08/09/2006

Election Recap

Results as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Murna Courtad, a 10-year election volunteer, prepares "I Voted" stickers for voters at Glenn Loomis Elementary on Tuesday morning.

To jump directly to your county, use the links below.

• Antrim
• Benzie
• Charlevoix
• Cheboygan
• Crawford
• Emmet
• Grand Traverse
• Kalkaska
• Leelanau
• Manistee
• Missaukee
• Otsego
• Wexford

ANTRIM COUNTY

There were several contested primary races for two-year terms on the Antrim county board. Jerroll Drenth defeated Walt Franczek 244 to 126, and will face Democrat Richard Saul in November for the District 1 seat. In District 2 Democrat Twala Wolfe, who defeated challenger Vivian DeMorrow 61 to 28, will square off against incumbent Republican Eugene Dawson in November.

The District 5 race included incumbent Republican David Howelman and lone Democratic candidate LeAnne Gilbert, who will square off in November.

Five incumbent county commissioners ran unopposed — Republican Larry Bargy in District 3, Republican Jack White in District 4, Republican Michael Crawford in District 6, Democrat Laurie Stanek in District 7 and Republican Bernard Blackmore in District 8. There were no candidates for the District 9 seat.

Incumbent Probate Judge Norman Hayes had no opposition for another six-year term.

In Banks Township, Republican Thomas Mann was unopposed for supervisor, and Republican Mark DeKorne was the only candidate for trustee. Township voters approved 181 to 103 a 1-mill, two-year proposal to pay for road construction and maintenance. The millage will raise an estimated $78,834 per year.

Republicans Heather Springstead defeated Raymond Brace 146 to 108 for Central Lake Township treasurer. Central Lake voters approved 248 to 99 a renewal of 1-mill tax for four years to fund road maintenance and construction of unimproved roads. The tax will raise at least $117,136 a year.

Jordan Township residents rejected a proposed 1-mill levy for two years to pay for enforcement of the township's blight ordinance. The millage was defeated 56 to 26.

Star Township voters approved 92 to 33 the renewal of a four year, 1-mill tax for fire protection.

In Warner Township, voters renewed 1.5 mills for four years to fund road improvement, repair and maintenance. The millage, which raises $24,000 a year, passed 24 to 7.

Antrim County voters approved 2,033 to 1,007 a 1-mill request to fund operation of the Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility. It's a four-year request and will raise an estimated $1,676,136 in the first year.

Voters in the townships of Central Lake, Chestonia, Custer, Forest Home, Helena, Kearney, Mancelona, Star and Warner approved 1,196 to 466 a 0.65-mill, four-year proposition to equip, operate and maintain ambulance service. The proposal replaces a millage for ambulance services previously approved by voters in the individual townships that comprise the ambulance authority. The millage will raise upwards of $547,388 annually.

BENZIE COUNTY

A four-way Republican race for the District 7 seat on the Benzie County Board of Commissioners went to incumbent Donald Smeltzer, who received 115 votes. Former commissioner Donald Tanner came in second with 100 votes, Jon Haugen received 82 votes and James Love picked up 31 votes. Randy Rice, who is running without party affiliation in District 7, will not appear on the ballot until the general election.

District 6 incumbent Republican Tom Kelley held onto his seat, winning 124 votes. Republican challengers Bruce Andersen Sr. and Roger Hubbell each received 69 votes.

In District 3, Republican incumbent Michael Jones earned 92 votes against challenger JoAnn Holwerda, who received 144 votes and will face Democrat Jeffery Sandman — who garnered 181 votes — in November's general election. In District 4, Republicans Uledene Merrill received 164 votes and Marc Rosseels earned 304 votes to face Democrat Anne Damm, who earned 355 votes.

The District 5 race featured Republican incumbent Frank Walterhouse and Democrat Kathy Ralston. Mark Roper in District 1 and Mary Pitcher in District 2, both incumbent Republicans, were unopposed.

With 11 of 13 precincts reporting, incumbent Benzie County Probate Judge Nancy Kida had 2,145 votes, county prosecutor Anthony Cicchelli had 300 votes and John Daugherty had 1,215 votes.

Partial results showed a 0.10-mill, three-year levy for the county's animal control services program with 2,683 "yes" votes and 1,046 "no" votes.

