Consolidated election is next Tuesday

It’s a simple “yes” or “no” question.

But the answer will determine the education of hundreds of students in the Brownstown and St. Elmo school districts.

The proposed consolidation of those two school districts is on the ballot in next Tuesday’s consolidated election, along with races for municipal, school board, park district, library district and township seats.

Residents in all Fayette County communities will be picking a new mayor or village president.

In Vandalia, Rick Gottman is being challenged by John D. Wehrle and Neil Clark as he seeks a third term.

In Brownstown, incumbent Chuck Fitch is being challenged by B.J. Deal as he tries for second term.

Jayson Porter, who was appointed to the mayoral seat in St. Elmo after Randy Watson resigned by the post, is running for election to a four-year term. Larry Tish is challenging Porter for that position.

The school board races on the ballot next Tuesday include one in Vandalia. Incumbent Chris Palmer and challenger Braxton Denton are vying for that seat.

The township races include competitions for several positions in Vandalia Township.

Vying for the post of supervisor are Democrat Bev Daniels and Republican Leon Bowen. Long-time supervisor Gene Daniels, a Republican, has decided to not seek re-election.

Republican Boyd Ledbetter is running unopposed for the township clerk position, and Republican Don Bernhardt doesn’t have any competition for the township assessor post.

Republican Tony Draege is being challenged by Democrat Cody Miller as he seeks re-election as road commissioner in Vandalia Township.

Eight individuals are running for four Vandalia Township trustee seats: Democrats Debbie Brantley, Randy Braun, Jodi Craycroft and Brian Donnals, and Republicans Michele Barker, Ron Blunt, Gary Ehrat and Max Reuscher.

Profiles of candidates for local municipal and school board seats are included in the C section of today’s issue of The Leader-Union.