Telegraph Edition: Some things change; others stay the same
By Sauk Valley Newspapers - What We Think - letters@svnmail.com
The 2009 Consolidated Election is history. The people have spoken.
What did they say?
In some instances, voters supported change.
Dixon Township voters picked Doug Farster as their new supervisor by just 40 votes over second-place finisher Linda Smith. Both have many years of experience with the township: Farster served 8 years as a trustee, and Smith has worked 18 years as an assistant to retiring Supervisor Ambrose Reuter.
Also running in the crowded field, in their order of finish Tuesday night, were Mike Christoffersen, Nancy Varga, Tom Kitson and Betty Sensenig.
More change happened in Ashton, where John Martinez defeated first-term Village President Don Ross Jr., 185 to 164. It was a rematch of the 2005 race, where Ross topped Martinez, 208 to 174.
A newcomer led all candidates in the voting for Dixon School Board. Pam Short Tourtillott had 1,795 votes. Also winning seats were incumbent Thomas Balser, 1,650, Tracy Greenwalt, 1,601, and incumbent Woody Lenox, 1,453. Though five other qualified candidates finished out of the running, Glen Hughes, Al Duncan, Daniel Newman, James Andrew McFarlane and Jim Turffs are to be congratulated for rounding out a remarkably talented field.
In other instances, the status quo was just fine with the electorate.
Jim Lance, the 16-year Dixon Township highway commissioner, captured a fifth term by defeating Michael Lahey, 53 percent to 47 percent.
Amboy Mayor Frank Mekeel won a second term, turning back challenges by Ed Blake and former Mayor Daryl Stuckemeyer.
Bob Logan, Franklin Grove’s village president for 16 years, snared another term against four challengers. Logan was victorious with slightly more than 31 percent of the vote, meaning that about two-thirds of village voters preferred someone else. Splitting the rest of the vote were Diane Nicholson, Ed Uphoff, Marilyn Spangler and Tony Shaneberg.
As far as higher taxes were concerned, the people were having none of it. Voters in Harmon and Brooklyn townships convincingly defeated referendums that would have increased taxes to repair local roads.
As usual, turnout was stronger where there were contested races, and weaker where there were none.
Congratulations to the winners. Don’t let the voters down.
To the unsuccessful candidates, thanks are in order. You gave voters a choice. Don’t give up. Maybe the next time, things will turn out differently.
