There are no contests in Vicksburg’s Village Council election. Council incumbent trustees Carl E. Keller, Chad M. Kissinger and Wendy Jo Pheils are each seeking another 4-year term. Pheils did not file to run by the deadline and is running as a write-in candidate. Voters will be asked to vote for 3 candidates.
Council trustees are paid $75 per meeting. The president is paid $100 per meeting.
Each candidate submitted a statement.
Carl Keller
For 36 years, I’ve been proud to call Vicksburg home. My wife and I have raised our family here, and both of our children are graduates of Vicksburg schools. This community means a great deal to me, which is why I’m proud to serve on the Vicksburg Village Council and am asking for your support for re-election.
During my time on Council, I’ve been fortunate to be part of some important improvements in our village. Together, we built a new Village Hall—paid for entirely with cash—while also making significant improvements to our water and sewer systems. We’ve invested in our parks and community spaces by redoing Oswalt Park and improving the parking lot behind the old Hills Building. We’ve also worked to beautify our downtown and make Vicksburg a community we can all be proud of.
I believe in responsible spending, planning for the future, and listening to our residents. Most importantly, I believe in continuing to make Vicksburg a great place to live, raise a family, and call home. I would be honored to have your vote and the opportunity to continue serving our community.
Chad M. Kissinger
My family and I moved to Vicksburg in early 2016 and have been proud to call this community home for more than 10 years. I live here with my wife, Nicole, and our three children.
My involvement with the Village started in 2020, right before COVID, when I joined the Vicksburg Parks & Recreation Board. After a couple of years as a board member, I stepped into the leadership role as chair. During my time on the board, I was involved in Movies in the Park, community murals, and bringing student involvement onto the board.
From there, I fulfilled a vacant Village Trustee seat where I have continued to serve. I also serve on the Planning Commission/ DDA and the Village’s HR Committee. These positions have given me the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of issues affecting our community.
I hope to continue contributing to Vicksburg’s momentum and help guide the Village into its next chapter. As the village prepares for a transition to a new village manager, I believe continuity, thoughtful decision-making, and a strong vision for Vicksburg’s future will be especially important.
Wendy Pheils
I’m honored to currently serve as a Vicksburg Village trustee, and I would very much like the opportunity to continue serving our community.
I love Vicksburg and care about where our Village is headed. I’ve enjoyed being part of the conversations, decisions and projects that are helping our community grow while preserving the small-town character and sense of community that make Vicksburg special. My work with the Council and Parks and Recreation has given me an even greater appreciation for what can happen when residents, volunteers and village leaders work together.
This year has been personally challenging. After losing both my father and stepmother, I have spent considerable time helping settle their estate while balancing my full-time career and family responsibilities. Unfortunately, amid everything, I missed the regular filing deadline for the November election. I regret that mistake, but I have completed the required paperwork to run as a write-in candidate because I remain committed to serving Vicksburg.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue doing work I care about for the community I’m proud to call home.
To vote for me: Write Wendy Pheils in the designated write-in space for Village Trustee on the November 3 ballot.
