Filing deadline for local races nears
Sentinel StaffFAIRMONT - Time is running out for anyone who wishes to file for an open mayor, city council or school board position.
The deadline for filing is 5 p.m. Tuesday, and updates were available Friday for several area races:
Fairmont
With three positions open on Fairmont City Council, only two incumbents have filed for re-election, and no other challengers have entered the race. Wes Clerc has re-filed for the alderman-at-large position, while Harlan Gorath has filed again for Ward 2.
Ward 4 also is up for election, but incumbent Andy Lucas had not filed as of Friday afternoon, according to city administrator Jim Zarling.
Truman
While Truman's mayor and one of the City Council members have filed for re-election, there could be a new face on the council next year.
Three positions are up for election on the City Council - mayor John Sherman's seat and the council positions currently held by Kathy Hendricksen and Richard "Buzzy" Becker. As of Friday afternoon, Sherman and Hendricksen had filed for another term. Their terms would be two years and four years, respectively.
Joining them in the election running is Bill Zehnder, also seeking a four-year council position. So far Becker has not filed for re-election.
Truman schools
So far no incumbents have filed for re-election to the Truman school board. Three seats on the board - those currently filled by Greg Graif, Darla Wiederhoeft and LeAnn Maloney - are up for election this year.
Only two people have filed for school board thus far - Susan Risk and Lee Baarts. Filing forms for the four-year terms will be available at the Truman schools office until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
GHEC
Only one incumbent had filed for Granada-Huntley-East Chain school board as of Friday afternoon. Ken Petroviak will seek another four-year term. His seat is up for election, along with the positions currently held by Kathy Carlson and Bob Garry.
The only challenger thus far is Mary Jo Felion, leaving one seat without a candidate as filing continues. Forms to file for the Nov. 4 election are available at the Granada school office.
Sherburn
In Sherburn, all three incumbents - Mayor Bob Roesler and council members Carroll Behne and Kurt Olson - have re-filed for their respective seats.
Welcome
There is a race under way for the mayor's seat in Welcome. Current mayor Eric Anderson is facing a challenge from current councilman H. Bocky Borchardt.
Louis Weyer, who was recently appointed to finish a two-year term on the City Council, has filed to be elected to the seat, while John Larson and Bill Peterson - who also applied to be appointed to fill the position now held by Weyer - have both filed for the four-year council seat currently held by Borchardt.
Trimont
Mayor Tom Eckmann has filed for re-election and will be challenged by Dennis E. Hoppe. Thomas Hage has filed to run for the open four-year council term, while Karen Koder and Linda J. Hoppe have filed to run for the open two-year position.
Dunnell
Mayor Dan Nelson has filed to run for another term. There are two open council seats for this election, which are currently held by Tom Bock and Dean Janssen.
Ceylon
John Gibeau is running for another term as mayor of Ceylon. Three people have filed for two open council seats currently held by Thomas Plumhoff and Jacci Jahnke. Plumhoff has filed for re-election, and Kathy Bramer and Robert Ziemer also will run.
Martin County West
Three have filed for four positions up for election on the Martin County West school board. Incumbents Kirk Yahnke and Jeff Sinn have filed for re-election, while the other two incumbents - Steve Olson and Gary Janssen - have indicated to Superintendent Randy Grupe that they will file before the Tuesday deadline. Also running for school board will be Michele Anderson.
Blue Earth
Elections are open for the mayor's seat, currently held by Rob Hammond, and three council positions. Seats for John Huisman of Ward 1, Glenn Gaylord of Ward 2 and Rick Scholtes of Ward 3 are up for election. All incumbents have filed, along with two newcomers in Ward 3 - Gary Meyer and Paula Kelly.
Blue Earth Area
Three at-large Blue Earth Area school board positions are open this election. The positions are currently held by Dawn Fellows, Elizabeth Wohlenhaus Johannsen and Frankie Bly.
Dawn Fellows has filed for re-election. People can file for school board at the school district office.
Winnebago
In Winnebago, elections are open for the mayor's seat, currently held by Randy Nowak, and three at-large council positions. Seats for Maryann McClain, Rick Johnson and Paul Loomis are up for election. Loomis' council position is a two-year term, and the remainder are four-year terms.
Nowak and Johnson have both filed for re-election.
Filing fees are $2, except for Fairmont, which has a filing fee of $5.
