Voters in Oxford and Addison were definitely in a ‘yes’ mood in the Nov. 6 general election.
In Oxford Township, voters approved a two-year, 1-mill tax increase for police services by a margin of 4,191 to 4,044.
“I’m just proud as hell of everybody that participated in the (pro-millage campaign) and was part of the team we had to get information out to the public,” said Oakland County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Patterson, commander of the Oxford substation. “I’m proud as hell that the public stepped up in these tough times and recognized the importance of keeping the area safe. It’s awesome that people stepped up to do the right thing . . . The key thing is we have the support and the backing of the community to move forward and not backwards.”
“I’m never thrilled about the idea of raising taxes, but in this case, we really needed it,” said township Supervisor Bill Dunn. “Now, instead of cutting two sheriff’s positions, we get to add up to two. I want to thank the voters who said yes.”
The levy of this additional millage will begin with the December 2012 township tax bill. The first collection is expected to generate an additional $576,482 for the 2013 police budget.
Over in Addison Township, a five-year, 0.75-mill fire tax renewal/increase was approved 2,138 to 1,225. The current rate is 0.7473 mill.
Oxford Village voters gave their government permission to sell two pieces of municipal-owned property via two ballot proposals.
By a margin of 921 to 675, the village was granted the authority to sell the municipal complex and the 2 acres it sits on located at 18, 20 and 22 W. Burdick St.
The village is also now free to sell a 3.42-acre parcel it owns at 98 S. Glaspie St. That proposal passed 1,069 to 521.
Council has no immediate plans to sell either property nor are there any buyers waiting in the wings. Just because the village has been granted the authority to sell them doesn’t mean they must be or will be put on the market.
Township board results
The trustee race in Addison was the only contested township board race affecting Leader readers. All four Republican incumbents won — John Boehmer (2,163), Ed Brakefield (2,011), Linda Gierak (2,082) and John Sutphin (1,981). They beat non-party affiliated trustee candidates Terry Stevens (652) and Sereal Gravlin (436).
Although she didn’t have a challenger or even appear on the ballot in Addison, Lori Fisher was elected as the new township treasurer. She ran as a write-in candidate and received 319 votes. The previous treasurer, Dan Alberty, passed away in late August after winning the Republican primary earlier that month. As a result, no names appeared on the ballot in the treasurer space.
Addison Supervisor Bruce Pearson was re-elected with 2,640 votes as was Clerk Pauline Bennett with 2,631 votes.
In Oxford Township, the new board will consist of Supervisor Bill Dunn (7,353), Clerk Curtis Wright (7,245), Treasurer Joe Ferrari (7,171), and trustees Sue Bellairs (6,326), Melvin Cryderman (5,987), Jack Curtis (6,240) and Patti Durr (6,006).
Libraries and parks
There were seven candidates for six seats on the Addison Township Library Board. Winners were James Baldiga (901), Sandra Craddock (1,082), Jennie Eller (1,088), Mary Frost (1,158), Su Hafield (834) and Joel King (991). Constance Vaive received 827 votes and was not elected.
The races for the Oxford Library Board of Trustee and Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Commission were uncontested as well.
The library board will consist of Jean Davidson (3,976), Kathleen Hoeflein (3,674), Thomas Offer (3,530), Anthony Rizzo (3,769), Duane Salswedel (3,324) and Sue Stilwell (3,667).
The parks/rec. board will be comprised of Phil Castonia (5,694), Tim Kalohn (5,712), Theresa Myer (5,797), Ronald Roop (5,895) and Jeff Lupu (3,125).
State and county seats
State Rep. Brad Jacobsen (R-Oxford) retained his seat representing the 46th District by defeating Democratic challenger Dan Sargent 27,766 to 15,810.
Mike Spisz (R-Oxford) faced no challenger in the race for District 3 Oakland County Commissioner. He was elected with 21,428 votes.
School Board
The race for the Oxford Community Schools Board of Education featured two candidates for two, four-year seats. Incumbent Carol Mitchell received 5,193 votes and newcomer Dan D’Alessandro garnered 5,124 votes.
Voter-turnout was high
A total of 10,571 (or 70.22 percent) of Oxford Township’s 15,054 registered voters participated in the Nov. 6 election.
A total of 3,608 (or 72.41 percent) of Addison’s 4,983 registered voters participated in the Nov. 6 election.
Both townships remained firmly in the GOP camp.
Oxford cast 6,274 ballots for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and 4,058 for Democratic incumbent Barack Obama.
Addison gave Romney 2,302 votes to Obama’s 1,215.
Oxford had 3,050 straight-ticket Republican voters and 1,602 straight-ticket voters for the Democratic Party.
In Addison, 1,194 residents voted straight GOP tickets while 434 folks voted straight Democratic tickets.