Proposals supported in both counties
by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor
Presque Isle and Cheboygan county voters were supportive of proposals during Tuesday’s election.
The libraries, seniors and road millage proposals received positive outcomes when the 17 precincts in Presque Isle and 22 polling places in Cheboygan County were all counted at the county clerk’s offices.
Presque Isle District Library received plenty of votes for its renewal request, 1,700 to 742.
“It’s quite humbling to look at the numbers and see that kind of support,” said interim director Mike Grulke. “I think it’s a tribute to our staff. I’m also pleased with the support from our Friends groups. They worked together and got behind the millage campaign to get it passed.”
The half mill renewal request for senior services in Cheboygan County received overwhelming support with 3,668 “yes” votes, while 1,407 said “no.”
The Presque Isle County Council on Aging’s renewal request was approved, 1,741 to 623; however, the additional millage request was much closer with 1,212 voting “yes” and 1,140 voting against.
“It was a very needed millage, especially the addition,” said PICCA board president Gary Wozniak. “ Without that, we probably would have been in a little trouble in the next couple of years with wage increases that the state is putting through with minimum wage.
Cheboygan County’s road millage proposal of one mill for four years passed 2,892 to 2,197.
The Presque Isle County had its separate tax limitations proposal go through, 1,439 to 865.
The only township proposal that did not pass in Presque Isle was in Bearinger Township where a one-mill proposition was voted down, 101 to 50.
Lee Gapczynski edged fellow Republican Chuck Lewis to win the primary 174 to 152 and is running unopposed in November.
Incumbent congressman Dr. Dan Benishek won easily over Alan Arcand in the Republican primary.
Winning the Democratic primary for the 106th District Rep. was Robert Kennedy, who will be pitted against Republican Peter Pettalia in November.
Wayne Schmidt (R) and Phil Bellfy (D) will be vying for votes for State Sen. In the 37th District.
Marilyn Kapp Moran won the Republican vote for delegate in Forest Township over Dana Carver, 50 to 30.
The vote counts are unofficial until certified by the county board of canvassers. There were 2,547 ballots cast in Presque Isle County, or 23.79 percent. Cheboygan County was at nearly 25 percent (24.82) with 5,314 ballots cast.