The second asked voters to approve 0.5 mills for five years to pay for public transportation services provided by the Benzie Transportation Authority. It had 2,164 "yes" votes and 1,605 "no" votes with 11 of 13 precincts reporting.

In Almira Township, a proposal asked voters to restore 0.275 mills for five years to pay for maintenance and operations at the Almira Township Park. Results were not available at press time.

Democrat Laura Draeger was the only candidate for Colfax Township treasurer and received 43 votes.

Republican Kristine Hollenbeck faced no opposition in her bid for Crystal Lake Township clerk and received 212 votes. Township voters also decided a proposal to levy 1 mill a year in perpetuity to pay for Crystal Lake's portion of annual expenses for the Benzie Shores District Library, casting 327 "yes" votes and 116 "no" votes.

Republicans Zelda Gray and Jessica Wooten and Democrat M. Carroll Volpe were running for Homestead Township trustee. Gray received 145 votes, Wooten earned 90 votes and Volpe received 188 votes.

Inland Township voters decided a 1.5-mill, five-year proposal to fund fire protection services. The measure received 187 yes votes and 115 no votes.

Republican Mary Wixson, the only candidate for Weldon Township treasurer, received 50 votes.

CHARLEVOIX COUNTY

Voters in Hudson Township approved a 1-mill, six-year proposal to pay for fire department equipment, 60 to 34. It will raise $35,863 in its first year. Also approved 57 to 37 was renewal of a 2-mill levy for four years to fund road improvements. It will generate $71,727 in the first year.

In Norwood Township, voters approved 54 to 46 a 1-mill renewal for four years for road construction and maintenance. The tax will raise $42,259 a year. Voters also approved 79 to 21 a 0.5-mill renewal for four years to pay for fire and ambulance emergency services, raising $21,130 a year. Republican David Leusink was the only candidate for township treasurer.

The Peaine Township ballot included five millage propositions. Voters approved 78 to 29 a renewal of a road maintenance fund tax, now on the books through 2011. They rejected 60 to 45 an additional 1-mill road levy. Peaine voters renewed for four more years a 2-mill levy for operation of the medical center on Beaver Island, generating $116,951 a year. Voters also approved 71 to 35 a renewal of a four year, .75-mill tax for airport funding.

Voters in both Peaine and St. James townships approved on a 1-mill levy for four years to operate the Beaver Island District Library, 153 to 42. The tax will produce close to $99,000 per year.

In St. James Township, voters renewed a four-year, 1-mill levy to fund fire protection services, 77 to 12. The tax will raise $40,521 in the first year. Voters also renewed 68 to 21 a four-year, 2-mill levy for Beaver Island's medical center. The final proposal, a four-year, 2-mill tax for road construction and maintenance, was approved 71 to 16. The tax will generate $81,043 in the first year.

Results were still being counted in other races.

Five of the six seats on the Charlevoix county board feature contested races for two-year terms. Republicans Shirlene Tripp and Josh Barnes were competing to represent District 1. In District 2, incumbent W. Randolph Frykberg and Chris Christensen, both Republicans, faced off while the District 3 race pitted incumbent Republican Ronald Reinhardt against Republican Alex Greficz. The Republican candidates in District 4 were incumbent Victor Patrick and Joel Evans. In District 5, challenger Robert Drebenstedt sought to unseat incumbent Republican Dennis Jason. District 6 incumbent Republican Shirley Roloff is running unopposed.

County voters were also deciding a 1-mill, five-year proposition to pay for road and highway maintenance and repair. It would produce $1,866,067 during its first year.

Republican James Vanek is running unopposed for Bay Township clerk.

The ballot in Eveline Township included a proposed 1 mill for two years for road construction and maintenance, raising $221,911 in its first year. Republican Ronald Chapman is the only candidate for township trustee.

In Hayes Township, Republicans Frederick Parsons and Ethel Knepp were running for supervisor. Republican Marlene Golovich is the only candidate for township clerk, and Democrat Jim Rudolph is running for trustee.

Voters in Melrose Township were also deciding three separate millage proposals to fund road work and the township's fire department. The first 2-mill, four-year proposition would raise $165,000 a year for road maintenance, repair and construction. The second would renew a 0.5-mill levy for four years for fire department operations, raising $46,420 annually. The third calls for renewal of 0.5 mill for four years for the fire department's sinking fund.

