Editor’s Note: Earlier this month, The Citizen e-mailed questions to candidates in Atlas, Brandon and Groveland Townships. The general election is November 5, 2024.
Candidates were limited to 35-word responses. Key: (NP) Non-partisan race, (D) Democrat, (R) Republican and (I) Incumbent.

Goodrich Village Council 4-year term (Vote for 3)

Name & years in the district: David Lucik, I have lived in the village of Goodrich for 54 years.
Occupation & government experience: Retired from Genesee County as an environmental sanitarian. Police officer in Goodrich for 12 years. Village council for three terms with one term as president. Code enforcement officer for Goodrich for nine years.
What is the biggest issue facing the village of Goodrich and how do you plan to approach it? Improving and maintaining the existing sewers, roads, drainage, and the mill pond dam. I would approach it by working with local, state and federal governments for grants, low interest loans, or any other available funding.

Name & years in the district: Jonathan Schlinker, 8 years in the village of Goodrich.

Occupation & government experience: Village of Goodrich business owner, realtor, Goodrich High School Varsity boys golf coach.
What is the biggest issue facing the village of Goodrich and how do you plan to approach it? I will prioritize sustainable business development in the village while encouraging active community involvement and increasing awareness to ensure all voices are heard in shaping our future.

Name & years in the district: Melissa Schluentz, village resident for 6 years.

Occupation & government experience: Wife/Mom/Homemaker, 4-year Village Council member
What is the biggest issue facing the village of Goodrich and how do you plan to approach it? Meeting attendance and participation to help Council better understand and address concerns and gather input regarding village issues. I invite and welcome residents to attend meetings, share ideas, and offer suggestions to improve our community.

Goodrich Board of Education 6-year term (Vote for 2)

 

Name & years in the district: Ashley Herriman 8 years in district
Occupation & government experience: Branch Manager, Served as a proud board member since 2018.
How do you plan to handle the state’s lack of increase for per-pupil funding? We would continue to make the most of our budget, advocate for more state support, explore grants and work with the Goodrich community to keep our schools strong and thriving.

Name & years in the district: Greg Main (NP) (I), GHS class of 86. Been in the district entire life except for college years. Parents are GHS class of 61. Son is GHS class of 17. Daughter is GHS class of 20
Occupation & government experience: Controller. 11 years Goodrich Schools Board of Education, 8 of those as President.
How do you plan to handle the state’s lack of increase for per-pupil funding? Unfortunately we cannot worry about what we do not have but have to focus on what we do have and make the best decisions for the good of the district and its students.

Name & years in the district: Patrick Tesler, 8 years in district

Occupation & government experience: Human Resources Director, Mass Transportation Authority. Experience serving in an executive role for public transportation, as well as, human resources in a community college setting.
How do you plan to handle the state’s lack of increase for per-pupil funding? Build relationships and work with stakeholders to ensure we perform within our means as a district to provide an inclusive educational experience. Ensure fiscal responsibility and explore further funding sources to support the district.

Atlas Township Supervisor

Name & years in the district: Jim Busch, lived in Grand Blanc from 1992 to 2018. We built and moved into our forever home in Atlas in 2018.
Occupation & government experience: 10 years in the United States Navy. Manager at Ford Components Sales LLC. Facilities and Systems Manager for Bose Automotive Division. Retired from Bose in October of 2023.
What is the biggest issue facing Atlas Township and how do you plan to approach it? As expenses outpace revenue, fiscal responsibility will become even more critical to the township. As Supervisor I will continue to search for new grants and other revenue sources to help offset future expenses.

Atlas Township Clerk

Name & years in the district: Toni A. Yaklin, 19 Years (July 2005).
Occupation & government experience: Current Atlas Township Deputy Clerk
What is the biggest issue facing Atlas Township and how do you plan to approach it? Large-Scale Renewable Energy Facilities are on the rise and Atlas could be a potential site. I plan to approach it with an open mind, with the hopes that the outcome is right for our community.

