Candidates, Millage Requests on Ballot Tues.

The Moran Township Hall was a buzz of activity Thursday, April 26, when township clerks from across Mackinac County assembled to test their voting machines in preparation for the Tuesday, May 8, election. Pictured here in front of an Accu-Vote machine are (from left) Moran Township Clerk Kris Vallier, St. Ignace Township Clerk Donna Harju, and Marquette Township Clerk Lori Reich. Voters will place ballots in the machine, which counts them, prints the results, and stores the used ballots.

Voters will determine school board candidates, City of Mackinac Island officials, school propositions, and one township proposition as polls in the county will be open Tuesday, May 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters will also be asked to consider an increase of 0.75 mills for three years to fund special education services through the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District.

Election issues and candidate interviews were reported in The St. Ignace News Thursday, April 26.

School districts seeking operational millage renewals are Gros Cap School in Moran Township, Les Cheneaux Community Schools, DeTour Area Schools, and Pickford Public Schools. Engadine Consolidated Schools will seek one mill for two years to develop a site improvement fund.

Hendricks Township will seek 2.5 mills for five years to purchase a firetruck and rescue equipment.

Voters on Mackinac Island will choose candidates to fill the positions of mayor, clerk, treasurer, City Council, assessor, and supervisor.

School board candidates will be on the ballot in several districts. At St. Ignace Area Schools, Kathy Campbell and Sean Arthur are running unopposed for seats vacated by Andy Brown and Sheri Oja.

At Mackinac Island, voters will elect two candidates from Terry Andress, Marsha Kleber, and incumbent Ben Mosley.

Four candidates are running for two school board seats at Les Cheneaux Community Schools. Incumbents John Causley Jr. and David Murray will be challenged by Ronda McGreevy and Melinda "Mindi" Chisholm.

Trustees Mike Cope and Nancy Dandona are running unopposed for seats on the Gros Cap School Board of Education.

On the Engadine Consolidated Schools Board of Education, Robyn Albrecht is running unopposed for the seat of outgoing trustee Mary Formolo.

At DeTour Area Schools, Lynn Cloudman VanAlstine, Karen Aldridge, and Ron Papin will run for two seats on the school board now held by Donza Worden and Ms. VanAlstine.

At Rudyard Area Schools, Laurie Jarvie and Carlos Molina will run unopposed for two seats vacated by Joni Andary and Tim Gerou.

At Mackinaw City, incumbent school board members Marilyn McFarland and Valerie Dullack are uncontested in seeking reelection.