Waterford

Election matchups offer some surprises

By Patricia Bogumil

Editor

Many – but not all – local races are uncontested for the April 2015 election. A few even offer voters some surprises.

In particular, the Waterford Graded School Board is guaranteed a new look in 2015, with veteran board member Dan Jensen deciding not to seek re-election.

Jensen’s decision follows the resignation last fall of another veteran board member, Robert Kastengren, who left the board for health reasons.

Jensen said his main reason for not seeking re-election would be his feeling that the district is now in a very good position and he has succeeded in his personal goals.

“It’s time for others to commit their talents and time to furthering the goals of the district,” Jensen explained via email.

He also serves as an elected member of the Waterford High School board, a position in which he will continue to serve.

Jensen noted that he is a self-described “budget hawk,” helping prepare budgets that carry almost no tax increases over the last six years, despite state aid to Waterford Graded dropping by millions of dollars.

Looking back, Jensen said he has long been an avid supporter for art, drama and music in the schools. While on the Waterford Graded board, Jensen noted, he helped move forward technology access for all students and staff, resulting in more than 1,500 computers and tablets now in use.

Jensen pointed to many difficult decisions he made over the last several years, including those involving the special education consortium, custodial out-sourcing and a switch in bus companies, “but all have worked out to the positive for our district and local taxpayers,” he concluded.

Jensen offered thanks to the district’s “hardworking teachers, administrators, support staff, parents and students for their hard work and ongoing support of the Waterford area schools.”

 Waterford Graded primary Feb. 17

A slate of seven candidates are vying for election to three open positions on the Waterford Graded board. A primary election on Tuesday, Feb. 17, will trim the seven down to six top vote getters, who will then advance to the April 7 spring election.

Running for election to the Waterford Graded board are incumbent Douglas Schwartz; Grant Strobel, who was appointed Nov. 20 after Kastengren’s resignation; and challengers Amanda Fiehweg, Jordan Karweik, Bill Unke, Matt Kranich and Andrew Ewert.

The top two vote getters on April 7 will be elected to three-year terms; the third highest to a one-year term.

Other contests

Other contested local races on the April 7 ballot include:

      • Village of Rochester. Board president Paul Beere is not seeking re-election. Trustees Ed Chart and Chris Bennett are vying for the board president position.

Chart’s trustee position is up for election in April. He is not seeking re-election to the board as a trustee.

Vying for the board’s three open trustee positions in the April 2015 election are incumbents Gary Beck and Mike Weinkauf and newcomer Nick Ahlers.

      • Village of Waterford. Incumbent board president Tom Roanhouse is challenged by Don Houston, a village trustee.

Vying for three open board trustee positions are incumbent trustees Tom Christensen, Jerry Filut and Tamara Pollnow and challenger Judith Spencer, a former trustee.

Municipal Judge Gregory K. Miller is unopposed for re-election.

      • Town of Waterford. Incumbent supervisors Lisa Jeschke and Nick Draskovich face a challenge from Dale Gauerke, a former supervisor and current plan commissioner, for two open board supervisor positions in the April election.

Incumbent Town Chairman Tom Hincz, Sanitary District Commissioner Dan Dickinson and Judge Jill Mitchell are running unopposed.

      • Union Grove High School. Incumbent board member Paula Jasperson faces a challenge from Jeffrey Zeller.

      • Town of Dover. Incumbent Town Board Chairman Tom Lembcke is challenged by Mario Lena and Mario Denoto.

Incumbent trustees Samuel Stratton and Mike Shenkenberg are unopposed.

      • Town of Norway. Board Chairman Jean Jacobson and supervisors Robert Helback and Mike Lyman are unopposed for re-election.

Incumbent Norway municipal Judge Douglas Pachucki is challenged by Michael J. Gabbey.

      • Washington Caldwell School District.          One incumbent and one newcomer hope to win election in April, with two positions open on the school board.

Incumbent board member Tim Szeklinski is seeking re-election. Incumbent Todd Bluhm is not seeking re-election. Political newcomer Todd Galkowski, a parent of children who attend Washington Caldwell, is seeking election.

 Uncontested races

As of press time, the following elections feature incumbents who are running unopposed in the April 2015 election: Village of Union Grove; towns of Yorkville and Raymond; Waterford High School; Kansasville, North Cape, Union Grove, Raymond, Yorkville and Drought elementary schools.

One Comment

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