MAYOR WALTER: ‘IT’S ONWARD AND UPWARD’

Four.

That’s how many times election workers counted the ballots in the race for Freeman mayor late Tuesday night, April 9 — ballots that resulted in a razor-close battle between incumbent Michael Walter and challenger Cody Fransen.

Walter won 190 to 188, but that was not confirmed until close to 9:45 p.m. — well after the 7 p.m. closure of the polls.

“My main thought was that we needed to count it enough times that I was comfortable knowing that it was right,” said Freeman City Finance Officer Lisa Edelman, who said that three election workers teamed up to tally the votes. “I wanted enough eyes on it to make sure we had it correct.”

Edelman said she also told Fransen that he could request a recount — “that he had every right to do that, but also that I was comfortable with where we were at.”

For Walter, his win last week means he will serve a third consecutive two-year term as mayor of the city and fourth overall; he also served in that capacity from 1990 to 1992 after spending five years on the Freeman City Council.

“I’m very thankful,” Walter told The Courier. “I will gladly serve and I’m happy to serve and will do so to the best of my ability; I feel I still have a lot to offer and I’m still driven.”

Mostly, he says, he wants what’s best for the town.

“I love Freeman,” Walter said. “It’s all I know and it’s onward and upward. I’m glad to be involved.”

Walter was also pleased with voter turnout, not just for the mayor’s race but also for the Ward I and Ward 3 races in which challenger Erin Lachman defeated incumbent Charles Gering and Terry Jacobsen defeated Shelly Wanninger. The city election saw 43% turnout across the board.

“I’m very happy with that,” he said.

Freeman City Council

The results of last week’s election will change the makeup of the six-person Freeman City Council when it reconvenes for a new year in May. Lachman will come on board for the first time after earning 67% of the Ward 1 vote, 89 to 43 over Gering. With the exception of six months in 2015, Gering has served on the city council since first getting elected in 2011.

Lachman says he is grateful for the support of Ward 1 voters.

“I look forward to helping Freeman continue to be a place we are proud of,” said Lachman, who moved here with his family 13 years ago and encourages residents to tune in to meetings of the city council and also the Freeman School Board. “Both have YouTube channels where board meetings are shared.”

For Jacobsen, who moved to Freeman with his family a decade ago, his 76-45 win over Wanninger marks a return to the city council after two years away. Jacobsen was first appointed to the council in 2016 to fill a vacancy left by Eva Olson — who had chosen not to seek re-election — and stepped away after serving three terms.

“I’m grateful to the voters for their confidence in me,” Jacobsen told The Courier. “Freeman is in a good position and I look forward to helping keep things moving in the right direction.”

Wanninger offered her congratulations to Jacobsen on his election and expressed appreciation for those who cast ballots.

“Thank you to who came out and voted on Election Day; I appreciate each one of you,” she said. “I’ll continue to serve our community in the same arenas as I have been and look forward to new opportunities that evolve here in Freeman.”

Note: All three races in the city of Freeman were for two-year terms; The Courier has incorrectly been reporting that the race between Jacobsen and Wanninger was for a one-year term.

Freeman School Board

Emily Andersen, the current president of the Freeman School Board who is nearing the completion of her first three-year term, will get another. Andersen was the top vote-getter in the three-person race for two seats on the board, earning 296 of the 807 votes cast for 37%.

“A heartfelt thank you for all of the support and all of those who voted last week,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to represent those within the Freeman School District, and appreciate the opportunity to do so!”

Also winning a seat on the school board was Chris Sayler, a challenger who has been critical of district leadership following his abrupt resignation as head coach of the Marion/Freeman wrestling program in February. Sayler defeated the other incumbent running for re-election, Doug McCune, 277-234; McCune was seeking his second three-year term on the board.

“I want to thank all the voters who came out and voted for me,” said Sayler. “A vote for me shows your support in change in the ways things have been handled in the past. I know I am only one person, but I can truly tell you I am a voice for the students, staff and the school as a whole. Thanks again.”

Sayler will join the board when it reconvenes for a new fiscal year in July.

Voter turnout in the Freeman School Board Election was 27%.

Marion School Board

The other local election last week took place 14 miles northeast of Freeman as two incumbents easily won another term on the Marion School Board over two challengers. Scott Tieszen and Jared Schmidt, the current president and vice president of the board, won almost 70% of the vote between them; challengers Kyle Gossen and Dave Pankratz came in at 17% and 13%, respectively. Vote totals were Schmidt 231, Tieszen 230, Pankratz 112 and Gossen 89.

Turnout was 30%.

Tieszen offered thanks to those who voted, and also a reminder that a second bond election will be held on June 4 that would help fund a proposed $10.9 million renovation of the district’s campus. The first bond election, held Jan. 16, failed to reach the 60% majority required for passage.

“Make sure you vote again and have your voices heard,” Tieszen said.

Schmidt also expressed appreciation to the voters.

“I would like to thank the patrons of the Marion School District who took some time out of their day to come and vote to show their support,” he said. “I will continue to do the best I can for the kids and staff.”

And Gossen offered the following comment:

“I knew running for the board was not a popular decision, but if you believe in something you gotta try and do something about it and we certainly opened some eyes,” he said. “I sincerely appreciate the kind words from many knowing the battle we were up against and I want to thank the many that had great conversations, whether it be for or against us!

“Takes a lot of a heart to be open about tough subjects and I feel I was as honest as I could be on the matter,” he continued. “I wish Scott and Jared the best in their next term and (am) hopeful to see a long-term all sports co-op, improvements to the school building, but most importantly an improvement to the district report card.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: All 13 candidates running for office were given an opportunity to respond to the April 9 election. The above reporting is based on those who offered a comment.