City/School election results are in!

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The results are in and changes are coming! The 2019 City/School Election was held Tuesday, Nov. 5, and there will be several new faces in office next year, including a new mayor in Ossian, a new councilmember, and a new school board member.

The Ossian mayoral race was won by Bryan Beckman, who is a current member of the Ossian City Council. Beckman received 160 votes (61 percent) compared to Chuck Covell’s 102   votes (29 percent).

“I would like to thank the citizens of Ossian for voting in Tuesday’s election. I’m honored to serve as the next mayor of my hometown,” said Beckman following the release of election results. “I look forward to working alongside our city council. My goals are to keep the city’s finances in good order and try to build a surplus for future projects.”

Beckman went on to say that his first order of business will be to begin working on a budget for the next fiscal year.

Also in Ossian, three councilpersons were voted in, including both incumbent candidates – Dan Langreck (229 votes, 31 percent) and Sue Lienau (185 votes, 25.5 percent).

Joining them as newly elected officials will be newcomer Graham Goltz, who had the most votes of any candidate with 232 (32 percent).

The South Winneshiek School Board will also have a new member beginning in 2020 as Ron Hemesath garndered 560 votes (34.5 percent) to join incumbent candidate Corey Meyer (586 votes, 36 percent) as At-Large members of the board. Kenan Willey received 346 votes (21 percent), while Tom Bushman had 118 votes (7 percent).

Donald Schroeder was also re-elected to the board, as he ran unopposed for the Director of District 2 position and received 739 votes (93.5 percent).

In Calmar, Keith Frana was re-elected as Mayor as he received 167votes (58.8 percent) compared to challenger Jason Drucker’s 117 votes (41 percent).

In the race for Calmar’s At-Large councilperson spot, Liuus Sabelka (181 votes, 23.7 percent), Keith Gerlich (178 votes, 23.3 percent), and Jeanie Kirkeberg (168 votes, 22 percent) were elected as they defeated Pat Nervig (137 votes, 18 percent) and Gary Barness (98 votes, 12.3 percent).

In Castalia, it was Dennis Wilkins (32 votes, 27.6 percent), Benjamin Martin (27 votes, 23.3 percent), and Wayne Corlett (21 votes, 18.1 percent) that won the three councilperson vacancies. They defeated Thomas Schultz (20 votes, 17 percent) and Lowell Corlett (13 votes, 11 percent).

In the race for Mayor, Jamie Smith ran unopposed and received 35 votes (92 percent) to win the vacancy.

Darrell Schmitt (55 votes, 50.9 percent) and Renee Wagner (53 votes, 49 percent) were elected to the city council in Spillville, while incumbent candidate Mike Klimesh grabbed 59 votes (100 percent) and will return as mayor.

Results from other races in Winneshiek County are as follows:

•  Decorah councilperson – At-Large: Kirk Johnson (884 votes, 56.7 percent) defeated Gary Rustad (669 votes, 42.9 percent);
•  Decorah Parks and Recreation Board: Kathy Bakken (1,212 votes, 34.8 percent), Richard Gaard (1,171 votes, 33.6 percent), and Brian Fuhrmann (1,064 votes, 30.6 percent) were all elected;
•  Decorah councilperson – Ward 2: Emily Neal (338 votes, 69.5 percent) defeated Dan Kirkeby (146 votes, 30 percent);
•  Decorah councilperson – Ward 4: Steve Luse ran unopposed (90 votes, 96.7 percent);
•  Fort Atkinson – Mayor: Paul Herold ran unopposed (61 votes, 92.4 percent);
•  Fort Atkinson councilperson – At-Large: Paul Schmitt (61 votes, 31.6 percent) and Kay Schmitt (60 votes, 31 percent) were elected. It is unclear who won the third vacant seat, as David Schneiter received 26 votes (12.47 percent), while write-in candidates received 46 votes (23.8 percent).
•  Jackson Junction mayor: Mae Schmitt ran unopposed and received 10 votes (100 percent);
•  Jackson Junction councilperson – At-Large: Richard Vrzak, Lana Schmitt, Art Perry, Kenneth Kriener, and Rodney Vrzak were all elected and each received 10 votes (20 percent each).
•  Ridgeway mayor: Sue Schnur ran unopposed and received 39 votes (92.9 percent);
•  Ridgway councilperson – At-Large: Ryan Ramsey (39 votes, 34.5 percent), Allyn Linderbaum (37 votes, 32.7 percent), and Zack Walsh (37 votes, 32.7 percent) were all elected.
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