Clear Lake Mirror Reporter

Clear Lake Second Ward City Council candidate Bennett Smith has submitted a formal challenge to the listing of a challenger’s name, “Ben Smith,” on the November General Election ballot in its current form.

Bennett Smith submitted a letter of challenge to the Cerro Gordo County Auditor at 4:10 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25.

The slates have been finalized for the November General Election and races for open positions have developed in both Clear Lake City Council positions, as well as those in Ventura.

Ben Smith says that he fell in love immediately when moving here four years ago and now, after getting involved with the community, he hopes to contribute further as a City Council member.  Smith has filed nomination papers to run for the Second Ward Council seat.

He will face incumbent Tony Nelson, who is currently serving his second term, as well as Bennett Smith, who is seeking office for the first time.

by Lowell Washburn

Arrayed in a dazzling cloak of pure white, the great egret is one of the world’s most spectacular birds.  A long-distance migrant, the huge bird is equally at home on northern Minnesota lakes during summer and balmy West Indies lagoons in winter.  In Northern Iowa, the month of September offers peak viewing as migrating egrets, along with other wading birds, concentrate around aquatic food sources.