ESCANABA — Primary Election day in Michigan is set for August 2, and residents of Delta County will head to the polls and have their voices heard. Because it is a Primary Election, voters must choose candidates from either the Democratic or Republican parties. Voters cannot split their ballots. Therefore, this article will only include the contested races and proposals that will appear on the ballot for this election

STATE GOVERNOR

The pool of potential Republican candidates for the state gubernatorial race is wide, with several politicians vying to face-off against the uncontested and current Democratic Governor, Gretchen Whitmer. Ryan Kelly, Ralph Rebandt, Kevin Rinke, Garrett Soldano, and Tudor Dixon are the official Republican candidates for voters. Each of these candidates have Facebook pages, by their names, that spell out their positions on current issues. Michigan governors are elected to a four-year term with a two term limit.

LEGISLATIVE SEATS

The Michigan Senate District 28 seat, which is currently occupied by Republican Edward McBroom, will be on the August 2 ballot. Incumbent McBroom will be challenged by Kayla Wikstrom and Matthew Furyk for the Republican nomination, while Democratic candidate John Braamse runs uncontested. Michigan state senators are elected to a four-year term with a two term limit.

The Michigan House District 108 seat has opened as well, with incumbent Republican Beau Lafave reaching his three term limit. Four Republican candidates, Casey Hoffman, Kurt Perron, David Prestin, and Mark Simon, are competing for the nomination. Hoffman, Prestin, and Simon recently participated in a candidate forum, where they discussed their platforms and priorities if elected to the position. A video of that event can be found on the City of Escanaba’s YouTube channel, titled “Delta County League of Women Voters Candidate Forum July 13, 2022”. Whoever is selected will challenge uncontested Democrat Chris Lopez in the General Election. Michigan House Representatives are elected to a two-year term with a three term limit.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER SEATS

Three Delta County districts have contested races for their county commissioner seat.

In District 1, Republican candidate John E. Denholm will be challenging current County Commissioner John C. Malnar for his seat in the Primary Election. Whoever garners the most votes on August 2 will automatically win the seat, for no Democratic candidates have joined the race.

In District 2, Republican candidates Steven Viau, Brian Godfrey, and Anne Truitt will compete to see who will face Democratic candidate Casey S. Schroeder, who is running unopposed. Viau had previously served on the Gladstone City Commission from 2015-2017.

In District 3, Republican candidates Bob Barron and Christine Williams face-off for a chance to challenge Democratic incumbent Theresa Nelson in the General Election. Barron currently sits as the District 5 county commissioner, but redistricting has led to this recent switch. Barron and Williams recently participated in a candidate forum, where they discussed their platforms and priorities if elected to the position. A video of that event can be found on the City of Escanaba’s YouTube channel, titled “Delta County League of Women Voters Candidate Forum July 13, 2022”.

GLADSTONE AREA SCHOOLS

Residents in the Gladstone Area Schools district will be asked to vote on a $47,625,000 bonding proposal to help fund updates, furnishing, and remodeling efforts on all of the school buildings in the district. A portion of the funds from this bond would also go towards updating school security technology and the further development of outdoor recreation spaces, like athletic fields, playgrounds, and parking areas and for purchasing school buses.

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2022 is 0.30 mill ($0.30 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a zero mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. In order for the Gladstone Area Schools to retire this bond in the 30 year outstanding bond limit, the district is seeking an estimated simple average annual millage of 4.90 mills, which equals $4.90 per $1,000 of taxable value.

While the district does not have any outstanding loans, they do have $5,700,000 worth of qualified bonds outstanding.

If approved, the bonds of the school district will be issued as general obligation unlimited tax bonds payable from general ad valorem taxes, or the assessed value of real estate and personal property, within the district.

RAPID RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL

Voters in the Rapid River Public School district will also be asked to approve a bonding proposal, although this one is much smaller in amount. The district is requesting to borrow and then issue bonds for $12,125,000 to help fund the remodeling, furnishing, and equipping of school buildings with up-to-date security technology. This would include securing entryways to the elementary, middle, and high school buildings, along with improving outdoor recreation spaces like athletic fields, playgrounds, and miscellaneous facilities.

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2022, under current law, is 0.47 mill ($0.47 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a zero mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. However, in order for Rapid River Public Schools to retire this bond in the 25 year outstanding bond limit, the district is seeking an estimated simple average annual millage of 3.82 mills, which equals $3.82 per $1,000 of taxable value.

While the district does not have any outstanding loans, they do have $4,695,000 worth of qualified bonds outstanding.

If approved, the bonds issued by the school district will be general obligation unlimited tax bonds payable from general ad valorem taxes, or the assessed value of real estate and personal property, within the district.

FAIRBANKS TOWNSHIP MILLAGE RENEWAL

Fairbanks residents will be asked to renew a millage proposal for road improvements, maintenance, and repairs within the township. The proposal would renew the previous increase in tax limitation on general ad valorem taxes, or the assessed value of real estate and personal property, within the township at 0.62 mills ($0.62 per $1,000 of taxable value). The millage would be levied for four years, from 2022 through 2025, inclusive. The proposal would raise an estimated $62,062.00 in the first year (2022) levied.

GARDEN TOWNSHIP MILLAGE RENEWAL

For Garden residents, the ballot will contain a millage renewal proposal for solid waste station funding. The proposal would increase the tax limitation on all taxable property in Garden Twp., levying an annual millage of no more than 2.0 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value). The proposal would raise an estimated $124,000 in the first year (2023) levied. The millage would be levied for 10 years, from 2023 through 2032, inclusive.

For more election information, including precincts and polling locations, visit deltacountymi.gov/election-information/. More details on candidates and their platforms can be found at vote411.org. After entering your legal address, the Vote411 will provide you with information about your ballot and what it will look like on August 2.