Published: November 05, 2008 12:24 am      

12:07 am: Face of Leelanau, Elmwood to change

SUTTONS BAY — Change is coming to the Leelanau County board.

There will be turnover in three commission seats, and a Democrat won a spot on the Republican-controlled board.

Three Republican candidates won and Democrat David Marshall took District 6.

Marshall beat Republican Dan Semple’s 1,259 to 911 votes.

Republican James Schaub Sr. beat Democrat Victor Walter in District 2, with Schaub leading 1,224 votes to 815.

In District 3, Dick Schmuckal, a Republican, won against Jackie Freeman, Democrat, with 1,269 votes to 646.

Incumbent Melinda Lautner, a Republican, was re-elected in District 7 with 975 votes. Democrat challenger Traci Cruz had 814 votes.

Commissioners Jean Watkoski, Mary Tonneberger and David Shiflett, all Republicans, won uncontested races. Watkoski represents District 1, Tonneberger covers District 4, and Shiflett serves in District 5.

Board Chairman Bob Hawley and Commissioner Mark Walter did not seek re-election, and incumbent William Bunek lost in the primary.

In Elmwood Township, Republican Jack Kelly won a four-year supervisor term.

Kelly beat Democrat Donald Barrows 1,857 votes to 942 in the first and third precincts.

Kelly, 56, is the zoning administrator and planner in Kalkaska County. He formerly served as chairman of the Elmwood Township planning commission.

He defeated incumbent Supervisor Derith Smith in the primary election.

Kelly said his first orders of business are to pass the budget, get a new zoning ordinance approved and update the master plan.

“I want to do my part to make sure we encourage participatory government and we truly let our residents know what’s going on and actively engage them in important projects in the coming years,” he said.

Three newcomers and one incumbent won four-year trustee terms.

Incumbent Terry Lautner, newcomers Mary Barrows and David Darga, all Republican, and Democrat Donald Gallagher beat out Anne Bugai Reynolds, an independent candidate, and incumbents Paul Walter and Kyle Trevas.

Walter, a Republican, was a top vote-getter in the August primary.

Trevas, an independent candidate, also was voted out of office. He was appointed to the board in May to fill a vacated seat.

Clerk Connie Preston and Treasurer Debbie Street, both Republican, were unopposed after beating their challengers in the primary race.

Township voters defeated a police millage 1,652 to 1,259 and supported a fire millage 1,542 to 1,375.