Re: Jack Chiovatero's Election Win; NB "Traditions"; SB officers
In 2005, when then-mayor Ted Wysocki ran for re-election, he was defeated by Jack Chiovatero. Last month's New Berlin mayoral race was hyped as a re-match between the incumbent (Mayor Chiovatero) and former mayor (Wysocki). Well, Jack Chiovatero not only won re-election, he beat Ted Wysocki by a bigger vote margin than he had in 2005.
Jack Chiovatero also "bucked the trend" of our having a new mayor every four years. He has the distinction of being the first since 1993 elected to serve back-to-back terms.
Speaking of breaking with "tradition"---
The School District of New Berlin's long time practice has been for the Board Clerk to swear in the newly elected school board members at an April Board meeting. But at the April 27 Board Meeting, it was Judge Dorlack--not the Board Clerk-- who swore in the new board members (Susan Manley and Peggy LaSalle). At the start of the meeting, Matt Thomas indicated that Keith Heun (the Board Clerk) and Jennifer Eitel would not be attending.
Another oddity at that meeting:
New Berlin School Board members have traditionally elected their officers by secret ballot. However, only 6 of the 7 members appeared to do so at the April 27 meeting. The exception was Art Marquardt. Marquardt, who was attending by phone, cast his votes for the officers "verbally".
Matt Thomas, who was Board President the past year, announced at the meeting that he did not want to be Board President. He made that announcement before the board members cast their votes. Guess what? The Board members voted and Thomas was not elected to ANY of the school board officer positions nor was he appointed to any.
The new officers are:
- John Kegel-- Board President
- Dave Maxey--Vice President
- Joan Doberstein--Clerk
- Art Marquardt--Treasurer
John Kegel made the following appointments: Peggy LaSalle---Representative to CESA 1, Susan Manley-Representative to WASB, and Dave Maxey--Liaison to City Council.
Either Kegel was confident he'd be elected Board President or believes, like the Boy Scouts, in being prepared. He speedily took control of the meeting, immediately announced those appointments and appeared to be reading from a script when making his "acceptance speech".
