Berg bows out of ENM mayor’s race

Elko New Market’s mayoral race has been reduced to two candidates as Councilor Josh Berg recently decided to cease his campaign for the two-year position. With Mayor Joe Julius not seeking re-election, the mayoral race is now between Andrew Garfield and Rick Stidger.

Berg, who is currently serving his third term as a member of the Elko New Market City Council, said in a prepared statement he decided to step back due to the time commitment the position of mayor would require.

“While having the tremendous opportunity to lead this phenomenal community, I have chosen to prioritize important family and professional obligations at this time,” said Berg. “I’ve come to appreciate the importance of valuing my time and I am someone who doesn’t do things part way.” He said being mayor would have required time and commitment, “And due to the other priorities in my life right now, I just don’t believe I would have been able to allocate my time well enough to give everything I needed to the role of mayor.”

Berg currently has two years left on his term as a councilor and he is “excited to continue the great work we have been doing and look forward to watching our community continue to grow, mature, and evolve.”

New Prague School District

Trevor Schwirtz, a candidate for the New Prague Area School Board of Directors has also withdrawn his candidacy for the board, a move leaving six candidates running for four positions.

Schwirtz, a special education teacher, worked for the district last year and planned to...

To see more on this story pick up the August 22, 2024 print edition of The New Prague Times.