NOMINATIONS SOUGHT TO FILL DISTRICT 2 VACANCY ON THE DANE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

November 11, 2005
County Clerk Bob Ohlsen (266-4121) County Board Chair Kevin Kesterson (266-5758) Tim Saterfield/County Board Office (267-1529)
County Board

Due the resignation of Supervisor Elizabeth Gross, there is a vacancy in the seat representing District 2 on the Dane County Board of Supervisors. The district includes wards 13, 32, 37, 38 and 39 in the City of Madison, and Ward 1 in the Town of Madison. The vacancy will be filled by an appointment to be made by the County Board Chair and confirmed by the County Board. Dane County Clerk Bob Ohlsen and County Board Chair Kevin Kesterson today announced the process that will be used to fill the vacancy. The process to fill county board vacancies was recently modified by county board action, and two vacancies being filled this fall will be the first using the new procedures. “Any resident of District 2 who is interested in filling the vacancy should send a letter of interest to the County Board Chair, and then file a declaration of candidacy with the County Clerk’s Office,” Ohlsen said. “Then, interested persons must circulate nomination papers themselves and get signatures from at least 25 electors residing in the district, and file those papers with the County Clerk’s Office. The period for circulating papers will begin Friday November 11, 2005 and close Monday, November 28, 2005 at 4:30 PM.” Declaration of candidacy forms and nominating papers are available in the County Clerk’s Office, Room 112 City County Building in Madison. Following the end of the period for circulating papers, the County Board Chair will conduct a public hearing in District 2, and persons interested in being appointed shall attend. “The hearing will provide an opportunity for those interested in the appointment to present their credentials and answer questions about their qualifications and interest in county government,” said Kesterson. “Following this hearing I will select the candidate that I feel will best serve the interests of the people of District 2 and submit an appointment to the Board for confirmation. I expect to make the appointment as soon as possible after the hearing, but no later than December 9, 2005.” The hearing will be held at a time and location to be determined, after the period for circulating papers closes on November 28th. Following the announcement of Supervisor Kesterson’s appointment to fill the vacancy, the county board must confirm the appointment. It is anticipated that the board will act on the appointment at one of its December meetings (either December 1st or December 15th), depending on when the appointment is made.