Traverse City Record-Eagle

Election 2009

October 22, 2009

Letters at Issue: Elections: 10/22/2009

Attuned to TC

Although we have moved outside of the city limits, we still view Traverse City as our hometown and so are proud that MaryAnn Moore is running for a seat on the city commission. We have known MaryAnn for 40 years and believe that she would be an excellent commissioner. She is scrupulously honest, hard working, bright and very attuned to the goings-on of Traverse City. Her many years in real estate make her well suited to understanding the business of government.

We would ask the citizens of Traverse City to seriously consider casting their votes for MaryAnn Moore.

Frank and Del Kullman
Acme

Reach higher

Every election is about making sure that we fill the offices with people who are knowledgeable, qualified for the position, have good judgment and get the job done.

This is also true for school boards. That is why I urge my neighbors in Traverse City to support Gary Appel for school board. I have known Gary Appel for 10 years and support him because he brings a strong background to the position, consistently shows balanced, reasonable judgment and will work hard to make sure that Traverse City Area Public Schools fulfills its mission to "reach higher."

Karl Bahle
Suttons Bay

Vote 'yes' for roads

Looking for an easy way to increase your home's value in Acme or East Bay township? Come out to the polls Nov. 3 and vote "yes" to fix our local roads. According to a study of housing economics published by the National Association of Home Builders, "nearby roads that are in need of repair" negatively impact housing prices by 6.5 percent. Taking the median-priced home in Acme Township of $199,550, your home value declines by as much as $12,970.

A "yes" vote on Nov. 3 will provide money needed to improve our crumbling roads and help restore home values.

Bridget Thuente
Traverse City

Hall has experience

Due to inequitable school funding exacerbated by Michigan's struggling economy, Traverse City needs leaders on our school board to consider difficult decisions and weigh the consequences to our school communities.

A trained attorney capable of assessing issues objectively and mother of five utilizing various district programs (general education, special education, gifted education, and Montessori), Kelly Hall has experience.

In this difficult period of dropping enrollment, she understands how cuts affect various programming areas. She will consider all proposed cuts based on what is best for our children, all of our children.

Vote Kelly Hall for Traverse City school board.

Karin Cooney
Traverse City

Support sinking fund

As a taxpayer and parent of a senior at Suttons Bay High School, I urge you to support the Nov. 3 millage election for Suttons Bay Public Schools. This election will restore a 0.25-mill levy for the next five years for maintenance.

We have had a 0.25-mill sinking fund in place for several years. For legal reasons, the ballot must term this an increase because the millage expired in June 2009. For all practical purposes, this is a renewal.

Please support this millage on the editorial page of the Record-Eagle and at the polls.

Kenneth Eike
Suttons Bay

Most qualified

Gary Appel is the right guy at the right time for the Traverse City Area Public Schools board of education. With the severity of the budget crunch, we need committed leaders with the vision, experience and courage to confront the challenges at hand.

Gary is advancing the kind of bold ideas we need, with honesty, integrity, an open mind, and a unique ability to build true community consensus. I've known Gary Appel for 15 years and I literally cannot think of a more qualified candidate for school board.

Hans Voss

Traverse City

Vote 'no' on roads

Facts to consider when voting on Acme Township's road millage proposal:

-- The County may have a new 1-mill road repair tax on the ballot sometime next year.

-- Acme Township has approximately $1 million of surplus cash -- which begs the question what other projects have been deemed by the township to be more essential than fixing Acme's roads?

-- The state and county may be proposing more tax increases -- this is just the beginning.

-- There are alternative ways to fund road repairs in Acme other than the knee-jerk reaction to raise our taxes.

Just vote "no."

Glen Cavanaugh
Williamsburg

Retain Gary Appel

I urge voters to keep Gary Appel on our Traverse City Area Public Schools board because strong, intelligent leadership matters.

I served on a local non-profit board with Gary during the three years he served as president of the board. I was impressed with his leadership, work ethic and integrity.

During his tenure, our membership and programming expanded while our budget was always balanced. He was eager to innovate and helped us go in new directions as an organization.

I applaud his willingness to continue his community service on the TCAPS board of education. Please vote for Appel Nov. 3.

David Halperin
Traverse City

Text Only
  • TCAPS board gets fresh faces

    Traverse City's school board will welcome two new members in January, and an incumbent will retain his seat. Newcomers Julie Puckett and Kelly Hall won four-year terms on the board. Incumbent Gary Appel will fill a partial term to expire in December 2012.

