Dodge County-Area Spring Election Results

Mayoral

Former Horicon Mayor Jim Grigg defeated Council President Nathan Anfinson to win the mayor’s seat in Tuesday’s election. Grigg secured 544 votes compared to 450 for Anfinson. Grigg will replace Steve Neitzel who chose not to seek re-election.

In Mayville, incumbent Mayor Rob Boelk withstood a challenge from David Koch. Boelk had 721 votes while Koch picked-up 645.

 

Aldermanic

In the city of Beaver Dam, longtime incumbent Mary Flaherty came up three votes short in losing her seat to Therese Henriksen. The final tally was 79-to-82. Incumbent Ward 12 Alderman Dan Doyle won a second term after withstanding a challenge from former alderwoman Donna Maly who lost her seat to Doyle two years ago. The vote was 71-29. Maly ran unopposed on the Dodge County Board where she will serve another term.

In the city of Columbus incumbent Andrew Traxler retained his District Three seat after overcoming Paula Steiner by a vote of 170-to-110. In the open District Two seat Jason Theilen bested Chris Roelke by ten votes, 175-to-165.

On the Fox Lake Common Council, Ward One incumbent Tom Jahnke lost his seat to challenger Don Zilewicz; the final vote was 43-33.

On the Juneau Common Council, Curt Arndt apparently had the most write-in votes to retain the Ward Two seat he was appointed to earlier this year.

 

Dodge County Board

There was only one contested race on the 33-member Dodge County Board. After the votes were counted Dale Macheel came away the victor with 289 votes with his opponent Evonne Boettge collecting 175 votes to secure the District Four Town of Westford-area seat.

There were two Waupun-area Dodge County Board seats up for grabs without anyone on the ballot, but when the voting had closed it appeared that Bill Hoekstra had the most write in votes to earn him the District 25 seat, and Tom Nickel earned enough write in votes to claim the District 26 seat.  That’s according to Dodge County Clerk Karen Gibson who notes that the results are still unofficial pending canvassing.

 

School Board

In Columbus, three seats were up for grabs. Barbara Hesselberg was the top vote-getter with 998 votes. Julie Hajewski, claimed 971 votes.  The incumbent William Braun was able to hold on to his seat with 858 votes.

In Mayville, all three seats up for election were contested.  The Zone One North seat went to the incumbent John Westphal who collected 1055 votes over the challenger Sue Steele with 818.  In Zone Three South, the incumbent James Congdon was able to hold onto his seat against challenger Patrick O’Toole, with Congdon getting 945 votes to O’Toole’s 921.  In Zone Four City, the incumbent Laangela Davis fell to the challenger Ronald Andes, 899 votes to 936.

In Waupun, two candidates were vying for the open at large district seat on the Waupun School Board.  After the votes were tallied, Kim Pokorny won the position with 359 votes over Stephen Chene who received 204 votes.

 

School Funding Referendum

Voters in the Hustisford School District passed a referendum question Tuesday that will help cover operational costs. The district will now exceed revenue limits by $200-thousand dollars which will focus on curriculum, staffing, educational opportunities and technology. There were 414 yes votes cast to 367 no votes.

The Horicon School District passed two referendum questions aimed at improving their facilities. The first question is for $22.9-million dollars and will go towards building a new elementary school next to the high school where secure entrances will be installed. The second is for $3.9-million dollars and addresses infrastructure needs at the junior/senior high school. Question one passed with 1,031 yes votes to 653 no votes. Question two passed with near similar numbers with 1,039 yes votes to 620 no votes.

Voters in the Markesan School District approved a referendum allowing the district to exceed revenue limits by just over one-million dollars for each of the next three years. The funds will go towards staff, helping the district preserve financial stability and maintaining quality educational programs.

Voters in the Fall River School District passed a referendum question that will target upgrades to technology, safety and security as well as facility maintenance. Nearly $6-million of the $7.8-million-dollar question will go towards athletics which includes a new football field, an eight-lane track, multiple soccer field, three softball diamonds and a baseball diamond. There were 523 yes votes casted to 467 no votes.

A school funding referendum in the Cambria-Friesland School District passed with 323 yes votes to 175 no votes. The referendum asked voters to allow the district to exceed revenue limits by $3.2-million dollars over the next three years. The funds will go towards operations and buildings maintenance.

 

Municipal Referendum

There was a tight window separating yes and no votes for the Town of Beaver Dam referendum, with 398 in support and 395 against. The question asked voters to allow the township to exceed the town tax levy by $148,910 dollars for road maintenance and construction.

 

Columbia County Circuit Court Judge

It was a tight race for the position of Columbia County Circuit Court Judge, Branch Three.  Troy D. Cross and Brenda L Yaskal were both vying for the open position.  When all the votes were counted, Troy Cross narrowly came out on top with 5059 total votes compared to Brenda Yaskal’s 5025.

 

Village Trustee

In the village of Iron Ridge two seats were up for grabs on the Village Board of Trustees.  Jay Wald took the majority of votes with 143 claiming the first seat, and  Dave Foulkes secured the second seat with 106 votes.  Not getting a seat Mary Evje was only able to rally 63 votes in her favor.

 

Town Board Supervisor

In the Town of Ashippun the position of Town Board Supervisor 3 was on the ballot, with David J. Adkins falling to Willard J. Oschmann claiming only 248 votes to Oschmann’s 329.