TRAVERSE CITY — The current Republican leader of the state House of Representatives leads all candidates in fund-raising for a seat on the 86th District Court bench.
State Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, of Bellaire, raised $32,850, edging out Grand Traverse County Commissioner Mike Stepka, who raised about $29,500, in the five-candidate field. The top two vote-getters in the Aug. 3 primary will face off in the general election.
All five candidates contributed heavily to their own campaigns. Stepka spent almost $26,000 of his own money while Elsenheimer kicked in $20,000.
Traverse City attorney Melanie Stanton contributed $13,000 to her campaign and accepted a single donation of $100 from her law partner, Michael Kronk.
Traverse City Commissioner Barb Budros chipped in $10,000 of the $11,570 she raised.
Jennifer Tang-Anderson, an assistant Grand Traverse County prosecutor, raised $11,900 and gave the least from her own pocket, $2,100. She also raised $5,200 from people with the last name of either Tang or Anderson.
Elsenheimer, the term-limited House Minority leader, has some of the more well-known contributors. Both Dick DeVos, former GOP governor candidate, and Ron Weiser, chair of the Michigan Republican Party, contributed $500 each to his campaign.
The candidates mostly spent their money on mailings, printing and signs. Elsenheimer likely will have the biggest sign since he spent $2,379 to rent a billboard.
Stepka is the only candidate who lists a paid staff member for his campaign.
Two attorneys jumped to the front of the fund-raising pack in the five-candidate race for Leelanau County probate judge.
Michael Long, of Suttons Bay, raised $14,228, though the vast majority of it, $13,000, came out of his own pocket, including $2,514 to rent two billboards.
Larry Nelson, of Leland, raised the most from donors at $13,100 and none of it his own money. Nelson had seven contributions of $500, but the vast majority were $100 or less.
Marian Kromkowski, of Suttons Bay, had contributions of $9,435 and expenditures of $6,349.
Joseph Hubbell, the Leelanau County prosecutor, has $4,908 to spend, of which $3,163 is his own money.
Sara Brubaker, of Bingham Township, raised $3,865, all from contributors.
Region
Judges raise funds too
Elsenheimer leads fund-raising pack for 86th District
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Possible millage for TC schools
Traverse City Area Public Schools could ask voters this fall for millions to upgrade several aging schools and facilities.
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Benzie Sheriff candidate reprimanded at work
A candidate for Benzie County sheriff received multiple reprimands for inappropriate behavior at his high school job, but contends he’s still the best man for the law enforcement post.
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Spelling bee competitor goes out with a bang
Jack Pasche misspelled “idiosyncratically,” but he certainly knew how to act it out.
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Police arrest two in separate assaults
The Traverse City Police Department responded Sunday to a reported assault at a home on Leeward Court. A 38-year-old man told officers that his girlfriend, 39, punched him in the eye. He suffered a facial fracture requiring additional treatment.
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Boaters' safety class to be held
The class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 2 at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center. To register, call the department's marine division at (231) 922-2112.
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Audit preparations for TCL&P begin
Consultants have until mid-June to submit plans for how they would conduct a Traverse City Light & Power audit.
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Man charged with more crimes
James Anthony Simpson, 26, of Traverse City, is charged with third-degree home invasion, larceny in a building and malicious destruction of a building after a May 15 incident at a Garfield Township residence.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 30, 2012
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Housing project 'moving forward'
Traverse City commissioners recently approved what officials expect to be the last change in long-running negotiations to sell city property near the former railroad depot off Eighth Street to two affordable housing agencies.
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Septic tank tax appears inevitable
A $30 to $40 yearly tax assessment on properties with septic tanks in Grand Traverse County and Leelanau's Elmwood Township appears inevitable.
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DEQ seeks public input on Brown Bridge Dam removal
The state Department of Environmental Quality seeks public comment on Traverse City's request for a permit to remove Brown Bridge Dam and restore three miles of Boardman River channel.
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Man charged in Crystal Lake incident
A downstate man who attempted to evade authorities by jumping into Crystal Lake spent his Memorial Day weekend in jail.
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Traverse City to expand TC Saves energy program
The city is expanding a program designed to help residents save on their energy bills.
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Elk Lake boat launch closed for repairs
The Elk Lake boat launch located three miles south of Kewadin is temporarily closed for repairs.
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Suspect arrested in parking meter thefts
Police arrested a man they said stole parking meters in Traverse City.
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TC Central, West on another 'best' list
Two Traverse City high schools made another national list of the best in the country.
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Traverse City man faces theft charge
A Traverse City man faces a criminal charge after police believe he stole cash and other items from a friend's parents.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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Video: 'Taps' at Memorial Day service at Oakwood Cemetery
An excerpt of horn player Don Sattler and drummer David Sattler performing "Taps" at the conclusion of the Memorial Day service at Traverse City's Oakwood Cemetery on Monday, May. 28, 2012.
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Memorial Day: Traverse City honors heroes
A Memorial Day ceremony included a recitation of the Gettysburg Address, a rifle salute, the playing of "Taps" and a speech from Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners Chairman Larry Inman.
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Get to work without using your car
- Monday, May 28, 2012
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City to discontinue spring cleanup
City crews will stop collecting residents' clutter each spring.
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Terry Wooten: WWII soldier's story told in poems
Jack Miller, a survivor of the Bataan Death March and a POW during World War II, won't be in any Memorial Day parades today.
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Remembering the fallen veterans
Below is a list of military veterans from the region who died during the past year (May 28, 2011, through May 25, 2012).
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Memorial Day events
A roundup of Memorial Day-related events in northern Michigan:
Continued ... - Sunday, May 27, 2012
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Travel season begins
Tourism analysts at Michigan State University project a 3 percent increase in Michigan travel volume this year.
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Restored cemetery to be honored on Memorial Day
The "Old Ones" buried in the once-overgrown and abandoned Onominese Indian Cemetery near Northport will be honored in a Memorial Day service and traditional re-dedication ceremony.
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