Traverse City Area Public Schools voters could add as many as three new members to the seven-member school board in voting Tuesday.
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 2012.
n For the two, four-year terms, the Record-Eagle endorses JULIE PUCKETT and KELLY HALL.
The two newcomers would bring needed skills and energy to the table and appear ready to speak up and be heard; both have said they will demand greater transparency from the administration.
n For the partial term, the Record-Eagle endorses GARY APPEL, who was appointed to the board in January.
Appel has worked as an education consultant for governments and nonprofits and is a former science teacher.
Our recommendations
for TC Commission:
Traverse City voters will choose among four candidates for three seats on the city commission.
n In the commission race, the Record-Eagle endorses incumbents JODY BERGMAN and DENI SCRUDATO and newcomer MIKE GILLMAN.
Although they have very different political philosophies, Bergman and Scrudato represent significant constituencies within the city.
Gillman is a retired attorney who in 2007 joined the Citizens Operational and Financial Analysis Committee.
n Commissioner Chris Bzdok is running unopposed for mayor. Bzdok, an environmental attorney, was elected to a partial term in 2007. He was mayor pro tem this year.
