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Few file to run for vacant seats

Ballots in four communities in Rock and Walworth counties are going to be pretty empty.

Five incumbents failed to file statements of non-candidacy, and residents had until 5 p.m. Friday to file paperwork to run for office. But only two people took the opportunity.

Here’s the breakdown of the four local races:

-- Four seats—three two-year terms and one one-year term—are available on the Clinton Village Board. Incumbents Delores Hahn, Brian Jacobs and Bill Ruston are not seeking re-election. Incumbent Art Bushue is seeking re-election. Marty Flagg, 504 Milwaukee Road, Clinton, has filed to be on the ballot.

-- Two seats are available on the Big Foot High School Board. Incumbent Michael Lynch is not seeking re-election to his Sharon/Sharon Township seat. Incumbent Ann Zubow is running unopposed for the Linn Township seat. Edward A. Hayden, 110 Pearl St., Sharon, has filed to be on the ballot.

-- One seat is available on the Traver School Board. Incumbent Steven Mack is not seeking re-election. No others filed.

-- The District 2 seat is available on the Whitewater City Council. Incumbent Max Taylor is not seeking re-election. No others filed.

Dan Thompson, executive director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, previously told the Gazette he wouldn’t be surprised to see fewer candidates this April.

Most positions pay very little if anything and require a significant time commitment, he said.

“When the economy’s bad, people have to work more hours (and) they’re more concerned about making commitments that maybe they can’t keep,” he said.

In all elections, the remaining open seats will go to the write-in candidates who receive the most votes.

The election is April 6.