TRAVERSE CITY — Early results show voters in Traverse City support an ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Votes to keep the controversial measure on the books lead “no” votes 2,080 to 1,204 as of 8:45 p.m. Approximately 1,500 absentee ballots remain uncounted, along with results from one small precinct in Leelanau County.
Tuesday’s vote comes more than a year after Traverse City adopted the measure to prevent discrimination against gays in employment, housing and other areas. A vocal group of opponents collected signatures to force the referendum, arguing that it singles out a group for special treatment.
Erin Bernhard disagreed with that argument and voted “yes” Tuesday at the History Center on Sixth Street to keep the ordinance.
“I sincerely believe in the rights of all people,” she said. “It doesn’t give special rights, it gives equal rights. That’s the bottom line.”
Election 2011
'Yes' votes pile up big lead in anti-discrimination measure
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Election returns by county
Results from the Nov. 8, 2011 primary election, updated as the numbers come in.
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Mayor Bzdok 'Got a lot done'
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New officials share plans for TC
Emerging priorities for the new city commission include pushing the city's bayfront plan forward and addressing infrastructure improvements and legacy costs.
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TC is 'open and inclusive'
A long-simmering debate over homosexual rights and protections in Traverse City came to a resounding close on election night.
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Voters put Estes back in mayor's office
Former Traverse City Mayor Michael Estes earned back his old post.
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Budros, Easterday, Carruthers win seats
Two incumbents known for asking tough questions kept their seats on the Traverse City Commission, and they'll be joined by a former city planning commissioner.
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Voters OK BATA millage
Voters overwhelming supported a millage renewal for the Bay Area Transportation Authority.
Continued ... - Tuesday, November 8, 2011
- BATA easily wins millage
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Estes is TC mayor; Budros, Carruthers, Easterday win seats
- 'Yes' wins big in TC non-discrimination vote
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Estes leads in TC mayoral race
- Carruthers, Budros, Werner lead TC commission race
- BATA millage rolls up big lead
- More than 3,000 votes cast by 3 p.m.
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Today is decision day for area voters
For weeks, campaign literature stuffed your mailbox. You've driven miles of streets flanked by rows of beseeching yard signs. Today, finally, it's your turn. It's Election Day.
Continued ... - Sunday, November 6, 2011
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Nov. 8 Election Roundup
A roundup of candidates and issues for Tuesday’s election.
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Decisions aplenty for city voters
City voters on Tuesday could drastically overhaul the city commission and weigh in on a contentious non-discrimination proposal, among other items.
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Editorial: Our endorsements for Tuesday's elections
Our endorsements for Tuesday's elections: For mayor, Michael Estes. For city commission, Jim Carruthers, Barbara Budros and Tim Werner. For ballot issues, vote "yes" on the BATA millage and vote "yes" for the non-discrimination ordinance.
Continued ... - Friday, November 4, 2011
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Opposite tactics in mayor's race
The city's two mayoral candidates took opposite tactics to pay for their campaigns.
Continued ... - Thursday, November 3, 2011
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Easterday leads fundraising in city race
An incumbent city commissioner and a woman who’s never run for elected office lead the pack in city commission campaign contributions, though others aren’t far behind.
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Letters at Issue: Elections: 11/03/2011
Backing neighborhoods; Seniors depend on BATA; Maximize resources; Keep downtown strong; and more
Continued ... - Wednesday, November 2, 2011
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Proposal 1 groups raise thousands
A group campaigning in support of Traverse City's non-discrimination ordinance raised about four times as much money as its opponents.
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Letters at Issue: Elections: 11/02/2011
Can do more with less; Vatican opposes ordinances; Addressing the issues; Common sense approach. (Plus more)
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Two vie for Benzie school post
One is a retired Marine. The other is a mother of a special-needs child. Tyson Burch and Lorene Hill Cota — both parents of students in Benzie County Central Schools — are vying for a single vacant spot on the district’s board.
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Area School Board Election Roundup
A glance at area school board races in the upcoming Nov. 8 election.
