Candidates file for Rugby city election
There is a full slate of offices on the June 8 ballot, including mayor, four council seats, three park board seats and a municipal judgeship.
The mayor and four council races are all being contested and it’s believed to be the first time in modern Rugby election history those offices were all contested in the same year. Moreover, just two of those five elections feature incumbents, meaning there will be newcomers to the offices.
Mayor
Dave Cichos, John Ford and Dennis Fred have filed to run for Rugby mayor – the first time since 1990 three candidates have sought the office.
Cichos, who is retired, served as mayor from 1994-2002. Ford is semi-retired and is co-founder and director of the North Dakota Coalition for CPS and Foster Care Reform. Fred is owner/operator of the Hub restaurant and motel.
Council
There are council terms up in each of the city’s four wards.
In Ward One, Neil Lotvedt and Gloria Vetsch are seeking the four-year term. Lotvedt owns a local construction business. Vetsch is retired and ran for council four years ago. She is a former mayor and council member in Esmond.
In Ward Two, incumbent Dave Bednarz is seeking a second term. He is employed at Gooseneck Implement. He is being challenged by Don Haman, who is an electrician.
In Ward Three, incumbent Bill Hartl is also running. Hartl has served two years on the council, filling the vacant term following the death of councilman Selmer Jelsing. Hartl is a practicing attorney in Rugby.
He is beng challenged by Jerry Harmel. Harmel was a long-time police officer for the city.
In Ward Four, Arland Geiszler and Randy Malo are running for the seat. Geiszler is semi-retired and previously worked at Rugby Insurance Agency. Malo is owner/operator of Rugby’s Premiere Lube and Windshield Dr.
Park Board
There are three four-year seats up on the Rugby Park Board and just two candidates have filed – Rick Larson and Rick Srur.
Larson, who is city water plant supervisor, is an incumbent. Srur is Memorial Hall caretaker, and previously served on the board. The third seat will have to be filled by write-in.
Municipal Judge
Sharon Peterschick is seeking the city municipal judgeship. She is employed as director of nursing services at Rugby’s Heart of America Correctional and Treatment Center.
Wolford, Balta elections
There are no contested elections in the cities of Wolford and Balta.
In Wolford, Jim Wolf has filed for another term as mayor. Jeff Slaubaugh and Jeff Walsh have filed for re-election for their council seats.
In Balta, councilman James Rennock is running again for his seat. All terms cover four years.