Ashland County board appoints Paul Wilharm to District 10; he is sworn in

The Ashland County Board voted to appoint Paul Wilharm to the vacant County Board Supervisor seat for District 10 and administered the oath of office.

Paul Wilharm, who told the board he has owned property on Madeline Island for roughly 20 years and has served as airport manager for five years and on the Town Planning Commission, was appointed by motion and sworn into office.

The nut graf: The board selected Wilharm from a single applicant who was publicly noticed; the appointment fills a current vacancy on the County Board and does not change any scheduled elections or other seats.

Brad Reed moved the appointment and Clarence Campbell seconded it on the floor. After a voice vote in which the chair announced “motion carried,” Wilharm was sworn in. He recited the oath: “I recall Wilharm having been appointed to the office of county board supervisor district 10, but have not yet entered upon the duties thereof, swear that I will support the constitution of The United States and the constitution of the state of Wisconsin and will faithfully discharge the duties of said office to the best of my ability. So help me God.”

Board members asked procedural questions about the vacancy and the recruitment process; county staff said the position had been posted in the local paper and that Wilharm was the lone applicant. The board chair thanked Wilharm for stepping forward and said the county remains recruiting for a separate vacancy.

Ending: Wilharm was administered the oath at the meeting and will begin serving as District 10 supervisor immediately as the county records the appointment.