Democratic candidates for supervisor, clerk, and treasurer are running unopposed for their seats in the Nov. 8 General Election, but the four trustee positions are being challenged.
Democrat candidates winning the August primary for four trustee posts are: Sherry Frazier, Kevin Martin, incumbent Reggie Miller, and Paul White.
They are being challenged by James Chapman, on the Nov. 8 ballot as a candidate with no party affiliation, and former township Supervisor Linda Combs, not on the ballot, but running a write-in campaign.
James Chapman
James Chapman, 56, 43364 East Huron River Drive, has lived in the township for 49 years. He is single and never been married. He works as a services contractor.
Chapman attended classes at Eastern Michigan University and Jackson Community College, but has no degree.
He ran unsuccessfully for Sumpter Township Trustee in 2004 and for 23rd District State Representative in 2006 and 2008.
Chapman is a member of the Michigan Barn Preservation Network, Society for Preservation of Old Mills, and Belleville Area Historical Society.
He said he is running for office to preserve and restore the Riggs Heritage House/Farmstead (“Not tear it down!), revise township expenditures, and for more accountability and responsibility to the electorate.
Once elected his goal is to preserve and restore the Riggs Farmhouse, reorganize public safety by removing ordinance enforcement from police and removing the blended rate, and improve historical funding.
Linda Combs
Linda Combs, 68, of 47216 Ayres Street, is running as a write-in candidate for trustee. She currently is VBT supervisor.
Combs is a widow, with two children, Myra and Cindy. She has lived in VBT for 26 years and has an associate’s degree from Henry Ford Community College.
Combs’ hobbies are gardening, crafts, and reading.
She said she is running for office “to continue to serve my community. I intended to run in the primary, but family matters prevented me from doing so. That’s why I’m running as a write-in candidate.”
Her goal once elected is, “to see the Visteon Bond issue resolved.”
Others on the ballot for trustee were profiled at length in the July 7 issue of the Independent before the August primary. They are:
Sherry Frazier
Sherry Frazier, 67, of 41167 South I-94 Service Drive, has lived in the township for 35 years. She retired from the Plymouth-Canton School District and has been a licensed Realtor for more than 30 years. Frazier was elected to the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education four times and served 1984-88, 1988-92, 2010-14, and 2014-present.
Kevin D. Martin
Kevin D. Martin, 60, of 9405 Madison Drive, has lived in the township for 20 years. He is married to attorney Lisa Martin. Martin is a HVAC-R Skilled Trades worker at General Motors, Romulus Engine Plant. This is his first bid for public office.
Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller of 13697 Pond Bluff Drive has lived in the township for the past 16 years. She moved to Belleville in 1996. Miller is the only incumbent Trustee seeking reelection.
Paul W. White
Paul W. White of 17329 Haggerty Road has lived in the township for more than 50 years. White was elected VBT supervisor and served 2008-12. He was unsuccessful in a bid for re-election.
Running unopposed
Running unopposed for supervisor is Kevin McNamara. Running unopposed for clerk is Leon Wright. Running unopposed for treasurer is Sharry Budd. All are Democrats.
Good luck Mr. Chapman, you have my vote. We need someone like you in office.