McKenzie County Farmer - Latest News

By Tina Foreman
Farmer Staff Writer

With the June 8 Primary Election less than one week away, it’s time to make your final decisions so you can get out and vote or mail in your absentee ballot if you can’t make it to the polls.

This year’s ballots will be a little more exciting with contested races for Watford City Mayor and the McKenzie County Commission. In addition, Watford City residents will be asked to decide on changing their water source.

Vying for the Watford City Mayor position is longtime incumbent Kent Pelton who is running against area businessman Brent Sanford.

According to the City of Watford City, the quality of water in McKenzie County is relatively poor because of what it flows through underground. Although there are other options, the City of Watford City has decided that the best option for Watford City is to receive water from the Water Treatment Plant in Williston.

The Williston Water Treatment Plant treats water from the Missouri River for the residents of Williston, as well as those connected to a pipeline that runs north of the city.
A yes vote on June 8 would add Watford City to a project that will  bring Missouri River water through a pipeline from the Williston Water Treatment Plant under the Missouri River and into McKenzie County, a construction project that is estimated to take about one year. If residents of Watford City vote yes to receive water from the Missouri River, it will take around five years before the water begins flowing into area households.

Other races that will be on the ballot include:
State Elections
Running for two North Dakota House of Representative seats are the Republican incumbents, David Drovdal and Keith Kempenich, along with Democratic challenger Aaron Judkins. Running in the Senate race will be Republican Senator Bill Bowman.
McKenzie County
County positions up for election in the 2010 Primary are two County Commissioner seats with incumbents Roger Chinn and Richard Lawlar running for another term, along with challenger Cameron Arnegard.
And after 19 years as the McKenzie County Auditor, Frances Olson has decided to step down with Jodi Hayden Hanson and Sarah Billing running to fill the position.
Running unchallenged for another four-year term in their current positions will be Dennis Edward Johnson, County State’s Attorney, Ann M. Johnsrud, County Recorder, Linda Svihovec, County Treasurer and Ron Rankin, County Sheriff.
Also appearing on the ballot will be McKenzie County Measure #1, which would allow the current 911 emergency communication fee, of no more than $1 per month, per communication connection, to continue for another six years.
The McKenzie County Farmer will be running unopposed as the official county newspaper.
The top two vote-getters for each race in the Primary Election will advance to November’s General Election in which the winner will be the officeholder.
Watford City
The Watford City City Council has three seats up for election - Ward I, Kris Pacheco; Ward II, David Uhlich; and Ward III, incumbent Shane Homiston. The city will also have three four-year Park Board positions on the ballot with incumbents Roy Degenstein and Cari Liebel, along with challenger, Justin Johnsrud, running to fill the positions.
Alexander
The Alexander City Council has two four-year terms up for re-election. Running for the positions will be incumbent Chad Simonson  and Harvey Vedders.
The Alexander Park Board also has two four-year terms up for election with incumbents Ed Rettig and Dusty Bratsberg both running again. The Park Board has one unexpired term open with no candidates running.
Arnegard
Running to fill the Arnegard Mayor’s position is Virginia Elliot, while the Arnegard City Council will have two seats up for re-election with incumbents Bryan Bjornstad and Jeffery Kindel running.
School Board Elections
McKenzie County School District No. 1 will have three positions on the ballot - Area 1, Watford City, incumbent Pam Ramage; Area 2 & 3, Watford City or rural Arnegard, incumbent Gary Bruins; and Area 4 & 5, Grail, Twin Valley #5, Schafer #8 or Little Missouri #13, incumbent Beth Veeder.
Alexander Public School District No. 2 has two School Board positions up for re-election with incumbents Misty Powell and Larry Novak running.
Members of Alexander Public School District No. 2 will also be voting on whether or not to publish a record of the proceedings of the School District in the official newspaper of the district.
Yellowstone School District No. 14 has three four-year terms open with three incumbents, Duane Danielson, Rodney Elken and Doug Gullikson running and one unexpired two-year term open with Jessica Cayko running.
 The Mandaree Public School District will have two board positions on the ballot with incumbent Ted Lone Fight running against challengers Walter DeVille, Dale Charging, Arla Muzzy, Harold Bolman and C.A. Wolfeyes.
For more information on McKenzie County’s 2010 Primary Election, including voter regulations and information on absentee voting, go to www.4eyes.net.