CHEBOYGAN COUNTY

The Cheboygan County ballot featured races for two-year terms on the Cheboygan County Board of Commissioners, but none were contested in the primary.

Democrat candidate Dorothy Schneider picked up 121 votes in District 1, while incumbent Republican Linda LaChapelle Socha received 208. District 5 Democrat candidate Leonard Page received 157 votes and incumbent Republican Daniel O'Henley 202 votes. In District 6, the candidates were Democrat Cynthia Kress with 190 votes and Republican incumbent John Wallace with 321 votes. District 7 candidates were Democrat Jodi Anderson with 126 votes and incumbent Republican Robert Bolinger with 194. Incumbent Democrat Alice Mushlock received 110 votes in District 4, where Republican write-in candidate Dennis Lennox II earned 10 handwritten votes.

Unopposed incumbents were District 2 Democrat Herb Makima with 103 votes and Republican Pete Redmond in District 3 with 227 votes.

A six-year term is up for election on the Cheboygan County Road Commission. Democrat Donald Spray ran unopposed in the primary and earned 1,120 votes. Republican David Brown beat Republican Karen Hempenstall for the nomination by a 1,051-772 margin.

County voters also approved 1,700 to 1,424 an apportionment proposal to limit local taxes to no more than 7 mills, divided among schools, county and township governments. Voters also approved a county-wide millage request to restore a 0.49-mill tax for senior citizen services by a 2,198 to 1,065 margin. The tax would raise more than $596,000 in 2006 and expire in four years.

Aloha Township voters handily approved 127 to 17 a 1-mill renewal for fire protection services through 2010 to raise nearly $49,000 in the first year. They also voted 110 to 27 to renew a 1-mill tax for road construction services, also through 2010.

Forest Township taxpayers approved a 1-mill renewal for general operating funds by a 58 to 30 margin, to expire in 2010 and raise more than $24,000 in the first year.

Grant Township voters approved by a 153 to 28 margin a renewal of 1 mill for fire protection services, to expire in 2010 and raise more than $42,000 a year.

In Inverness Township, voters approved 234 to 52 a 1-mill renewal for fire protection services, to expire in 2013 and raise more than $90,000 in the first year.

Nunda Township residents approved a 1.25-mill tax renewal for road maintenance 100 to 53. It will expire in 2010 and raise more than $45,000 in the first year.

Tuscarora Township voters rejected by a close margin a proposed 1.25-mill parks and recreation tax. The proposal failed 330 to 310. It would have expired in 2008 and raised about $206,000 a year. Voters, however, overwhelmingly approved a 0.15-mill library tax, to run in perpetuity and raise more than $26,000 in 2006. That issue passed 417 to 222.

The Walker Township supervisor seat is up for election and Democrat Brian Veihl earned 14 votes, while Republican Hayden Wilson received nine. They both ran unopposed in the primary. Democrat Melissa Sturtevant was the sole candidate for Walker Township clerk and received 18 votes, while Republican Gail Southwell was the only candidate for trustee and picked up nine votes.

Republican Eunice Hart was the lone candidate for Waverly Township clerk and received 30 votes.

CRAWFORD COUNTY

There were no contested primary election races for two-year terms on the Crawford County Board. District 3 candidates were incumbent Republican Shelley Pinkelman with 83 votes and Democrat H.J. VanderPutten with 76. Incumbent Republican Terry Beardslee ran in District 7 and received 83 votes, where Democratic candidate Roy Spangler earned 66. Incumbents running unopposed were Republican Kathy Rogers in District 1 with 84 votes, Republican Scott Hanson in District 2 with 125 votes, Republican Mike Lange in District 4 with 143 votes, Republican David Stephenson in District 5 with 134 votes and Democrat Rick Anderson in District 6 with 105 votes.

Republican John Hartman ran unopposed for a 6-year term on the county road commission and received 801 votes.

County voters defeated a proposal for a 0.20-mill levy for four years to pay for historical preservation efforts. The tax would have raised $108,608 in its first year, but was rejected by voters 786 to 663.

Republican Annette Stimpson was the only candidate for Lovells Township trustee, for a partial term ending in 2008. She collected 41 votes.

EMMET COUNTY

Only one of the races for two-year terms on the Emmet County Board featured a runoff in the primary election. Incumbent Thomas Foltz defeated Edward Stokel, 162 to 94 for the Republican nomination in the District 6 seat.

