10/22/2006

Election Preview

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

ANTRIM COUNTY

Several candidates face contested races for two-year terms on the Antrim County board of commissioners. Jerroll Drenth, a Republican, and Democrat Richard Saul are running in District 1. In District 2, Republican Eugene Dawson will compete against Democrat Twala Wolfe. The District 5 race features Republican David Howelman and Democrat Leanne Gilbert.

Running unopposed are 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. Joseph Allen is running without party affiliation and is the sole candidate in District 9.

Norman Hayes is unopposed in the race for county probate judge.

In Banks Township, Republican Thomas Mann is running unopposed for supervisor. Republican Mark DeKorne faces Bradley VanderArk, who has no party affiliation, for a trustee position.

Republican Heather Springstead is the only candidate for treasurer in Central Lake Township.

Lawrence Eckhardt and Ralph Hines are running for village president in Central Lake. Six candidates are running for three village trustee positions. They are Denise Batterbee-Arnold, Ken Kruse, William Loy, Charles McClain, Brian Eric Patton and Harry Pletcher.

In Chestonia Township, voters will decide on two ballot proposals, both concerning fire protection. The first seeks renewal of a 2-mill tax to provide fire protection services for one year. If approved, the levy would raise about $39,118. The second asks voters to renew a 1-mill levy for fire protection service for four years. If approved, it would raise an estimated $19,559 in its first year.

In Elk Rapids, Daniel Reszka is unopposed in the race for village president. Janet Bassett and Donald Marker are both seeking a single trustee term that will expire in November 2008. Steve Francis, Kelly Hopkins, Dan LeBlond and Charles Schuler are running for three full-length trustee terms.

Hugh Campbell, Donald Frosty Jr. and Jerry Rasmussen are running for Ellsworth village president. Hellen Allen in unopposed in the race for clerk and Marlene Drenth is the only candidate for treasurer. Ronald Boss, Billie Peters and Matt Peters are seeking three trustee positions.

Kearney Township will ask voters to approve a 0.5-mill tax for road construction and maintenance for four years. A similar township tax of 0.75 mill lapses this year.

In Mancelona Township, voters will decide on renewal of a three-year, 0.5-mill tax for fire protection services. If approved, the levy would raise an estimated $50,244 in the first year.

Voters in Milton Township will cast ballots on two proposals. The first seeks renewal of a 0.2-mill tax for ambulance services for six years. The millage would raise about $50,687 the first year. The second requests an additional 0.4 mill for road maintenance for six years. The tax would raise an estimated $101,374 in its first year.

In Warner Township, Robert Herman is unopposed for a trustee seat. He has no party affiliation.

BENZIE COUNTY

Candidates face four contested races for two-year terms on the Benzie County board of commissioners. In District 3, Republican JoAnn Holwerda is running against Democrat Jeffery Sandman. Republican Marc Rosseels will face Democrat Anne Damm in District 4. In District 5, Republican Frank Walterhouse is competing against Democrat Kathy Ralston. Republican Donald Smeltzer is running in District 7 against Randy Rice, who has no party affiliation.

Running unopposed are Republican Mark Roper in District 1, Republican Mary Pitcher in District 2 and Republican Tom Kelley in District 6.

Nancy Kida and John Daugherty are running for a six-year term as county probate judge.

Voters in Frankfort will consider several amendments to the city charter. The first would increase the per-meeting compensation of council members and the mayor from $12 to $36. The second would increase the mayor's annual stipend from $250 to $750. The third would raise the threshold for competitive bidding for materials, supplies, or public improvements from $1,000 to $3,000

The ballot in Frankfort and Blaine Township will include a request from the Benzie Shores District Library for 1 mill, reduced from a previous levy of 1.5 mills, to pay annual expenses at the library. The tax would raise an estimated $220,081 in its first year.

