Candidates declare for elections: Friday is filing deadline

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With just four days remaining until the filing deadline, incumbents and challengers have filed to put their name on the June primary ballot here.

“The process is moving at us quickly,” said Noel Johnson, chief operating officer and election administrator for Stutsman County. “The deadline for filing is 4 p.m. Friday at the courthouse for county or state offices, at City Hall for city offices or at the school business office for the school board.”

Johnson said some candidates were still expected to file for offices but as of Monday a number of petitions had already been returned for county offices. The primary election is a preliminary round for candidates for county or state offices. Two candidates for each county and state opening for an office will advance to the general election in November.

Incumbent Dave Orr and challenger Gary Bitz have filed for a four-year term as Stutsman County sheriff. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November.

Five people have already filed for the three positions available on the Stutsman County Commission. Incumbents Dennis Ova, Dale Marks and Craig Neys have filed along with challengers Pat Folk, a former commissioner, and Nellie Degen. Up to six names will advance to the general election in November.

Three races currently have one candidate that has filed. Tom Olson is running for director of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District, Fritz Fremgen is the only filed candidate for state’s attorney and The Jamestown Sun is the only filed candidate for the official county paper.

The June election is the determining election for city and school board races.

So far two candidates have emerged for Jamestown mayor, said Jeff Fuchs, city administrator. Dwaine Heinrich, former City Council member, and Charlie Kourajian, current councilman and former mayor, have filed petitions. Mayor Clarice Liechty has said she is not seeking re-election.

One council position is up for election. Incumbent Kelani Parisien had not filed a petition as of Monday while challengers Francis Silbernagel and Scott Walch have already filed.

Incumbent Tim Ottmar has filed the only petition for municipal judge.

Four people have filed for three positions on the Jamestown Parks and Recreation Commission. Incumbents Mike Landscoot, Joyce Heinrich and Larry Knoblich have filed for re-election while former Park Board member Ron Olson is seeking a seat on the board.

Only incumbents have filed for the five openings on the Jamestown Public School Board, according to Sally Ost, business manager for the district.

Greg Allen, Tanya Ostlie, Roy Musland, Mindi Grieve and Heidi Larson are all seeking re-election. Filing as a candidate for School Board does not require a petition and signatures but rather filling out a statement of intent to be a candidate.

Voters will also decide several tax-related measures.

County voters will vote on whether to continue the 911 phone tax. The tax of $1 per month per land line or cell phone supports the operation of the 911 dispatch center.

Also on the county ballot is a half-percent county sales tax coupled to a 15-mill property tax increase for road maintenance.

City voters will see a measure to implement a half-mill property tax for the support of the James River Humane Society pet shelter.

Johnson said the election season is rapidly approaching.

“The filing deadline is Friday,” he said. “We verify the signatures over a couple of days and get it on to the North Dakota secretary of state who certifies the ballot back to us by April 14.”

Absentee ballots will be available April 29 with early voting beginning at the courthouse on May 24. The primary election is June 8.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at (701) 952-8452 or by e-mail at knorman@jamestownsun.com

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