Mark Baker and Hannah Swann, elected last Tuesday to the Linn R-2 school board, said they are focused on a positive experience for students once they begin their three-year terms.
“I am extremely excited to be elected to the Osage R-II School Board,” said Baker. “Every decision made while serving will need to answer, ‘Does this benefit our children?’ That answer will not always please everyone, but the school exists to train, develop and prepare our kids. They deserve only the best. I look forward to collaborating with the community, faculty, staff, and the rest of the board in a transparent and efficient manner. We have a wonderful history of excellence to build upon.”
Following certification of results on Friday by the Osage County Clerk’s Office, Baker led all candidates with 320 votes, including 138 ballots cast for him in the Linn 2 (St. John) precinct, and 97 in the Linn 1 (St. George) precinct, followed by Loose Creek (32), absentee (26), Freedom (18), Rich Fountain (9), with none in Chamois.
Swann noted that given that six individuals were running for only two seats, she didn't know what to expect on election day but praised all school board candidates, adding that everyone remained positive during the campaign process, and focused on communicating the strengths they would bring to the district.
“I honestly expected it to be a close race,” she said. “I just want to thank all of the voters for the time they invested in the election process this year, and for their overwhelming support. It's an honor to be elected, and I look forward to serving all the students, teachers, and parents in our community.”
With 268 votes, Swann was second among the six candidates, claiming 108 in the Linn 2 precinct, and 87 in the Linn 1 precinct, followed by Loose Creek (27), absentee (23), Freedom (15), Rich Fountain (6), and Chamois (2).
Scotty Dudenhoeffer was third with 146 votes, including 44 in the Linn 2 precinct, and 22 in the Linn 1 precinct, followed by absentee (15), Freedom (14), Loose Creek (6), and Rich Fountain (2), with none in Chamois. Dudenhoeffer declined to comment.
Sam Niederhelm garnered 137, with 57 in the Linn 2 precinct, and 38 in the Linn 1 precinct, followed by Rich Fountain (16), Freedom (13), Chamois (7), absentee (7), and Loose Creek (6). Niederhelm did not respond to a request for comment.
Michael Bickell was fifth among candidates with 81 votes, including 39 in the Linn 2 precinct, and 22 in the Linn 1 precinct, followed by Rich Fountain (10), Freedom (5), absentee (3), and Loose Creek (2), with none in Chamois.
“I want to thank the people who supported me in my efforts in running for the Linn R-2 School Board,” said Bickell. “I want to congratulate Mark Baker and Hannah Swann on their win and wish them the best in their future service on the board.”
Stephen Enger rounded out voting with 35 total ballots, including nine in the Linn 2 precinct, and six in the Linn 1 precinct, along with Freedom (2), and absentee (2).
“When a community has a police chief, an independent businessman, an experienced state appropriation professional, a banker, a 28-year experienced MoDOT professional, and a retired chemical engineer all running for two unpaid positions as school board members, that says a lot about the Linn community,” said Enger.
Challenger Emily Sommerer has unseated Meta Mayor Harold Libbert by a 26-11 margin.
At Westphalia, in the race for alderman, Stanley Heckman garnered 33 votes while Delbert Wieberg had 32 to win the two open seats, while Mike Kliethermes received 16, and there were four unresolved write-in votes.
Linn voters approved a three-quarter-cent sales tax increase by a 103-45 margin.
“I was once again very humbled by the support this community has given this council,” said Mayor Dwight Massey.
Aldermen went door-to-door in a canvassing effort to inform voters of the importance of this new tax levy.
“Everyone was involved, and the aldermen took care of it,” said Massey. “They did a fantastic job. I’m tickled that they were able to visit with people in the community and express the need for this tax. Now we’re going to get everything on track and do what we said we’d do.”
A budget meeting was to be held Tuesday, April 13, to discuss plans for the additional revenue.
“We’ve worked as hard as we can to be extremely efficient with the money we have,” said Massey. “When we asked for a little help, people gave it to us, and that is the definition of community. I can’t thank our residents enough for their support.”
Here are the results for uncontested races:
— At Chamois, William Dixon received six votes for a two-year position as aldermen while there were write-in votes for Marty Gerloff (2), Matt Shockley (1), and one unresolved. In the race for an open one-year term as alderman, there were seven write-in votes, including two for Matt Shockley, and one apiece for Rob Skaggs, Jim Wright, Ralph Cramer, and Drew Owens.
— While there was no candidate on the ballot, Chamois mayor Elise Brochu received five write-in votes.
— Linn Ward II Alderman Bill Turner garnered 67 votes, with one write-in vote for Tracie Dwayne, and one for Neal Johnson, and Ward I Alderman Rick Niewald received 60 votes, with one write-in vote for Mike Ely, and one unresolved write-in vote.
— Westphalia mayor Tammy Massman received 41 votes and there were four write-in votes for Stanley Heckman, and one for Joe Luebbert.
— Meta aldermen Lawrence Hoffman received 30 votes and Ivie Helton garnered 29 while there was one write-in vote for Brian Mitchell.