Incumbent commissioners who ran unopposed were Republican James Tamlyn in District 1, Republican Leroy Gregory in District 2, Republican Thomas Shier in District 3, Republican Al Behan in District 4, Republican Jack Jones in District 5 and Republican Les Atchison in District 7.

County voters approved a proposed 0.5-mill renewal for four years to pay for services to senior citizens, 1,714 to 457. The tax will produce $1,199,963 in its first year.

In Center Township, voters approved a two-year, 1-mill road fund millage, 20 to 15. It will raise $19,440 in its first year.

Democrat Gene Reck was the only candidate for Cross Village Township clerk.

Littlefield Township voters renewed a 1-mill fire and emergency medical services millage 119 to 28. The millage will run through 2009 and raise $103,757 in the first year.

Republican Tom Bernard was unopposed in his bid for Springvale Township supervisor.

Republican Bob Sandford was the only candidate for supervisor in West Traverse Township.

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY

In races for two-year seats on the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners, in District 1 challenger Bruce Hooper defeated incumbent Tom Kern 706-483 in the Republican primary and Donna Hornberger had 626 votes in the Democratic primary.

In District 2 Republican Larry Inman had 552 votes and Democrat Robin James had 235 votes. The two will meet in November.

Republican Christine Maxbauer was the top vote-getter in the District 7 runoff with 654 votes, followed by Cleon "Junior" Van Dyke with 370 and Maurice Dennis with 161. Maxbauer will face John Nelson in November. Nelson had 906 votes in the Democratic primary.

In District 8, Republican Steve Rawlings of Kingsley defeated Blair Township Trustee Larry Fleis 349-334(*). Phil Scott had 231 votes(*) in the Democratic primary. In District 9 incumbent Addison "Sonny" Wheelock Jr. had 530 votes in the Republican primary and Democrat Don Dierkes captured 269 votes.

Incumbent Republican commissioners running unopposed are Margaret Underwood in District 3 with 447 votes; Herbert Lemcool in District 4 with 473 votes; Wayne Schmidt in District 5 with 655 votes and Richard Thomas in District 6 with 364 votes.

Traverse City voters trounced the city's request to sell up to $16 million in bonds primarily to pay for a West Front Street parking ramp 2,812 to 1,136.

In East Bay Township, voters confirmed the township board's appointment of Republican Susanne Courtade, as clerk with 603 votes to fill out the remainder of an unexpired term. Republican John Rudolph, the only candidate for township park commissioner, had 564 votes.

In Long Lake Township, Republican David Garvin won election as township trustee with 306 votes. The other candidates for the one open seat, all Republicans, were Brian Maywood with 67 votes, Charles Mehney Jr. with 44 votes, and Steven Steimel with 83 votes.

Paradise Township voters approved renewal of 1.5 mills through 2008 to fund fire protection 283 to 148.

Whitewater Township voters defeated two millage proposals.

Results for a millage vote in Fife Lake were unavailable at press time.

KALKASKA COUNTY

(Partial results only)

There were four contested primary races for two-year county board seats. District 1 Republicans Robert Crambell Jr. received 114 votes, incumbent Ralph Kingsley 70 votes and Russ LaRowe 96 votes. Republicans Stuart McKinnon received 80 votes and Louis Nemeth 90 votes in District 2. In District 3, Republican incumbent Michael Cox received 131 votes and Republican George Shetler 152 votes. In District 6, incumbent Diana Needham received 72 votes, Debra Kimball 107 votes and Daniel Bitner 20 votes in a Republican primary runoff.

District 5 candidates are Republican Edward Smith and incumbent Democrat Louis Walter. Incumbent Alan McCullen, a Democrat, is unopposed in District 4. Incumbent Republican Craig Wood is the only candidate in District 7.

Republican James Green is running for a six-year term on the county road commission. Democrat Margaret Anne Custer is the only candidate for a partial road commission term ending in 2008.

The ballot includes two county-wide millage propositions. With three precincts not reporting, a 0.25 mills proposal for four years for the Kalkaska County Commission on Aging had earned 1,162 yes votes and 494 no votes. It would raise $170,033 in the first year. The second proposal, to renew a 0.25-mill, five-year levy that would raise $162,144 in its first year for the Kalkaska Public Transit Authority, had received 997 yes votes and 650 no votes, with all but three precincts reporting.

