Candidates for local elections announced

 

by Janet Hansen

The April 11 filing deadline for county, city, and school elections is past and local ballots for the June 10 election are now being prepared.

Four of the five seats on the Ransom County Board of Commissioners are up for grabs this year. Incumbents Kevin Bishop, George Bunn, and Steve Dick have all filed to run for another four-year term on the board. Neil Olerud, who was appointed to fill the seat vacated following the December 2006 death of Commissioner Ron Torbenson, will be running for the unexpired portion of that term, which is two years.

Additional candidates include Darla L. Smith, Fort Ransom, who is running for a four-year position and David M. Olson, Fort Ransom, who will be challenging Olerud for the unexpired two-year term.

All candidates for the board of commissioners will move forward after the June primary to the general election in November. 

Warren “Bud” Lyons will be seeking re-election to the position of Garrison Diversion Conservancy District Director. He will be running unopposed in the primary and will move forward from the primary to the general election ballot.

Ransom County voters will also be asked to vote on an extension department mill levy measure. The measure will be worded as follows: “Shall the county of Ransom County increase the mill levy for the extension office work from its current levy of two mills to the maximum of four mills allowed by North Dakota law.” A “Yes” vote means you approve the measure as summarized above, while a “No” vote indicates that you reject it.

Citizens of Lisbon and Enderlin will be making some decisions as to the makeup of city councils and park boards during the primary election. 

The terms of three of the six Lisbon City Council members are expiring. Incumbents Jerry Gemar and LyDell Mairs have filed for re-election to another four-year term. Tom McKinnon has decided not to seek re-election. Patrick Adair is seeking to be elected to that seat for a four-year term.

City Park Board candidates for the City of Lisbon include incumbents Debbie Jensen and David K. Olson, plus Jay Steiner, who is seeking election for the seat currently held by Julie Nelson. Nelson has chosen not to seek re-election to the board. All positions are for four-year terms. 

Two members of the Enderlin City Council, Elva Engstrom and Kevin Bunn, will be seeking re-election to another four-year council term. Tim Michaelson has chosen not to run for re-election. Ben Trottier is seeking election to that open seat. 

The four-year terms of three Enderlin Park Board members, Ross Berglund, Arne Bratland and Lisa Mangler, are expiring. All three incumbents are running for re-election.

A question on whether or not to publish council minutes in the official city newspaper will also be included on both Lisbon and Enderlin city ballots. This question must be included on the ballot every four years, according to Cyndee Chesley, Enderlin City Auditor.

The City of Fort Ransom will also be holding an election on June 10. The terms of city council members Hugh Thorfinnson and Darrel Bjone are expiring. Both had filed for re-election.

Citizens of the City of Sheldon will be voting to fill the position of mayor as well as three council positions. Mayor Marie Boeder-Bartholomay’s term is expiring and a candidate is being sought for a two-year term. No one has filed to run for that position. Incumbent council members Linda Close and Denise Bartholomay will be running for four- and two-year terms respectively. Julie Hanson, who was appointed in February to fill the council vacancy created by the illness and ensuing death of Councilman Frank Thompson, has filed for re-election to that seat. 

A question regarding publication of the council minutes will also be included on the ballot. 

Area school board election will also take place on June 10. 

The terms of Terry Thompson (rural position) and Tim Mairs (city position) are expiring. Both have filed for another three-year term. Thompson will be running unopposed. Marsha Bittner has filed for a position on the ballot and will be challenging Mairs for the city position.

Candidates for the Enderlin Area School Board include incumbents Cyndee Chesley (city  position), Dan Billing (rural position) and Leo Bartholomay, who was appointed to fill the position opened with the resignation of Matt Bartholomay. Leo Bartholomay will be running unopposed for a one-year term.

Two seats on the Fort Ransom School Board will be up for election on June 10. Incumbent Teresa Olson has filed for re-election. Lynn Thorfinnson is not seeking re-election. Darla L. Smith  and Jarry Lautt have both filed for a position on the board. 

Enderlin Area School District patrons will also be voting on whether or not to publish the minutes in the district’s official newspaper, according to Susan Schlecht, the district’s business manager.