The deadline was 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, to file as a candidate on the Aug. 2 primary election ballot for positions on the boards of trustees for both Van Buren and Sumpter townships.
Candidates filing in both townships were Democrats, except for one in Sumpter, where former trustee Tim Rush filed as a Republican for a trustee seat.
On Tuesday a crowd of candidates turned in their petitions in Sumpter, so at the end of the day there were 16 running for 7 seats – all incumbents challenged.
Van Buren Township
Van Buren Township will have races for every position, but clerk, where incumbent Leon Wright is running unopposed.
Filing for supervisor were: incumbent Trustee Phil Hart, incumbent Trustee Brenda McClanahan, and former Wayne County Commissioner Kevin McNamara.
Filing for treasurer were: incumbent Sharry Budd and Harry Roesch, III.
Filing for four trustee positions were: incumbents Jeff Jahr and Reggie Miller; along with Paul White, Kevin Martin, Al Ostrowski, Sherry Frazier, and Anthony Woodford. [On April 22, Jahr withdrew his name from the race.]
Sumpter Township
In Sumpter Township all the incumbents filed for re-election and they all are opposed.
Running for supervisor are incumbent John Morgan and newcomer Jay Bardell II. For clerk is incumbent Clarence J. Hoffman, Jr., Esther Hurst, and Deb Callison. For treasurer are incumbent Alan D. Bates and Lydia May Graber.
Incumbent trustees Peggy Morgan, Matthew Oddy, Don LaPorte, and Don Swinson are being challenged by Tim Rush (Republican), Jane Stallmack, Jennifer Price, Ronald Barrington Robinson, and Jerry Anderson, Jr.
Esther Hurst had filed for trustee, at first, and then withdrew her name for that position to, instead, file for clerk.
Candidates may withdraw their names by 4 p.m., Friday, April 22.
Those who missed the April 19 deadline may run without party affiliation, as independents, and have until 4 p.m., July 21, to file for the Nov. 8 election.
Nov. 8, General Election
Among national, state, and county candidates, along with likely millage proposals for Van Buren Township Public Safety and the Belleville Area District Library, the Nov. 8 general election ballot will carry local candidates for district library and school boards.
To run for a seat on the Belleville Area District Library Board, deadline is 4 p.m., July 21. Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education candidates have a deadline of 4 p.m. July 26 and will file at the Van Buren Township clerk’s office.
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7 Comments
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As long-time residents we have respect for McNamara but fear he might be connected to the “cancerous clique”. Will he seek advice from bullybud? This township will improve and move forward if the Visteon 3 is voted out. Bullybud is very jealous and possessive over her seat on the board, the sense of ownership will continue until the seat is filled by someone else.
Kevin McNamara may be beyond cancerous. He is good friends with Robert Ficano. And we all know what they say about birds of feather. Phil Hart would be devastating to the township. He and his Ford buddies are the masterminds behind the Visteon deal.
I don’t think I have ever heard him say one thing smart. He is also a big supporter of Robert Ficano. Guess we will have to put our faith in Brenda McClanahan and hope for the best.
all your comments are correct.
Your comments are correct.
Not a great group of selections for Supervisor. It will be between McNamara and McClanahan. Hart will be lucky if he gets 7% of the votes. He is dreadful and would be the final straw that crumbles this township to pieces. We are in need of someone with good business ethics and a backbone to stand strong against the good old boy system that is very much alive in this town.
I agree with Ray. I hate to vote for Brenda but is probably the lesser of all evil. Treasurer is easy – Harry Roesch III. I really don’t care for Leon Wright but if he is unopposed what can we do? Trustee is pretty straightforward. Any of the incumbents would be just fine. I just hope that Jahr and Miller are unseated, no need to have returning Trustees because VBT needs a change.
Hart worked with steel and machinery, What experience does he have with supervising a deversified work force. McNamera was a County Commissioner. Does he have any supervisory experience? Great personality does not relate to great supervisor. McClanahan voted in favor of the residents on most issues. Process of elimination, appears McClanahan is resident’s best choice for Supervisor.
Many doubts have been expressed about Kevin M. and any ties he might have with the “cancerous clique”. Not sure if he will be controlled by bullybudd. He previously had political ties to king but not sure if he has risen above the “good ole boy” way of doing things.