Woman says official pulled election signs

Election 2009

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Douglas Tesner

October 30, 2009

BY alex piazza The Record Eagle Fri Oct 30, 2009, 11:51 PM EDT

WILLIAMSBURG -- 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.

Cheryl Walton created seven signs that opposed a Nov. 3 ballot initiative that, if passed, would instill a 0.25-mill levy for 10 years to support Whitewater Township Ambulance Services.

Walton said township zoning administrator Leslie Meyers acknowledged she pulled up and hauled away three of the signs because they obstructed the right-of-way along M-72. Meyers was unavailable for comment.

"I never dreamed the township would actually pull them," Walton said.

But township Supervisor Larry Lake said pulling signs is a "regular" part of Meyers' job.

Township zoning ordinances allow Meyers to pull election signs if they distract drivers on the roadway.

"If she sees one, she takes care of it," Lake said. "That's what she's hired for."

Officials with the Grand Traverse County Road Commission also have authority to pull election signs, but don't often get involved.

"We could if we wanted to, but we just don't have the time," said Mary Gillis, county road commission manager.

Walton believes she placed her signs a safe distance from the right-of-way.

"They might have obstructed some weeds, but not drivers," Walton said.

The black and white signs read "Vote No Nov. 3."

Property owners can't have more than three political signs in their yard, according to a township zoning ordinance. The signs can't have more than 6-square feet of surface display area or exceed 3.5 feet in height, rules by which Walton said she abided.

Lake, who supports the tax increase, said he did not order Meyers to pull the signs.

Meyers "most likely" pulled the signs along M-72 on her drive into work, Lake said.

If approved, the levy would raise an estimated $45,186 in the first year. Township officials plan to use the additional tax dollars to purchase a new ambulance, which would cost about $150,000, Lake said.

"Our greatest number of calls are coming from people who need the ambulance service," said Lake, noting the township has an aging population.

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Election 2009

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

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Nov 4, 2009 1:05 am
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2 newcomers, incumbent elected to TC board

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

Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.
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Nov 3, 2009 12:25 pm
Emmet County Election Results

Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.
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Nov 3, 2009 12:25 pm
Charlevoix County Election Results

Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.
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Nov 3, 2009 12:25 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.
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Nov 3, 2009 12:23 pm
Otsego 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
Leelanau County Election Results

Results from the 2009 November 3 general election, updated as the numbers come in.
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Nov 3, 2009 12:22 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.)
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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.
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Oct 31, 2009 9:30 pm
October 30, 2009
Schools seek funds on Nov. 3

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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.
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Oct 30, 2009 11:50 pm
TCAPS candidates disclose spending

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

Letters regarding the upcoming Nov. 3 elections.
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Oct 30, 2009 7:25 am
What about spending by city candidates?

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

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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.
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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.
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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.
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Oct 25, 2009 6:28 am 1 Photo
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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.
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Oct 24, 2009 12:55 am 1 Photo
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Oct 23, 2009 7:40 am 1 Photo
October 22, 2009
TCAPS candidate Davis wants to be involved

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

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Continued ...
Oct 22, 2009 7:40 am 1 Photo
Letters at Issue: Elections: 10/22/2009

Attuned to TC; Reach higher; Vote 'yes' for roads; Hall has experience; Support sinking fund; Most qualified; Vote 'no' on roads; Retain Gary Appel
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Oct 22, 2009 7:30 am
October 21, 2009
Former attorney views schools as business

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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.
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Oct 20, 2009 7:10 am 1 Photo
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Oct 16, 2009 7:27 am 1 Photo
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Oct 15, 2009 7:28 am 1 Photo
TC Chamber to host candidate forum

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School board hopefuls at forum

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Oct 15, 2009 7:25 am
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Oct 14, 2009 8:02 am 1 Photo
Bergman seeking another city council term

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

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Oct 8, 2009 7:35 am
August 17, 2009
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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.
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Aug 13, 2009 7:05 am 1 Photo
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Continued ...
Aug 12, 2009 3:35 pm 6 Photos
Seven to vie for three school board seats

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Aug 12, 2009 7:00 am
August 1, 2009
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Aug 1, 2009 8:25 pm
July 21, 2009
Deadline nears for city candidates

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