In the village of Benzonia, Thomas Hopkins is running unopposed for president, Vicki Rankin is the only candidate for clerk, and Tonnetta Flynn faces no competition for treasurer. Whitney Bourne, Carie Fowler-Gehring and James Lannin are running for three trustee positions. Roxane Miner, Helen Scott and Jill Tooley are seeking three seats on the Benzonia Public Library board.

Laura Spencer is the only candidate for clerk in the village of Beulah. Dawn Olney is unopposed for treasurer. Richard Belanger, Patty Cantrell, Diane Elliott and James Kilgus are seeking three trustee seats. Lawrence Burks, Patty Cantrell, Philip Downs and Leah Sirrine-Adams are running for six positions on the board of the Beulah Public Library.

In Colfax Township, Democrat Laura Draeger is unopposed for treasurer.

Republican Kristine Hollenbeck is the only candidate for Crystal Lake Township clerk.

Douglas Holmes and Kris Mills are vying for president in the village of Elberta. Sharyn Bower and Jennifer Johnson are running for clerk. David Bower, Adam Burks, Charles Hendershott and Bonnie Ness are seeking four trustee positions.

In Homestead Township, Republican Zelda Gray and Democrat M. Carroll Volpe are running for two open trustee seats.

In the village of Honor, Jeffie Lynch-Jones is running unopposed for president. Carole Waddell is the only candidate for clerk and Volnia Jones faces no competition for trustee.

Michael MacGirr is running unopposed for president in the village of Thompsonville. Joyce MacGirr is the only candidate for treasurer. Debra Franke, Francis Kahla, James MacGirr, Dennis Smith and Florence Smith are seeking six open trustee seats.

Republican Mary Wixson is the only candidate for Weldon Township treasurer.

Two four-year board terms are up for election in Benzie County Central Schools. Candidates are Lynette Grimes, Gaylynn Lovendusky, Ruthann Morse and Pamela Schneider.

In Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools, Richard Schmitt is running for one partial board term and Kenneth Fitzhugh is seeking one of two four-year terms.

Voters in parts of Benzie County also will vote on the ballot proposal for Traverse City Area Public Schools.

CHARLEVOIX CO.

There is only one contested race for the Charlevoix County board of commissioners. Republican Shirlene Tripp is running against Connie Saltonstall, who has no party affiliation, for the District 1 seat.

Running unopposed are Chris Christensen in District 2, Ronald Reinhardt in District 3, Joel Evans in District 4, Robert Drebenstedt in District 5, and Shirley Roloff in District 6. All are Republicans.

County voters also will be asked to renew a 0.75-mill tax for three years to fund the Grandvue Medical Care Facility. The millage would raise about $1,399,550 in the first year.

In the city of Charlevoix, Norman Carlson Jr. is unopposed in the race for mayor. William Haggard and Lyle Gennett are running for two city council seats in the First Ward. In the Second Ward, Gabe Campbell and Greg Stevens are seeking two open seats. Tonia Wells and Sherman Chamberlain Jr. are running for two seats in the Third Ward.

City residents also will decide 12 ballot proposals.

Proposal 1 asks voters to change a portion of the city charter requiring special elections to be scheduled within 60 days in the event of three or more vacancies on the city council. If passed, the charter would be updated to match state law regarding election scheduling.

Proposal 2 asks voters if city council organizational meetings, currently set for the first Monday in January, should instead be held at the first meeting after the November elections, shortly after members take office.

Proposal 3 asks if the duties of the deputy mayor should be amended to allow voting on council matters while filling in at meetings during the mayor's absence.

Proposal 4 seeks to delete a portion of the city charter requiring that the city manager become a resident of the city within 60 days of being hired. The amendment would eliminate the requirement, which conflicts with state law and is unenforceable.

Proposal 5 asks voters to limit the city manager's term to three years. Currently, the city manager can be appointed indefinitely. A change would not affect the current city manager.

Proposal 6 asks to cap potential severance packages of city employees at no more than three times their average salary or wages for three months prior to termination. Currently, no provision limits severance payments. If approved, the measure would not apply to the current city manager.

