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WSBT photo (August 8, 2012) |
If you think your vote doesn’t make a difference, think again. Several local races in Tuesday’s primary election in Michigan were decided by a handful of votes.
In Cass County’s Republican race for District 1 county commissioner, Robert Wagel squeaked by Ed Goodman 562-560 and, in District 3, Dwight Dyes defeated Gordon Bickel Sr. 375-368. And in Milton Township, Sue Kronewitter prevailed in her bid for the clerk’s job by just three votes over Larry Neumann while Susan Flowers defeated Treasurer Linda DeBroka by nine votes.
There also was John Engel’s 35-vote victory over incumbent GOP Treasurer James Ringler in Niles Township. There was no word Wednesday whether any of the losing candidates would seek recounts.
In other races, Stevensville Democrat Jim Hahn defeated Mary Brown 1,410-1,144 for the right to oppose Stevensville Republican Al Pscholka for Pscholka’s 79th District state House seat. Also, Roger Zilke had a roughly 1,400 vote lead over Christopher Quattrin with one precinct still out Wednesday, assuring that Zilke will continue as Berrien County drain commissioner. Rich Hurst was a distant third in the GOP contest.
There was a mixed bag of local millage results, with voters in the Dowagiac school district overwhelmingly rejecting a $19.9 million bond proposal. Voters in the Eau Claire school district, however, approved a $3.1 million bond issue.
Also, a less than 1 mill sinking fund for the Cassopolis schools was approved 592-505 but voters in Cass County’s Volinia Township rejected renewal of a fire and ambulance millage 145-116. Also defeated, by 18 votes, was a Newberg Township road millage proposal.
In Ontwa Township, fire, ambulance and police millage renewals were approved but a 1-mill increase for the police department was rejected 618-446.
Other local contests saw Neal Nitz, a former state representative, prevail in his bid to return to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners and incumbent Mac Elliott defeat Robert Hoven Jr. 728-635 for the panel’s District 10 seat. Elliott will meet Democrat David Crumley in the fall.
Republican Dale Lowe defeated Ron Fazi for Howard Township supervisor 258-211 and Democrat Maureen Johnson prevailed over Jan Gordon for her party’s nod for Howard Township treasurer 108-73.
Also in Cass County, Dixie Ann File defeated Ronald Francis 456-292 for the GOP nod for the county board’s District 2 seat, Roseann Marchetti beat Carl Higley Sr. 527-408 for the party’s nomination for District 4 commissioner and Robert Ziliak defeated Shaune Leet Timm 416-195 for the Republican nod for the District 5 post. In the fall, File will meet Democrat Burke Webb, Marchetti will oppose David Taylor and Ziliak will meet Johnie Rodebush.
Staff writer Lou Mumford:
