Bush wins Presque Isle County; Democrats still outnumber Republicans on the county board

Voter turnout in Presque Isle County for Tuesday’s general election reached a historic level. Fueled by a hotly-contested presidential race, 7,732 of the 11,155 registered voters in (69 percent) showed up the polls to fulfill their civic duty. Long lines were reported throughout the county. “Many showed up that I haven’t seen in a while,” said election worker Les Kranzo. Janice Bellmore, who was assigned to one of the three precincts in Rogers City, noticed a lot of younger first-time voters.

“It was very busy and very intense,” said county clerk Sue Rhode. “It’s usually midnight that we are done.” The final votes were counted after 2 p.m. Wednesday. Rhode said the 69 percent voter turnout and many absentee ballots slowed the process. “It was great voter turnout,” said Kranzo.

WHILE LEGAL challenges appear likely in the race for the White House, George W. Bush won the majority of votes for president in Presque Isle County. Democrat John Kerry trailed the incumbent Republican by 550 votes, 3,982-3,432. The next closest challenger was Ralph Nader with 45. On the local level, Democrats will still outnumber Republicans on the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners, three to two, as both Republican candidates won their districts.

Incumbent Republican Allan H. Bruder of Ocqueoc Township easily retained his District 2 seat, 61-39 percent over Gerald Gray. When all five precincts were counted, Bruder had won, 940-591. Bruder won his home precinct by 89 votes and Moltke Township, which is Gray’s precinct, by 61 votes.

“I think I represent the common working people of the county,” said Bruder. “I was born and raised in the county and I still want to represent the hard-working people of the county and try to what is right by them.” Bruder appreciated the confidence placed in him from his constituents, “because I’m going to keep doing the best I can do.” Gray was disappointed but encouraged people throughout the county to stay active and informed with county government. “We need to work together now and work for the county,” Gray said.

REPUBLICAN STEPHEN LANG, who was recently appointed to complete the term of the late Don Field, will serve as District 5 commissioner for the next two years after defeating Democrat Mary Field. Field had a slim five-vote lead with one precinct still to report. When the votes were tallied, Lang was the clear winner, 947-707. Lang took Presque Isle Township 643-398, to earn his way back on the board. Democrat Bob Schell will return as District 1 commissioner after fending off a challenge from fellow Democrat Wayne Vermilya, who was running as a write-in. Schell won it 891-56. Democrats Mike Darga and Gary Wozniak both won in August and ran unopposed Tuesday for the county board.

Terry D. Flewelling retained his position as sheriff. The Republican took all 20 precincts over independent Scott A. Witkowski. Flewelling had 82 percent of the vote, 4,949-1,107. Unopposed in the election were clerk Susan Rhode, who received 5,169 votes; treasurer Pat Cornett, 5,004; prosecutor Don McLennan, 5,218; register of deeds Cathy I. Idalski, 5,158; and surveyor Norman J. Quaine, Jr., 5,007. The position of drain commissioner was a contest of two writes-ins with Charles Lyon of Rogers City defeating

Gerald Broad of Presque Isle, 52-38.

IN THE TOWNSHIP races, the top vote-getter in the race for trustee in Bismarck Township was Wesley Bruning with 122 votes. There was one other available seat, but according to results from the county clerk’s office, Kenneth C. McNealy and Jeffrey R. Prell ended in a dead heat with 106 votes. Information on how the situation will be resolved was not available early Wednesday. Karen Fournier (631 votes) and Cynthia Paavola (525) were elected as trustees to serve on the Presque Isle Township board. Coming out on the short end of the vote count was Brian K. Shumaker (519).

In the three-way race for trustee in Pulawski Township, the winners were Roger A. Chojnacki (1,310 votes) and Philip T. Kroll (98). Ralph Chappa was a not-so-distant third with 83. The one-mill request in Belknap Township for road improvements for three years passed, with 232 “yes” votes and 131 “no” votes. All vote totals are unofficial until certified by the county board of canvassers.

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