Voters will decide on state and local issues; to select office-holders

Presque Isle County voters will elect people to various county, state and national positions Tuesday while also deciding ballot proposals. Some 11,155 registered voters in the county are eligible to go to the polls, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polling places for township voters are in the township halls; Rogers City residents will vote in the high school and Onaway voters, the VFW Hall. At the national level, voters will decide whether to support Republican President George W. Bush, or Democratic challenger John Kerry, — or presidential hopefuls from four other political parties.

Also in the running are U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, a Democrat who is opposed by Republican Don Hooper, as well as David J. Newland of the Green Party, and John W. Loosemore from the Libertarian Party. Democratic State Rep. Matt Gillard is seeking his second two-year term in Lansing and is being challenged by Republican Rich Fortier. Both candidates are from Alpena.

IT’S BEEN a relatively quiet race for the only county-wide office to be challenged. Sheriff Terry D. Flewelling, Republican, will be opposed by independent candidate Scott A. Witkowski. Unopposed in the election are clerk Susan Rhode, treasurer Pat Cornett, and prosecutor Donald J. McLennan. Republican Cathy I. Idalski, an employee of the Register of Deeds office, filed as a candidate to fill the position of Register of Deeds Janet Lamb, who has decided to retire and not seek another term in office. Charles Lyon of Rogers City and Gerald Broad of Presque Isle Township are running as write-ins for drain commissioner. Three of the five county commission districts have races.

In District 1, incumbent Robert Schell faces a challenge from write-in candidate Wayne Vermilya, defeated by Schell in August. Former assistant prosecutor Gerald R. Gray Jr., in District 2, opposes incumbent Allan H. Bruder, while Mary Field and Stephen Lang are vying for the District 5 post vacated by the late Don Field. District 3 incumbent Michael A. Darga and District 4 incumbent Gary Wozniak are both unopposed. The only countywide proposal is a one-quarter-mill request to continue operating and staffing the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team and to fund School Resource Officer positions in the schools.

SEVERAL ISSUES will be decided in a number of townships. Voters in four Presque Isle County townships will be asked to approve a half mill request for nine years to purchase a building in Posen, which would become the new home for Posen Area Fire and Rescue. If the majority of voters in Krakow, Metz, Posen, and Pulawski townships say “yes,” equipment would be relocated to the building that currently houses Quality Repair. The building, which is owned by Gary Wozniak of Posen, has been offered to the fire board for $350,000. Belknap Township voters will be asked to renew one mill for road improvement for three years, from 2006 through 2009. One mill would generate $17,144 annually.

City of Onaway voters will be asked to amend the charter to allow the Onaway City Commission to fill a vacancy on the commission, even when there is no unexpired term to be filled at the next regular election. The current language does not allow an appointment when the term of a vacating commissioner extends beyond the general election.

COUNTY VOTERS also will join their counterparts around the state in deciding the fate of two ballot proposals. Proposal 1 would amend the state constitution to require voter approval of any form of gambling authorized by law and certain new state lotter

y games. A “yes” vote means approving the requirement for a statewide and local vote for any change or expansion beyond the present provisions for gambling. This requirement would not apply to any change or expansion for Indian tribal gaming and up to three casinos located in Detroit. A “no” vote means supporting the current process for decision-making about gambling and the lottery. Proposal 2 would amend the state constitution to provide that “the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose.”

A “yes” vote gives approval for adding language to the state constitution. A “no” vote indicates opposition to placing this definition in the state constitution. Also on the ballot will be candidates for Michigan Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and 53rd Circuit Judge. And, voters will choose members for the State Board of Education, University of Michigan regents, Michigan State University trustees, and members to the Board of Governors of Wayne State University. No Rogers City officers are up for election.