Lake Election Board cancels elections in towns without oppositions

There will be no routine general November election in Whiting, New Chicago, St. John and Griffith where the incumbents all are running unchallenged, while homeowners in Lake Station will be asked to continue to assist fund school operations.
The Lake County board of elections voted Tuesday to cancel the elections in the four communities after no independent candidates registered to run versus the candidates left undisputed after the May main and the deadline for independents to register for an area on the ballot. Officials likewise approved certifying the public question for the referendum for Lake Station Community Schools.
Since a referendum concern already has actually been put on the November tally for the School City of Whiting, the election there will still take place.
"Since we cancelled the election in Whiting, it becomes an unique election," Michelle Fajman, director of the Lake County Board of Elections, stated.
In Lake Station, the current Lake County school system to look for monetary help from voters in the fall, authorities are seeking to extend for an extra 8 years the operating referendum originally authorized in 2017. The move would keep the tax rate at the existing 54 cents per $100 of evaluated evaluation for property owners, according to the concern.
The referendum is anticipated to raise about $1.33 million a year. According to documents from the Department of Local Government Finance, $466,104 will be utilized for school bus transport; $332,931 each for preserving and expanding academic programs and recruitment and retention of instructors and personnel; $133,173 for trainee safety and security services, and $66,586 for other educational requirements.
Republicans in Griffith all will maintain their seats in the absence of any obstacles. Gina Smith stays Clerk-Treasurer, while council incumbents Jim Marker in Ward 1, Larry Ballah in Ward 2, Rick Ryfa in Ward 3, Melissa Robbins in Ward 4, and Tony Hobson in Ward 5 will be re-elected.
In St. John, a second Republican fortress, Beth Hernandez remains Clerk-Treasurer, but there will be some new faces on the town council due to primary results. Wayne Pondinas will maintain his at-large council seat, while Ann Oster will be successful Bryan Blazak in Ward 1, previous Lake County Councilman Christian Jorgensen will be the Ward 2 councilman, and Mike Bouvat will become the second at-large councilman.
On the Democratic side of things, Whiting and New Chicago will see their incumbents returned to office. Mayor Steve Spebar will continue to lead Whiting in addition to Clerk-Treasurer John Haynes. Council members include Mark Harbin, District 1; Rebeca Michko, District 2; Tom Michniewicz, District 3; and Chris Sarvanidis and Shawn Turpin, in the at-large seats.
New Chicago's existing Clerk-Treasurer Dorothy Zimmer is retiring, and as Democrat Tammy Bucko was the only candidate to go to succeed her, Bucko will become the town's new Clerk-Treasurer in January. The town council includes Jim Gibson, Ward 1; Dave Anderson, Ward 2; Sharon Szwedo, Ward 3; Roxanne Greco, Ward 4; and Brenda Swallow, Ward 5.