Brandon Twp.- Voters have the opportunity to elect a new township board this fall, and it appears they will have several familiar faces to choose from in the August primary, as well as some newcomers.
Karen McArthur, elections coordinator, has been passing out petitions for about a month. Residents 18 or older who are registered voters in the township can pick up a petition at the clerk’s office, 395 Mill St. A minimum of 20 signatures of registered township voters (maximum of 50 signatures) are needed for a candidate to be placed on the Aug. 5 ballot. Petitions must be turned in by 4 p.m., May 13. Persons signing petitions must not sign more petitions than for the amount of positions available (for example, not more than one petition for supervisor, no more than four trustee candidate petitions).
‘The primary is very important in Brandon, pretty much everyone who runs is Republican and then there is no opposition in November,? McArthur said.
Supervisor Ron Lapp and Treasurer Linda Owen have already turned in their petitions.
‘We have lots of things to get done here yet,? said Lapp, 56, on why he is pursuing a third term. ‘I would like to see us get through tough economic times and work on the park.?
Owen was on vacation and unavailable for comment, but is seeking a sixth term.
Other incumbents announcing their intentions to run are:
Clerk Jeannie McCreery, 61, seeking her third and final term. ‘We have to change the precinct boundaries, there are things at the senior center I want to get done, and I want to finish organizing the office,? she said.
Trustee Charlene Carlson, 68, seeking a third term, also cited unfinished business and said she wants to see the township survive the current recession.
Trustee Sandy Willett, 62, has served on the board for 20 years and plans to run again because she enjoys being active.
Trustee Bob DeWitt, 50, is seeking his second term. ‘I want to continue on working on the park and create continuity, and I think it takes a term before you get things figured out and maybe work on some of your goals,? he said.
Residents planning to seek their first term are:
Robert Flath, 42, co-owner of The Village Photographer, who said he wants to be involved in township government to make positive changes in the community;
Dave King, 41, co-owner of Frosty Boy, who said he enjoys working in the community and wants to do a good job ‘if I am so lucky as to be elected.?