Government

RED OAK — Local citizens will have a chance to give their opinions and offer suggestions as to what the County should do with the current jail at a public meeting Wednesday.

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will host the special meeting at 6 p.m. in the Supervisor’s meeting room in the courthouse.

“This is essentially an opportunity for the residents to share with the supervisors their thoughts on what should be done with the existing facility,” Montgomery County Auditor Ted Schoonover said.

RED OAK — Calling it a “guinea pig” election, Montgomery County Auditor Ted Schoonover has consolidated all three Red Oak polling places into one for Tuesday’s municipal election.

The decision to have all Red Oak and Coburg voters cast their ballots at the Gold Fair building stemmed strictly from economic reasons.

“This alleviates a certain number of poll workers which translates to a less expensive election which translates to savings to taxpayers,” Schoonover said.

RED OAK — The Red Oak Express and KCSI are sponsoring a candidate’s forum Wednesday night.

The event starts at 6 p.m. at the Wilson Performing Arts Center.
Red Oak Express Editor and General Manager Gregory Orear along with KCSI owner/announcer Jerry Dietz will ask questions of Red Oak City Council and Mayor candidates. Each candidate will be asked the same questions and alloted the same amount of time to respond. Candidates will not be presented the questions before the forum.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Three Montgomery County communities will have a contested election for mayor in November, including one in Red Oak with five candidates.

Jeff Van Scoy joined Bill Billings, Larry Brandstetter, Bill Haufle and James Johnson in the race for Red Oak mayor. All but Van Scoy had publicly announced their respective candidacies in July and August for Ted Schoonover’s expiring term. When elected County Auditor to complete Sen. Joni Ernst’s term, Schoonover said he would not seek another term as Red Oak’s mayor.