Voters in Bear Lake Township renewed 1 mill for four years to fund the fire department, which would raise $53,198 in the first year. The fire proposal won approval 108 to 14. Voters also approved 109 to 13 a renewal of 0.35 mills for four years, estimated to raise $18,619 in its first year, for the township's medical rescue unit.

In Blue Lake Township, residents will decide a 1-mill, one-year proposition for a replacement tanker truck for the fire department. Also on the ballot is renewal of 1 mill for five years for fire protection and rescue services. The taxes would raise $78,000-plus annually. Blue Lake results were not available as of press time.

Voters in Boardman Township approved 100 to 51 a 1-mill, five-year levy to fund the township's fire department. It will raise $32,976 in the first year. Voters also approved 81 to 70 a proposed 2 mills for five years to pay for road improvements, estimated to produce $65,952 in the first year.

Democrat Daniel Prokup is the only candidate for Excelsior Township trustee, for a partial term ending in 2008.

In Orange Township, voters approved 61 to 31 the renewal of 1 mill through 2011 for fire protection. It will raise $31,555-plus per year.

Democrat John Rogers is unopposed for a partial term ending in 2008 as Rapid River Township trustee.

The Springfield Township ballot features renewal of 2 mills through 2009 for road maintenance, estimated to raise $75,700 in the first year. The results were not available as of press time.

LEELANAU COUNTY

District 2 county Commissioner Mark Walter received 251 votes to edge out Republican challenger Michael Anton, who garnered 202 votes in the only contested primary race for two-year Leelanau County board terms. Republican incumbents running unopposed were Jean Watkoski with 285 votes in District 1, William Bunek with 466 votes in District 3, Mary Tonneberger with 203 votes in District 4, David Shiflett with 348 votes in District 5, Robert Hawley with 363 votes in District 6 and Melinda Lautner with 192 votes in District 7.

Incumbent Republican Glen Noonan earned 2,308 votes in his unopposed bid for another six-year term on the road commission.

There were two county-wide tax questions on the ballot. A proposal to renew 0.5 mill for two years to fund road and highway maintenance and repair was approved 3,035 to 1,586.

A $29-per-household annual fee for a period of five years to pay for recycling and waste reduction programs was approved 112 to 107 in Centerville Township, 451 to 340 in Elmwood Township, 162 to 71 in Empire Township, 93 to 28 in the village of Empire, 188 to 138 in Glen Arbor Township, 214 to 155 in Leelanau Township, 94 to 67 in the village of Northport, 298 to 275 in Leland Township, 250 to 238 in Suttons Bay Township, and 135 to 100 in the village of Suttons Bay. The recycling measure failed 378 to 331 in Bingham Township, 103 to 87 in Cleveland Township, 110 to 83 in Kasson Township and 129 to 112 in Solon Township.

Republican Nichele Hursey won 379 votes to fill a partial term as Bingham Township treasurer that expires in 2008.

A proposed 0.77-mill levy that would run in perpetuity to fund the Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library failed 864 to 570 collectively in Bingham and Suttons Bay townships and the village of Suttons Bay.

The Cleveland Township ballot proposed a 0.50-mill levy through 2009 to pay for fire and emergency stand-by service. It won approval by a margin of 130 to 59.

In Leelanau Township, residents voted 288 to 240 to approve a 0.30-mill, four-year proposition to fund township facility improvements, road work and equipment.

Leland Township voters approved 285 to 275 restoring a levy of 1 mill through 2011 to pay for general township operations.

Leland Township also sought 1 mill through 2008 to pay for emergency medical and fire department operations, which was approved 415 to 152. A separate proposition asked for a 0.40-mill levy through 2008 to fund emergency medical and fire department equipment, and was approved 404 to 150.

In Solon Township, 159 voters unanimously approved a 0.50-mill levy for two years to support township fire and ambulance services.

MANISTEE COUNTY

None of the candidates for two-year terms on the Manistee county board face contested races in the primary election. In District 2, Democratic incumbent Allen O'Shea is running alongside Republican Ned Stuits. The two received 119 and 118 votes, respectively. Incumbents running unopposed were Republican Janice McCraner in District 1 with 260 votes, Democrat Glenn Lottie in District 3 with 178 votes, Democrat Ervin Kowalski in District 4 with 200 votes, Republican Edward Haik in District 5 with 246 votes, Democrat Kathy Fenstermacher in District 6 with 152 votes and Democrat Carl Rutske in District 7 with 133 votes.