Atlas Township Treasurer

Name & years in the district: Ann Marie Moore. I have lived in Atlas Township for 30 years.
Occupation & government experience: Current Atlas Township Treasurer. Treasurer for Genesee County Clerk and Treasurers Association. Atlas ZBA. Genesee County Agricultural Society member.
What is the biggest issue facing Atlas Township and how do you plan to approach it? Our growth. One of the ways that we have approached it is looking at and redoing the master plan and making sure it will accommodate the growth that we are experiencing.

Atlas Township Trustee (Vote for 2)

Name & years in the district: Patrick Major. Lived in Goodrich 32 years
Occupation & government experience: Business owner. 12 years  Atlas Township Trustee. 12 years Atlas Township Planning Commission. 2 Atlas Township Fire Advisory Board. 2 years 911 Consortium Representative. 2 years Atlas Township Road Commission Advisory Board
What is the biggest issue facing Atlas Township and how do you plan to approach it? Properly controlled development,  “Keep the Country, Country” I will continue to monitor development in our township and to support our master plan.

Name & years in the district: Tracy Butcher, 35 years, (I did live outside the

district for a time in my first home in a neighboring community)
Occupation & government experience: Entrepreneur & Realtor – This will be my first government position. I have been part of the citizen committee for the master plan in Atlas Township
What is the biggest issue facing Atlas Township and how do you plan to approach it? Ensuring we come in at or below budget in all areas and encouraging changes when necessary to be in budget, while still focusing on the community and having the resources for our residents that they value.

Groveland Township Supervisor

Name & years in the district: Kevin Scramlin – 54 years in Groveland Township
Occupation & government experience: Farmer/Small Business Owner; no prior Government experience.
What is the biggest issue facing Groveland Township and how do you plan to approach it? In relation to the proposed BESS, the safety of Groveland citizens is the utmost priority. I will make sure our first responders have the tools and training to keep everyone in the community safe.

Groveland Township Clerk

Name & years in the district: Jenell Keller. Resident of Groveland for 16 Years
Occupation & government experience: Clerk. Worked for Groveland as Deputy Clerk and Election Administrator for about 3.5 years; have been appointed Clerk for one year. Responsibilities: elections, accounts payables, HR, contracts, FOIA, employee files, pension/OPEB, cemeteries, etc.
What is the biggest issue facing Groveland Township and how do you plan to approach it? The transitional year ahead is our greatest issue. We have a new supervisor, fire chief, fire station, and developing tech park; all major adjustments. With effective communication and proactive measures these transitions can be seamless.

Groveland Township Treasurer

Name & years in the district: Theresa Bills, 26 years in Groveland.
Occupation & government experience: Currently I am the elected Treasurer of Groveland.I started at the township in 2016 and was elected in 2020. Prior to that I taught secondary math and science for 28 years.
What is the biggest issue facing Groveland Township and how do you plan to approach it? All issues are important, but the first one is the successful transition from outgoing Supervisor DePalma to the new incoming Supervisor Scramlin on November 20. He will take the lead in handling big issues and has my full support.

Groveland Township Trustee (Vote for 2)

Name & years in the district: Gina Muzzarelli, 25 years.
Occupation & government experience: Retired ND. Brandon School Board, Groveland TWP trustee, Zoning Board of Appeals.
What is the biggest issue facing Groveland Township and how do you plan to approach it? Local control and communication. I will continue to investigate, report, request and vote for what is available to maintain Groveland Twp’s control and to support technological changes from true twp. sources to the community.

Name & years in the district: James T. Christopher, 23 years.

Occupation & government experience: Director of Technical Facilities Services. 18 years of Groveland Township experience including tax board of review, planning commission and trustee.
What is the biggest issue facing Groveland Township and how do you plan to approach it? Integration of the Battery Energy Storage System.

Genesee County Commissioner, fifth district

Name & years in the district: James Avery; I have been a resident in this district for 49 years
Occupation & government experience: Executive Director, Berston Field House. Served 11 years on the Grand Blanc Schools Board of Education; 2 years as a member of GISD School Board; Served 4 years as Genesee County Commissioner, 5th District .
How will you assure representation for southern Genesee County? With listening, having a voice. In addition, I will keep an open door for communications with municipality leaders. I will continue to ensure the district is represented for accessing funding and resources for continuous economic growth.

