Morse has only contested race

An incumbent has bowed out while two political newcomers have entered what will be the area’s only contested township election.The filing period for the Mar. 8 balloting closed last week with incumbent supervisors in both Fall Lake and Eagles Nest townships running unopposed.But in Morse Township, one of three seats on the board of supervisors appears certain to change hands.In a decision that seems certain to change the area’s political landscape, incumbent Jack Willis didn’t file for re-election while two others - Bob Berrini and Bill Hane - have entered the race.The winner gets a three-year term on the board and joins holdovers Len Cersine and Terry Soderberg.Willis represented Morse on the Ely Area Joint Powers Board and the area’s ambulance committee and researched many issues on behalf of the town board. He said last week that it was time for another resident to step in and carry on.“To be a township supervisor, you really have to put the time in,” said Willis. “Not only at meetings but in doing a lot of work behind the scenes and researching things and reading. I’ve done it for three years and I’m absolutely fine with giving somebody else the opportunity.”During his tenure on the board, Willis often butted heads with the Morse-Fall Lake Fire Department and supervisors in both townships over his push to consolidate fire protection efforts with the city of Ely, which provides primary fire protection to both Morse and Fall Lake.The townships remain at odds over costs associated with running the township department, which also responds to rural fires.Willis said he would be open to serving Morse on particular issues or committees, at the discretion of the board.“Any citizen can be involved in different projects or different issues,” said Willis. “You don’t have to necessarily be a township supervisor to be involved.”And while Willis will leave elected office, one other incumbent supervisor seems destined for another term.Nick Milkovich, a longtime board member in Fall Lake, has filed for another term and he’s running unopposed.In Eagles Nest, a write-in candidate will win a three-year seat on the board. Incumbent Bud Rich did not file for re-election. Town treasurer Jeanette Swain faces no opposition in her bid for a two-year term.Voters in all three townships go to the polls in March, and that’s also when Minnesota townships hold their annual meetings, at which residents have final say on township governance issues, including the town budget and property tax levy.