Chastain unhappy about race

LaCrosse councilman Jerry Chastain isn’t up for re-election on the August ballot, and it isn’t by choice. He contends he never received the advisory notice on the expiration of his term from the county auditor’s office. So he never filed.

County elections technician Karen Bafus said letters notifying incumbents about their expiring terms are mailed out. Towns and other districts are also sent a letter listing the offices up for re-election.

County elections supervisor Debbie Hooper said even if Chastain didn’t get a letter, he should have been aware that his four-year term would be expiring.

“I feel tiffed. I feel somehow someone worked the system so I wasn’t re-elected,” said Chastain.

Filing for council positions was open the last week of May and first week of June, said Bafus.

Bafus added it’s possible someone could not have received an advisory letter about their term.

“That could happen,” she said. But either way, the LaCrosse city clerk also received a letter informing the city of which positions were up and the seats were announced in an advertisement in the Gazette, Bafus said.

Three candidates are now seekng the seat held by Chastain.

“I’ve heard there were a number of people who would have been much happier with me off the council,” Chastain said. “I was a thorn in a lot of people’s sides.”