With local elections on the horizon, here’s a look at some basic voter and candidate information for the Southwest sector of Mecosta County. This sector includes:
- Aetna Township
- Austin Township
- Deerfield Township
- Mecosta Township
*CANDIDATE INFORMATION WILL BE UPDATED ONCE RECIEVED*
AETNA TOWNSHIP
VOTER INFO:
Election Date: August 6, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Voting Site: Aetna Township Hall (196 Cass Street, Morley, MI 49336)
More Information: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/Index
PROPOSAL TOPICS:
- ESTABLISH FIXED MILLAGE LIMITATIONS
- 9-1-1 EMERGENCY SERVICE SYSTEM FUNDING
CANDIDATE INFO:
Supervisor (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Bruce Carey, REP, Morley (INCUMBENT)
Clerk (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Beverly McLaughlin, REP, Morley (INCUMBENT)
Treasurer (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Amy Hillis-Ouellette, REP, Morley
- Experience: Deputy to Aetna TWP Treasurer (2+ years), work in worker’s compensation insurance industry (10 years), business owner in the trucking industry (11 years)
- Inspiration: Give back through service, add value to community
- Focus: Ensure accurate, timely, and reliable service unrelated to politics to the citizens of Aetna TWP
- Quote: "I’m passionate about my family, protecting our freedoms, honoring our veterans, giving back when I can and living a peaceful life. For years, we donate our time and money to purchase materials and beautiful the Morley War Memorial each May to show our love and respect to our Veterans and Community. I’d be honored to serve the Aetna Township, if chosen!"
- Karla Humm, REP, Morley
- Experience: Public housing circuit (10+ years), Real estate agent (5+ years), business manager, Grand Valley State graduate
- Inspiration: Availability and committment to the township
- Focus: Give back to the community
- Quote: "I have a love of people and feel that my personality will be my biggest asset to help and work with the people of Aetna Township. Anyone that knows me knows I am just like my Dad and love to talk. I love to visit with the locals and look forward to getting to know even more of my neighbors. I would be blessed to be chosen for Treasurer and to be able to work with the board to create a better community!"
Trustee (Four Year Term) – Two Seats Available
- Barbie Cornell, REP, Morley (INCUMBENT)
- Faye Graves, REP, Morley
- Larry Platt, REP, Morley
AUSTIN TOWNSHIP
VOTER INFO:
Election Date: August 6, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Voting Site: Austin Township Hall (14132 Pierce Road, Stanwood, MI 49346)
More Information: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/Index
PROPOSAL TOPICS:
- ESTABLISH FIXED MILLAGE LIMITATIONS
- 9-1-1 EMERGENCY SERVICE SYSTEM FUNDING
CANDIDATE INFO:
Supervisor (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Kenneth Vredenburg, REP, Stanwood (INCUMBENT)
- Experience: Township Supervisor/Assessor (26 years), Township Trustee (4 years), Dairy farmer (42 years)
- Inspiration: Reccomendation from former trustee
- Focus: Help treat everyone with respect and fairness
- Quote: "I like to keep things as local as possible, so someone can reach out anytime."
Clerk (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Billie Jean Barnes, REP, Stanwood (INCUMBENT)
Treasurer (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Carolyn Towsley, DEM, Stanwood (INCUMBENT)
Trustee (Four Year Term) – Two Seats Available
- John Brockway, REP, Morley (INCUMBENT)
- Charles Sheldon II, REP, Rodney
DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP
VOTER INFO:
Election Date: August 6, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Voting Site: Deerfield Township Hall (396 E. Fourth Street, Morley, MI 49336)
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
- Phil Stier, REP, Morley (INCUMBENT)
Clerk (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Michelle Lewis, REP, Morley (INCUMBENT)
Treasurer (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Sheila Lingle, REP, Morley (INCUMBENT)
- Kristoffer Wood II, REP, Morley
Trustee (Four Year Term) – Two Seats Available
- Brian Carey II, REP, Morley (INCUMBENT)
- John Cassidy, REP, Morley
- Experience: Deerfield Township Board of Review, sales-related occupations with various departments of government
- Inspiration: Multiple community members' reccomendation
- Focus: Improve the area, instill honesty, pride, duty, loyalty, and integrity in office
- Quote: "To sum it up, you should be able to ask anyone about me and get the response that I’m a straight shooter. People won’t always agree with me, nor I them, but you will know where I stand and why, and I am not going to lie to anyone. At this level of government, we aren’t changing the world...just trying to better our areas."
- Jamey Nelson, REP, Morley
- Michael Salisbury, REP, Morley
MECOSTA TOWNSHIP
VOTER INFO:
Election Date: August 6, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Voting Site: Mecosta Township Hall (19729 11 Mile Road, Big Rapids, MI 49307)
More Information: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/Index
PROPOSAL TOPICS:
- PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH FIXED MILLAGE LIMITATIONS
- PROPOSITION FOR 9-1-1 EMERGENCY SERVICE SYSTEM FUNDING
- RENEWAL OF FIRE PROTECTION MILLAGE FOR OPERATIONAL PURPOSES
- RENEWAL OF FIRE PROTECTION MILLAGE: ACQUISITION OF VEHICLES AND BUILDINGS
CANDIDATE INFO:
Supervisor (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- John Boyd, REP, Stanwood
- Michele Graham, REP, Stanwood (INCUMBENT)
Clerk (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Stephanie McNeal, REP, Stanwood (INCUMBENT)
Treasurer (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available
- Mary Quinlan, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
Trustee (Four Year Term) – Two Seats Available
- James Cain, REP, Big Rapids (INCUMBENT)
- Tyler Huntey, REP, Stanwood (INCUMBENT)
- Experience: Township trustee, CEO of Huntey's Clubhouse
- Inspiration: Give back to the community
- Focus: To leverage business experience to improve the township and community
- Quote: "I believe that I can provide creative thinking and solutions to best utilize the township resources. We need to find ways to improve our township for existing residents as well as those who may be considering moving to the area."
The Primaries 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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