Proposal 7 would eliminate the requirement for the city clerk to keep names and addresses of voters in a poll book. Voter records are now kept electronically by the state.

Proposal 8 asks to impose a Feb. 15 deadline for the administration to present an annual capital budget to the city council. The current deadline is Sept. 1 for the capital budget and Feb. 15 for the operating budget.

Proposal 9 seeks elimination of a requirement that the city assessor attend all board of review meetings. The assessor is available to the board upon request.

Proposal 10 asks voters to eliminate a requirement that the first session of the annual board of review last at least three days. The measure would allow the board of review to stop the first session whenever the work is completed.

Proposal 11 requests permission to elect the deputy mayor at the city council's organizational meeting and, if there's a vacancy in the position, that the vacancy be filled at a council meeting after the vacancy occurs.

Proposal 12 seeks amendment of the city charter to allow more flexibility in scheduling meeting times for annual board of review sessions.

In Bay Township, Republican James Vanek is running unopposed for clerk. Residents also will be asked to renew a 1-mill levy for two years to pay for road construction and maintenance. The tax would raise about $119,000 in the first year.

Republican Ronald Chapman is the only candidate for a trustee position in Eveline Township.

In Hayes Township, Republican Ethel Knepp is unopposed for supervisor. Republican Marlene Golovich is the only candidate for clerk, and Democrat Jim Rudolph is running unopposed for a trustee seat.

In Melrose Township, Vern Goodwin is the only candidate for trustee and is running without party affiliation.

Republican David Leusink is unopposed in his bid for Norwood Township treasurer.

CHEBOYGAN CO.

Four of the seven races for two-year terms on the Cheboygan County board of commissioners are contested. In District 1, Republican Linda (LaChapelle) Socha is running against Democrat Dorothy Schneider. Republican Daniel O'Henley is running in District 5 against Democrat Leonard Page. Republican John Wallace faces Democrat Cynthia Kress in District 6. In District 7, Republican Robert Bolinger is challenged by Democrat Jodi Anderson. Running unopposed are Democrat Herb Makima in District 2, Republican Peter Redmond in District 3 and Democrat Alice Mushlock in District 4.

Democrat Donald Spray is running against Republican David Brown for a six-year term on the county road commission.

Robert Butts is running against Cheboygan attorney Sharon Stack for a six-year term as county probate judge.

The only candidate running for a partial term on the Cheboygan City Council is Theo Lepp. The term expires in May 2010.

In Tuscarora Township, voters will decide whether to authorize 1.25 mills for three years for parks and recreation. The levy would raise $206,000 this year in the first year.

Republican Eunice Hart is the only candidate for Waverly Township clerk, for a partial term ending in 2008.

Democrat Brian Veihl is running against Republican Hayden Wilson for Walker Township supervisor. Democrat Melissa Sturtevant is the only candidate for clerk. Republican Gail Southwell is running unopposed for trustee. All are partial terms ending in 2008.

Voters in the Wolverine municipal races will choose between Ralph Ochs and Robert Rochester for village president. Jean Blake will run unopposed for village clerk, while Laurie Holden is the only candidate for village treasurer. All are two-year terms. Voters will also choose three village trustees from among six candidates: Lissa Austin; Michael Evans, Sr.; Dwayne Gagnon; Lorraine Grubaugh; Roseanna Hilliker; and, Denis Holden.

CRAWFORD COUNTY

There are two contested races for two-year seats on the Crawford County board of commissioners. In District 3, Republican Shelley Pinkelman faces Democrat H.J. VanderPutten. Republican Terry Beardslee is running against Democrat Roy Spangler in District 7.

Unopposed candidates are Republican Kathy Rogers in District 1, Republican Scott Hanson in District 2, Republican Mike Lange in District 4, Republican David Stephenson in District 5 and Democrat Rick Anderson in District 6.

Republican John Hartman is the only candidate for a six-year term on the county road commission.

In the race for 46th Circuit Court judge, Janet Allen and Daniel Bebble are vying for a partial term ending in 2011.

