There are three Village of Iola Trustee positions that villagers will be voting for. The three with the highest vote count will win those seats. The candidates include: Erikka Flowers, David Harper (I), Mark McCoy, Pamela Parks (I), Mike Richberg, and Jason Woyak.

Questions were emailed to candidates, and the answers are presented together below. It will give the voter a chance to understand each candidate’s position on each of the issues.

Mark McCoy and Jason Woyak did not respond to two solicitations to answer these questions by the March 25 deadline.

Part 1 of the questions appeared on HeadspringsIS.com on March 26.

Iola sits near lakes (e.g., Lake Iola with its own Lake District managing water levels/quality) and has scenic recreational assets (boating, fishing, parks), making habitat protection and balancing development with natural resources key. Invasive species, wetland/forest fragmentation, and sustainable land use remain relevant, though no massive unique crises dominate recent coverage beyond the sand mine.

Erikka Flowers (EF): I personally would need to see and understand the current approaches and research before being able to provide recommendations. However, I did learn the following:

Geese Overpopulation – The Lake Association is handling this currently through the use of egg addling in the spring. The goal of that approach is to hold the population steady.

The Lake Association handles the care of the lake and provides the weed cutting and invasive plant studies as required by the DNR. The Lake Association applies to anyone in the Village. They are looking for board volunteers.

Buckthorn – Other approaches were taken with the Buckthorn, prior to the goats, however were unsuccessful. Currently goats are brought in to eat the buckthorn vegetation and later the bark. It will take two to three years to cycle through. This has been funded through the Community Development Authority. They are the entity that contributed the new signs outside of the Village. It has been a source of enjoyment for the community to see the goats out along the boardwalk.

David Harper (DH): Lake Iola, or the Iola Millpond, no matter what you call it, is an asset that makes the Village of Iola an attractive place to live and to visit. Water quality is highly rated. Fish stocks are checked by the DNR and rate highly. Keeping the lake and the South Branch of the Little Wolf River in the best condition possible under terms prescribed by the DNR is both a goal and an ongoing challenge. This is why I have served on the lake district board since its inception and commend all the many volunteers who work hard to keep our waterways the recreational destinations they are and ecologically healthy.

Pamela Parks (PP): What is your question? Is this in regards to assessment or procedures?

If so, then, we work closely with the DNR and our Lake District to check for compliance and to help assess any problem areas., i.e. violations. Also, our Planning and Zoning Committee adheres to regulations from the State of Wisconsin and we check our floodplain zoning requirements and restrictions as listed in our ordinances, now termed “Code of Ordinances, 2025.”

Mike Richberg (MR): No answer.

Groundwater and drinking water quality are major issues in rural Central Wisconsin, with widespread nitrate contamination from agricultural runoff and manure, as well as emerging concerns like PFAS in private wells. What specific steps would you take at the local level to protect residents’ drinking water, such as supporting well testing programs, promoting best management practices for farms, or advocating for stronger local oversight of high-capacity wells?

EF: There aren’t any high-capacity wells in the Village. The village completes testing regularly and there is a link on the village website with the most recent testing levels Home.

I am not aware of any such issues currently affecting the Village; however, my understanding is the State through the DNR establishes guidelines for certain levels of nitrates, etc. and is an issue that applies more to agriculture. As long as producers work within the guidelines, there shouldn’t be issues.

DH: The Village of Iola Utilities takes these responsibilities seriously. Water quality tests are conducted multiple times a week. The most recent annual evaluation by the state gives high marks to the utilities’ operations. We have top-notch staff. By both policy and actions the Village of Iola is committed to the highest standards of water quality and safety.

PP: We regularly test and are pro-active to make sure we are providing the best level of drinking water for all of our residents in the village.

As more information and resources are found and developed, the village’s goal is to keep updated and make the necessary adjustments to continue to keep our water quality within safe drink levels.

See the report below, which demonstrates the village’s desire to monitor its groundwater, which affects the drinking water quality.

MR: I would be in favor of ensuring residents have access to testing material or experts that can help gauge the safety of drinking water in private wells.  I would not want any level of mandatory water inspections. 

Nutrient (nitrate) pollution from excess fertilizer and manure application has led to impaired streams, rivers, and lakes across many Central Wisconsin counties, contributing to algae blooms and reduced water quality. How would you work with local farmers, conservation districts, and state agencies to reduce agricultural runoff while supporting the region’s vital farming economy?

EF: My understanding is that it is the State of Wisconsin and the DNR which dictate environmental practices.

DH: Our work is primarily within the borders of the village. However, Iola Utilities works with some septic services from outside the village to make sure waste is properly treated. When water is returned to the river from our wastewater treatment plant, it is drinkable even though the idea of drinking it doesn’t seem appealing.

PP: Education has always been key in changing how operational practices are performed. We do not have large local farms within the village, but we are impacted by runoff into our streams, rivers, and lakes. Several years ago, Lake Iola was drained to help reduce problems with vegetations that worked somewhat against the local ecosystem. The results were mixed. It really is up to our various districts, and guidance received from the DNR and other state agencies to help reduce the application or seek alternative methods of fertilizing, and help residents to reduce the use of fertilizers in their own backyards. For example, the Iola Community Garden does not allow non-organic soil augmentation, instead we educate participants in natural and ecofriendly alternatives, such as relying on composting and using herbs and not herbicides to help with pest control. We have also received support from Waupaca Master Gardeners and the Stevens Point University Extension staff in ways to provide healthy environmental methods of growing healthy plants.

MR: I would need to sit down with local farmers and get a better understanding of their concerns before I could have an answer to this question.  As it  has been pointed out, farming is vital to the economy of the area and I would not want to do anything that would negatively impact farmers in the area.  

What local conservation initiatives would you prioritize to build resilience, such as supporting soil health practices, wetland restoration, or community efforts to address flooding and habitat loss?

EF: There aren’t any wetlands in Iola. Any activity would need to follow ordinances and DNR requirements.

DH: The Village of Iola believes in best practices and will continue with them. The new Chester L. Krause Legacy Park makes a small contribution to improving the watershed of the lake. Each new village project undertaken is evaluated through the lens of what is best for the village and having it done in the best way possible.

PP: Within the village’s ordinances, under our zoning chapter, we check to ensure that we are in compliant with DNR and the State of Wisconsin building and improvement codes before digging or making any changes within any district area throughout our village to maintain the integrity of our wetlands, for example. This is the kind of transparency and responsiveness we will always want to have within our village for the ecological improvement and reduction of any damages that sometimes only show up after years of repeated lack of oversite and abuse.

MR: I would like the DNR to allow a more aggressive weed harvesting program.  I think a balance between caring for a small fish habitat while creating a more usable lake is needed.

What do you see as the top environmental challenges for the village?

EF: Maintaining water quality in the lake and making sure it remains available for all who enjoy outdoor activities whether that be fishing, ice fishing, kayaking, etc.  We need to continue to be able to educate and create opportunities for youth about the importance of the environment. This is currently supported through our outdoor sports activities, community garden, 4-H club, school greenhouse and plant sale, golf course activities which includes a summer lesson program for children, and annual sponsored ice fishing event for kids. The goal is to continue to encourage and support these organizations and activities that enrich the lives of people in our community.

DH: The Village of Iola is blessed with a rich clean environment. Preserving it is key. One of the purposes of the zoning regulations that we have is to maintain our quality of life.

PP: Continuing to care and be proactive to keep our groundwater and quality drinking water safe for everyone. Also encouraging our citizens to think about recycling and repurposing, and even reducing the amount of refuse a household can create as a way of giving back not only to each other but to our environment.

MR: No answer.