Area elections
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
There were no big surprises in area communities on election day Tuesday, Nov. 6.
In Ellendale, 384 voters turned out. Roger Swearingen, running unopposed for Mayor, was elected with 270 votes. There were 88 write-ins. For the Ellendale City Council, Duane Goebel received 241 votes, Dick Lassahn 215 with 62 write-ins. The biggest issue on the local ballot, Sunday Liquor, passed 243-134.
The City of Geneva had a 95.33 percent voter turnout, reelecting Mayor Steve Bailey with 247 votes. There were 16 write-ins. For Geneva City Council, Taff Worrell received 237 votes, Janelle Tufte 214 with 13 write-ins.
The biggest question mark in the area is in Hartland, where there were no candidates for mayor and two city council positions.
Current Mayor Kelly Routh received 48 write-in votes. Former councilman Ray Mielke was next with 12. There were 126 write-ins for the council. For the first position, longtime councilperson Linda Pederson received 20 votes, Kyle Reed 16 and Travis Routh nine. For the other council seat, Gordon Jensen received four votes, Duane Miller three and Carly Solland two. As of Monday, no one had accepted any of the three offices.As reported last week in the Star Eagle, Lori Routh, Mike Moen and Shelly Moxon were reelected to the NRHEG School Board. The totals: Routh 1757, Moen 1529, Moxon 1384, Jay Crabtree 1354, Peggy Radjenovich 572. There were 24 write-ins.
For Waseca County Commissioner District 1, incumbent Jim Peterson was reelected over Jody Wynnemer, 1333-595.
In the City of New Richland, Sandy Neumann and John Hullopeter were elected to the City Council. Three candidates were running for two open seats. Neumann was the top vote getter with 408. Hullopeter had 362. Incumbent Anthony Martens totaled 230 votes.
For Mayor of New Richland, former councilperson Christine Gislason was elected by a 447-108 margin over Jacob Papinski.
A total of 555 residents cast their ballot in the city of New Richland.
In Waldorf, Alan Fleming received 78 votes for mayor to 52 for Robert Vogelsang. Waldorf had two open council seats; votes were: Bruce Urbatch 66, Kevin Lines 54, Curtis Collins 49, Carrie Ferch 47.