    Continued ...
    Nov 4, 2009 6:32 am 3 Photos
  • Grand Traverse County Election Results

    Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.

    Continued ...
    Nov 4, 2009 6:09 am
  • Benzie County Election Results

    Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.

    Continued ...
    Nov 4, 2009 6:07 am
  • Election results from across the region

    Continued ...
    Nov 4, 2009 1:05 am
  • Voters reject Acme, East Bay road millages

    Residents in East Bay and Acme townships will continue to live with pothole patches after voters rejected matching millage requests in both townships to fix local roads.

    Continued ...
    Nov 3, 2009 10:40 pm 1 Photo
  • 2 newcomers, incumbent elected to TC board

    City Commissioner Deni Scrudato lost her bid for re-election as voters ousted her, kept another commissioner and seated two newcomers.

    Continued ...
    Nov 3, 2009 10:20 pm 3 Photos
  • 9:25pm: TC voters oust incumbent

    Traverse City voters ousted an incumbent city commissioner, retained another and seated two new ones.

    Continued ...
    Nov 3, 2009 9:33 pm
  • 9:19pm: Acme, East Bay road millages fail

    Voters defeated a pair of millage requests to fix local roads in Acme and East Bay townships.

    Continued ...
    Nov 3, 2009 9:22 pm
  • Crawford County Election Results

    Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.

    Continued ...
    Nov 3, 2009 12:25 pm
  • Emmet County Election Results

    Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.

    Continued ...
    Nov 3, 2009 12:25 pm
  • Charlevoix County Election Results

    Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.

    Continued ...
    Nov 3, 2009 12:25 pm
  • Kalkaska County Election Results

    Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.

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    Nov 3, 2009 12:24 pm
  • Manistee County Election Results

    Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.

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    Nov 3, 2009 12:24 pm
  • Wexford County Election Results

    Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.

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    Nov 3, 2009 12:23 pm
  • Missaukee County Election Results

    Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.

    Continued ...
    Nov 3, 2009 12:23 pm
  • Otsego County Election Results

    Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.

    Continued ...
    Nov 3, 2009 12:23 pm
  • Leelanau County Election Results

    Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.

    Continued ...
    Nov 3, 2009 12:22 pm
  • November 2, 2009
  • A look at the area's election issues

    There's a hot button issue in Manistee County's Norman Township. Three board members face recall on Nov. 3 because they voted against an ordinance to authorize off-road vehicle use on township roads. (Plus a roundup of ballot issues set for the Nov. 3 election in the Record-Eagle's 13-county circulation region.)

    Continued ...
    Nov 2, 2009 11:31 am
  • October 31, 2009
  • Heated debate over road millage requests

    Sleepy little off-year election? Maybe not in Acme and East Bay townships, where millage proposals for road repairs are fueling heated debates in both communities.

    Continued ...
    Oct 31, 2009 9:30 pm
  • October 30, 2009
  • Schools seek funds on Nov. 3

    Forest Area Community Schools in Fife Lake is one of several regional districts that will ask voters on Tuesday to help fund building projects.

    Continued ...
    Oct 30, 2009 11:50 pm 1 Photo
  • Candidates voting records vary

    Some candidates for the Traverse City Commission and Traverse City Area Public Schools board voted in nearly every local election in the past five years, while others missed nearly half the elections in their communities.

    Continued ...
    Oct 30, 2009 11:50 pm
  • Woman says official pulled election signs

    A Whitewater Township woman spent hours working on election signs that voice her opposition to a projected tax increase. But some of those signs ended up in the township Dumpster this week, courtesy, she contends, of the local zoning administrator.

    Continued ...
    Oct 30, 2009 11:50 pm 1 Photo
  • TCAPS candidates disclose spending

    Two candidates for two Traverse City school board races spent more than $2,000 to woo voters, tops among board hopefuls.

    Continued ...
    Oct 30, 2009 7:25 am
  • Letters At Issue: Elections: 10/30/2009

    Letters regarding the upcoming Nov. 3 elections.

    Continued ...
    Oct 30, 2009 7:25 am
  • What about spending by city candidates?

    All but one candidate for Traverse City commission offices filed campaign finance statements.