Monte Burmeister is running unopposed for a six-year term as county probate judge.

County voters also will decide on two new millages for road repairs and historical preservation projects. The proposed roadway tax would levy 1 mill for five years and is expected to raise more than $543,000 in the first year. The proposed historical preservation tax would levy 0.2 mill for four years and would raise more than $108,000 in the first year.

EMMET COUNTY

All candidates are running unopposed for seats on the Emmet County board of commissioners. They are James Tamlyn in District 1, Leroy Gregory in District 2, Thomas Carlton Shier in District 3, Al Behan in District 4, Jack Jones in District 5, Thomas Foltz in District 6, and Les Atchison in District 7. All are Republicans.

Charles Johnson is unopposed in the race for 57th Circuit Court judge and Fred Mulhauser is the only candidate for county probate judge.

County voters also will be asked to renew a 1-mill tax for 10 years for North Central Michigan College. The levy would raise about $2.67 million in the first year.

In Harbor Springs, Jean Jardine is the only candidate for mayor.

James Gillett is unopposed for Pellston village president. Tanya Procknow is the only candidate for clerk, and Brenda Blakemore is the sole candidate for treasurer. Lora Clouser, William Jewell, Andrew Keiser, Daniel Procknow, Jesse Robin and Mary Schomberger are running for six trustee seats.

In the city of Petoskey, Dale Meyer is running unopposed for mayor. Cynthia McWatters is the only candidate in the Second Ward. David Austin and Jeremy Wills are running for a seat in the Fourth Ward.

Democrat Gene Reck is unopposed in the race for Cross Village Township clerk.

Redmond Township voters will be asked to renew a 1-mill tax for four years for general township operating expenses. The tax would raise about $68,904 in the first year.

Republican Tom Bernard is unopposed for supervisor in Springvale Township, for a partial term ending in November 2008.

In West Traverse Township, Republican Bob Sandford is the lone candidate for supervisor. The partial term ends in November 2008.

GRAND TRAVERSE

Five of nine races are contested for two-year terms on the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners. Republican Bruce Hooper faces Democrat Donna Hornberger in District 1. In District 2, Republican Larry Inman is running against Democrat Robin James. The District 7 race features Republican Christine Maxbauer against Democrat John Nelson. In District 8, Republican Larry Fleis is running against Democrat Phil Scott. Republican Addison Wheelock Jr. will compete against Democrat Don Dierkes in District 9.

Running unopposed are Republican Margaret Underwood in District 3, Republican Herbert Lemcool in District 4, Republican Wayne Schmidt in District 5, and Republican Richard Thomas in District 6.

David Stowe is running for a six-year term as county probate judge.

Thomas Phillips is seeking another six-year term as 86th District Court judge.

Traverse City voters will decide two charter amendments. The first would eliminate the primary election for city commission and mayoral candidates and increase the number of signatures from 25 to 70 required on a nominating petition to run for city offices. The second would change the time for Traverse City Light & Power to submit its annual capital improvements plan. The change would allow the plan to be submitted at the same time as the utility's proposed budget.

Voters in Blair Township will decide whether to recall supervisor Pat Pahl and treasurer Kathy Nowak from office.

In East Bay Township, Republican Susanne Courtade is running for clerk and Republican John Rudolph is the only candidate for park commissioner. Both are partial terms ending in 2008. Voters will also decide on a 0.31-mill levy for 2006 through 2008 to pay for two community police officers. The tax would raise $133,000 in the first year.

Noreen Broering is running unopposed for Fife Lake village president, and Vicky Jasper is the only candidate for treasurer. Angel Gordon, Dan Morton and Jane Roesemeier are seeking three four-year trustee terms. There are no candidates for an available two-year trustee term.

Green Lake Township will ask voters to approve a 0.31-mill tax through 2009 to pay for a community police officer. The levy would generate $71,300 in the first year.

