Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal March 17, 2016 Volume 153, Number 47 - $1.00
Ready to Run
What’s Cookin’
New Coach
The Polo-Forreston track team has the potential to be the best ever. B1
Event raises much needed cash for the Rock River Center. A9
The Forreston/Polo softball team will be under the leadership of coach Tim Bukoski. B1
Cook wins GOP nomination for county clerk By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com “Totally shocked” is how Laura Cook, Oregon described her reaction to
winning the Republican nomination for Ogle County Clerk and Recorder in Tuesday’s primary election. Cook, 50, who has served as chief deputy clerk since 1998, held off two
opponents to earn 5,341 votes in the race. Tiffany O’Brien, 38, a deputy clerk, received 4,600 votes, and Jeff Hallock, 60, an Oregon banker, garnered 699.
Polo voters say yes to fire and ambulance Two referenda were on primary ballot Tuesday By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Polo Fire District residents made their voice clear Tuesday during the primary election - the ambulance service needs additional funding. “I think we have provided great ambulance service for 10 years with our fulltime service,” said district board vice president Mark Bergstrom Tuesday night. “The vote shows the residents support our services.” With all nine precincts in Ogle County counted, the referendum to allow for a tax increase for ambulance service was 142 votes ahead. Voters were deciding if the tax could be raised from 30 cents to 40 cents per 100 equalized assessed valuation (EAV). The vote total was 667 yes
and 525 no. “This referendum was very important on the ambulance side,” said Bergstrom. “We lost our Medicaid funds and our revenue is down.” The district contracts with ATS Medical Services, Loves Park, to provide emergency medical technicians around the clock, and their fees are going up, he said. When the contract with ATS began in 2009, the annual cost to the district was $288,267. The cost for 2016 will be $327,000 with annual increases projected after that. The contract year begins May 1. The ambulance rates charged by the district to patients have not increased since ATS took over, Bergstrom said. The state budget crisis has made the situation more difficult, he said, because Medicaid and Medicare payments to transport patients have stopped. The ambulance service averages at least 30 calls per month.
The fire district referendum to allow the department to raise the property tax from 30 cents to 40 cents per $100 (EAV) was 60 votes ahead. The vote total was 629 yes and 569 no. “The fire side is sitting in pretty good shape so it won’t go up at all,” he said. “We just wanted to have the ability to go up if we need to.” The reason for asking for two increases is that fire and ambulance revenues cannot be mixed. According to state law, funds levied for fire protection must be used solely for that purpose, and funds levied for the ambulance service must be spent for just that. The increases approved by voters this month will not appear on their tax bills until 2017. Tuesday night there were a few votes from Carroll, Whiteside, and Lee Counties left to count, but the number of potential votes from these counties is low and should not change the outcome.
Unique toys up for sale
O’Brien said she was disappointed but proud of the efforts of her campaign committee. “My mission was to be honest and ethical throughout my campaign, and my committee was true to that,” she said. “I’m disappointed I won’t be able to serve the people of Ogle County.”
AJ Hinrichs lights a flame on this toy boat he was selling during the Forreston Farm Toy Show Saturday. The boat burns a small fuel source to heat up water which propels the boat through water. Photo by Chris Johnson
Toys ranged from modern tractors to expensive examples of rare toys. The show truly had something for everyone. Walking down the hall, the school cafeteria had a
In This Week’s Edition...
silent auction with a variety of farm themed goods and a variety of crafts to bid on. The money raised from the sale and
Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B5-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4
Turn to A2
She expressed her appreciation to all the people who supported her. Cook is so far running unopposed for election in the fall general election for an unexpired twoyear term as Ogle County Clerk & Recorder. Turn to A7
Audrey and Roger Kilker mark their primary ballots Tuesday morning at the Maryland Township polling place. Photo by Vinde Wells
Challenger edges out an incumbent Tuesday night By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com A variety of interesting and unique toys and crafts were on sale during the annual Forreston FFA Alumni Toy and Craft Show Saturday morning at Forreston High School. AJ Hinrichs was selling small metal boats that are steam powered. “There is water in the pipes that gets heated,” Hinrichs said. “You prime it and the water goes into the boiler. The fuel heats the water and pushes the steam out to power it.” Hinrichs had a number of people stop by his table to see how the boats worked. Vendors talked with customers and shared stories about the toys they used to have. Robert Heath, Janesville, was inspecting toys and making small adjustments to ensure they were in perfect condition to sell.
“I’m totally shocked,” Cook said after the votes were tallied. “I never thought I would do this. I’m glad for the support I got from my family and friends and the county.” The race was tight much of the evening as the results were tallied, often with Cook winning one precinct and O’Brien taking the next.
Challenger Wayne Reising, Oregon, edged out incumbent Bill Welty, Chana, 832 votes to 737 in Tuesday’s primary election to win the Republican Party nomination for a two-year term on the Ogle County Board in District 2. Facing no opposition from a Democratic candidate so far, Reising should have smooth sailing in the general election Nov. 8 to represent residents of White Rock, Pine Rock, Lafayette, and Oregon-Nashua Townships. “I’m pleased with the results, and I appreciate everyone who supported me,” Reising said. Newcomer Thomas Smith, Rochelle, garnered 1,317 votes for a four-year term in District 2. He ran unopposed. Two Republican incumbents outlasted a father and son challenge in District 6, which covers Byron Township. County board chairman Kim Gouker won the nomination for another fouryear year with 691 votes to 548 for former Ogle County Sheriff Greg Beitel.
Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B4 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B4
Wayne Reising
Beitel’s son, Chad Beitel was defeated 609 to 579 by incumbent Dorothy R. Bowers for a two-year seat. Challenger Garrett Williams upset incumbent Ashley Simms 402 votes to 363 to win the Republican nomination for a four-year seat in District 3, which includes Flagg Township Precincts 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7. Greg Sparrow, also an incumbent in District 3, had no competition for a twoyear term and received 669 votes. Candidates in the other districts were shoo-ins. In District 1, which includes Dement, Lynnville, Monroe, and Scott Townships,
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3
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Zachary Oltmanns, Davis Junction, was elected to a four-year term, and Ricky Fritz, Monroe Center, to a two-year term. In District 4, which includes Flagg Township Precincts 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11, John “Skip” Kenney, Rochelle, was elected to a two-year term, and Kim Whalen, Hillcrest, to for a four-year term. In District 5, which includes Marion, Rockvale, and Leaf River Townships, Marty Typer, Stillman Valley, got the nod for a two-year term, and Donald Griffin, Oregon, for a fouryear term. In District 7, which includes Maryland, Mt. Morris, and Forreston Townships, John Finfrock was elected to a four-year term, and Ron Colson, a twoyear term. Both are from Mt. Morris. In District 8, which includes Brookville, Lincoln, Eagle Point, Buffalo, Pine Creek, Woosung, Grand Detour, and Taylor Townships, voters gave Pat Saunders, Polo, a two-year term,and Marcia Heuer, Oregon, a four-year term. All candidates are Republicans.
Deaths, B4 Helen A. Brunner Arnold A. Buse