By Roger Allen
School Bond Referendum
The bond referendum for the Montezuma Community School District for a range of interior and exterior improvement projects at a “tax neutral” cost not to exceed $19,375,000 was soundly defeated in the Nov. 7 City and School election.
According to unofficial results, there were 475 votes cast for and 569 votes opposed to the measure. In percentage terms the yes vote was 45.5% and the no vote was 54.5%.
A super majority of 60% was needed for the referendum to be approved.
The measure was supported in the Montezuma precinct, 207 yes, 110 no, but the no votes outnumbered the yes votes in the two other precincts and in absentee ballots.
According to County Auditor Missy Eilander, the 1,044 persons voting on the school measure was 42% of the 2,489 persons in the district eligible to vote.
School Board Election
There was a strong turnout of votes for four candidates for three, four-year positions on the Montezuma School Board. New to the board will be Nichole Bushong, who received 509 votes.
Incumbent board members re-elected are Joel Kercheval, with 698 votes, and Cori Henkle with 461 votes. Close behind with 442 votes but leaving the board is current board member Alan Rabenold.
A total of 485 write-in votes were cast. School board members whose terms do not end this year are Jason Meyer and Sara Erselius.
Montezuma City Mayor
Current city council member Colin Watts, the only candidate on the ballot, was elected city mayor for a four-year term. He received 338 yes votes. There were 22 write-in votes cast. Watts will succeed Mayor Jacki Bolen, who has plans to move outside the city limits.
Montezuma City Council
Kylee Stone will be a new member of the Montezuma City Council beginning January 3, elected for a four-year term. She received 269 votes and was the only candidate on the ballot.
There were 114 write-in votes cast. Stone will replace the seat of Colin Watts who was elected mayor.
One additional seat on the council will also need to be filled, that of Todd Schuur, whose term ends the end of this year. Other current city council members and when their terms expire are Matt Eichenberger, 2024; Ron Willrich, 2025; and Curtis Bolen, 2025.
Other Area Election Results
BARNES CITY: No votes were cast by the Poweshiek Co. portion of the two-county town’s voters. Mayor candidate on the ballot was Barbara Jean Davis. Candidates for city council on the ballot were Nancy Dunnick, Donald Baker and Jolee Stoddard.
DEEP RIVER:
Incumbent Mayor J. Casey Pierce received 20 votes. There were 74 write-in votes cast.
Elected to the Deep River City Council were Derec Koch (69 votes) and Robin Cranston (62 votes). There were 93 write-in votes cast.
MALCOM:
Dawn Hamilton, unopposed and with 45 votes, was re-elected mayor. Terry M. Stanek was elected a council member.
GUERNSEY AND SEARSBORO had no candidates on the ballot for mayor or council but there were numerous write-in votes.