Posted: 9/4/02

5 in Chisago County Attorney primary

When Chisago County voters go to the polls next Tuesday theyíll find five names of candidates wishing to become the next county attorney.

Four of the five candidates are Chisago County residents. The fifth is a Cambridge man.

Candidates in the primary are Katherine M. Johnson of North Branch, Jesse A. Johnson of Taylors Falls, Tim Peterson of Lindstrom, Timothy T. Ryan of Lindstrom and Stoney Hiljus.

Hiljus lives in Cambridge where he is on the city council and works as an assistant county attorney in Isanti County.

The race became open when Ted Alliegro, the current county attorney, did not file for election. Alliegro was appointed when James Reuter was named judge in the Tenth Judicial District.

Hiljus has filed for the Chisago County post, but is yet to establish residency in the county. By law, he must do so 30 days prior to the general election. That would require establishment of residency or a full relocation to Chisago County.

If residency in Chisago County is established, Hiljus would need to resign from his city council post.

ìItís unfortunate he (Hiljus) didnít decide to run for county attorney in Isanti County,î said candidate Timothy Ryan this week.

ìHeís (Hiljus) popular over there (Isanti County) and well known. Itís interesting that he canít vote for himself in the primary.î

House 17B

A primary is also in the offering for the DFL Party in House District 17B.

Monica Abress, a Lent Township supervisor, is the DFL-endorsed candidate in the race. She is being challenged by George McMahon of Almelund.

On the Republican side, Pete Nelson of Lindstrom is unopposed. P.J. Richardson of Wyoming is the Independence Party candidate in the House 17B race.

The House seat is a new district as a result of redistricting. The current incumbent, Rep. Loren Jennings, is no longer in the district nor seeking reelection in Chisago County.

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