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Elections Set For Veblen, Pierpont
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Voters in Veblen and Pierpont will go to the polls on Tuesday to elect city officials.
Three positions are contested in this spring's election.
Veblen's incumbent mayor LaVonne Jacobson is being challenged by Ralph Parsons, and Veblen incumbent council member Ed Vrchota is facing challenger Kerry Anderson for a three-year position in Ward 1.
In Pierpont two people are challenging incumbent Mark Wika for a three-year term on the town board. Challengers are Theresa Bistodeau and Wayne Schmidt.
Polls will be open on Tuesday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Veblen residents will vote at the community room at the City Hall, while Pierpont voters will cast ballots at the Community Building.
Britton had four council positions up for election and all four incumbents filed petitions with no opposition. Virgie Schaaf will serve another two-year term in Ward 1, Melody Wenz, who was previously appointed to a Ward 2 slot, will serve a one-year term. Brian Freeman will serve another two-year term in Ward 2, while Don Jones will serve another two-year term in Ward 3. Current Britton mayor Dave Andresen plans to resign at the end of his term and nobody filed for that position.
In Veblen no petitions were filed for board positions currently held by Tom Henning and Patricia Aadland. Incumbent Chad Hardy had no opposition for a open trustee spot in Langford. In Eden incumbent Mary Dunn was the only person to file for an open town board position, and Shane Johnson re-field for a Claremont board slot.
Robert Braun was the only person to file for the Lake City spot currently held by Anne Nordquist. There were no petitions filed for five Hecla positions currently held by Jay Osterloh, Kathy Jones, Hal Treeby, Arlin Nelson, and Caryl Wilmsen.
The Britton Journal asked candidates for contested positions to respond to a questionnaire on their reasons for running and top city issues. Following are their responses.
Veblen
Incumbent LaVonne Jacobson and challenger Ralph Parsons are vying for mayor of Veblen, while incumbent council member Ed Vrchota and challenger Kerry Anderson are running for a two-year city council term in Ward 1.
Background information.
Jacobson: I have lived in Veblen for 49 years. We were blessed with two daughters and their husbands, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. I worked at Dakotah, Inc. for 20 years. Besides being a high school graduate, I have two years of college and have served as mayor of Veblen for seven years.
Parsons: I'm 78 years old, have been married 56 years, and have three boys and three girls. I worked for the state of South Dakota for four years before spending 30 years as a self-employed contractor in Oregon.
Anderson: Anderson did not return the Journal questionnaire.
Vrchota: I'm married and have eight children, each in their own field of work and doing very well. I worked in the appliance parts and service field for 40 years. I retired after 40 years and moved to the Veblen area and like it very much.
What is your reason for running for office?
Jacobson: The city is now in the position financially to do some of the projects that had to be put on the back burner previously. I would like to see them to completion. I would like to see Veblen grow to what it was in the 1940's and 50's with a population of 500 residents.
Parsons: I want to clean up and fix up the city.
Vrchota: I want to help the people of Veblen in any way I can.
What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing your town, and how do you think the city should deal with that challenge?
Jacobson: The biggest challenge is the housing problem. We, the council and I, have discussed the clearing of the north side of town known as Lover's Lane. There are 12 lots in that area that would take very little effort to develop.
Parsons: Fixing it up and cleaning it up. Have a daily maintenance schedule.
Vrchota: Complete our bylaws and enforce our pet issues and any other problems we have.
List two other issue that you think should be priorities for the city. What do you think should be done to address those issues?
Jacobson: More businesses and industry would be a financial asset to the town. We are working with the Glacial Lakes Area Development to try to get more businesses into town.
Parsons: Tear down falling down buildings, clean up and trim trees in the area, and keep the citizens of Veblen up to date on what goes on at City Hall.
Vrchota: Clean up our town and make it a better place to live, and encourage new business development in this area.
What qualities or experience do you have that you feel would serve you well in this position?
Jacobson: I have served as mayor of Veblen for seven years. In that time I have learned about the working of city government. I have worked with officials from the surrounding towns, county, and state.
