Sales Tax Defeated Again in County, Although by the Smallest Margin Yet

Effingham County voters again defeated a proposed 1% sales tax to fund new construction or renovation of educational buildings.

This was the closest margin yet. The final vote was 3,465 No to 2,884 Yes, a 55.5% to 45.5% margin.

The measure also got more Yes than No votes in eight of the 37 county precincts, including all of the Teutopolis school district area for the second straight election.

Angie Kronewitter and Mike Cunningham were elected to terms on the Effingham Park Board; Kronewitter with 1,182 votes and Cunningham with 1,176 votes. Tara Higgs finished third with 1,031 votes. Incumbents Chris Huelsbusch and Dennis Carie did not seek re-election.

Dan Milleville, Michael Walker, Todd Slingerland and Tayler Polk were elected Altamont city commissioners and Jason Rippetoe defeated Clarence Pagel, 245 to 137, to be re-elected Altamont mayor.

Rita Sue Felty defeated Larry Haslett, 40 to 30, to be elected to serve out the final two years of a term as Beecher City Village President. Stacey Bowlin, Dail Schonschack and Leslie Wood were elected Beecher City village trustees.

In Teutopolis, Bernard Hartke, Daniel Zerrusen and Jane Summers were elected to terms as village trustees.

In a contested school board race, Kerry Wolff, Alan Kollman, Dane Milleville and Shelly Kuhns were elected to terms on the Altamont Unit 10 board.

In a race for Shumway Fire District trustee, Randall Thoele and Danny Klepzig were elected over Brandon Kolb.