DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TOMORROW

Of course, we have the superintendent, Supreme Court justice, school board and school referendum decisions on Tuesday, which should boost the turnout for Ripon. Based on the recent letters to the newspaper, the referendum has certainly generated its fair share of interest. I am not going to make any endorsements, but am going to make predictions instead:
SUPERINTENDENT
Tony Evers will win a close race with Rose Fernandez. The WEAC-supported candidate, who is currently the second in command in the Department of Public Instruction, has had some issues surrounding him regarding improper campaigning, but I don't think they have done enough damage to his campaign. Sadly, I think Evers will be a lapdog for WEAC if elected, whereas Fernandez may have been willing to bring some different ideas and perspectives to the office.
SUPREME COURT
Abrahamson should roll in this contest. It is hard to unseat a sitting judge unless they have been caught in a scandal or made a decision which really gets the public riled up. Abrahamson has done neither, and should beat back the challenge of Randy Koshnick.
RIPON REFERENDUM
I think the first question (regarding the boilers and roofs) will pass, but I think the second and third questions will go down to defeat (but will come back in a slightly altered form this fall). I think the primary reason is the uncertain economy. People simply do not want to see their taxes going up before every other option is considered and/or tried. Yes, I have heard about a lack of trust in the district following the 2006 referendum, but, honestly, if you believe the school district thumbed their noses at the voters and went ahead with the turf, then you did not read the referendum question, which clearly asked for permission to borrow money to install the turf. I do not think that there is a massive distrust of the district to spend the money, if the questions are approved, in a manner different than we vote on. If people really did not trust the current board, then there would be more than five names on the ballot for Tuesday's election. Besides, there are enough measures in place, and I speak from experience involving municipal debt, to prevent any elected body from spending bonded money in a manner inconsistent with the original, stated intent.
SCHOOL BOARD
I am not going to venture any guesses at this point, but I am surprised by the lack of "buzz" and interest in these races. Perhaps people have a little election fatigue following the presidential marathon.

There are other races around the county as well

Voters go to polls on Tuesday - The Reporter Staff

Numerous contested races — including three village presidents and four town chairmen — are expected to draw voters in Fond du Lac County to the polls for the spring election on Tuesday, April 7. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m...Voters in Fond du Lac will elect three candidates to the City Council. The ballot will feature the names of six candidates: Richard Gudex, Tim Lakin, James Nagle, Rick Rebek, Jeremy Thiesfeldt and Rob Vande Zande. However, Rebek said that due to employment issues, he will not accept the seat if elected.

In addition, Herbert Haywood Sr., who did not advance from the February primary, is an official write-in candidate for City Council.

Fond du Lac School District voters will elect two of the three following candidates: Eric Everson, Susan Jones and Peter Kujawa.

In the village of North Fond du Lac, voters will decide whether incumbent James Moore or newcomer Peter McCourt will serve as Village Board president. Village of Eden residents will select newcomers Dennis Immel or Steve Ouimette as president. Village of St. Cloud residents will choose between newcomers Jim Sippel or Carol Limberg.

Chairmen will be decided in the following townships:
Osceola, where incumbent LaVerne Immel is being challenged by William Benson III.
Ripon, where newcomers Barry VandeBrink and Dan Johnson are both running for chairman and supervisor.
Taycheedah, where incumbent Jerome Guelig is being challenged by Mike Wirtz.
Waupun, where incumbent David Lemmenes is being challenged by Randy Vande Slunt.

Village of Campbellsport residents will vote on an advisory referendum that asks whether to spend $400,000 to $500,000 of tax dollars to maintain the dam on the Milwaukee River; or $50,000 to $100,000 to remove the dam and allow the river to return to its natural course.

Turnout

Fond du Lac City Clerk Sue Strands said she is predicting a 20 percent voter turnout. Absentee ballot requests, she said, have been less than expected.

County Clerk Lisa Freiberg said, optimistically, she is hoping for a 25 percent voter turnout. A 25 percent turnout would total 15,395 votes countywide.

Freiberg said the more than two dozen contested races as well as several school referendum questions could attract voters.

She cautioned voters against the use of any stickers on their ballot that include a candidate's name. For reference purposes only, voters can take stickers or even the sample ballot into the voting booth.

Freiberg said a sticker affixed to a ballot will automatically be rejected and can shut down a machine. Repairs are costly and the county's spare machine would have to be brought to the polling place.