PETITIONS MAY BE CIRCULATED NOW THROUGH FEB. 26

Nominating petitions for upcoming vacancies on city councils and school boards in both Freeman and Menno may now be taken out. Those seeking election/re-election have until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26 to turn those petitions into the respective governing office.

Should an election be necessary, it would be held on Tuesday, April 13 in both Freeman and Menno. Here’s a closer look at what’s at stake.

Freeman City Council

Four terms will expire on the Freeman City Council. They are as follows:

Ward 1 currently held by Lonnie Tjaden (2-year term)

Ward 2 currently held by Blaine Saarie (2-year term)

Ward 3 currently held by Terry Jacobsen (2-year term)

Ward 3 currently held by Doug Uecker (1-year term)

The Ward 3 seat held by Uecker was only for one year because he was an appointment by Freeman Mayor Michael Walter.

Menno City Council

Four terms will also be expiring on the Menno City Council, with a similar situation as the one in  Freeman. Upcoming vacancies include a seat in:

Ward 1 currently held by Scott Simonsen (2-year term)

Ward 1 currently held by Jacob Mettler (1-year term)

Ward 2 currently held by Ronald Diede (2-year term)

Ward 3 currently held by John Huber (2-year term)

Like Uecker in Freeman, Mettler was appointed to the council for a one-year term.

Freeman School Board

Two terms will expire on the Freeman School board; both are for two years. Vacancies include seats held by:

Corey Gall

Mark Miller

Menno School Board

The only term expiring on the Menno School Board is the seat held by Jill Haberman, the current board president. That is a three-year term.

Correction: Last week’s print edition included incorrect information about who was up for re-election to the Freeman School Board. Those whose terms are expiring are Corey Gall and Mark Miller.