Name & years in the district: John Wellington, Jr. – 33 years in Genesee County & 27 years in

District 5.
Occupation & government experience: Retired GM Engineer after 44 years. Served as Precinct Delegate in Oakland and Genesee Counties and State Conventions, plus worked at the Genesee County Animal Shelter as a weekly volunteer for past couple of years.
How will you assure representation for southern Genesee County? My passion is for our communities of Atlas, Goodrich and Grand Blanc in the business of Genesee County.  This area’s interests needs to be represented via my interface with our governing boards and citizen inputs.

House of Representatives 68th District
Name & years in the district: Matt Schlinker, lifelong Genesee County resident

Occupation & government experience: Worked at General Motors for 47 years; served on Flint City Council, Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Board, and the Goodrich Planning Commission.
The district reflects both rural and metro communities. How will you balance the diverse needs in Lansing? I’ll prioritize equitable policies that uplift rural and urban communities, ensuring jobs, infrastructure, and education meet all residents’ needs. I understand our challenges and will listen to those with solutions to move us forward.

Name & years in the district: David Martin. Moved to Davison in 1970, I’m a 1979 graduate of

Davison High School. Recently the House district was redrawn to include Davison. Interesting fact, my mother was born in Goodrich in 1936.
Occupation & government experience: Retired US Air Force. Recent Veterans Services Coordinator Mott CC. Davison City Council 2009-13, Genesee County Commissioner 2017-20, State Representative 2021-current.
The district reflects both rural and metro communities. How will you balance the diverse needs in Lansing? Develop Flint brownfields and leverage the KWA water supply which will create industry to sustain our outlying communities. Fight for local control for our communities. Support infrastructure to keep our lakes clean.

House of Representatives 66th District

Name & years in the district: Joshua T. Schriver, Oxford resident since 2020.
Occupation & government experience: Autism Clinician. State Representative 2022-present.
The district reflects both rural and metro communities. How will you balance the diverse needs in Lansing? You, the reader, have God-given rights enshrined in our Constitution. Differences aside, we’re united as Michigan residents and American citizens. My mission remains to uphold your God-given rights, regardless of personal expense.

Name & years in the district: Shawn Almeranti-Crosby, I grew up and lived in Leonard until I

graduated high school. My parents still live in our family home, so I never really left. My family and I moved back in 2013.
Occupation & government experience: I am a kindergarten teacher with Oxford Schools at the elementary school I went to as a child. I am currently one of the union representatives for our building.
The district reflects both rural and metro communities. How will you balance the diverse needs in Lansing? While the district encompasses both rural and metro communities, I believe all people want safe schools, access to medical care, and the freedom to make personal medical decisions without the interference of our government.

Brandon Township Library Board (Vote for 6)
Editor’s Note: All candidates for the Brandon Township Library Board are write-in candidates. To vote for any of these candidates, their names must be written in on your ballot.
Verna Cole, John Crockett, Kellie Anne Faw, Cheryl Gault, Jan Rathburg and Debra Kay Taylor are running for 4-year library board positions.

Brandon Township Supervisor (write-in)
Editor’s Note: For the Republican candidate profile, see the Oct. 19 edition of The Citizen. To vote for any of these candidates, their names must be written in on your ballot.
Name & years in the district: Edward Charles Darbyshire. 35 years in Brandon Township, 64 in

Oakland County. 1989 bought 21.5 Acres of land in Brandon Township. Bought house on Connell Road in 1991. Bought 7.5 Acres Baldwin Road in 2023.
Occupation & government experience: BSME degree from Lawrence Institute of Technology 1984. Engineering program manager and design lead within the defense and automotive industries. Farmer: raise sheep, chickens, eggs, maple syrup, cash crops, honey, and hay.
What is the biggest issue facing Brandon Township and how do you plan to approach it? We need to work with the road and drain commission to ensure we are getting our tax dollars’ worth of work out of them. Residents that benefit from projects will need to fund them.