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Novak wins in 51st after Cates passes on recount
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The second recount in as many elections seemed likely after Dodgeville Mayor Todd Novak was declared the winner of the 51st Assembly District election by 59 votes Nov. 4.

But after canvasses of the five counties of the 51st District expanded Novak’s lead over Democrat Dick Cates to 65 votes, Cates announced Thursday he would not seek a recount.

Novak, a Republican, won the race to replace Rep. Howard Marklein (R–Spring Green) 10,642 to 10,577. Novak gained 23 votes and Cates 17 in the canvasses of Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland and Sauk counties.

“Having been born and raised here, I’m especially grateful for the confidence of my neighbors to represent them in the Assembly,” said Novak in a news release. “I will work hard and do my best to always listen with an open mind to the views of people across our area.”

“While it was a vigorous campaign on both sides, the election is over and it’s important that all of us pull together so we can make sure to bring jobs and opportunity to our area while always remembering to help neighbors in need. The very best part of the campaign was the opportunity to meet and talk with so many good people across the district. It reinforced to me just how important it is that they be represented well at the Capitol and that’s what I ran to do.”

“It’s been a long campaign season, and I’ve met many inspiring people over the course of the 13 months I’ve been running for the 51st Assembly seat,” said Cates in a statement. “This experience has re-affirmed my commitment to this great community that my wife and I have called home for the past 30 years.

“The voters have spoken, and the margin of 64 votes is too much to overcome in this race. I have decided — reluctantly — not to ask for a recount.”

Novak’s win was the last act in an election season that featured a primary election recount that reversed the result of election night, and an incumbent appearing to endorse the candidate of his opposite party.

The recount came after the Aug. 12 17th Senate District Democratic primary, initially won by Ernie Wittwer of Hillpoint by two votes. The results were reversed to a 33-vote win for Pat Bomhack of Spring Green after a recount in which ballots in the City of Monroe went missing and were not included in the recount, as well as changes in other counties.

Bomhack initially announced he was running for the 51st, two years after he lost the 51st Assembly Democratic primary, but switched to the 17th race. Bomhack got the endorsement of state Democratic Party officials.

Then, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin sent a mailer to Platteville addresses and other places in the 17th that quoted Schultz as saying that “Pat Bomhack is a good fit for the district because his values and positions on the issues that people care about, from my perspective, are similar to mine.”

Schultz’s comments were quoted from a story in The Capital Times of Madison. Schultz’s campaign director, Todd Allbaugh, quoted an interview Schultz had with WEKZ radio in which he said, “When asked by Sly if Dale was endorsing, Dale said, ‘I think people are smart enough to read between the lines, and I encourage them to do their research and come to their own conclusion.’”

Marklein defeated Bomhack with 55 percent of the vote.

Village Board learns of BMW Motorcycle Club plans in 2025
Soldiers Grove
Soldiers Grove

SOLDIERS GROVE - In the public input portion of their February 6 agenda, the Soldiers Grove Village Board learned about the Madison BMW Club’s plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their annual ‘Great River Road Rally.’ Each year, club members camp in the village park in May, and enjoy riding their motorcycles on scenic Driftless Area roadways.

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of our Great River Road Rally, and the theme for our event calls for giving some love back to Soldiers Grove that has hosted us,” BMW Club Rally Chairperson Chris Brown told the board. “Our goal is to have all of the food, beer, and coffee for our event benefit Soldiers Grove businesses. We also want to hold a 50/50 raffle, with proceeds going back to the sponsor – we don’t have a license, and so can’t sponsor the raffle ourselves.”

An event flyer for the Rally, planned for May 16-18, advertises two night’s camping with free firewood, meals on Friday and Saturday nights, spaces for tents, cars or campers, guided rides to Pete’s Hamburger Stand, the Muscoda Mushroom Festival, and more.

Soldiers Grove businesses interested in supporting the event should reach out to Village Clerk Kaitlynn Ott.

In other public input, trustee Harrison Heilman made an announcement regarding the village’s chicken ordinance.

“With the increase in the cost of eggs, I am now leaning toward being slightly more in favor of allowing backyard chickens in the village,” Heilman stated.

Fire Department

Fire Chief Jeannette McCormick reported that the department has led formation of a committee to plan for the 2025 Soldiers Grove Dairy Days event.

“The committee includes our department, as well as the Legion and the Lions, and we are meeting monthly,” McCormick reported. “On Friday night, there will be a Truck and Tractor Pull, the Legion will provide food all weekend, and the Lions will handle the beer and soda concession. There will be a carnival Friday through Sunday, and on Saturday.”

McCormick said that the Antique Tractor Club had backed out for Saturday, but would come on Sunday instead. She said the committee is also working on getting the Viroqua Summer Thunder horse show to perform. Lastly, she said the committee is also working on securing a band to perform on Saturday night.

McCormick said that training for department members is on pace, and the department’s Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) agreement is up for renewal. When asked about whether the department has responded to any grassfires in recent weeks, McCormick said “not in our service area, but we have provided mutual aid to Readstown for two grassfires.” Both McCormick and fellow fire department member Mike Allie took the opportunity to knock on wood as they shared that information.

Public Works

Mike Allie reported on behalf of the village’s public works team. He said that McCormick Electric has assisted the village in taking down all of their Christmas decorations. He said the team had cleaned up some smaller trees around Myrtle Lake, and worked with Crawford County staff to remove beavers on Baker Creek that were obstructing the creek’s flow.

“We’ve had some problems with our sanitary sewer system lift stations, and we’re working with B&M to get those resolve,” Allie reported.