Several local candidates won in landslides or were unopposed in Tuesday’s election, leaving few close races.
After polls closed at 8 p.m., election workers in Brandon Township were on the phone at the clerk’s office as race results began rolling in. The numbers were subsequently posted precinct by precinct on a long sheet taped to a hallway wall. Several interested residents and candidates hovered nearby, waiting to see how different races turned out.
Early on, it was apparent that some contests were going to be easily won.
In the township supervisor race, Republican Kathy Thurman received 4,478 votes to Democrat Cynthia Strehle’s 2,554 votes. Roger Ingles, who ran as a write-in candidate, received 298 votes.
‘I was excited to see so many voters come out,? Thurman said. ‘I appreciate all the help I had during my campaign and I am looking forward to serving our community for the next four years…I look forward to collaborating with our community and surrounding communities, and especially the new elected officials, to make positive changes for the future of Brandon Township.?
One of the new officials Thurman will be working with is Republican Terry Beltramo, who was elected treasurer with 5,058 votes, while incumbent and write-in candidate Linda Owen took 905 votes.
Beltramo, retired since 1997 from Ford Motor, is looking forward to working again, and plans to take out the wall between the clerk’s and treasurer’s offices and crosstrain employees to save money.
‘I think it’s a victory for everybody who voted and everyone who helped in the campaign,? said Beltramo of his win. ‘It’s their victory, not mine. I appreciate it and now we have to get down to making sure everything I said I would do gets done’such as making sure the jobs sent to Detroit to collect and process the taxes are brought back here and promoting team spirit in the offices.?
Next door to him in the clerk’s office will remain Republican Jeannie McCreery, who had 5,388 votes. Write-in candidate and current deputy treasurer Linda Cotton took 712 votes.
‘I’m glad for the opportunity for the next four years to work with the people here,? said McCreery. ‘I would like to offer my best wishes to those who are outgoing and thank them for their years of service to the community. I’m looking forward to the new board and think it will be a very pleasant place to work.?
The board of trustees will have one new member, Republican David King, who garnered 4,032 votes. Joining him will be incumbents and Republicans Charlene Carlson, 4,404 votes, Bob DeWitt, 4,278 votes, and Tom Stowell, 4,121 votes. Democrat Mary Halstead missed making the board with 3,429 votes.
Also in Brandon, the school board has two new members? Debbie Schummer, who received 2,527 votes from precincts in Brandon, Groveland, Hadley and Springfield townships, and Debra Brady, who received 2,383 votes. Trailing the winners were Sherryl McLauglin with 2,247 votes, Maria Lauinger with 1,822 votes, and Diana Kowalski with 1,462 votes.
‘I am honored to have the support of this community and I hope to serve the kids of this district with a passion for what is best,? Schummer said.
In Groveland Township, Supervisor Bob DePalma and Clerk Pam Mazich ran unopposed, as did trustees Diane Howell and Hal Coxon. In the treasurer race, Robert Renchik failed in his bid as a write-in candidate, taking 693 votes to winner David Ax’s 1,658 votes.
‘I am really happy with the people of Groveland and I thank my supporters,? Ax said. ‘I’ve been with the board for 16 years and I know how to work with them and will continue to work with them.?
Paul Amman, running for supervisor in Atlas Township, was the last of the unsuccessful local write-in candidates, but had the best showing?1,452 votes, 37.23 percent, to winner Shirley Kautman-Jones? 2,448 votes, 62.77 percent.
‘I look forward to serving the residents of Atlas Township and working with the other boardmembers for the next four years,? Kautman-Jones said. ‘I think we’ll do a great job for the residents. Thank you to my supporters and the voters.?
Atlas Clerk and Republican Tere Onica retained her position with 2,579 votes to Democrat Mary Koppinger’s 1,697 votes. Onica said she enjoys being clerk and thanks her supporters.
Treasurer Ann Marie Slagle and trustees Barry June and Scott Statson ran unopposed.
In Goodrich, Patricia Wartella (410 votes), Ralph Morey (376 votes), and David Lucik (360 votes) won three available village council seats. Falling short were Greg Tankersley (353 votes), Norm Bass (339 votes), Don Emch (296 votes), and Carole Christensen (211 votes).