The people have spoken

The results are in and I think, by and large, yesterday’s election went pretty smoothly. I haven’t heard of any real problems at any of the polling places as has been the case in the past (though we may learn of something later, I suppose). Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all those who ran and participated in the democratic process. As far as the specific results in each race go, I am pretty pleased overall with the way the election turned out.

To recap:

Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education
Incumbent Tom McDermott and first-timer John Lemberger soundly defeated incumbent Ben Schneider II and three-time candidate Michelle Monte. While the turnout was lower than desired, it was about what many expected. I have read some comments that seem to be blaming a low voter turnout for the Schneider-Monte defeat. Such "reasoning” is kind of silly, I think. To make such a comment is to suggest that a higher turnout would have garnered votes only for those two candidates. Common sense and the laws of probability tell us that more voters at the polls would have brought more votes for each of the four candidates.

Now if someone is suggesting that the Schneider-Monte supporters didn’t get out and vote – bringing about their defeat – I can only surmise the following: That, either the would-be voters weren’t such strong supporters after all; they thought their candidates had the election locked up so didn’t bother voting; or the things Schneider and Monte tried to paint as the biggest issues in the race really weren’t so crucial to the voters after all.

I also have talked with poll workers in different communities and a common theme seems to be that in February that were a lot of newer faces voting, presumably because it was a presidential primary. Yesterday’s election, they said, brought out the usual faces – people who have been voting in elections for some time. That also may have made a difference in yesterday’s results.

And while the results are not necessarily a ringing endorsement for the newly-approved facilities plan, I do think the elections results tell us two things: First, voters are tired of stagnation in board action and want to see something happening. Second, voters are tired of negativity and divisiveness on the board or amongst candidates. That is not to suggest that we need board members who are putty in anyone’s hands. But it is important to have board members who have common sense and are reasonable (i.e., they are people who can be reasoned with and who, if you make a compelling argument, are willing to concede that point and change their minds.). Far too often with some board members and candidates, we have seen people who are unwilling to compromise on anything. They seem to want things their way or no way at all. I think voters are tired of that and that is one thing we can conclude from yesterday’s election.

Oshkosh Common Council
This race had only three candidates – all incumbents and each who ran unopposed. Though each got re-elected by virtue of having no challengers, the interesting thing about the results from this “race” is it seems Paul Esslinger’s popularity is not as great as it once was. According to the results on the county’s web site, he finished last amongst his council counterparts – quite a contrast from someone who in the past has been a top vote-getter. Perhaps what we’ve been reading on other blogs in the past year or so is right; that his edge has slipped a little more each of the last few times he’s run. Deputy Mayor Burk Tower, on the other hand, finished in first place among the three incumbent candidates. That also was in direct contrast to what some were saying on the blogs about Tower’s popularity and so-called vulnerability.

Winnebago County Board
There were four contested races in Oshkosh and each of the incumbents – with the exception of Donna Lohry in District 14 – was able to retain their seat for another two-year term. There were contested races elsewhere in the county, due at least in part, to a two-seat reduction n the size of the county board and a subsequent redistricting of the county. One of the more interesting races was in Neenah, where 30-year county board member Joseph Maehl mounted a write-in campaign after losing his place on the ballot when some of his nomination paper signatures were challenged and subsequently thrown out. Deepest thanks to Maehl for his years of county service and best of luck to him in the future. A complete run-down of the county board election results is listed below:

District 1 in the city and Town of Menasha – Thomas Konetzke defeated Jackie Miller (daughter of deceased county board member, Woody Weber)
District 4 in the city and Town of Menasha, - incumbent Paul Eisen beat incumbent Joe Hotynski.
District 6 in the city of Neenah - Bill Roh defeated Joe Maehl
District 7 in Neenah – incumbent James Koziczkowski beat Kyle Reppert.
District 9 in Neenah – incumbent Tom Widener beat incumbent William Pollnow Jr.
District 14 in the city and town of Oshkosh – incumbent Claud Thompson defeated incumbent Donna Lohry
District 15 in Oshkosh – incumbent Kathleen Lennon beat challenger Travis Swanson
District 18 in Oshkosh – incumbent Bill Wingren handily beat John Daggett
District 21 in Oshkosh – incumbent Robert Warnke beat Christine Kutnink-Richards
District 28 in the towns of Menasha and Neenah – incumbent Jerold Finch defeated Jay Schroeder
District 36 in the towns of Clayton, Winchester, Poygan and Wolf River - John Reinert beat Susan Rubick

City of Menasha
There were council races here, but probably the most significant race in the city of Menasha last night was for the position of mayor. In a major upset, 20-year incumbent Joe Laux was handily defeated by alderman Don Merkes. Merkes captured 56 percent of the vote total compared to Laux’s 44 percent.

Congratulations again to all the winners in yesterday's election. I hope you will serve your constituents with common sense, sound reasoning, due diligence and careful deliberation in each of your votes.