Local election Tuesday

Ellen O'Malley
Posted 4/4/21

ROCHELLE — Come Tuesday, there could be a change on the Rochelle City Council when voters hit the polls.

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Local election Tuesday

Posted

ROCHELLE — Come Tuesday, there could be a change on the Rochelle City Council when voters hit the polls. 

There are six candidates running for three seats, and we’re featuring a question and answer section with five of the candidates on pages 8-10 of today’s News-Leader. One candidate, Cassondra Losoya, did not respond to the candidate questionnaire. 

It’s not the only contested race in town as six candidates are vying for four spots on the Rochelle-Flagg Library District. The six — Lisa Russell, Sheri Klindera, Darci Waltrip, Teresa Haggestad, Jacqueline Dickow and Kelly Johnson — are hoping to secure four-year trustee terms. 

Other contested races in the area include the Village of Creston clerk position where incumbent Deanne Haub faces Jennifer Payton; Tom Smith and Joe Wolf are running against each other for White Rock Township Supervisor; while two, Richard Kasmar and Thad Hayes, are running for trustees of the Ogle-Lee Fire Protection District. 

Equally compelling stories, though, are all the races which are either uncontested or races where not even one resident filed a petition to run for a board position. 

Rochelle government entities which will be left with open positions include Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District and Rochelle Elementary School District. In the area others which will have vacant seats are Creston and Hillcrest village boards, Creston-Dement Park District and Library District, Creston School Board, Eswood School District as well as one four-year term on the Ogle-Lee Fire Protection Board. 

In addition, there was not a candidate for a multi-township assessor. 

These boards have the power to appoint residents to fill these positions so there will be opportunities for local residents to get involved.

There are permanent changes in some of the polling places for Flagg Township. Those who are in Precincts 5, 9 and 10 who used to cast their votes at the First Presbyterian Church on Calvin Road now vote at the park district Rec Center on Jones Road.

Early voting and grace period voter registration will be conducted by the Ogle County Clerk’s Office located in the courthouse at 105 S. Fifth St. in Oregon. This will take place through Monday for those who would like to vote early as well as those who need to register to vote. Newly-registered voters will be able to vote in the current election at the clerk’s office.

Check out the results of the election on Wednesday’s Rochelle News-Leader.