Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Kathy Osterman, an assistant clerk with the city of Hurley, checks one of four electronic voting machines set up in City Hall Monday afternoon. Today is Election Day and polling places across Wisconsin and Michigan will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
By RICHARD JENKINS
Voters across the country will cast their ballots in Tuesday's election; voting in federal, state and local elections.
Polls are open until 8 p.m.
In addition to the presidential race; at the federal level, voters in Iron County will also be voting in a senate race between Republican incumbent Ron Johnson, Democrat Russ Feingold and Libertarian Phillip Anderson.
They will also vote in the 7th Congressional District race between incumbent Republican Sean Duffy and Mary Hoeft. In Michigan's Gogebic and Ontonagon counties, voters will vote in the 1st Congressional Race between Republican Jack Bergman, Democrat Lon Johnson, Libertarian Diane Bostow and Green Party member Ellis Boal.
At the state level; the contested races area voters will participate in is Michigan's 110th District State House race between incumbent Democrat Scott Diada and Republican Gregory Markkanen, as well as the state board of education race, University of Michigan Board of Regents race, Michigan State University Board of Trustee race and Wayne State University Board of Governors. Voters on the Michigan side of the border will also cast ballots in two non-partisan state supreme court races, the 4th District Court of Appeals race and the 32nd Circuit Court - which covers both Gogebic and Ontonagon counties - race between Judge Michael Pope and Mark McDonald.
The only contested local race for Iron County voters is the district attorney race between Republican Matthew Tingstad and Democrat Anthony Stella.
Gogebic and Ontonagon counties have several contested local races.
Gogebic County
Ironwood Township voters will choose between five trustee candidates running for four seats including incumbents Bernard Brunello and Kevin Lyons, as well as newcomers Bev Michaels, Rudy Grbavcich and Marlene Saari- Mieloszyk.
In Erwin Township, three candidates are running for the two trustee seats on the board, including incumbents Republican Ray Brown and Democrat William Hellen, and newcomer James Anderson, a Republican. In Watersmeet Township, three people are running for two seats as trustees on the township board. The candidates for the four-year terms are Republican incumbent Bill Neumann and newcomers Julie Mathiesen and Alan Piel, both Democrats.
Voters in the Ironwood and Bessemer school districts will also decide contested races.
In Bessemer, incumbent Sheri Graham, as well as Bill McDonald, Kevin Nyquist, James Partanen and Eric Stanislawski are competing for four seats. Incumbents Al Gaiss, Mary Beth Trudgeon and Kim Wright are not on the ballot.
In Ironwood, incumbents John Lorenson and Steve Thomas, as well as newcomers Marilyn Carey and Amanda Sprague are competing for three seats, each for a four-year term. Incumbent Leroy Johnson is not seeking re-election.
Ontonagon County
Ontonagon voters will decide on the following races: There's a three-way race for sheriff. Incumbent Dale Rantala, a Democrat, is challenged by former deputy Donald Lorendo, no party affiliation, and Republican Dean Utecht. Fourth district county commissioner Carl Nykanen, is being challenged by Pat Kitzman, no party. Third district commissioner John Pelkola, incumbent will meet David Nykanen. Ontonagon Village President Kenny Lee Waldrop is challenged by William Johnson.
Both school districts in Ontonagon County have competitive races.
In Ewen-Trout Creek School District, six people are running for four seats - Samantha Schutz, Holly Driesenga, John Pinkerton, Margaret (Maggi) Brown, Carol Maki and Kelli Loggh.
The Ontonagon Area School Board has two races. Incumbent Bruce Johanson and Julie Kolpack are seeking two-year terms. Six people are running for the four four-year seats. Incumbents Nancy Mattson, Tanya Weisinger, Karen Jackson and Heather Beck are challenged by Susan Chastan and Linda Johanson.
In Bergland Township, where there are races for supervisor, clerk and trustee.
Carl Bailey and David Roberts are running supervisor.
Irene Sorelle and Pat MacArthur are vying for clerk and Republicans Mark Gregory and Michael Minto and Margaret (Maggi) Brown, no party, are seeking trustee positions.
Rockland Township has three people running for two township trustee seats - Susan Miilu, Patricia Racine and Ryan Pantti.
Countywide, Ontonagon County Animal Protection is asking to renew operating expenses of .15 mill for maintaining an animal shelter for four years. The millage is estimated to raise $38,400 in the first year.
OCAP officials indicate the millage is necessary for continuing operation of the animal shelter.
Stannard Township is asking for the one mill, which was reduced by mandatory rollback, be renewed and levied for five years. The millage is being asked for maintenance and operating.
Matchwood Township is seeking 1.5 mills to replace the 2 mills that has expired, to be used for a two-year period for general fund purposes.
Bergland Township seeks 1 mill for a period of four years for separate units.
One-half of the millage would be used for general township maintenance, one-quarter for cemetery upkeep and maintenance, and one-quarter for fire department operations.
The Ontonagon Area Board of Education has two issues on the ballot. The district is seeking to borrow $330,000 for purchasing school buses, which would result in four-tenths of a mill for seven years.
The second proposal is a 1.5 mills for 10 years for construction and repair of school buildings for 10 years. Officials point out approval of both measures will result in less millage than is now paid by taxpayers, since a previous millage expires.
