Panel allows Winfield trustee candidate to stay on the ballot

Winfield Trustee Marianne Bruss will remain on the April ballot after the village's electoral board dismissed an objection to her nominating petitions.

The electoral board on Wednesday refused to consider the objection that Winfield resident Jenell Ziberna filed against Bruss.

Instead, the panel - featuring Village President Erik Spande, Trustee Dennis Hogan and public member William Worobec - decided that Ziberna's objection documents were invalid because they were missing required information. For example, Ziberna's objection didn't include her address and status as a registered voter.

Hogan said he couldn't act on the objection because it was missing crucial information.

"It's like that adage that if lawyers have a good case, they argue the facts. If they don't have a good case, they argue the law," Hogan said. "Basically, we can't take into account intent on the part of the objector."

Bruss is one of four candidates seeking three 4-year terms on the village board. In addition to Bruss, the other candidates in the race are incumbent Don Longacre and newcomers Dan Janowick and Debra Piscola.

Bruss was appointed to the village board in October to complete the term of former Trustee James McCurdy. He resigned in September in part due to health reasons.