With local elections on the horizon, here’s a look at some basic voter and candidate information for the Southeast sector of Mecosta County. This sector includes:

• Hinton Township
• Millbrook Township
• Morton Township
• Wheatland Township

*CANDIDATE INFORMATION WILL BE UPDATED ONCE RECIEVED*

 

HINTON TOWNSHIP

VOTER INFO:

Election Date: August 6, 2024

Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Voting Site: Hinton Township Hall (9022 34 Mile Road, Lakeview, MI 48850)

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
• Montcalm Area Intermediate School District Bond Proposal

 

CANDIDATE INFO:

Supervisor (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Wayne Sutherland, REP, Morley (INCUMBENT - TRUSTEE)

Clerk (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Ruth Peterson, REP, Lakeview (INCUMBENT)

Treasurer (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• James Helms, REP, Mecosta (INCUMBENT)

Trustee (Four Year Term) – Two Seats Available

• Art Hersey, REP, Lakeview
• Brian Taylor, REP, Lakeview
• Carl Thompson, REP, Mecosta (INCUMBENT - SUPERVISOR)

 

MILLBROOK TOWNSHIP

VOTER INFO:

Election Date: August 6, 2024

Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Voting Site: Millbrook Township Hall (1042 Monroe Road, Blanchard, MI 49310)

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
• FIRE DEPARTMENT MILLAGE RENEWAL
• Montabella Community Schools I. Operating Millage Proposal
• Montabella Community Schools II. Sinking Fund Millage Proposal
• Montcalm Area Intermediate School District Bond Proposal

 

CANDIDATE INFO:

Supervisor (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Bruce Eldred, REP, Blanchard (INCUMBENT)

Clerk (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Kaye Wisner, REP, Blanchard (INCUMBENT)

Treasurer (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Tina Murray, REP, Blanchard

Trustee (Four Year Term) – Two Seats Available

• Lenny Sorsen, DEM, Remus (INCUMBENT)
• Randy Spayd, REP, Blanchard (INCUMBENT)

 

MORTON TOWNSHIP

VOTER INFO:

Election Date: August 6, 2024

Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Voting Site: Morton Township Hall (290 W. Main Street, Mecosta, MI 49332)

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
• NEW ADDITIONAL MILLAGE 0.725 MILL FOR FIRE EQUIPMENT AND HOUSING

 

CANDIDATE INFO:

Supervisor (4 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Mark Klumpp, REP, Stanwood (INCUMBENT)
  • Experience: Township supervisor (4 years), school administrator, chair of local and state level organizations
  • Inspiration: Life long resident, government experience
  • Focus: Financial strength, serving the community
  • Quote: "Being a resident of Morton Township for over 45 years, I bring a lot of historical knowledge to the position yet I am forward-thinking enough to support change when needed. I believe I am able to work with my fellow Morton Township Board members to continuously make the right decisison that are fiscally responsible while maintaining the level of support and services our taxpayers expect and deserve."

Clerk (4 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Camie Courtright, REP, Stanwood (INCUMBENT)

Treasurer (4 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Victoria Esch, REP, Mecosta
  • Experience: Deputy Township Treasurer (15 years), Township Planning Commission Recording Secretary (15 years), Township Zoning Board of Appeals Recording Secretary (15 years)
  • Inspiration: To serve the residents of Morton Township
  • Focus: Keep aligned with township happenings and hear citizen concerns thouroughly 
  • Quote: "I am a firm believer that if you are going to serve others, you need to continue to expand your knowledge of what your responsibilities are and how you can be the best at your position by continuing to take advantage of opportunities to learn. If elected as treasurer, it will be my goal to continue to take advantage of those opportunities so that I can best serve my community."
• Tracy Snyder, REP, Stanwood

Trustee (4 Year Term) – Two Seats Available

• Yulanda Bellingar, REP, Mecosta (INCUMBENT)
  • Experience: Township clerk (8 years), Township trustee (8 years), Distrcit 12 Director of Michigan Township Association (14 years), President of Tri-Lakes Association
  • Inspiration: Tri-Lakes resident since 1998, success as small business owner
  • Focus: Preserve and protect the community
  • Quote: "I am excited to continue my work for Morton Township to continue to make it a better place to live."
• Jeff Ratledge, REP, Canadian Lakes (INCUMBENT)
• Dennis Wolfe, REP, Canadian Lakes
  • Experience: PGA Head Golf Professional (35 years)
  • Inspiration: Attending monthly city, county, township administrative meetings
  • Focus: Build relationships with township residents, leaders, and charitable organizations
  • Quote: "I raised my family  in this community and it has been a very rewarding experience. I am retiring this winter and have the objectivity, integrity and honesty to serve. It is time to give back.?"

 

WHEATLAND TOWNSHIP

VOTER INFO:

Election Date: August 6, 2024

Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Voting Site: Wheatland Township Hall (201 Sheridan Avenue, Remus, MI 49340)

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
• Montabella Community Schools I. Operating Millage Proposal
• Montabella Community Schools II. Sinking Fund Millage Proposal
• Montcalm Area Intermediate School District Bond Proposal

 

CANDIDATE INFO:

Supervisor (4 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Thomas Vansyckle, REP, Remus (INCUMBENT)

Clerk (4 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Kristina Beers, REP, Remus
  • Experience: Mecosta Osceola Human Services Collaborative Body (3 years), Chippewa Hills Board of Education (8 years), St. Michael's Church Leadership work (19 years), MOISD Parent Liason, Leadership Mecosta program (1 year)
  • Inspiration: Father was Township Treasurer, carry the family torch
  • Focus: Anticipate problem areas before they affect the area
  • Quote: "Remus is in my bones, my blood, and my heart.? I truly believe that, with my leadership, administrative skills, attention to detail, knowledge of the past, and interest in local history, I will be a terrific asset to the Wheatland Township Board and her long future. I look forward to representing you and continuing to make our community a shining light in our great State."
• Kim Thiel, REP, Remus (INCUMBENT)

Treasurer (4 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Julie Sellers, REP, Remus
• Amy Snyder, REP, Remus (INCUMBENT)

Trustee (4 Year Term) – Two Seats Available

• Lee Carte, REP, Remus (INCUMBENT)
• Ethan McNeal, REP, Remus (INCUMBENT)

 

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.