A former student representative to the Douglas County Board could become its newest member.
Douglas County Board Chairman Doug Finn is recommending Jim Paine of 2203 Hughitt Ave., to replace 6th District Supervisor Steven Baker.
Baker moved out of the district last winter, prompting a prolonged search for a replacement. County officials have been searching since March for a district resident willing to serve.
Paine served as a student representative on the county board for nearly two years between 2005 and 2006. He also served in student government while attending the University of Wisconsin-Superior and was a founding coordinator of efforts to get students on campus involved in the annual Superior Days lobbying effort in Madison.
"I have been interested in serving on or with the county board for several years," Paine wrote. Paine's efforts led to students from university being given the opportunity to serve on the board as nonvoting members.
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Paine said his experience as a student helped him get familiar with the board's operations as well as many of the people serving on the board.
Paine launched a campaign last year for the 14th District seat at the age of 26. In what was the friendliest contest for the board last year, he lost by eight votes against incumbent James "J.J." O'Brien.
After four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Hawaii and Okinawa, Japan, Paine returned to Superior and earned a degree in history with a minor in sociology. He works for Duluth Regional Care Center caring for teens with mental and physical disabilities.
