Serving Ogle County since 1851
OREGON Republican Reporter
March 17, 2016 Volume 166, Number 14 - $1.00
Ready to Run
What’s Cookin’
Conference Champs
Oregon High School’s boys track team is getting ready for the 2016 season. B1
Event raises much needed cash for the Rock River Center. A9
David L. Rahn Junior High eighth graders win the Route 72 Conference tourney. B1
Voters choose Cook for clerk By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Super Tuesday Election judge Indya Bauer checks in voter Meggan Dickson-Grennan at Oregon Nashua Precinct 5 Tuesday afternoon at the Nash Recreation Center in Oregon. Also pictured are election judges Cleo Bauer, Brenda Florin, and Don Stevens. Photo by Earleen Hinton
“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 Laura J. Cook clerk, received 4,600 votes, and Jeff Hallock, 60, an Oregon banker, garnered 699. “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. 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.” 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 two-year term as Ogle County Clerk & Recorder. Turn to A7
Reising edges out Welty in District 2 Polo voters say yes Gouker, Bowers outlast Beitels in District 6 By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com 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. 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, 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 four-year 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.
to fire, ambulance 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.
Settler’s Ridge streets renamed to honor families By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Several streets in Oregon have been renamed to recognize important families in the city’s history. “We have Settler’s Ridge and you have to look who put their impression on the city and we want to recognize them,” said Mayor Ken Williams March 8. The four streets in the subdivision have been renamed Smith Drive, Martin Avenue, Woods Drive, and Holland Court. The streets’ previous names, Merillat Drive, Lauren Drive, Heal Drive, and Alex Drive, were chosen by the subdivision’s developer. The new names honor five
families from the community. The Fred Smith family owns and operates FN Smith. “Fred started the company after the Quaker Oats company closed,” said Williams. “We are glad to be able to rename the street.” When Iron Mike, the water fountain in downtown Oregon, was missing a part, FN Smith employees recreated and made a replacement. Accepting the street signs for the family were Fred, Ed, Louise, and Bill. “I have really enjoyed it (operating the company),” said Fred. “It was a challenge.” In 1972 Fred came to Oregon after Quaker Oats closed the facility and it was sold to Cook Manufacturing. He purchased the
In This Week’s Edition...
business from Cook in 1988 and founded F.N. Smith Corporation. The company employes more than 50 people. The second family recognized were the Laurence Martin family. “The hand work and generosity of the family truly is appreciated,” said Williams. “We are proud to have a Martin Avenue.” Laurence Martin started his well drilling company in 1934 and the office was located on Third Street. Howard Martin was active in local politics, owned a construction company, and farmed outside Oregon. Jonas Martin worked in the well-drilling business and continued the company after his father retired in Turn to A2
Church Bells, A5 Classifieds, B5-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4 Marriage Licenses, A4
The Oregon City Council recognized several local families for their contributions to Oregon by renaming streets at Settlers Ridge after the families March 8. Pictured here are Oregon Mayor Ken Williams with members of the Smith family, Fred, Ed, Louise, and Bill. Photo by Chris Johnson
Oregon Library, A6 Oregon Police, B4 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B4 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com
Deaths, B4 Helen A. Brunner Arnold A. Buse