By Vanessa Lenz
SLN Staff
Two referendums facing East Troy voters were struck down on Tuesday, according to unofficial results released by the Walworth County Clerk’s Office.
East Troy Community School District residents voted “no” for a proposed $17.2 million referendum, which would have provided several upgrades throughout the district that school officials say are needed in the immediate future.
The referendum was rejected 3,545 votes to 3,133 votes or 53 percent to 47 percent.
Key items included in the referendum were $340,000 in safety and security upgrades throughout the district, $2.1 million for a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) addition at East Troy High School, $9.5 million for construction of a community auditorium and $1.4 million for renovation of the traditional technical education rooms at ETHS among other items.
District business manager Kathy Zwirgzdas said if the referendum would have passed, the average estimated tax impact would have been $20 per year or about $1.67 per month for a resident with a $150,000 home.
In the Town of Troy, 696 voters, or 53 percent, shot down the proposed measure that would authorize the town board to appoint a person to serve as clerk-treasurer, with 623 voters or 47 percent backing it.
With plans already in motion for the Town of Troy to combine the clerk and treasurer position into one, the Nov. 6 decision means the clerk-treasurer will be elected in April.
Presidential race
While the majority of voters statewide and across the nation favored President Barack Obama for a second term, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney with running mate Paul Ryan dominated the polls in Walworth County.
Of the 52,214 cards cast in the county (an 88 percent voter turnout), 28,962 votes or 55 percent were for Romney, while 22,512, or 43 percent, where for the Democratic president who hails from Chicago.
Likewise, while Democratic candidate Tammy Baldwin was declared the winner for the state’s U.S. Senate seat currently held by Herb Kohl, in Walworth County, former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, was the favored candidate, generating 28,024 votes, (54 percent) next to Baldwin’s 21,354.
Additionally, Republican Donna Pruess was elected the newest register of deeds, the county’s only contested seat on the ballot.
Pruess, an Elkhornite who has worked in the deeds office for three decades, garnered 27,193 votes, while her Democratic opponent Sue Finster, who also has a number of years experience at the deeds office, earned 19,771 votes.
Pruess will succeed Connie Woolever who announced her retirement earlier this year, and later endorsed Finster in the election.
In addition to electing a new register of deeds, East Troy residents chose among candidates for state assembly.
Assemblyman Tyler August, who nabbed 57 percent of the 27,207 votes cast district-wide, was elected to a second two-year term representing the redrawn District 32. The Republican from Lake Geneva was faced by Democratic candidate Kim Peterson and Libertarian David Stowlow, who generated 10,809 and 844 votes respectively. The Town and Village of East Troy are among municipalities included in the 32nd district.
Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, who ran for the redrawn 33rd district, was re-elected to state office with 63 percent of the vote, or 18,871 ballots. His opponents, Democrat Scott Woods and Libertarian Terry Virgil garnered 10,215 and 944 votes respectively.
Incumbent State Sen. Mary Lazich, R- New Berlin, was re-elected to represent District 28 with a 64 percent to 36 percent lead over challenger Jim Ward, D-Greendale. Lazich had 60,225 votes, while Ward had 34,479 votes.
District 83 assemblyman Dave Craig, R-Town of Vernon, has secured his seat garnering 13,128 votes or 69 percent against challenger James Brownlow, a Democrat from Muskego, who trailed with 5,777 votes or 31 percent.
Final votes will be tallied next week by local canvassers. There are 274 outstanding absentee ballots remaining throughout the county, which must reach their respective municipalities by 4 p.m. Friday in order to count.
