Story originally printed in the Vernon Broadcaster or online at www.vernonbroadcaster.com
Published - Thursday, January 03, 2008
Vernon County Board has nine contested board positions; Viroqua’s mayor challenged
There will be a number of contested positions for the Vernon County Board of Supervisors in the April general election.
The filing deadline for candidates was Wednesday at 5 p.m. The general election is to be Tuesday, April 1.
Incumbents facing election challenges include Ralph L. Hicks, who is being challeged by Philip Hooker in District 4; Richard Hansen, who is being challenged by John McClelland Jr. in District 6; Orvis Primmer, who is being challenged by Dennis Brault in District 13; Todd Overbo, who is being challenged by Justin R. Running and Mary Ann O’Neal in District 15; Jerry Cade, who is being challenged by Margaret Thielke and Dan H. Peper in District 19; Ole Yttri, who is being challenged by Joe Swanson in District 23; Jack Robinson, who is being challenged by George Wilbur in District 24; and David Ebbert, who is being challenged by Francis R. Hynek in District 25.
A primary election will be required to narrow the field of candidates down to two in Districts 15 and 19 on Feb. 19.
In District 14, incumbent Layton Thompson filed papers saying he is not running for re-election. Two newcomers, Kevin Larson and Tom Wilson, have filed to run in that district.
In District 16, incumbent Lynn Chakoian has filed papers saying she is not seeking re-election, and David K. Banner has filed papers to run in that district. In District 20, incumbent Judy Wilmes has filed papers saying she is not seeking re-election, and former Vernon County Sheriff Geoffrey Banta has filed papers to run in that district.
Incumbent supervisors who are running again, but face no competition on the ballot include: District 1 Will Beitlich, District 2 Kevin Gobel, District 3 Jo Ann Nickelatti, District 5 Jim Servais, District 7 Maynard Cox, District 8 Herbert Cornell, District 9 A. Richard Brose, District 10 Robert I. Johnson, District 11 Sherman Erlandson, District 12 Raymond Moser, District 17 Karen M. Dahl, District 18 Chet Lee, District 21 Frank McCoy; District 22 Frank Easterday; District 26 Thomas V. Spenner (county board chairman), District 27 Harry Baller, District 28 Brian Richardson and District 29 Leo Verbsky.
City of Viroqua
Viroqua Mayor Larry Fanta will be challenged by Ward 4 resident Mike Bankes.
Bankes ran against Fanta in 2006 and Fanta won soundly, 461-203.
In that election, however, Bankes ran for both the mayor’s position and an aldermanic position, which he lost to Gary Krause, 49-41. This time around, Bankes is running for just the mayor’s position.
Other than that in Viroqua, all four incumbent aldermen are running for reelection unopposed. They include: Mark Polsean Ward 2, Gary Krause Ward 4, Dr. Roger Hatlem Ward 6 and Jeff Clifton Ward 8.
Viroqua Area School District
There are five candidates running for four positions on the Viroqua Area School Board this spring.
Incumbent board president Phil Solverson filed papers saying he is not seeking re-election.
Incumbents Scott Mills, Sarah Johnson and Linda Weilnau are all seeking re-election.
Meanwhile, former board member Vicki Koppa is running again and newcomer Amanda Running is seeking a board seat.
Three of the board positions will be three-year board terms while one of the positions will be a two-year term. The three candidates receiving the most votes will receive three-year terms, while the fourth-highest vote-getter will receive a two-year term.
All stories copyright 2006 Vernon Broadcaster and other attributed sources.