In Long Lake Township, Republican David Garvin is running for a partial trustee term ending in 2008. Voters also will decide on a 0.46-mill, 20-year levy to purchase lands to preserve natural areas, wildlife habitat, forest lands and water quality, including the 212-acre Gilbert Pines Boy Scout Property and 108 acres of forest land on South Long Lake Road. The tax is estimated to raise $152,893 in its first year.

Voters in Peninsula Township will decide whether to renew a police protection levy of 0.2 mill through 2009. The tax would raise $98,333 in the first year.

Union Township is seeking approval of 0.9 mill through 2010 to providing a share of the cost of a community police officer for the township. The levy would raise $16,000 in the first year. Voters also will decide on a 0.5-mill levy through 2010 to fund the township's share of the Grand Traverse Rural Fire Board budget. That tax would raise $9,000 in its first year.

Voters in Whitewater Township will weigh in on a proposal to renew a 0.25-mill levy through 2015 for development, acquisition, improvement, repair, and maintenance of parks and recreational areas located within the township. The tax would generate $38,490 in the first year.

In races for the Northwestern Michigan College board of trustees, Doug Bishop and Walter Jay Hooper are running for two available six-year terms. Bill Myers is seeking a partial term ending in 2008.

Traverse City Area Public Schools is seeking voter approval to continue levying the statutory rate of 18 mills on non-homestead property by increasing the non-homestead tax rate by 1 mill through 2015. The additional 1 mill would be levied only to the extent necessary to keep the non-homestead levy at 18 mills. The measure would ensure the district continues to receive full state aid.

Voters in parts of Grand Traverse County also will vote in the board election for Benzie County Central Schools.

KALKASKA CO.

There is one contested race for the Kalkaska County board of commissioners. In District 5, Republican Edward Smith is running against Democrat Louis Walter.

Running unopposed are Republican Robert Crambell Jr. in District 1, Republican Louis Nemeth in District 2, Republican George Shetler in District 3, Democrat Alan McCullen in District 4, Republican Debra Kimball in District 6 and Republican Craig Wood in District 7.

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

Lynne Buday is running unopposed for county probate judge.

In the race for 46th Circuit Court judge, Janet Allen and Daniel Bebble are vying for a partial term ending in 2011.

County voters also will decide on proposed renewal of a 0.25-mill, four-year levy to operate the county's recycling program and animal control department. The tax would generate $170,000 in the first year.

In Excelsior Township, Democrat Daniel Prokup is running unopposed for a partial term as trustee ending in 2008.

Garfield Township voters will be asked to renew 1 mill for five years to fund the township's fire department. The levy would generate $32,811 in the first year.

In the village of Kalkaska, Virginia Thomas and Althea Illig-Ball are running for president. Lyle Blanksvard, Harold Eickholt, Martin Groleau, David Heymes and Doug Knoertzer are vying for three trustee seats. Sherry Johnson is running unopposed for treasurer.

In Rapid River Township, Democrat John Rogers is unopposed in his bid for a partial trustee term ending in 2008.

LEELANAU CO.

All candidates are running unopposed for two-year terms on the Leelanau County board of commissioners. They are Jean Watkoski in District 1, Mark Walter in District 2, William Bunek in District 3, Mary Tonneberger in District 4, David Shiflett in District 5, Robert Hawley in District 6 and Melinda Lautner in District 7. All are Republicans.

Republican Glen Noonan is the only candidate for a six-year term on the county road commission.

Joseph Deegan is running unopposed for a six-year term as county probate judge.

Thomas Phillips is seeking another six-year term as 86th District Court judge.

The county is seeking approval of two millage propositions. The first would levy 1 mill for two years to pay for general operations, including 911 and public safety services. The tax would yield $1,996,601 in its first year. The second proposal asks for 0.5 mill for 15 years to fund the county's farmland preservation program. That levy would generate $998,301 in its first year.

In Bingham Township, Republican Nichele Hursey is running unopposed for a partial term as treasurer to end in 2008. Voters also will be asked to levy 0.5 mill for one year to pay for fire and ambulance services. The millage would raise $76,372.

