Straw poll reveals favorites at Sept. 9 Forest Preserve District candidates’ forum

Online Staff Report

About 110 people attended a candidates’ forum Sept. 9 at Rockford’s Klehm Arboretum featuring candidates for the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners.

All eight candidates running for three seats on the board (two six-year terms and one two-year term) participated in the event. The candidates will appear on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot.

Jerry Paulson, executive director of the Natural Land Institute, moderated the forum. The candidates gave two-minute introductions, and then were asked questions. The public submitted some written questions.

Fifty-six of the attendees at the forum participated in a straw poll conducted by the Blackhawk Sierra Club, which co-sponsored the event with the League of Women Voters Rockford Area and Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden.

Results of the straw poll are as follow:

• For candidates running for the two six-year term seats, Mike Eickman had 37 votes, Lenae Weichel 35, Eric Stromberg 19, Commissioner Audrey Johnson 12 and Jeff Tilly four.

• For candidates running for the one two-year term, Commissioner Lee Johnson had 52 votes, Commissioner Cheryl Maggio three and Bev Moore one.

Posted Sept. 10, 2012