City council race heats up ahead of filing deadline

RANDOLPH – Ted Stubbs found his three years serving on the Randolph City Council eye-opening.

“If you ever want to see how much work it is to run a small (town) like Randolph, get on the city council and see what it’s like for four years,” he said. “I had no idea how much goes into budgeting and how much goes into running the (city). It’s way more work than you think. There’s a lot more challenge to it than people get credit for. It’d be a great challenge for people who think they know all the answers, go to the council meetings every month, and figure out how to do things the right way for the most people. It’s hard to criticize people and what’s being done if you don’t want to sit there and try to fix things.”

Appointed in 2021, Stubbs decided not to file for re-election this year, but overall was proud of the work he was able to be a part of during his term, including the floodplain project and converting the Cedar Motel property into the new construction of Stonacek Funeral Chapel.

Janelle Biernbaum, another council member with an expiring term, also chose not to run. Instead, she wants to spend more time with family members who live out of state.

That leaves two seats open for any newcomers and Walter Worlein has filed in the hopes of taking a seat at the council table.

“I want to hopefully help make a change in the community I love,” he said on his reason for running.

Only having lived in Randolph for the past seven years, he said he brings a different perspective.

He hasn’t run for public office before, and currently works as the maintenance manager and transportation director for Randolph Public Schools.

Three other candidates have paid their fee at the Randolph city office to run for city council, but had not officially filed with the Cedar County Clerk’s Office, as of Monday morning.

In an already crowded race for three spots open on the Randolph school board, two more candidates have added their names to the ballot: Ted Thelen and Marvin Nordhues.

Jim Scott and Lisa Linville both have expiring terms and decided not to file for re-election while incumbent Cody Backer is giving it another go.

Linville has served eight years on the school board. “I’m stepping away because it’s gotten harder to keep abreast of the activities, events and issues because I am now an empty-nester, and living in the country, I don’t get to town as often as I once did,” she said. “We also have our first grandchild on the way, so I anticipate a lot of travel in the coming years.”

During her time on the school board, Linville helped to decide and confront many issues, such as the local daycare shortage, cooperative sports agreements and COVID-19 pandemic regulations and issues, just to name a few.

“When I look back, I believe RPS, its leaders, staff, parents, students and stakeholders handled these challenges in innovative and better ways than many schools and communities in Nebraska,” she said.

Linville said she’s pleased that so many are seeking a seat on the school board as leaders are needed from all backgrounds and ages.

“It isn’t always easy, but it is very rewarding, and I will miss serving,” she said.

Thelen and Nordhues are the latest to file for a school board seat in a crowded race of seven so far seeking three open seats. The deadline for new candidates to file is Friday.

Nordhues said he was asked by a few people to think about running for the school board and after some thought he decided to go ahead and file.

“I’m just trying to do something for the community and make sure the kids get the best education possible at the least cost to the taxpayer,” he said.

Nordhues, who is active in leadership roles at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church in Randolph, would like to see whether there’s a way to put God back into schools.

“I know it’s a public school, but if we can start with a little bit of prayer at school board meetings and staff meetings, that would help in the long run,” he said.

Nordhues has been a Randolph resident for his entire life and is engaged in farming. He has not held any public office before. He previously ran for the school board, but was not elected.

“I’ll throw my name in the hat one more time and see what happens,” he said.

Thelen said he’s been thinking about running for the school board for the past two terms and decided this election year it was time to go for it.

“It’s a good time to get in there and see if I can help,” he said.

As a landowner, business owner and parent, Thelen said he’s a wellrounded candidate who can see all aspects of an issue.

He’s engaged in farming and also sells corn, bean and alfalfa seed. He has a daughter in third grade, a son in first grade and twins, a boy and girl, who are 3 years old.

Born and raised in Randolph, Thelen has never run for public office before, but has held the treasurer position for the FFA Boosters Club.

He said it’s impressive to see so many people want to serve on the school board.

“All of the other candidates are very good, solid candidates, too,” he said. “I hope whoever gets it will do a good job.”

Incumbent Cody Backer, and new candidates Lucas Stueckrath, Corby Robinson, Anson Dockhorn and Tiffany Gatzemeyer are also seeking an open seat.

Since there are more than double the amount of candidates for the number of seats available, Randolph’s school board race will automatically appear on both the primary election ballot in May and the general election ballot in November, said Cedar County Clerk Jessica Schmit.

All of Randolph’s school board candidates will appear on the primary election ballot with the top six vote-getters moving on to the general election, she said.