MANISTIQUE — Manistique voters soundly defeated a second push for a new Schoolcraft County jail facility and weighed in on a number of other local races Tuesday.

Jail Proposals

The plan for the new jail was presented in two parts: a bond proposal for the creation of a new facility and a millage to pay for the new facility’s operations. While both proposals were defeated, there was more voter support for the operation of the facility than there was for its construction.

The bond proposal — which may have seemed familiar to voters who weighed in on a similar proposal in 2018 — asked voters to approve the county borrowing $9,990,000 and issue general obligation unlimited tax bonds for the purpose of constructing, remodeling, furnishing, and equipping the new jail. Unlike the proposal in 2018, Tuesday’s jail plan relied heavily on using portions of the existing jail as a cost saving measure.

Had the proposal been approved, taxpayers would have paid an estimated 1.1956 mills ($1.20 per $1,000 of taxable value) in the first year the millage was levied. Over the 30 years of the millage, the simple annual millage would have been 1.0493 mills ($1.05 per $1,000 of taxable value).

Voters rejected the proposal, 2,334 votes (53%) to 2,052 votes (47%).

The operations proposal asked voters to approve an increase of up to 1.5769 mills ($1.58 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of five years, 2021 to 2025, inclusive. Had it been approved and levied in full, the millage would have raised an estimated $597,352 in the first calendar year.

However, voters rejected the proposal with 2390 votes cast against the measure (55%) and 1,993 votes in favor of the proposal (45%).

Sheriff

Voters also weighed in on the leadership of the Sheriff’s Department, following the exit of current Sheriff Paul Furman, a Republican who did not seek reelection to the seat. Furman’s term ends Dec. 31.

Three candidates vied for the position, but when the votes were tallied, Republican Charles Willour was named the winner. Willour received 2,683 votes (57%), Democrat Darrel Dixson received 1,823 votes (39%), and Chad Watton, of the U.S. Tax Payers Party, received 185 votes (4%).

County Clerk

In the race for County Clerk, Republican Beth Edwards secured the seat, besting Democrat Tina Baumann. Edwards received 3,002 votes (66%), while Baumann received 1,554 votes (34%).

County Commission

Schoolcraft County saw multiple contested races for seats on the Schoolcraft County Commission Tuesday.

In the 1st District — which represents Doyle, Germfask, Muller, and Seney Township, as well as Manistique Township’s first precinct — Democrat Alan Kilar secured the seat with 525 votes (98%). Unofficial results issued by the county after the polls closed attributed the remaining 2% of votes (12 votes) to Craig Reiter, whose name did not appear on the ballot.

In the 3rd District — which represents Hiawatha Township and Precinct 1A in the city of Manistique — Republican Troy Bassett won the seat with 535 votes (57%). His opponent, Corey Barr, who was not affiliated with any political party, received 398 votes (43%).

For the 4th District — which represents Precinct 2 in Manistique — Republican Paul Walker took the seat with 425 votes (61%). John Shiner, who ran as an independent, received 274 votes (39%).

COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION

Four candidates ran to fill the two open seats on the Schoolcraft County Road Commission, and both successful candidates were Democrats.

Randy Lund secured his position on the commission with 2,596 votes (31%) and Thomas Klarich secured his position with 2,022 votes (24%). The two Republicans who ran for the commission, William Poniatoski and Isaac Swisher received 1,898 (23%) and 1,816 (22%) respectively.

DOYLE TOWNSHIP

In the race for Doyle Township Supervisor, Independent Susan Hinkson bested Democrat Julie Norton, 156 votes (52%) to 145 votes (48%).

Voters selected Republican Gloria Hansen to serve as Doyle Township Trustee with 276 votes (59%) to Democrat Debra Huebner’s 193 votes (41%).

Doyle Township voters also weighed in on a millage to purchase a medical first responder and add a 44-by-12 foot addition to the fire hall to house the truck. The proposal increases the millage rate by 1 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) for 2020 to 2024 and will raise an estimated $45,182 in the first year levied.

Voters approved the proposal 279 votes (75%) to 94 votes (25%).

INWOOD TOWNSHIP

Voters selected Democrat Kelly Silkworth to serve as the next Inwood Township Supervisor. Silkworth received 290 votes (76%), besting Independent Thomas Kitzman’s 91 votes (24%).

Inwood Township voters also weighed in on who will serve as the township treasurer. Republican Sherry Boudreau secured the seat with 244 votes (56%) to Democrat Nicole Leckson’s 193 votes (44%).

MANISTIQUE TOWNSHIP

In a tight race between two independents, George Price was chosen to serve as the Manistique Township Supervisor. Price received 234 votes (51%), beating out Jackie Parker, who received 225 (49%).

MULLER TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE

Republican Sam Pfeiffer and Democrat Linda Hamill will serve as Muller Township Trustees. Pfeiffer received 106 votes (41%), Hamill received 81 votes (31%), and Democrat Megan Sivrais received 71 votes (28%).

THOMPSON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE

Republican Tom Benedetto will serve as a Thompson Township Trustee after besting Democrat Rebecca Baker. Benedetto received 345 votes (58%) and Baker received 254 votes (42%).

In the race for Thompson Township Clerk, Republican Rhonda Rogers bested Independent Sara Plante, 279 votes (63%) to 164 (37%).