Hunt and Hamilton Win JPS Board Seats; Results from School Elections
(November 4, 2020 11:31 AM) Two new members will join the Jackson Public Schools board. Shalanda Hunt and Kesha Hamiliton were the two top vote getters in a tightly contested four person race. Hunt received 8,248 votes, Hamilton received 6,920 votes. Coming up short were Lee Rose (6,681) and Caitlin Williams (6,439). Other Jackson area school board trustees elected were: Columbia: Kyle Bamm, Lindsey Schiel and Robert Wahr Concord: Tasha Thurman East Jackson: Lisa Hendricks, Ken Straub, Misti Bell and Mickey Cromley Grass Lake: Chris Maynard and Shari Hein Hanover-Horton: Chris Blackledge and Gail Proctor Michigan Center: Rex Blakeman, Michael Edwards and Reda Schultz Napoleon: Thomas Wilson, James Callahan and Jeff McLain Northwest: Allison Cooper, Katie Pitchford and Libby Conant-Lounds Springport: David Lightner, Crystal Nowery and Christine Talbot Vandercook Lake: Bryen Clark, Delinda Woods and Josephine VanEpps Western: Gail Easton, Blaine Goodrich and Jason Herrington Vandercook Lake Schools was the only district with a millage proposal. Vandercook voters approved the renewal of the Operating Millage, 1,182 to 983.
Schuette Wins Sheriff; Bates Elected Judge
Gary Schuette (November 4, 2020 11:05 AM) Jackson County voters have chosen a new sheriff. With all votes now counted, Republican Gary Schuette has been elected Jackson County Sheriff. Receiving 49,341 votes, Schuette defeated Democrat Val Cochran Toops (21,160 votes) and Independent Joseph Beaman (7,071 votes). Incumbent Sheriff Steve Rand did not seek re-election. In Jackson County's only contested judicial race, Allison Bates defeated Craig Pappin, 34,477 to 22,028 for 12th District Court Judge. 12th District Court Judge Michael Klaeren and 4th Circuit Court Judge John McBain ran unopposed and were re-elected. Bates will fill the seat vacated by the retiring Darryl Mazur. Other Jackson County races: County Treasurer. Incumbent Republican Karen Coffman retains her office, defeating Democrat challenger Cindy Eby 48,734 to 27,545. Drain Commissioner. Longtime incumbent Republican Geoffrey Snyder won by beating Democrat Monica Day, 45,801 to 30,028. Unopposed and re-elected Jackson County officers were Prosecuting Attorney Jerry Jarzynka, County Clerk/Register of Deeds Amanda Kirkpatrick and Surveyor Dean Gutekunst. Unofficial results of all county precincts were posted at 10:45 this morning.
Grass Lake Road Proposal Fails; Jackson Approves Charter Amendments
(November 4, 21020 8:34 AM) A road improvement bond proposal in Grass Lake township was rejected by voters yesterday, 2,831 to 936. According to the proposal, to bring all of the local roads and village streets in Grass Lake Charter Township back to an optimal condition would cost $26,291,689. With this proposal, the Jackson County Department of Transportation would cover 30% of the total cost of rehabilitating local roads in the Township. The Road Improvement Bond Proposal would have allowed the remaining 70% of funding for local roads and 100% of the funding for village streets to come from a millage spread over 21 years. Similar proposals that include JCDOT participation previously passed in Spring Arbor, Summit and Blackman Townships. In the City of Jackson, two changes will be made to the Jackson City Charter after voters overwhelmingly approved two amendments in the Nov. 3 General Election. Here are breakdowns of the two Charter amendments and what they mean for Jackson. AMENDMENT TO CITY CHARTER SECTION 7.10: This City Charter amendment was approved with 77 percent of residents voting yes. 7,898 voted yes to 2,258 no votes. The City Charter will now be changed so City Council and Treasurer vacancies…
Williams, Snell, Walz Win County Commission Races
Ray Snell (JTV Photo) (November 4, 2020 6:38 AM) Jackson County voters re-elected all incumbent County Commissioners and added one new member in the only district the incumbent (David Elwell) did not seek reelection. Former Blackman Township Supervisor Ray Snell will be a newcomer to the commission, defeating David Quinn, 4,738 to 3,555 in District 9. In District 2, Rodney Walz defeated Chris Osinski 6,429 to 3,509. In District 8, Darius Williams was reelected over John Wilson, 3,582 to 3,020. Tony Bair, Corey Kennedy, Phil Duckham, James Shotwell, Jr., Earl Poleski and Daniel J. Mahoney were un-opposed and were re-elected.