Area votes today for towns, school boards

Some cities and school boards throughout The Daily Republic’s coverage area are holding elections today.

Following are summaries of races with more than one candidate.

• Chamberlain School District: The Chamberlain School District will see a highly contested election with five people running for two at-large seats. Incumbent Rebecca Reimer has placed her name on the ballot with Kim Gullickson, Jay Blum, James N. Cadwell and Marcel Felicia. Susie Knippling chose not to run for her position on the school board. Each term is three years.

• Oacoma city: Incumbents Mick Zeman, a former business owner in Oacoma, and Bill Harmon, a state Game, Fish and Parks employee, are running for their seats on the Oacoma Town Board. James Harmon, retired, is also running for the board. There are two seats open and the top two vote-getters will take the seats, said Val Moore, city finance director. Each term is three years.

• Emery city: The city of Emery will see whether 17-year mayoral incumbent Harley Fluth will be pushed out by challengers Joshua Kayser, who runs an area elevator, or Darin Kayser, who is a mechanic in Salem. The seat is a two-year term.

Chad Eddy, owner of Eddy Electric, is running against Alderwoman LeAnn Heltzel for the Ward I council seat. Eddy has been on the council a combined 12 years in different wards, but recently moved to Ward 1, said Angel Eddy, city auditor. Heltzel, owner of Mane Attractions, has been on the council for 10 years. The term is for two years.

• Bridgewater city: Two are vying for a Ward 3 council seat in Bridgewater. Kenneth E. Haugen is running against incumbent Philip Heiberg. The seat is a twoyear term.

• Canistota School Board:

Newcomers Phyllis Arends and Brad Engbarth are running for one seat on the Canistota School Board. The winner will complete two years of a three-year term. Kevin VanWinkle was appointed for one year last year but chose not to run for the seat.

• Gregory School Board:

Newcomers Kellie Rae Stukel and Rod Vosika are running for one seat on the Gregory School Board. The term is three years.

• Platte city: The residents of Ward I in Platte will elect a new council member, choosing between lawyer John W. Stekly, owner of Stekly Law Office, and Jarrod L. Lang, parts manager of Noteboom Implement.

• Avon city: Two Avon council members hope to gain the mayoral position in today’s election. Jill Grogan, retired, has been a Ward I alderman for two years and has lived in Avon for three years. Kevin Tjeerdsma, who runs an elevator in Springfield, has been on the council for more than 10 years. He is also a part of the volunteer ambulance service and is the fire chief.

• Scotland city: Ward I residents in Scotland will elect a new alderman from incumbent Victor Settje or Vernon Peterka.

• Freeman city: Two will vie for the Ward I position on the Freeman City Council today, according to the Freeman Courier. Charles Gering is challenging incumbent Tom Stolp, who has served on the council since 2003 when he was appointed to fill the Ward I vacancy. Stolp has petitioned to be on the council since and has never been challenged until this year. Gering has experience at the county level, but has not served on the council before. The seat is a two-year term.

• Burke city: The residents of Burke will choose between mayoral incumbent Rich Bartling and newcomer Tom Glover during today’s election. The seat is a twoyear term.

Tags: election 2011, news, updates, local, politics