Parsons: I can work with people and I know how to plow "snow."
Vrchota: I have been dealing with the public for many years and feel I can help people and business in the Veblen area.
Pierpont
Incumbent Mark Wika will face challengers Theresa Bistodeau and Wayne Schmidt for a three-year term on the Pierpont town board.
Background information:
Bistodeau: I am single with no children, just my four cats! I'm the daughter of Paul and Marcia Reints of Langford and work at Coventry Healthcare in Aberdeen. I grew up in Langford and have lived in Pierpont for five years.
Schmidt: Schmidt has been a Pierpont resident for more than 27 years, and at age 63 is a semi-retired business person. He is a member of SEAS in Groton and sings in the choir.
Wika: My wife's name is Melissa, we have three children - Alexandria, 7, Samantha, 6, and Timothy, 5. I work at Dakota Foundry in Webster and am also one of the owners. I am a volunteer fireman on the Pierpont Rural Fire Department. I have served three years as trustee on the Town Board of Pierpont, and our children attend Langford School.
What is your reason for running for office?
Bistodeau: I believe that Pierpont is a great place to live and I would like to see the community thrive. I believe I need to be more involved in my community.
Schmidt: Schmidt declined to answer the questions presented but rather provided one overall statement that will be printed following the final question.
Wika: To try and help better the community of Pierpont and to see through with the Pierpont Lake Restoration Project, the street projects, and the beautification projects.
What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing your town, and how do you think the city should deal with that challenge?
Bistodeau: Pierpont is a small town that has a limited budget to take care of its needs. It is a challenge for those who are on the board to raise money and grants to take care of these needs.
Wika: The streets are in need of major repair. We (the board) had Main Street rebuilt with the help of a grant and a loan. We imposed the two cent sales tax to guarantee the loan and to raise money for the other streets to be repaired. The city maintainer is in very poor condition, and we are shopping around for a newer one.
List two other issues that you think should be priorities for the city. What do you think should be done to address those issues?
Bistodeau: 1. The Town Park. The current board is doing several different things already to address this issue and I think they are doing a very good job.
2. Enticing people to live in Pierpont. There are very few places for people who do wish to live in Pierpont. We need to let people know what a great place P:ierpont is and try to get our community to grow some.
Wika: 1. To draw in new business or revenue for the town.
We are currently a member of Glacial Lakes Area Development (GLAD), which is an aggressive group implementing economic strategies and taking action towards revitalizing the Glacial Lakes area. Also, the Lake Restoration Project to draw in fishermen and campers which would bring people into town, creating revenue for the town.
2. To beautify the town. We currently have several projects going to beautify the parks and to clean up abandoned and dilapidated property.
What qualities or experience do you have that you feel would serve you well in this position?
Bistodeau: I do like to be involved in my community in several different group activities and try to help with various different things that happen here. I really have no experience but would like to see my community grow in a positive manner.
Wika: Will power to succeed and much pride in the community.
Schmidt statement: Clearly the best choice for Pierpont Trustee is Wayne Schmidt. Having been a resident for more than 27 years, educated, and working for the best interests of Pierpont. At age 63, Wayne is a single, semi-retired business person with the time and ability to work for all residents. This means inclusive representation with no favoritism. I is least important and We is most important. I will not only include and encourage local residents to participate but also surrounding communities to work together for the best interests of all northeast South Dakota.
Wayne is an active participant in the "Creating a Value Added Community" program. Pierpont will now have more opportunity to develop all of its assets such as Pierpont Lake, businesses, churches, community center, and more. The most important asset is the people that live in Pierpont and our area. Pierpont faces many of the same problems that we see at the national level - financial problems, mistrust in leaders, apathy to get involved. Wayne will provide the full-time leadership and problem solving ability to involve everyone in the area - making Pierpont a better than ever place to visit and live.
Wayne is a registered independent and supports Gov. Rounds legislation on helping grow the small town business economy.
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©Marshall County Journal 2010
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