. 

I bet you are asking, how does any of this make a person qualified for the city council? I will be the first to admit I am not your typical candidate. I’m not an accountant, an attorney, insurance agent, or a business owner -I do not even serve on any organizational boards these days! I will tell you why…because I am not any of those! I am a proud mom of kids who attend the Superior Public Schools, a wife of a small business owner that also works for a untility in Superior, I am an active and engaged member of this community, and I am a union member and public employee. I know what it is like having a “board or council” make decisions on my wages, my position, or health care benefits, even though they have never done the job. I am an employee who has spent most of her adult career working in a system and region that continues to put pressure on agencies that continue to have minimal resources- which means I have to be creative, innovative, and not afraid to advocate for others when they can not. I spend my days collaborating with community agencies, problem solving for the next crisis, and meeting people where they’re at, even if it’s not the “norm” for most. Making life changing decisions in real time for others -with others, is a daily occurrence in my work.

So yes - I am not your typical city council candidate, but I will be your favorite one and I will be your hardest working one-I guarantee it. If elected I promise to bring a positive energy back to this city, along with a genuine care and concern for what the residents of this community need and want. We will not always agree and thats okay, but we can always respect each other’s ideas, and maybe even meet in the middle some how. I do not have all the answers or solutions to the unending issues, but I will research, investigate, and dig in and find those that do

Heartfelt thank you to all the Local Union members for your unwavering support! I am especially grateful for the endorsements from the Northern WI Building and Construction Trades Council, IBEW Local 242, and LiUNA Local 1091. Your trust in my commitment to workers' rights is invaluable. 



Let’s commit to uplift one another and build a future where every worker is valued!

Randal Wuorinen for the 6th District 

With the City Council election coming up on April 1st, I want to remind everyone to get out and vote. Early voting is also available if that’s more convenient.

District 6 needs new leadership. After more than seven years on the council, Councilor Elm has had his opportunity. It’s time for fresh ideas and stronger advocacy for our community. I’m committed to working hard for the people of District 6 and all of Superior.

There’s also a contested race in District 2. Councilor VanSickle has served for a long time, and like in District 6, it’s time for new energy. I support Sarah Anderson—she’s a fresh voice who’s ready to bring real change to Superior. If you live in District 2, please vote for her.

Let’s move Superior forward—starting with your vote on April 1st.

I continue to be humbled by the support shown to this one woman show! This morning, (half) District 2 was plastered with my face on the doorsteps. Don't worry if you don’t see one, you did not get forgotten, we ran out - more are on the way!

The Election is less than a week away!! I've been out pounding the pavement in District 6 passing out flyers. I've met a few people in my journeys so far and they have been very kind!!

Soundtronics

 March 26 at 3:49 PM

We think it’s time for a change when we first opened, we went to the city council to try to make our store more accessible for certain customers.



We were shot down instantly with no explanation why or no reasoning. 

It’s time Superior gets with the times and some of these current counselor’s need to be replaced to make that happen.

I can’t believe how short-sighted our approach to manufacturing and growth in the City of Superior is! By restricting these opportunities, we're not just hurting businesses—we're slamming the door on higher wages for families. It’s infuriating to watch families pack up and leave with their kids because there’s no future here. 

When we have fewer kids in school, we get less funding, and our education system suffers even more! This vicious cycle needs to end! We need to fight for our community’s growth and prosperity instead of letting Superior wither away.

1. We don’t need businesses we can just raise the taxes to make up for it democrat way 

2. When I moved to eau Claire in 1987, the population was around 50,000 and the Oakwood Mall area was basically the mall and that’s was it..the city was being run by a city manager…in the last 30 years thanks to big box stores and competent leadership with a vision, that town boomed. 

3. Yep, it’s sad that the city superior and Douglas County don’t push harder to get more business here we have the ports we have the railroad system. We have a airport. It’s a good area to build a factory, but yet nothing. 

4. The worst part is that the powers that be can't see any way but their own. They're allergic to compromise. It's so sad. 

5. No jobs, excruciating housing market, no faith in future growth and development, but you'll have fast internet. 

6. I have said this since the 90's! I can remember as a kid, the huge Sidewalk Sale on Tower Ave. They closed Tower from Belknap down to Broadway. and it was a huge sale party! I remember there were street vendors, carnival rides, clothes sales ect... That was the biggest week of superior.

I barely remember the fair we had with a huge roller coaster that was torn down I think in 1970 to make the airport bigger and build more project housing. From what I was told, that fair was open all summer and was bigger than Valley Fair.

During the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's Superior was booming.

7. Someone offered to GIVE me (no joke) a business in superior and I refused because I don’t wish to deal with city council. 

8. This City has been against any big company or business coming here for years…was quite surprised to see Kwik Trip welcomed. Everyone goes to Duluth to plant their business. All superior is a place for their multiple truck loads of trash…so disheartening….cuz at one point this city was the bomb… 

845. You can really sense the disappointment and despair after reading these comments. But that what has happened in Superior over the years. And with this current Mayor and council, it has been going downhill at super sonic speed. Jenny Van Sickle and Tylor Elm don’t deserve another day in office. But getting rid of an incumbent can be difficult, but possible. You saw that on Nov. 5th. And if one or both get voted out it will send a message to the Mayor and to the remaining councilors that you’re not interested with “business as usual”. So good luck and “Vote About It”.

I’ll see you on the next Blog.

Brian