Voters also cast ballots on three county-wide millage questions. They approved 0.33-mills for seven years to fund the Dial-A-Ride public transportation service 2240 to 698. The millage will generate $317,177 in the first year. A 0.5-mill levy renewal through 2010 for the Manistee County Medical Care Facility also passed, 2404 to 589. Voters also decided in favor of a five-year apportionment proposal to limit local taxes to no more than 7.3 mills, divided among county and township governments and the intermediate school district, by a vote of 1920 to 914.

Republican Tom Wass received 71 votes as the only candidate for a partial term as Arcadia Township supervisor. A township proposal to restore 1 mill for fire protection through 2010, which will raise $54,442 in the first year, passed 127 to 26. A 0.2-mill levy through 2010 to fund street lighting was also approved 103 to 49. It will produce $10,888 in its first year.

Republican Jeffrey Westheimer, running for a partial term as Brown Township trustee, received 71 votes. The township also won renewal of 1 mill for two years to pay for fire and rescue services, 83 to 20.

In Cleon Township, Democrat Jeff Stanton received 19 votes in his unopposed bid for a partial term as supervisor.

Democrat Larry Linke received 147 votes for a partial term as Filer Township trustee.

Republican Connie Smith, the lone candidate for a partial term as treasurer in Manistee Township, received 174 votes.

Voters supported the renewal of 0.5-mills for five years in Maple Grove Township to support cemetery maintenance, 99 to 37. The tax will generate $15,650 in its first year.

Norman Township voters approved renewal of 1 mill for two years to fund ambulance operations, 226 to 60. They also passed a renewal of 2 mills for two years for fire department operations, 219 to 67, generating $95,238 a year.

In Onekama Township, Republican Roland Clement received 140 votes for a partial trustee term. Voters also supported a 1-mill proposal through 2010 to pay for road work, generating $115,369 in the first year, by a vote of 138 to 115.

Pleasanton Township residents supported the renewal of 0.5 mills through 2011 to pay for fire services 87 to 13.

MISSAUKEE COUNTY

All seven Missaukee County commissioners are running unopposed for re-election to two-year terms. They are Lan Bridson in District 1, Brian Whipple in District 2, Daniel Waller in District 3, Susan Rogers in District 4, Dean Vivian in District 5, Donald Shaarda in District 6 and Hubert Zuiderveen in District 7. All are Republicans.

Republican Larry Norman is running for re-election to a six-year term on the road commission. Incumbent Probate Judge Charles Parsons is unopposed for another six-year term.

A county-wide ballot question seeks renewal of 0.5 mills for four years to fund services provided by the Commission on Aging. The tax would generate $234,901 in its first year.

In Aetna Township, voters will decide renewal of 1 mill through 2009, which would raise more than $17,000 a year to pay for fire protection.

Bloomfield Township is requesting renewal of 1 mill for four years to reconstruct roads and replace bridges. The tax would raise $17,255 in its first year.

The ballot in Butterfield Township includes a proposed 2-mill renewal for four years to pay for road construction and maintenance to generate $32,306 in the first year. Republican Daniel Elshholz is the only candidate for township trustee.

In Clam Union Township, voters will decide on a 1-mill, six-year renewal levy for fire protection services producing $25,482 per year.

Enterprise Township is requesting 1 mill through 2015 for building and furnishing a new township hall. It would generate $12,440 in its first year. Democrat Anita Londak is unopposed for township trustee.

Republican Benita Meekhof is the only candidate for treasurer in Holland Township.

In Lake Township, Republican Kay Ouwinga is running for clerk and Republican Kevin Gill is unopposed for trustee.

Republican Aldyne Ebels is the only candidate for treasurer in Reeder Township, and Republican Keith Ebels is running for trustee. The township also wants renewal of 2 mills for four years, raising $55,560 in the first year, for road construction and maintenance.

Richland Township voters will decide renewal of 1 mill through 2009 for road construction. It would generate $38,947-plus annually.

The Riverside Township ballot requests renewal of a 1-mill levy for four years to pay for fire protection, estimated to raise $28,000 in the first year.

