Meet the candidates: Gilman City Council

The Gilman City Council consists of five members, which includes a seat for the Gilman mayor. Two four-year council member terms are open this election cycle. Incumbent Chad Scapanski, incumbent Andy Schommer and Terry Templin are running for those seats.

The Gilman City Council also has a two-year term available through special election. Glorene Weisser, who was appointed to the seat in June 2025, is running to remain on the council. Weisser did not return a questionnaire to the Benton County Herald. 

Andy Schommer

Age: 43

Describe your current involvement in the Gilman community. I have been on the council since 2018. I am a member of the Gilman Park & Rec Association, and my wife, Tara, and I have coordinated and ran the Gilman Youth Softball League for first through eighth graders since 2021, as well as other activities at the fields.  

What traits or qualifications do you possess that make you the best candidate to serve Gilman residents? I am running for this term to see our sewer project through completion. I have been involved in that project since the beginning. I believe I have the ability to see the big picture, ask the right questions, and effectively communicate with both our outside engineering firm and residents.  

What do you feel are the biggest issues facing the city of Gilman, and how do you plan to address those concerns during your term? The successful completion of our sewer project is my primary focus and the reason I am running for an additional term. I have been involved in that project since the beginning and plan to see it through completion. The municipal Gilman Liquor Store is a large part of our city’s operation. We are in the process of hiring a new bar manager, and I plan to provide guidance and input on ways that we can improve the stability of its operation.   

What is a specific short-term goal you have for the city of Gilman? If elected, how would you pursue this objective in your term as a council member? We are in the process of experiencing some changes at the Gilman Liquor Store. I plan to use my experience on the council to help guide those changes in a positive direction for both our staff and the financial side of the business. 

How do you plan to facilitate growth in the business and/or residential sectors of the community? Through the completion of our sewer project, we will expand sewer service to residents that were previously not connected and set the city up for various possibilities for decades to come.  

How do you plan on keeping Gilman residents connected and invested in their city? I encourage all residents to get involved in any way they can. A great way to do that, especially for younger families, would be to join the Gilman Park & Rec Association or volunteer for their activities. 

Chad Scapanski 

Age: Not disclosed. 

Describe your current involvement in the Gilman community. I am a current council member. I have helped coach a kids softball team the last few years and enjoy volunteering for the numerous school fundraisers where my children attend throughout the year.

What traits or qualifications do you possess that make you the best candidate to serve Gilman residents? I like to take a common-sense approach. I operate with honesty, listen with an open mind during discussions and have worked diligently alongside my fellow council members for multiple years.

What do you feel are the biggest issues facing the city of Gilman, and how do you plan to address those concerns during your term? The city of Gilman has been in the process of acquiring funds for new sewer lines. This is an ongoing project that included bonding, annexing new households into city limits, and collaborating with the county to start the replacement of sewer lines when roads were undergoing construction.

What is a specific short-term goal you have for the city of Gilman? If elected, how would you pursue this objective in your term as a council member? I would like to see the finishing of the sewer project. My goal is to see it completed in a timely manner.

How do you plan to facilitate growth in the business and/or residential sectors of the community? I have been in the city council where we have worked alongside different groups and clubs to bring in multiple attractions like the tractor pull that comes to the park a couple of times a year. We also supported Gilman Park & Rec in building a brand-new pickleball court that attracts people from many surrounding cities and towns.

How do you plan on keeping Gilman residents connected and invested in their city? I think supporting the local businesses and clubs who come to the council and want to try new ideas is important. I think updating things and making them new and exciting is good for the community.

Terry Templin

Age: Not disclosed.  

Describe your current involvement in the Gilman community. Parents bought dairy farm from grandparents outside of Gilman in 1977, and I graduated from Foley. Built a new home in 1991 in Gilman and raised a family of three. Volunteered for many church functions; started park and rec and wrote the federal grant to build current walking path.

What traits or qualifications do you possess that make you the best candidate to serve Gilman residents? Having been part of the community since 1977, I know what has made this the best community to ever raise a family. I have owned two businesses and currently own a book of insurance business. Was operations manager at Marco Business Products for six years. With that experience, I understand business, how to operate a business and how to manage expenses.

What do you feel are the biggest issues facing the city of Gilman, and how do you plan to address those concerns during your term? Biggest issue facing the city is finishing the sewer project that will expand to many families who were annexed into the city a couple years ago. There have been some concerns with the first part of installing new sewer to current residents. We need to be transparent with what is going on and manage that. I also want to turn over all rocks on how to make the Gilman Municipal Liquor Store profitable on a consistent basis and make it a more inviting place to socialize.

What is a specific short-term goal you have for the city of Gilman? If elected, how would you pursue this objective in your term as a council member? Short-term goal is working with liquor store management and council members on all the revenue opportunities that may increase sales and review all expenses to make sure they are needed and warranted, can be measured, and manage the expense part of the liquor store. Just like a family budget, we need to be prudent in the operation of that business.

How do you plan to facilitate growth in the business and/or residential sectors of the community? There isn’t much opportunity to facilitate growth, as we are a small town with options limited in where we could grow. You need to keep eyes and ears open to opportunities, but our focus needs to be keeping the city top of mind in relation to the city-owned liquor store and its profitability and taxation and running a smooth ship.

How do you plan on keeping Gilman residents connected and invested in their city? The one area is being more transparent with city residents on projects, news, cleanliness and community events. Will look into ways of improving that.