Voters go to polls to determine 2012 election
by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor
Presque Isle and Cheboygan County voters, as well as voters across Michigan, will be casting ballots to determine who will serve in public offices ranging from the Oval Office, U.S. Senate, county offices and school boards.
Two of the most visible Presque Isle County races are for treasurer and clerk.
Democrat Ann Marie Main of Millersburg and Independent Carleen Paul of Rogers City want to replace Sue Rhode, who will retire at the end of the year.
Republican Bridget LaLonde and Democrat Valerie Sue Peacock are vying for the treasurer’s post, which is being held by Pat Bauer until voters decide her replacement. She came out of retirement earlier this year when the post became vacant. Both candidates are from Rogers City.
In Cheboygan County, decisions need to be made regarding the county road commission and drain commissioner. Republican Cam Cavitt and Democrat Roger Gauthier are seeking the drain commission post, while three candidates are on the ballot for two seats on the road commission. They are Republicans Clarence O’Connor and Ken Paquet and Democrat Donald Spray.
There’s only one race in the five Presque Isle commission districts and that’s in District 2, which pits incumbent Republican Kristin Sorgenfrei of Millersburg against Democrat Dennis Downie of Rogers City. Census re-districting changed the boundaries of District 2 for this election. It includes voters in Case, Ocqueoc and Rogers townships.
District 1 Democrat Bob Schell, who defeated Wayne Vermilya in August, and fellow incumbent commissioners Michael Darga (District 3), Carl Altman (District 4) and Stephen Lang (District 5) are running unopposed. Cheboygan County District 7 Republican candidate Sue Allor is running uncontested.
IN THE race to represent citizens of the 106th District in Lansing, incumbent Republican Peter Pettalia of Presque Isle, who is wrapping up his first re-election campaign, is opposed by Democrat Kenneth Hubbard of Alpena. John Daniel Longhurst is a Green Party candidate. The term is for two years.
Longtime U.S. Senator, Democrat Debbie Stabenow, is receiving a challenge from Republican Peter Hoekstra. This is a six-year term.
Nationally, the 1st District congressional race between Republican incumbent Dr. Dan Benishek and Democrat Gary McDowell is one being watched, especially among Democrats who want to regain control of the U.S. House.
Cheboygan County has an ambulance millage renewal. It is a request for .30 mill through 2015. Onaway Area Community Schools also has a proposal, which is previewed on page 1 in this week’s edition.
The only countywide ballot proposal in Presque Isle County is a request by the county to collect 1/10 mil to operate, maintain and make improvements to the recycling program from 2012 to 2015.
There also are six statewide ballot proposals, which were previewed in an earlier edition of the Outlook.
AT THE township level, there are two candidates for Bearinger Township supervisor. They are Republican John Hartigan and Democrat John Malaski. There also are three trustee candidates for two available seats. They are Republican incumbent Katherine Dowker, Republican James McKindles and Democrat Archie Patterson.
Allis Township voters will have four candidates to pick
Case Township also has three trustee candidates, but only two seats available. They are Republican Luke Ellenberger and Indepependents Jerry Browning and Rita Tollini.
All township terms are for four years.
The City of Onaway has board members Bernie Schmeltzer and Ronald Horrocks running for two uncontested seats. They are both for two years.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.