Sumpter Township Supervisor Johnny Vawters is running for reelection this fall with the Democratic team that currently is running the township – with the addition of Don Swinson for trustee.
Trustee Linda Kennedy, who has been ill and has not attended a meeting in a year, will not be running for reelection. Swinson is taking her place on the team.
Besides Supervisor Vawters and newcomer for trustee Swinson, the team is made up of Clerk Clarence Hoffman, Jr., Treasurer John Morgan, and Trustees Alan Bates, Bill Hamm and Peggy Morgan.
Their names will be on the ballot for the Aug. 6 Primary and then, if successful, on the November General Election ballot. Democrats have reigned in Sumpter for some time, so if all the Vawters’ Team members make it through the primary, their election is assured in November.
Supervisor Johnny Vawters
Johnny Vawters has been supervisor since 2004, being selected twice by voters for the top job. He is married and the father of 10 adult children. He has lived in Sumpter for 22 years.
“I am sincere, dedicated, and have demonstrated my qualifications in leadership roles and am willing to share the responsibilities of the government of Sumpter Township with others,” he said.
“My past accomplishments brought about a change for unity among all of our elected board members and administrative staffs.
“After high school graduation, I completed UAW Labor School courses, where I was trained in the skills of arbitration, negotiation, and handling grievance proceedings, all needed to perfect people skills.
“I am a ‘people’ person and an avid problem solver. I wish to continue to lend my skills to this township with the hope the citizens will be well-represented,” he said.
Clerk Clarence J. Hoffman, Jr.
Clarence J. Hoffman, Jr. is running for reelection as clerk. Hoffman has been a Sumpter resident for more than 50 years. He is married with four children. Hoffman retired from Ford Motor Co. after 44 years. He is a veteran, 32nd Degree Mason, and a Shriner.
Hoffman has two dozen years of public service to Sumpter Township. He served as supervisor for four years, clerk for 14 years, treasurer for two years, and trustee for four years.
He was a member of the Constable Association, vice president of the Wayne Division, member of the Michigan Democratic Party, Sumpter Seniors, and member of the Planning Commission.
He is one of the founding members of Nourishing Gardens Food Bank and Outreach Program, to help low-income Sumpter residents with emergency food and other services provided free of charge.
He is a member of CAF5, another program started to assist families in need. Over the years he has worked to bring many improvements to Sumpter.
Hoffman said the township needs to complete its Master Plan and seek out economic development to improve the tax base and keep the property tax as low as possible.
“I will focus on the spirit of what is best for Sumpter Township and continue to improve the services and activities for all Sumpter Township citizens,” Hoffman said.
Treasurer John W. Morgan
John W. Morgan is seeking reelection to the office of Sumpter Township Treasurer, a position he has held since 1982.
He was elected as Sumpter Township Trustee in 1978 and served in that position until 1982, when he was appointed treasurer. Then he was elected treasurer in 1984 and has been reelected in every election since then.
He is married to Beatrice and has two children, Jacqueline and Gary, and four grandchildren. He is a U.S. Army veteran.
Morgan has a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University and a master of arts degree in Education Leadership from EMU.
He is a retired school teacher from the Romulus Community Schools.
Morgan’s goals include keeping Sumpter financially healthy, maintaining the rural flavor of the township for residents to raise their families, improve road maintenance, improve roadside ditch and drain cleanout, installing more warning sirens, and continuing to seek new businesses to move into the township.
Trustee Alan D. Bates
Alan D. Bates is seeking re-election as trustee for a third term. He holds a degree in business administration from Eastern Michigan University and was self-employed as a residential builder for more than 30 years, retiring in 2005.
As a trustee he has served as liaison to the water department, served on the Tri-Community Library Committee and the District Library Committee, created and maintains the township website, and oversees videos on Channel 12.
Currently he is a member of the Sumpter Parks and Recreation Commission, the Sumpter Seniors, the Michigan Democratic Party, the Southwestern Wayne (County) Democratic Club, and the Sumpter Democratic Caucus.
“I am proud to be a member of the present Board of Trustees (the Johnny Vawter’s Team). We have worked together for eight years to balance the budget every year, to bring in new business to Sumpter, to improve Graham and Banotai parks, and to make many other changes to improve Sumpter Township.”
Trustee William ‘Bill’ Hamm
William “Bill” Hamm, 58, is seeking reelection as township trustee.
He has been a resident of Sumpter for 11 years. He is married with four children.
Hamm has been an active UAW member for 37 years and is a member of UAW Retiree Chapter Local 900. He had management training at Ford Motor Co.
Hamm has been an active member of the Parks and Recreation Commission for five years and was voted co-chairman for two terms. He was co-chairman of the 2008 Sumpter Country Fest.
He is a state-certified, Sumpter Township Fire Fighter, state certified in Haz-Mat operations, took a Med Flight landing zone course, has Red Cross CPR/AED Rescuer training, and is Advanced PADI Diver certified.
He is a member of the Michigan Democratic Party, Southwestern Wayne (County) Democratic Club, and the Democratic Caucus of Sumpter.
His goals include working with Wayne County on block grants for housing rehabilitation and park improvement, and seeking better roads, a decrease in blight and dangerous buildings, and increased public safety with more safety sirens.
Trustee Peggy Morgan
Peggy Morgan is seeking reelection to her third term in office as trustee.
She has been married to Richard (Bud) Morgan for 27 years and they have lived in Sumpter since 1985. Bud retired from Ford Motor Co. after 30 years of service. They have two sons, Richard and David, and both serve in the military as MPs. They also have a grandson, Riley, age two.
Peggy Morgan has been a school bus driver for 17 years, so far, for the Van Buren Public Schools Transportation Department.
Before running for office, she served on several committees, including the Board of Review, Economic Development, and Police Building Committee.
Currently she is board liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission and board liaison to the Fire Department.
Don Swinson
Don Swinson, 49, has announced his candidacy for trustee on The Vawters’ Team.
Swinson has lived in and around Sumpter for most of his life. He is married to Holly and they have a daughter Selena, age 16.
Swinson is employed at Atchinson Ford and has been on the sales team for 15 years.
He currently is chairman of the Sumpter Parks and Recreation Commission, president of the Democratic Caucus of Sumpter Township, a member of the Southwestern Wayne (County) Democratic Club, and is in his fifth year serving on the Sumpter Planning Commission.
Swinson is a graduate of Belleville High School, a member of Professional Alliance of Belleville (BNI), and is Master Certified through Ford Motor Co. He graduated from Dale Carnegie, majoring in effective speaking and human relations, completed Dynamics of Personnel Leadership, and Industrial Engineering Methods programs.
Swinson’s hobbies include spending time with his family, fishing, golfing, and exercising, as well as community volunteerism.
Swinson’s goal for the township is to achieve unity with the board and residents of Sumpter Township to work as one.
“I am not a politician,” Swinson said. “I am a citizen, just like you, looking out for the betterment of our township and our community.”