ELECTION UPDATE: LACHMAN CHALLENGING GERING IN WARD 1

LOCAL CITY/SCHOOL VACANCIES

Lachman challenging Gering in Ward 1

Sayler turns in petition for Freeman School Board; Vaith running in Menno

JEREMY WALTNER

– EDITOR & PUBLISHER

There will be at least one local election this coming April.

In addition to the nominating petition filed by Charles Gering for re-election to his Ward I council seat, Freeman resident Erin Lachman has also turned in a petition for the upcoming Ward I vacancy, according to Freeman City Finance Officer Lisa Edelman. That means registered voters living in Ward 1 will have their say when they head to the polls on April 9.

Other petitions that had been turned into Freeman City Hall as of Tuesday afternoon included one by Michael Walter for another term as mayor, Steve (Charly) Waltner for another term as Ward 2 councilor, and by Shelly Wanninger in Ward 3 — a seat that had been held by Tabitha Schoenwald prior to her resignation late last year.

For Freeman School Board, two petitions had been turned in as of Tuesday afternoon — one by incumbent and board president Emily Andersen and another by Chris Sayler, according to business manager Angele Letcher. In addition to Andersen, the term currently held by Doug McCune is also expiring.

In the city of Menno, three petitions have been filed with City Hall. In addition to Amber Cross in Ward 3, George Cokens has also turned in his petition for re-election as a Ward 3 councilor, and Darrell Mehlhaff had also filed his petition for re-election as mayor; it would be his sixth term.

Others up for re-election include Scott Simonsen in Ward 1, Jerry Fischer in Ward 2 and John Huber in Ward 3.

For Menno School Board, business manager Dale Weiss said Tuesday afternoon that the only petition turned in was by done so by Jackie Vaith. The one term is set to expire in 2024 and is held by Tim Freier.

All nominating petitions are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23.