With local elections on the horizon, here’s a look at some basic voter and candidate information for the Northwest sector of Mecosta County. This sector includes:
- Big Rapids Charter Township
- Colfax Township
- Grant Township
- Green Charter Township
*CANDIDATE INFORMATION WILL BE UPDATED ONCE RECIEVED*
BIG RAPIDS CHARTER TOWNSHIP
VOTER INFO:
Election Date: August 6, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Voting Site: Big Rapids Charter Township Hall (14212 Northland Drive, Big Rapids, MI 49307)
More Information: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/Index
PROPOSAL TOPICS:
- ESTABLISH FIXED MILLAGE LIMITATIONS
- 9-1-1 EMERGENCY SERVICE SYSTEM FUNDING
- RENEWAL OF FIRE-RESCUE DEPARTMENT MILLAGE
- RENEWAL OF ROAD MILLAGE
CANDIDATE INFO:
Supervisor (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Bruce Borkovich, REP, Big Rapids
- Experience: Deputy Township Supervisor, Director of Public Safety at Ferris State University (8 years), former Michigan Conservation Officer
- Inspiration: Experience in government and organizational units
- Focus: Ensure the voices of Big Rapids are represented, maintain recreational and agricultural nature in the area
- Quote: "I feel I can fulfill that role as part of a really outstanding board at the township, focused on determining what the needs and desires of the constituents are, not deciding what is good for them without their direction."
- Tim Hahn, DEM, Big Rapids
Clerk (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
Linda Combs, DEM, Big Rapids (WITHDREW)- Hannah Saez, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
Treasurer (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Dena Marek, REP, Big Rapids
Trustee (Four Year Term) – Four Seats Available
- Joe Bechaz, REP, Big Rapids
- Jerald Everett, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
- Experience: Township Trustee (8 years), U.S. Army Special Forces Veteran (1968-1971), project manager
- Inspiration: Neighbor's suggestion
- Focus: Support the wishes of the Township with no political ambitions, bring constructive and researched discussions to the board
- Quote: "Remaining focused on the task at hand can be a challenge in today’s toxic political environment, but it is not impossible. We need to be building bridges between various ideas while looking for compromises that focus on how to live and work together."
- Eric O’Niel, REP, Big Rapids
- Chris Teceno, REP, Big Rapids
- Ron Welch, REP, Big Rapids
COLFAX TOWNSHIP
VOTER INFO:
Election Date: August 6, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Voting Site: Colfax Township Hall (14428 157th Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307)
More Information: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/Index
PROPOSAL TOPICS:
- ESTABLISH FIXED MILLAGE LIMITATIONS
- PROPOSITION FOR 9-1-1 EMERGENCY SERVICE SYSTEM FUNDING
CANDIDATE INFO:
Supervisor (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Nick Kaye, REP, Rodney (INCUMBENT)
- Experience: Township Supervisor (12 years), Mecosta County Road Commission employee (26 years)
- Inspiration: Initially asked to run by former supervisor
- Focus: Bridge the cimmunication gap between citizens and the township board
- Quote: "I intend on continuing to work with the different personalities/views on our board while being responsible with public funds while minimizing township intrusion on our people."
Clerk (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Susan Olson, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
Treasurer (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Shawn Bertl, REP, Big Rapids
- Julie Johansen, DEM, Rodney (INCUMBENT)
- Experience: Township treasurer (14 years), co-owner and office manager for Angus beef farm
- Inspiration: Previous treasurer's recomendation
- Focus: Improve the township
- Quote: "I believe in the things we do. In my time in office, the board has completed many projects to help our residents and I would love to continue to improve our township. I have enjoyed my time in office and would appreciate your support."
Trustee (Four Year Term) – Two Seats Available
- Bill Burmeister, DEM, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
- Experience: Township Trustee (4 years), former high school teacher and coach, professor at multiple state universities
- Inspiration: Give back to the community
- Focus: Work together with board members, be a 'team player'
- Quote: "As a former United Way Board Member, I bring a commitment to help others. The last four years have been very rewarding, and I would like to serve one more term."
- Karen Morningstar, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
GRANT TOWNSHIP
VOTER INFO:
Election Date: August 6, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Voting Site: Green Township Hall (15081 20 Mile Road, Big Rapids, MI 49307)
More Information: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/Index
PROPOSAL TOPICS:
- ESTABLISH FIXED MILLAGE LIMITATIONS
- PROPOSITION FOR 9-1-1 EMERGENCY SERVICE SYSTEM FUNDING
CANDIDATE INFO:
Supervisor (4 Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Cheryl Aris, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT - CLERK)
Clerk (4 Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Lisa Cranney, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
Treasurer (4 Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Zachary Fredrick, REP, Big Rapids
Trustee (4 Year Term) – Two Seats Available
- Nicholas Bentley, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
- Travis Horstman, REP, Big Rapids
- Ray Seaman, REP, Big Rapids
- Experience: U.S. Army Veteran, Corrections in Kent County (21 years), Steelcase Inc. (10 years)
- Inspiration: Time to 'give back'
- Focus: Community recieves great service, frugal spending
- Quote: "As my work ethic demonstrates, I have always been diligent in whatever assignments I have been given by past employers, and in my personal life. My desire is to ensure our community members receive the best services for a good return on their tax dollar investment."
GREEN CHARTER TOWNSHIP
VOTER INFO:
Election Date: August 6, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Voting Site: Green Charter Township Hall (21431 Northland Drive, Paris, MI 49338)
More Information: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/Index
PROPOSAL TOPICS:
- ESTABLISH FIXED MILLAGE LIMITATIONS
- PROPOSITION FOR 9-1-1 EMERGENCY SERVICE SYSTEM FUNDING
CANDIDATE INFO:
Supervisor (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Zachary Dickerson, REP, Hersey
- Jason Kruse, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
- Joseph Percy, DEM, Big Rapids
Clerk (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Corri Riebow, REP, Paris (INCUMBENT)
- Sarah Gamble-Brown, REP, Paris
Treasurer (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Brent Taylor, REP, Paris
- Jilliane Walsh, REP, Paris
Trustee (Four Year Term) – Four Seats Available
- Katy Battle, DEM, Hersey
- Experience: Postal Service Clerk,
- Inspiration: Asked to run, seeing the TWP Board recalled last year
- Focus: Bring back unity in the community
- Quote: "I have lived in Green Charter township all my life. I only live 5 miles from where I grew up. I feel that it is my duty to give back to my community."
- Kelly Cushway, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
- Larry Finkbeiner II, REP, Paris
- Scott MacFarlane, REP, Paris
- Ross Meads, REP, Big Rapids
- Dominic Pace, REP, Big Rapids
- Sara Rasmussen, REP, Paris (INCUMBENT)
- Thomas Streeter, REP, Paris
- Jeffrey Thorne, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
The primary election will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Be sure to follow Big Rapids Daily News on Facebook, Instagram, and X for results and updates.
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