05072003 - News Article - Incumbents hold fast in Schererville races - Town Court Judge, Town Councilmen to appear on November election tickets - ROBERT CANTRELL

Incumbents hold fast in Schererville races
Town Court Judge, Town Councilmen to appear on November election tickets
NWI Times
May 7, 2003
nwitimes.com/news/local/incumbents-hold-fast-in-schererville-races/article_5af921c7-0de3-55ac-9aa7-347ab6f2faf2.html
SCHERERVILLE - Incumbent Deborah Riga squeaked by attorney Kenneth Anderson by 11 votes in the Democratic primary race for Schererville Town Court Judge Tuesday, while incumbent Town Councilmen Steve Kil, D-1st, and Michael Troxell, D-5th, each won their respective primary races.

Because Riga's win came down to counting absentee ballots, Anderson said he was "not conceding," and was considering challenging the election results.

Riga could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.

In November, Kil will face Republican precinct committeewoman Karen Aldridge, who won her primary race against challenger Michael Fieldhouse, while Troxell will square off against Republican Perry Ferrini, who was unopposed in his primary race. No Republicans filed for the race for Town Court Judge.

Kil attributed his victory over former Town Councilman Robert Phares and political newcomer Joe Nauracy to "a total group effort" by his supporters.

"People were very happy with what's going on (in the town) and would like to see it continue," Kil said.

Aldridge, a 30-year-resident of the town, said she "looks forward to the campaign" in her race against Kil.

Troxell, whose win over Fire Commissioner Joseph Hillier and volunteer firefighter Jeff Bridegroom was closer, said his campaign for the November election "starts today," with a focus on bolstering the parks and recreation programs in Schererville, while "remaining conscious of taxes."

Troxell and Ferrini ran against each other for the ward 5 Town Council position four years ago, with Troxell winning by 240 votes.

Town Councilman Rob Guetzloff, D-3rd, and Republican David Hoekstra, both unopposed in their respective primary races, will face off in November, as will incumbent Democrat Clerk-Treasurer Janice Malinowski and Republican Eleftheria (Liberty) Bakas.