Election Summary

by Peter Jakey Managing Editor

Millages pass easily, another veteran commissioner out

Barton wins District judge race, Neumann?s headed back to Lansing

On the national level, Tuesday?s general election was a banner day for Democrats as they gained control of the White House and Senate. Locally, emotions swung back and forth as elections results poured into the Presque Isle County Courthouse.

Even in these tough economic times, both the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team (HUNT) millage and the Posen Fire Authority millages were supported impressively. When all 18 precincts were counted, the final tally on the HUNT millage was 3,841-3,308. The funding provides two school resource officers in the public high schools, plus an office for drug investigations.

After several failed attempts, the Posen Fire Authority will get its new fire truck, plus have additional monies for operations and possibly another truck in the future. They received approval in all four townships, meaning the measure would have passed under the old system.

On the county board of commissioners, veteran board member (R) Stephen Lang, who is the serving vice chairman was defeated by newcomer, (D) Michael Grohowski by more than 100 votes, 907-801. That means there will be a new chairman and vice chair come the first week of January, with chairman Allan Bruder losing in August.

Two incumbent commissioners fought off challenges. (D) Michael Darga easily ran away with the District 3 seat again, 989-375, over (R) Milt Very. (R) Carl ?Preach? Altman and (D) Gary Wozniak were pitted against each other in District 4, and Altman retains his spot, 661-575.

District 1 commissioner (D) Bob Schell and (R) Kris Sorgenfrei (District 2 race) both faced write-in campaigns from the opponents they defeated in August and sailed again to victory this week.

MARIA BARTON will replace the retiring Harold Johnson as 89th District Judge. She won 9,755-7,778 over Dan Martin. She took Presque Isle County, where she logged a lot of miles going door-to-door, 3,582-2,348. It is a six-year term.

Andy Neumann chalked up another big win for the Democrats, defeating (R) Peter Pettalia, 23,438-19,345. One of Pettalia?s few victories came in his own township, but barely. He edged Neumann in Presque Isle, 554-542.

Incumbent drain commissioner, (R) Charlie Lyon faced the tightest battle of the night from (D) Mel Perkins, but won 3,412-3,362.

In the race for sheriff, (R) Bob Paschke won in a landside against (D) Neil Repke, 5,008-1,465.

The rest of the vote totals of the uncontested office positions follow: prosecutor (D) Rick Steiger 5,340, 55 write-in votes; clerk (D) Sue Rhode 5,774, 37 write-ins; treasurer (D) Beth Heinzel 5,550, 62 write-ins; Register of Deeds (R) Cathy Idalski 5,611, 67 write-ins; surveyor (R) Norm Quaine, Jr. 5,416, 64 write-ins.

AT THE TOWNSHIP level, Raymond Ellenberger (236) and Mark E. Dean (227) won trustee positions in Allis Township. They were challenged by Elizabeth Roat (165) and William Peterman (108).

Patricia Augustine (127) and Kay Dowker (122) won the vote count in Bearinger Township for the two trustee positions. That means they?ll have an all women township board in Bearinger. James M. McKindles (81) and Byron DeLong (70) were the other candidates.

Robert Hopp edged Harlow Hardies in Belknap Township for trustee, 287-245.

It was tight race for trustee in Bismarck Township, the last precinct to report Wednesday morning at the courthouse. Jeffrey Prell (147) and Wesley Bruning (128) won trustee seats, while incumbent Kenneth McNealy came up short (109).

The incumbents won in Case Township?s trustee race. Allen Pardike (230) and Rita Tollini (189) won, but it was a narrow victory. Carol Steiger lost by only three votes.

For Krakow Township trustee, Roger Witherbee (256) and Richard Biermacher (243) had a wide gap over Mary Field (125).

Krakow Township supervisor Kevin Przybyla faced a write-in campaign, but still won easily, 279-75.

The only supervisor position challenged in the county was in Presque Isle Township. Patrick Pokorksi claimed victory, 566-455, over Karen Pettalia. She had hoped to succeed her husband in office, but both took losses ele

ction night.

Karen Fournier (571) got the nod over Pat Hart (431) for PI Township clerk. The trustee positions went to incumbents Lynn Morrison (625) and Cynthia Paavola (523). Brian Shumaker was third in the race with 436 votes.

In Rogers Township, incumbent Randall Smolinski (297) and David Grulke (279) won seats as trustees. Aaron Spens (258) and incumbent Henry Cetus Jr. (156) came up short in the race.

(D) Barack Obama was a winner in Presque Isle County, 3,719, over John McCain. (D) Carl Levin and (D) Bart Stupak are not going anywhere as they both will be for terms in Washington.

Vote totals are unofficial until certified by the county board of canvassers.

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