Voters in Bingham Township, Suttons Bay Township and the village of Suttons Bay will decide on a 0.47-mill, five year levy to fund operations at the Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library. The tax would generate $160,320 in the first year.

In the village of Empire, Susan Carpenter and Edwin Simpson are vying for president. Glenn Baja and Patricia Zoyhofski are running for clerk. Cheryl Fettes and Jennifer Williams are competing for treasurer. Karen Baja is seeking a two-year trustee term. David Diller, Linda Payment and Ashlea Walter are running for three four-year trustee seats.

Suttons Bay Township will ask voters to levy 0.5 mill for one year to pay for fire and ambulance services. The millage would raise $94,180.

In the village of Suttons Bay, four candidates are running for three four-year trustee seats. They are Karl Bahle, Jackie Freeman-Jordan, Steve Mentzer and Kara Petroskey. There are no candidates for an available trustee term that will expire in 2008.

Voters in parts of Leelanau County also will vote on the ballot proposal for Traverse City Area Public Schools.

MANISTEE CO.

Only one race is contested for the Manistee County board of commissioners. In District 2, Democrat Allen O'Shea is running against Republican Ned Stuits. Unopposed candidates are Republican Janice McCraner in District 1, Democrat Glenn Lottie in District 3, Democrat Ervin Kowalski in District 4, Republican Edward Haik in District 5, Democrat Kathy Fenstermacher in District 6 and Democrat Carl Rutske in District 7.

Thomas Brunner and John DeVries are running for county probate judge.

There are four candidates for Manistee City Council. Colleen Kenny is running in District 1, along with Robert Hornkohl in District 2, Hank Yonkman in District 3 and Alan Marshall in District 4.

In Arcadia Township, Republican Tom Wass is running unopposed for a partial term as supervisor ending in 2008.

Glen Moore Jr. is running unopposed for president in the village of Bear Lake. Michelle Mortenson is the only candidate for clerk and Connie Guerne is unopposed for treasurer. Robert Howe and George Carver Edwards are running for trustee.

Republican Jeffrey Westheimer is the only candidate for Brown Township trustee, for a partial term ending in 2008.

In Cleon Township, Democrat Jeff Stanton faces no opposition in his bid for supervisor. The partial term ends in 2008.

The race for village president in Copemish features Maureen Needham and Shannon Saunders. Pamela Paige is the only candidate for clerk and Elaine Gibbs is running unopposed for treasurer. Robert Needham, Andre Woodall, Michael Longo, Brian Paige Jr., Ron Robinson, Deborah Longo and Lisa Collins are running for trustee.

Democrat Larry Linke is the lone candidate for trustee in Filer Township, for a partial term expiring in 2008.

In the village of Kaleva, Daniel Holtz is the only candidate for president. Cathi Holtz is running unopposed for clerk and Judith Schafer faces no competition in her bid for treasurer. Sandi Kaskinen and David Peters are running for trustee.

In Manistee Township, Republican Connie Smith is unopposed for a partial term as treasurer that will end in 2008.

Republican Roland Clement faces no opposition in the race for Onekama Township trustee, for a partial term expiring in 2008.

In the village of Onekama, Robert Wendt is running unopposed for president. Ruth Hudson is the only candidate for clerk and Nikki Jach is unopposed for treasurer. Craig Peterson, Mike Olejniczak, Donald Schwing and Alice Hendricks are running for trustee.

Voters in Stronach Township will decide whether to renew a 0.5-mill levy for four years to pay for fire and rescue operations. The tax would generate $20,132 in the first year.

Free Soil Community School District is seeking voter approval to continue levying the statutory rate of 18 mills on non-homestead property by increasing the non-homestead tax rate by 2.25 mills through 2014. The additional millage would be levied only to the extent necessary to keep the non-homestead levy at 18 mills. The measure would ensure the district continues to receive full state aid.

MISSAUKEE CO.

Just one district features a contested race for the Missaukee County board of commissioners. District 2 candidates are Republican Brian Whipple, Democrat Jeffrey Wiggins and Forest Kenyon, who is running without party affiliation.

