Blizzard blows away township elections until next Tuesday

Talk about it

The candidates were ready.

The polling booths were waiting.

Election judges were ready to get to work.

But Mother Nature had other plans.

A blizzard postponed elections in 19 of the 20 townships in Douglas County Tuesday.

LaGrand Township was the only township to have an election and 164 voters braved the blustery weather to cast their ballots.

In the township’s only race, incumbent supervisor Gerhard “Gary” Thoennes emerged as the winner, defeating Greg Niblett, by a 129 to 35 margin.

The 19 other townships in the county will give it another go on Tuesday, March 17. Polls will open at various times but will all close at 8 p.m.

Positions in most of the townships include one three-year supervisor position and one treasurer position. In some townships, the treasurer position is combined with the clerk and is an appointed position

Here’s a recap of the decisions facing township residents:

Alexandria

Bryon Alstead has refiled for the supervisor position and will be running unopposed. The treasurer position is appointed.

Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.

Belle River

Voters will have to choose two write-in candidates – one for the open supervisor position, currently held by Lonnie Collins, and the other for the treasurer position, currently held by Angie Nelson. Neither incumbent refiled.

Polls will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. with the annual meeting to follow.

Brandon

Two people have filed for the supervisor position including incumbent Don Buse and newcomer Jennifer Lanners. Incumbent Diane Smith has refiled for the treasurer position and will be running unopposed.

Residents will also decide whether to keep township elections in March, which is when they are typically scheduled, or if they should be moved to November, when the general elections take place

Polls will be open from 5 to 8 p.m, with the annual meeting to follow.

Carlos

Two people have filed for one of the supervisor positions. Incumbent Kevin Gorghuber refiled and will be running against Ted Steidl. Dwayne Waldorf has refiled for a one-year supervisor position.

Dean Yohnke refiled for the treasurer position and will be running unopposed.

Polls will be open from 4 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.

Evansville

Both the incumbent supervisor, Douglas Lee, and the incumbent treasurer, Jeanine Henneman, refiled for their positions. Both are running unopposed.

Polls will be open from 5 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.

Holmes City

David Fahlin has refiled for the supervisor position and will be running unopposed.

Polls will be open from 3 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.

Hudson

Voters will have to write in who they want for the supervisor position because the current supervisor, Jim Schoeberl, didn’t refile.

Cindy VanLuik refiled for the treasurer position and will be running unopposed.

The polls will be open from 4 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.

Ida

There is a three-way race for the supervisor position and all candidates are newcomers, including Daniel Diedrich, Michael Elias and Thomas Scearcy. James Conn did not refile for the position.

Palmer Krueger refiled for the treasurer position and will be running unopposed.

The polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.

Lake Mary

Brad Brejcha, supervisor, and Julie Freier, treasurer, refiled for their positions and will run unopposed.

The polls will be open from 2 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting set for 11 a.m.

Leaf Valley

Both incumbents refiled for their positions and will run unopposed – Dan Jost for supervisor and Barb Guenther for treasurer.

Polls will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. with the annual meeting to follow.

Lund

Craig Berglund did not refile for his supervisor position. However, John Lindquist filed for the position and will be running unopposed.

Bonnie Anderson, treasurer, refiled for her position and will also run unopposed.

Polls will be open from 5 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.

Millerville

Charles “Chuck” Rose has filed for the supervisor position, which is currently held by Steve Boesl, who did not refile. Rose will run unopposed.

Donna Korkowski refiled for the treasurer seat and will also run unopposed.

Polls are open from 3 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.

Miltona

After 35 consecutive years of serving on the township board, supervisor Donald Henning has chosen not to refile. Keith Baldwin has filed for the position and will be running unopposed.

Constance Marshall has refiled for the treasurer position and will also be running unopposed.

Polls are open from 4 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.

Moe

Fredric Krafthefer did not refile for the supervisor position, but two newcomers did – Andy Siira and Rod Johnson.

Patricia Botner refiled for the treasurer position and will be running unopposed.

Polls are open from 5 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.

Orange

Mitch Zarbok has filed for the supervisor position currently held by Eugene Reed, who did not refile. Zarbok is running unopposed, as is Newton Earl, who refiled for the treasurer position.

Polls will open after the annual meeting, which is slated for 3 p.m.

Osakis

Duane Boogaard has refiled for the supervisor position and will be running unopposed.

Polls will be open from 5 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow at 8:20 p.m.

Solem

Terry Randt has filed for the supervisor position currently held by Kenneth Anderson, who did not refile. He will be running unopposed, as will Kegin Holl, who has refiled for the treasurer position.

The annual meeting is set for 4 to 5 p.m., with the polls opening after that until 8 p.m.

Spruce Hill

No one filed for the open supervisor position, which is currently held by Donald Friese.

Henry Ahrens refiled for the treasurer seat and will be running unopposed.

Spruce Hill Township residents will vote on a ditch maintenance of township roads issue. The ballot states: “Shall the owners or occupants of land that adjoins a town road be required to control and destroy all noxious weeds and/or brush?” Voters need to choose yes or no.

The polls will be open from 1 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow at 8:15 p.m.

Urness

James Thompson, supervisor, and Marlys Jensen, treasurer, both refiled for their positions and will be running unopposed.

The polls will be open from 5 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting set to take place at 4 p.m.

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