10/14/2006

Residency becomes issue in election

Incumbent says he lives with brother in village

By PATRICK SULLIVAN

psullivan@record-eagle.com

ELBERTA — Elberta president Douglas Holmes lives in the village that he serves, at least according to his voter's identification card and an affidavit of identity he filed to run for re-election.

But according to the Benzie County treasurer's office, Holmes lives several miles outside of the village in Gilmore Township, where until recently he claimed a homestead exemption.

Holmes is running against challenger Kris B. Mills in November, and said the issue of his residency came up only after a dispute with a village resident over a water bill. He maintains he lives in the village at his brother's house and the homestead exemption was an oversight.

He said he didn't realize he needed to live at the Gilmore Township residence in order to claim a homestead exemption, which for an owner of a $100,000 property saves $1,800 per year in taxes.

"This is what I'm finding out," Holmes said. "So here's the deal: I'm in contact with our assessor to find out what I have to do. I'm sorry, it was just a mistake on my part, it was never a cover-up."

Holmes is listed with the Secretary of State at the Elberta address, but according to their records he switched to that address in July and he uses a post office box as his mailing address. A spokesman said Holmes' address prior to July was not available.

Holmes' brother could not be reached for comment.

Holmes said he bought the Gilmore Township house in order to fix it up and sell it.

"The issue is, because they see me there, I'm living there. Well, I can't work on a house without being there," Holmes said. "I have just about had it; these people follow me, they are behind me everywhere I go. I'm not letting these people into my brother's house to inspect what little personal property I do own."

Treasurer Linda Wilson said Holmes recently told her he did not live at the Gilmore Township address. She said his homestead exemption will be rescinded and he will be billed for back taxes.

Paul Schram, an Elberta resident who's sparred with village officials over a private well he wants to use for irrigation in lieu of a village-supplied water supply, said he complained after he heard from several residents that Holmes no longer lived in the village.

"It's common knowledge, the whole town knows it, but everybody was afraid to say anything," Schram said. "The problem is no one has ever stood up to these people."

Village clerk Sharyn Bower, the official responsible for verifying the identity of a candidate, said she verified Holmes' residence through his voter ID and an affidavit he filed with the county.

County clerk Dawn Olney said that's all Bower is obligated to do. She said clerks don't take into consideration homestead exemptions when evaluating a candidate's residence.

"I think as far as the election bureau has said, she (Bower) needs to request of him where he resides and if he says that's where he resides, that's all she needs to go on," Olney said.