Olson elected Richmond Village President

by Greg Cryns

4/4/05

Write-in candidate Lauri Olson scored a stunning upset over incumbent Kevin Brusek in Tuesday’s election. Unofficially, Olson obtained 226 votes against Brusek’s 188 votes. 

Olson said, “I am humbled by our apparent victory. I will work hard with the new board to help create the kind of Richmond we can all be proud of. Ahead of time, I welcome any assistance that Kevin Brusek will give me to make the transition go as smoothly as possible. I thank all those who had faith to come out and vote for me. Their voice has and will be heard.”

Olson entered the race as a write-in candidate when Charles Schultze backed off as a candidate. Schultz ceased fighting a petition challenge by a group of Richmond businessmen citing financial problems. In 2003 Schultz was sued by housing developer Peter Bell shortly after Schultz won his election as trustee. That suit was closed in court when a judge ruled that Bell did not prove his case. Many people called it SLAPP lawsuit (Strateging Lawsuit Against Public Participation). The victory cost Shultz $12,500 in legal fees and, in fact, did frighten many people in the village from expressing their views to the press.

Olson said she did not want to interfere when Schultz was an active candidate. Three weeks before the election, Olson filed to become a candidate.

The village board will have two new trustees. Cindy Walleck received 318 votes; Dennis Bardy - 277 votes. Incumbent Bruce Hunter received 269 votes. Incumbent David Kielpinski received 231 votes.