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    Oct 30, 2009 7:25 am
  • October 29, 2009
  • Letters At Issue: Elections: 10/29/2009

    Important perspective; Roads will be safer; For the local good; Status quo is over; Vote for COFAC; On life support; A vote for Gillman; Opportunity is now; The time is now; Uniquely qualified; Fair and open-minded; No time for a change; Invest in roads; National background; Deserves our vote; No county guarantees; Car has spoken; No other source; Lone dissenting voice; The right decision; We live here; A better district; Can't ask for more; A progressive spirit; Fix our roads; Scrudato has her vote; A high priority; Compassion and integrity

    Continued ...
    Oct 29, 2009 7:25 am
  • October 28, 2009
  • Letters At Issue: Election: 10/28/2009

    More of Moore; Vote 'yes' for roads; Puckett right choice; Moore fair, ethical; Vote 'yes' for roads; Puckett has background; Millage best option; Hall has the skills; Money well spent; Vote 'yes' on roads

    Continued ...
    Oct 28, 2009 7:50 am
  • October 25, 2009
  • Our recommendations for TC Commission

    Traverse City voters will be asked to choose among four candidates for three seats on the city commission Nov. 3. Commissioner Chris Bzdok is running unopposed for mayor. Here are our endorsements.

    Continued ...
    Oct 25, 2009 8:30 am
  • Our recommendations for TCAPS Board

    Traverse City Area Public Schools voters could add as many as three new members to the seven-member school board in voting Nov. 3. Five candidates, including one incumbent, are vying for two four-year terms. Two candidates, including an appointed incumbent, are competing for a partial term that ends in December of 2012. Here are our endorsements.

    Continued ...
    Oct 25, 2009 8:30 am
  • Experience lets candidate do more with less

    Early in his career, Gary Appel taught elementary science and helped start an outdoor garden classroom. He used those efforts to link gardening to science lessons in a book he co-wrote on the topic. Now that public education faces deep budget cuts, Appel thinks school districts have to be on the cutting edge to do the most with limited dollars. And he believes he has the experience to do it.

    Continued ...
    Oct 25, 2009 6:28 am 1 Photo
  • October 24, 2009
  • Candidates to meet, greet voters in town

    City commission candidates will be available to meet with the public at a series of "meet and greet" sessions at a downtown coffee shop.

    Continued ...
    Oct 24, 2009 12:55 am
  • Candidate vows to preserve student programs

    For 24 years, Diane Viskochil taught foreign language in Traverse City's public schools. For nearly a quarter-century, Viskochil watched the district evolve under prior administrations and school boards, so she considers herself knowledgeable about how it operates. She would use that history to make decisions if elected Nov. 3 to the Traverse City school board.

    Continued ...
    Oct 24, 2009 12:55 am 1 Photo
  • October 23, 2009
  • Manner says she understands challenges

    Mary Ufford Manner knows what happens when organizations have to cut back. Last October, Manner's position as education director at the Great Lakes Children's Museum -- a role she'd held for six years -- was eliminated when the nonprofit restructured. Manner is vying Nov. 3 for one of two, four-year terms on the board, a race that includes incumbent Suzann Brooke and challengers Julie Davis, Kelly Hall and Julie Puckett.

    Continued ...
    Oct 23, 2009 7:40 am 1 Photo
  • October 22, 2009
  • TCAPS candidate Davis wants to be involved

    Julie Davis is frustrated when people don't show up to public meetings. Airing them on public-access television is a good alternative, she said, but even then they're limited to cable subscribers. Something more needs to be done.

    Continued ...
    Oct 22, 2009 7:40 am 1 Photo
  • Retired teacher seeks second TCAPS term

    Suzann Brooke believes being a school board member comes with a learning curve, just like anything else. Brooke used to be a teacher in Traverse City Area Public Schools, and didn't know much about the operations department before winning a seat on the board four years ago.

    Continued ...
    Oct 22, 2009 7:40 am 1 Photo
  • October 21, 2009
  • Former attorney views schools as business

    Kelly Hall thinks of public education as a business. She calls it a "customer-driven enterprise" and cites real-world analogies from the private sector when discussing ways public schools can improve. These days, with increasing competition for students' attention from other public, private and charter schools, Hall isn't wrong.

    Continued ...
    Oct 21, 2009 7:50 am 1 Photo
  • October 20, 2009
  • TCAPS candidate promises critical thinking

    Julie Puckett didn't want to be a "single-issue candidate." Once a vocal opponent of shutting Bertha Vos Elementary, her daughters' school, she wants to use her experience from that time and her teaching background to help guide the district.

    Continued ...
    Oct 20, 2009 7:10 am 1 Photo
  • October 19, 2009
  • Economy may determine millage outcome

    Backers and opponents of a proposed road millage in Acme and East Bay townships agree on one thing -- the economy will likely determine the outcome of the Nov. 3 vote.

