Amid the confusion and controversy in the 2017 Rutland Township election, one positive thing stands out – public interest in the township’s activities is at an all-time high.
Nearly 7,000 voters came to the township’s election precincts on April 4 and cast ballots. That’s the highest vote total among the 16 Kane County Townships, and a record turnout for Rutland.
Trying to find voting patterns in the results is difficult. Voters favored incumbents in some of the eight races, and elected new ones in others. By the end of this year, Rutland will three new trustees, a new assessor, and a new clerk. They also will have a returning supervisor, road commissioner, and one returning trustee.
Voters had a choice in all eight races for township offices and trustee positions. There were no close races, the smallest margin of victory in the four officer races was 119 votes, the largest was 398.
Sun City placed a significant role in the overall voting, since most of the community’s residents reside in Kane County. More importantly, a controversial endorsement in the assessor’s race is widely believed to have played a major role electing a challenger and ending the 20-year township leadership career of the incumbent.
Contest by contest, here are the results – most winners will serve four-year terms beginning on May 15. The new assessor will take office on January 1, 2018.
For Supervisor, Margaret Sanders was returned to office for a third four-year term over challenging newcomer Elden Brauer, Both are Sun City residents. Sanders received 1,186 votes to Brauer’s 810. Sanders was the second highest vote getter in the election. She was strongly criticized for some of the ways she does her work, but all three of her severest critics on the board of trustees were defeated. Her place on the ballot was removed buy a township electoral board on December 3o, but it was restored a few weeks later by a Kane County judge after Sanders appealed.
For Clerk: Two newcomers sought this office, since incumbent Charleen Carlsen left the position to run successfully for a seat on the board of trustees. Kathleen Rendl, a retired corporate administrative vice president, defeated Arnold Klehm, a senior executive with Arnold J. Klehm Grower Inc., 1,074 votes to 819.
For Assessor: This is a race where a Sun City resident played a major role. Challenger Gary Fritz, who moved into Sun City recently, defeated incumbent Janet Siers, 1,217 votes to 819. (See related story).
For Road Commissioner: Incumbent Howard (Jay) Schultz won over Wayne Kaschub, Huntley-area farmer/businessman, 1,047 to 928. Schultz will enter his fourth four-year term in May. Schultz is a heavy equipment operator.
For four board of trustees positions: here voters elected three new candidates and re-elected another one for his first full term. Charleen Carlsen topped this group with 1,097 votes, newcomer Nicholas Hoffman received 1,069, Thomas (Ray) Eaton earned 1,043, and Victor Keegan earned 1,020. These four will join Sanders on the five-member board of trustees. Ending lengthy careers on the board were Steve Schuldt (1,014 votes), John Payson (902), and Fred Bulmahn (842). Of these seven, Bulmahn is the only Sun Citian.
Hoffman has worked for two airlines in administrative management positions and he and his family have been involved in animal rescue and foster care efforts in the area. Keegan is a retired steelworker and served as a union locals president. Eaton has volunteered for many organizations in the Kane County and Rutland Township areas. Carlsen is retiring as Rutland Township’s clerk and has served on the village board in Gilberts.
“Thanks to all the Sun City and township voters for re-electing me,” said Sanders. “I was very confident about the results, considering all the support I’ve received during a rough campaign and the attempt to remove my name from the ballot. I am sorry Janet Siers was defeated, I always found her a good person to work with. We were the focus of a lot of controversy, it has been a turbulent period.”
Sanders added that, despite the criticism of some of her financial policies, she said she doesn’t plan to make any changes.
“I think voters endorsed my efforts to bring taxes down, upgrade roads in the township, perform snow removal promptly and efficiently, and come in under budget every year,” road commissioner Jay Schultz said. “It also was nice that the three trustee candidates (Keegan, Hoffman, and Eaton) were successful.”
“I worked very hard in this election, put in seven days a week, and I appreciate the support,” said Fritz. “I think voters saw that this was a time for a change. Steve Bytnar (leader of the Property Tax Assessment Group in Sun City), endorsed me and I believe that made a difference. I enjoy working for the public and I’m anxious to get started.”