Continued ... - Tuesday, November 1, 2011
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Forum: BATA deserves our support
I'm voting for the Bay Area Transportation Authority's operating millage renewal because I rely on BATA to get to work.
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Letters At Issue: Elections: 11/01/2011
Letters regarding the Nov. 8 election.
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BATA millage on upcoming ballot
Bay Area Transportation Authority on Nov. 8 will ask voters in Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties to renew its operational millage for five years.
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BATA ballot language may be confusing
Tom Menzel knows his decision to follow a rarely used, rarely enforced state law about ballot language will cost BATA votes.
Continued ... - Monday, October 31, 2011
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Our view: Keep BATA rolling
Public transportation is crucial for any area aspiring to grow, and the Grand Traverse area is no exception.
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Our view: Vote 'yes' on Proposal 1
Vote "yes" Nov. 8 to retain Traverse City's anti-discrimination ordinance.
Continued ... - Sunday, October 30, 2011
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Voters to decide fate of year-old ordinance
More than a year has passed since Traverse City adopted an ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, and voters will have a chance to weigh in on Nov. 8.
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Our view: TC needs Mike Estes
Their reasons for running for mayor of Traverse City are about as different as they are — and another reason to support Michael Estes.
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Our view: Werner, Carruthers, Budros
Record-Eagle endorsements for Traverse City commission.
Continued ... - Saturday, October 29, 2011
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Forum: BATA is government waste
Am I the only one frustrated over the Bay Area Transportation Authority asking for a millage renewal?
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Letters at Issue: Elections: 10/29/2011
Letters regarding the upcoming Nov. 8 election.
Continued ... - Friday, October 28, 2011
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Letters at Issue: Elections: 10/28/2011
Letters regarding the Nov. 8, 2011 elections.
Continued ... - Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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Letters at Issue: Election: 10/26/2011
Letters regarding the upcoming Nov. 8 election.
Continued ... - Friday, October 21, 2011
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Candidate's concern: Staff reductions
Former Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Department Lt. Bob Donick is running for city commission. He now works as a Union Representative for Teamsters Local 218.
Continued ... - Thursday, October 20, 2011
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Candidate touts business experience
Patrick McGuire, a former member of the Citizens Operational and Financial Analysis Committee, wants a spot on the city commission. Financial management is his biggest concern.
Continued ... - Wednesday, October 19, 2011
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Candidate is a proponent of connectivity
Tim Werner wants to make it easier to get from here to there. Werner, a scientist and engineer by trade, hopes to land a spot on the Traverse City Commission.
Continued ... - Tuesday, October 18, 2011
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Candidate a self-described 'gadfly'
Jim Carruthers considers himself a voice of the people. Carruthers, a self-described "gadfly" who first won election to the city commission in 2007, seeks a second term.
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Letters at Issue: Election: 10/18/2011
Letters concerning the Nov. 8, 2011 election.
Continued ... - Sunday, October 16, 2011
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Mayor candidate Estes wants to streamline
Michael Estes wants another go-round.
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Mayor candidate Soffredine concerned with loss of city employees
Ralph Soffredine believes city staffing is about as low as it can go.
Continued ... - Saturday, October 15, 2011
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Candidate strives to create consensus
Jeanine Easterday, a former Traverse City planning commissioner, is running for a spot on the city commission.
Continued ... - Friday, October 14, 2011
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Candidate stresses business development
David Ford, a principal at Ford Insurance Agency in Traverse City, has a strong interest in city business development. It's one of the main reasons he decided to run for city commission.
Continued ... - Thursday, October 13, 2011
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Budros is seeking re-election
Barbara Budros, first elected to the Traverse City Commission in 2007, often questions how things are done in city government. It's a pattern she expects to continue if she's re-elected in November.
Continued ... - Thursday, October 6, 2011
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City commission candidate forum scheduled
A city commission candidate forum will be held at the City Opera House on Oct. 11 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. All seven commission candidates and both mayoral candidates are expected to attend.
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Wild weather for Memorial Day weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
Hurricanes and Heat Waves Across America
Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Bradley out for playoffs
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
