By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

Voter turnout in Brandon Township on Tuesday was 69 percent, slightly less than in 2008, when 71 percent of registered voters turned out here to elect a new president.

Out of 12,261 registered township voters, 8,439 cast ballots on Nov. 8. The township threw its support to Donald Trump, 5,320 votes, over Hillary Clinton, 2,463 votes, for president. Most local races were decided in the August primary, but Kathy Thurman reaffirmed her position as supervisor, winning 5,857 votes, or 89.26 percent of the vote, to write-in candidate Jayson Rumball, with 705 votes, or 10.74 percent. Clerk Candee Allen and Treasurer Terri Darnall also easily won re-election to their positions, with write-in candidates garnering less than 1.5 percent of the votes.

The four trustee seats will be filled by incumbent Dana DePalma, with 5,062 votes, 22.8 percent; incumbent Liz Waters, 4,749 votes, 21.47 percent; Robert Marshall, 4,682 votes, 21.17 percent; and Kris Kordella, 4,641 votes, 20.98 percent. The sole Democrat on the ballot for trustee, Patricia Salter, came in a distant fifth with 2,928 votes, or 13.24 percent.

In the Village of Ortonville, Council President Wayne Wills, as well as Trustee Keith Dylus, who ran for a partial term, were each elected to their positions without opposition, but in a crowded race for three four-year terms on the council, newcomers displaced two incumbents, while one incumbent returned. Karen Sleva was the top vote-getter with 281, or 21.37 percent, followed by Mark Butzu, with 230 votes, or 17.49 percent,

and Dan Eschmann will reclaim a seat with 221 votes, or 16.81 percent. Debbie Baker, with 189 votes or 14.37 percent, and Courtney McClerren, with 149 votes, and 11.33 percent, will not return to the council. James Webb, with 156 votes, or 11.86 percent, and Bernard McHugh, with 77 votes, 5.86 percent, also fell short.

Both Sleva and Butzu are known for their opposition to a proposal for village sewers that voters ultimately defeated last fall.

Both expressed gratitude for the support from voters they received on Tuesday for their election to council.

“I think people voted for me because I’m a straight shooter and also because they can count on me to carry out the will of the majority,” said Sleva. “I plan to continue my thorough research of issues and carrying out the will of the majority… I did hear a lot of people complaining about the way the village council was handling issues. In regards to sewers, I don’t think the village council was listening to those voices and their concerns.”

Sleva said she is currently researching state legislation about septic regulation, maintenance and inspections. She believes the state should address the issue, rather than the village, because they have more “resources and expertise available.”

“I am grateful the people of Ortonville are supporting me,” she said. “I love the people of Ortonville. All of them.”

Butzu also thanked “everyone who participated in voting and voting for me.”

“It’s very nice all the people who turned out,” he said. “I look forward to representing the village citizens in crucial future decision making. I just want to do what is right by the village.”

The Brandon School Board had four seats available and with only four candidates on the ballot, filling those seats will be incumbents Kevin McClellan, John Chartier and Lisa Kavalhuna, joined by newcomer Marianne Dwyer.

In Groveland Township, Republican Supervisor Bob DePalma easily won reelection with 2,212 votes, 78.36 percent, to challenger Steven Hoffman, who received 601 votes, or 21.29 percent. Clerk Pam Mazich and Treasurer David Ax were uncontested on the ballot and will return to their offices. In the race to fill two trustee seats, Republicans Merilyn McGee, with 2,158 votes, or 45.90 percent, and Dale Cason, with 1,937 votes, or 41.20 percent, were the choices over Christopher Johnesee, who garnered 594 votes, or 12.63 percent.