Running unopposed are Lan Bridson in District 1, Daniel Waller in District 3, Susan Rogers in District 4, Dean Vivian in District 5, Don Shaarda in District 6, and Hurbert Zuiderveen in District 7. All are Republicans.

Republican Larry Norman is the only candidate for county road commissioner.

Charles Parsons is running unopposed for a six-year term as county probate judge.

In Butterfield Township, Republican Daniel Elsholz is the only candidate for a partial trustee term ending in 2008.

Democrat Anita Londak is running unopposed for Enterprise Township trustee. The partial term ends in 2008.

In Holland Township, Republican Benita Meekhof is the lone candidate for a partial term as treasurer ending in 2008.

In Lake Township, Republican Kay Ouwinga is running for clerk and Republican Kevin Gill is running for trustee. Both are partial terms ending in 2008.

Republican Aldyne Ebels is running for treasurer in Reeder Township, and Republican Keith Ebels is running for trustee. Both are partial terms ending in 2008.

In West Branch Township, Democrat Jeanie Wilton is running unopposed for a partial trustee term ending in 2008.

OTSEGO COUNTY

All nine Republican commissioners on the Otsego County Board are running unopposed for re-election to two-year terms. They are: Clark Bates in District 1; Paul Beachnau in District 2; Paul Liss in District 3; Lee Olsen in District 4; Erma Backenstose in District 5; Kenneth Glasser in District 6; Douglas Johnson in District 7; Mike Hyde in District 8; Allan Bentz in District 9.

Republican Jack Deming is the only candidate for a six-year term on the county road commission.

In the race for 46th Circuit Court judge, Janet Allen and Daniel Bebble are vying for a partial term ending in 2011.

County Probate Judge Michael Cooper is unopposed for another six-year term.

Voters also will decide on renewal of a 0.25-mill, five-year levy to operate and maintain the county's Sportsplex facility. The new millage represents a decrease from the now-expired 0.3 mills to fund Sportsplex operations. The tax would generate an estimated $294,000 in the first year.

WEXFORD COUNTY

Several districts feature contested races for two-year terms on the Wexford County board of commissioners. In District 1, Republican Thomas Akers is competing against Kevin Heitger, who is running without party affiliation. District 9 candidates are Republican Scott Reagan and Terry Beck, also without party affiliation.

Candidates running unopposed are Leslie Housler in District 2, Jerry Bulock in District 3, Larry Copley in District 4, Bill Goodwill in District 5, Michael Stump in District 6, William Barnett in District 7 and Sarah McKeever in District 8. All are Republicans.

Kenneth Tacoma is seeking a six-year term as county probate judge.

Boon Township seeks approval of a 0.0973-mill operational levy that would raise approximately $1,577 in 2006 if approved. Voters also will be asked to renew a fire protection levy of 0.9775 mill plus an additional 0.0225 mill for a total of 1 mill for 2006 and 2007 to fund the Boon Volunteer Fire Department. The measure would raise an estimated $16,214 if approved.

In Cedar Creek Township, voters will decide whether to recall supervisor Gary Gilmore, clerk Pat Buttermore, and trustees John Fuscone and Michael Johnson.

Republican Larry Payne is the lone candidate for Clam Lake Township treasurer.

In Greenwood Township, Stacy Johnson is running without party affiliation for clerk.

Lorne Haase is running for president in the village of Harrietta. Carol Haase is the only candidate for treasurer. Dan Boehle, George Cain and Agostina Nella Kerzich are running for three two-year trustee terms.

Cadillac Area Public Schools is seeking voter approval of two ballot measures. The first would renew the 18-mill non-homestead property tax. The second would allow the district to continue levying 18 mills on non-homestead property by increasing the non-homestead rate by 1 mill through 2013 to offset reductions under the state constitution's Headlee Amendment. The additional 1 mill would be levied only to the extent necessary to maintain 18 mills. The measure would ensure the district continues to receive full state aid.