Wednesday's edition of the Times carried some disheartening campaign news and some good local election news.
First, the disheartening news. Thirty seats on the Green County Board of Supervisors will go unchallenged - save for write-ins - in the April 6 elections. It is unfortunate to see any seat in any election uncontested. Without an exchange of ideas in a campaign voters are not served with the opportunity they deserve. The ability to hear ideas, which challenge those currently in power, is essential to the representative governmental process.
Only District 18 Supervisor Steve Stettler will face a challenger in Robert Gadow.
The situation isn't much better in Lafayette County where only two of 15 seats will see a contested race.
We hope the 2010 county boards' elections are an anomaly, and that more people will make the commitment to run in the next election.
In Monroe, however, there is good news. There are a few challengers in local races that should help at least create that exchange of ideas.
This is particularly important given the next term's challenges including, a tight budget, a major road project in widening 8th and 9th streets, the possibility of a west-side fire station, not to mention whether to hire a new administrator.
In Ward 3, incumbent Mark Coplien, will seek a third term against Michael Boyce. Coplien whose family started Coplien Painting in 1939, which Coplien now owns, will face Boyce, who is the son-in-law of Skip Brennan, who owns Brennan's Country Farm Market. It is nice to see two men with long-standing family connections to Monroe's business sector taking an active role in government.
The mayoral race will also be a good way for voters to see different points of view, as all three contenders, Mayor Ron Marsh, former mayor Bill Ross, and newcomer Tyler Schultz, will be on the final ballot. There will be no primary the mayoral race.
While Neal Hunter, Ward 1, and Charles Koch, Ward 5, are running unopposed, Thurston Hanson will face a challenger in Ward 7. He will run against his next door neighbor Louis Armstrong.
Unfortunately, Kent Kallembach in Ward 9 has decided not to run for a second full term in office.
In declaring his decision in Wednesday's Times, Kallembach made a great point.
"In city government, you can really make a difference," he said.
He's right, and we thank him for his service, as he and the council have a had a lot to deal with over the last few years.
We hope that someone comes forward to run in Ward 9, by the Friday deadline. If not, anyone will be able to write their names on the ballot. While the seat could still be filled, a campaign for the position would allow the essential exchange of ideas vital to the process of choosing a candidate.
The next local election will have its good and bad points, but the lack of candidates in the county races shows just how difficult it is to find people willing to commit to the sacrifice of public service.
First, the disheartening news. Thirty seats on the Green County Board of Supervisors will go unchallenged - save for write-ins - in the April 6 elections. It is unfortunate to see any seat in any election uncontested. Without an exchange of ideas in a campaign voters are not served with the opportunity they deserve. The ability to hear ideas, which challenge those currently in power, is essential to the representative governmental process.
Only District 18 Supervisor Steve Stettler will face a challenger in Robert Gadow.
The situation isn't much better in Lafayette County where only two of 15 seats will see a contested race.
We hope the 2010 county boards' elections are an anomaly, and that more people will make the commitment to run in the next election.
In Monroe, however, there is good news. There are a few challengers in local races that should help at least create that exchange of ideas.
This is particularly important given the next term's challenges including, a tight budget, a major road project in widening 8th and 9th streets, the possibility of a west-side fire station, not to mention whether to hire a new administrator.
In Ward 3, incumbent Mark Coplien, will seek a third term against Michael Boyce. Coplien whose family started Coplien Painting in 1939, which Coplien now owns, will face Boyce, who is the son-in-law of Skip Brennan, who owns Brennan's Country Farm Market. It is nice to see two men with long-standing family connections to Monroe's business sector taking an active role in government.
The mayoral race will also be a good way for voters to see different points of view, as all three contenders, Mayor Ron Marsh, former mayor Bill Ross, and newcomer Tyler Schultz, will be on the final ballot. There will be no primary the mayoral race.
While Neal Hunter, Ward 1, and Charles Koch, Ward 5, are running unopposed, Thurston Hanson will face a challenger in Ward 7. He will run against his next door neighbor Louis Armstrong.
Unfortunately, Kent Kallembach in Ward 9 has decided not to run for a second full term in office.
In declaring his decision in Wednesday's Times, Kallembach made a great point.
"In city government, you can really make a difference," he said.
He's right, and we thank him for his service, as he and the council have a had a lot to deal with over the last few years.
We hope that someone comes forward to run in Ward 9, by the Friday deadline. If not, anyone will be able to write their names on the ballot. While the seat could still be filled, a campaign for the position would allow the essential exchange of ideas vital to the process of choosing a candidate.
The next local election will have its good and bad points, but the lack of candidates in the county races shows just how difficult it is to find people willing to commit to the sacrifice of public service.
