In the spring of ’24, Lake Geneva witnessed a seismic shift in power, a tectonic upheaval that sent shockwaves through the community. Money, that insatiable beast, reared its ugly head, morphing the political landscape into a playground for the wealthy elite. Tod Krause, armed with a war chest overflowing with greenbacks, embarked on a spending spree of unprecedented proportions, drowning out his opponents with a deafening roar of advertisements and propaganda.
Professional marketing, slick as oil, slicker than a used car salesman in July, danced across screens and filled mailboxes, a relentless assault on the senses. The man’s campaign budget could make even the most seasoned politician blush with envy, dwarfing his annual mayoral salary in a brazen display of financial might.
The final count, shrouded in the haze of uncertainty, won’t reveal its secrets until the heat of July bears down upon us. But the blowout, oh the blowout, was felt like a sucker punch to the gut. Charlene Klein, noble in her cause but outgunned and outspent, stood little chance against the juggernaut of Krause’s campaign machine. The numbers don’t lie: 1636 to 600, a chasm of defeat so wide it might as well be the Grand Canyon.
But Krause’s victory was not an isolated event. Oh no, it was merely the opening act in a grand spectacle of power consolidation. Mary Jo Fesenmaier, a name synonymous with the establishment, tightened her grip on the city council with the election of Sheri Ames and Cynthia Yager, two loyal foot soldiers in her army of sycophants.
The Good Old Boys, those shadowy figures lurking in the halls of power, rubbed their hands together in glee. Their investment, carefully cultivated and lavishly spent, had yielded a bountiful harvest of influence and control.
Yet amidst the chaos of political maneuvering, the voice of the taxpayer rang out loud and clear. The local schools, emboldened by the promise of perpetual funding, dared to ask for more. But the people, wise to the ways of the world, saw through the facade. The referendums, like lambs to the slaughter, were soundly defeated, a testament to the resilience of a community unwilling to be bought and sold like chattel.
And so, as the dust settles and the echoes of the election fade into memory, Lake Geneva finds itself at a crossroads. Will it succumb to the whims of the wealthy few, or will it rise up, united in defiance against the tide of corruption and greed? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the battle for the soul of this city is far from over.
Referendum – Lk Geneva-Genoa City UHS
Candidate Party Total
Yes 2,345
No 3,101
Total Votes 5,446
Referendum – Lk Geneva Joint District No. 1
Candidate Party Total
Yes 1,896
No 2,390
Total Votes 4,286
Mayor – C. Lake Geneva
Candidate Party Total
Todd Krause 1,636
Charlene Klein 600
Write-in 4
Total Votes 2,240
Alderperson, District 1 – C. Lake Geneva
Candidate Party Total
Sherri Ames 325
Joan Yunker 221
Write-in 5
Total Votes 551
Alderperson, District 2
Candidate Party Total
Mary Jo Fesenmaier 401
Kyle Cary 225
Write-in 1
Total Votes 627
Alderperson, District 3
Candidate Party Total
Joel Hoiland 337
Pamela Wilkinson 227
Write-in 2
Total Votes 566
Alderperson, District 4
Candidate Party Total
Cathy Stoodley 165
Cynthia Yager 179
Write-in 1
Total Votes 345
