By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
After voters last year overwhelmingly approved the addition of two trustees to the town’s governing board, the filing period opened Monday and ended Wednesday for those interested in joining.
The first candidate to file was J.D. Mueggenborg, 42. Mueggenborg filed for the trustee #4 position, a one-year term.
Late in the day Wednesday, Feb. 7, Jon David Alig, 47, filed for the office #5 position.
There will not be a need for an April 2 election with no races for either position.
Candidates for the two new Okarche town trustee positions could start filing at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5 and the filing period ended Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the Canadian County Election Board in El Reno, 200 S. Bickford Ave. The election board office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for filing during the three-day period.
An election date had been set to add two new trustees to the town’s governing board that will increase from three to five trustees as voters have approved.
The Okarche Town Trustees approved a resolution at a special meeting Wednesday, Jan. 3 to request an election date of April 2 for new trustees, if needed.
Okarche voters approved adding two new trustees to the town’s governing board in a special election last year, and the newest members will serve in at-large positions.
The town will no longer be divided into three wards.
Once the three-member board of trustees expands to five trustees, all of the trustees will serve at-large in the town.
On Sept. 11, Okarche voters approved the proposal for two more trustees with 109 votes, 85.83%, in favor to 18 votes, 14.17%, opposed on Sept. 11.
The existing trustees are Mayor Jeff Sadler, trustees Jason Kroener and Jeff Brueggen. They will serve in at-large positions once the board expands to five trustees.