    Continued ...
    Oct 19, 2009 7:08 am 1 Photo
  • October 18, 2009
  • Bzdok: Public input is key

    Chris Bzdok is looking for a leadership role. Voters first elected Bzdok, 38, to a partial term on the Traverse City Commission in 2007, following his appointment earlier that year to a vacancy created when former Commissioner Rick Csapo resigned. Now hes running unopposed to become the citys mayor for two years, after serving this year as mayor pro tem.

    Continued ...
    Oct 18, 2009 8:07 am 1 Photo
  • October 16, 2009
  • TCAPS, city candidates in the the spotlight

    A host of hopefuls were featured at separate candidate forums for the Traverse City Commission and the Traverse City Area Public Schools' Board of Trustees.

    Continued ...
    Oct 16, 2009 7:45 am 2 Photos
  • Candidate focuses on Hickory Hills

    MaryAnn Moore wants to pay back the community she raised her family in. Moore, 71, is a semi-retired real estate broker making her first run for public office. She is seeking election to the Traverse City Commission, after serving on the city's Citizens Operational and Financial Analysis Committee.

    Continued ...
    Oct 16, 2009 7:27 am 1 Photo
  • October 15, 2009
  • Retired attorney seeks city post

    Michael Gillman, 70, is a retired lawyer who in 2007 joined Traverse City's Citizens Operational and Financial Analysis Committee as a way to ease himself into retirement. Instead, he's now making a bid for a seat on the Traverse City Commission.

    Continued ...
    Oct 15, 2009 7:28 am 1 Photo
  • TC Chamber to host candidate forum

    The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum for Traverse City Commission hopefuls.

    Continued ...
    Oct 15, 2009 7:25 am
  • School board hopefuls at forum

    The League of Women Voters Grand Traverse Area will host a forum with the seven candidates running for seats on the Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Trustees.

    Continued ...
    Oct 15, 2009 7:25 am
  • October 14, 2009
  • Scrudato isn't afraid to speak out

    Traverse City Commissioner Deni Scrudato doesn't mind swimming against the political current. She's drawn praise for her independence on issues and criticism for the occasional slipup, including an off-hand remark last year that insulted a finalist for the then-vacant city manager's post.

    Continued ...
    Oct 14, 2009 8:02 am 1 Photo
  • Bergman seeking another city council term

    Traverse City Commissioner Jody Bergman wants to keep working on what she's started. Voters elected Bergman, 55, in 2005. She's completing her first term as commissioner and seeks another four years in office.

    Continued ...
    Oct 14, 2009 7:19 am 1 Photo
  • October 8, 2009
  • Unions endorse school board candidates

    Employee unions in Traverse City's public schools endorsed an incumbent and two new candidates for school board.

    Continued ...
    Oct 8, 2009 7:35 am
  • August 17, 2009
  • Ballot is next step for Division overhaul

    Traverse City commissioners are on the clock to get a November ballot question ready for city voters as part of a possible overhaul of Division Street.

    Continued ...
    Aug 17, 2009 7:15 am
  • August 13, 2009
  • Acme ballot features road repair question

    Acme Township voters will get their say on whether or not to fix local roads, but East Bay Township residents won't have the opportunity.

    Continued ...
    Aug 13, 2009 7:05 am 1 Photo
  • August 12, 2009
  • Six to vie for four seats in city race

    The candidate field in the race for City Commission has some fresh -- and familiar -- faces. Candidates for three four-year terms on the commission include incumbents Jody Bergman and Deni Scrudato, as well as two members of the city's Citizens Operational and Financial Analysis Committee in first-time candidates Michael Gillman and MaryAnn Moore.

    Continued ...
    Aug 12, 2009 3:35 pm 6 Photos
  • Seven to vie for three school board seats

    Two incumbents and five other community members will seek three Traverse City school board seats this fall.

    Continued ...
    Aug 12, 2009 7:00 am
  • August 1, 2009
  • Aug. 4 elections in northern Michigan

    Northern Michigan elections set for Tuesday, Aug. 4.

    Continued ...
    Aug 1, 2009 8:25 pm
  • July 21, 2009
  • Deadline nears for city candidates

    The filing deadline for this year's city elections is three weeks from today -- petitions have to be filed at the city clerk's office by 4 p.m. Aug. 11 -- and a handful of would-be office holders are completing the legwork and paperwork necessary to get on the November ballot.

    Continued ...
    Jul 21, 2009 7:00 am