In West Branch Township, Democrat Jeanie Wilton is running for trustee. The township also seeks a 1-mill, four-year levy to pay for fire protection. The millage would generate $15,721 in its first year.

OTSEGO COUNTY

Only one of the nine Republican incumbents on the Otsego County Board faced a challenger in the primary election for a two-year term. District 2 incumbent Paul Beachnau, board chairman, kept his seat with 347 votes, while Republican challenger Brian Morgan of Gaylord got 258.

Commissioners running unopposed were Clark Bates in District 1 with 283 votes, Paul Liss in District 3 with 331 votes, Lee Olsen in District 4 with 394 votes, Erma Backenstose in District 5 with 523 votes, Ken Glasser in District 6 with 370 votes, Doug Johnson in District 7 with 456 votes, Mike Hyde in District 8 with 366 votes and Allan Bentz in District 9 with 390 votes. All are Republicans.

One six-year term was up for election on the road commission. The race featured two Republicans — incumbent Jack Deming of Vanderbilt with 2,433 votes and challenger Jim Spires of Gaylord with 1,760 votes.

A millage proposal to construct, furnish, equip and operate of a new jail in Otsego County to levy 1.6 mills for 20 years was rejected by 4,575 "no" votes to 2,374 "yes" votes. The first year of the proposed tax would have raised about $1.89 million.

A renewal millage to support operation of the Otsego County Sportsplex was defeated by 4,307 "no" votes to 2,644 "yes" votes. It would have levied 0.3 mills for 20 years and raised about $337,000 in the first year. Voters also defeated a proposed 0.55-mill, 20-year levy to construct, furnish and equip an addition to the Otsego County Sportsplex. The millage would have raised $617,000 in its first year, but was voted down by 5,654 to 1,288.

Another proposal would have provided local matching funds to assist in the planning, design and construction of two crossovers of Interstate 75, from Van Tyle Road to Wisconsin Avenue and from Milbocker to McCoy roads. Voters rejected that proposal with 4,831 to 2,117. It would have levied 0.8 mills for five years.

A proposed renewal of 0.1875 mills for five years to raise more than $217,000 a year to operate the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Commission was the only millage request to pass in Otsego County, with 3,587 to 3,018.

WEXFORD COUNTY

Wexford County commissioner Jay Thiebaut lost two races — his re-election bid failed, and he was recalled from office.

Thiebaut was recalled in a vote of 249-169. Fellow Republican Michael Stump won a two-year term in the primary race against the controversial commissioner, winning 219 votes to Thiebaut's 109 in District 6.

In District 1, Republican Thomas Akers received 372 votes, compared to 64 votes that went to fellow Republican candidate John Fuscone.

In District 7, Republican incumbent William Barnett held onto his seat amid a challenge from Republican Frank Mowrey. Barnett received 266 votes and Mowrey 113. In District 9, incumbent Scott Reagan bested fellow Republican Terry Harvey 201-94.

Incumbents running unopposed were Leslie Housler in District 2, Jerry Bulock in District 3, Larry Copley in District 4, Bill Goodwill in District 5 and Sarah McKeever in District 8.

Voters approved a pair of county-wide millage propositions to fund public transportation services. A request 0.2 mills for four years, projected to raise $181,920 in the first year, won by 2,113-1,349. A renewal of 0.4 mills for four years, expected to generate $363,840 in the first year, won 2,434-1,019.

County voters approved the renewal of 0.6 mills for four years, to raise $545,759 in the first year for senior citizen services, by a vote of 2,830-581. A renewal of a 0.95-mill, four-year public safety levy, expected to raise $864,119 in the first year, won 2,669-704. And a renewal of 0.35 mills for the next four years for county animal control services to raise more than $318,359 annually won 2,571-812.

Republican Larry Payne ran for a partial term as Clam Lake Township treasurer.

Voters in Cedar Creek Township rejected a proposal 129-193 to raise 2 mills until 2011 to pay for road improvements.

Renewal of 1 mill through 2009 in Colfax Township to generate $23,536 in the first year to pay for fire protection was approved 82-9.

A request in Greenwood Township for a renewal of 1 mill through 2009 to raise $14,241 in its first year for fire protection won 52-8.

Voters In Hanover Township approved 35-25 a 0.1863-mill, four-year levy that will raise $6,403 in the first year for township operations.