Supervisor and Trustees Face Competition in Brevort Township Election August 5
By Paul Gingras

Ed Serwach

There are two contested races for seats on the Brevort Township Board of Trustees for the Tuesday, August 5 primary. Incumbent Edward Serwach and Darren Spring will seek the township supervisor position. David Craig, incumbent Burton Rutledge, and incumbent Vern Erskine seek two trustee seats. Incumbent clerk Susan Stelzer and incumbent treasurer Daniel Litzner are running unopposed.

All candidates are Republicans. All terms are four years.

The following responded to The St. Ignace News' candidate questionnaires; photographs are printed if available.

Edward Serwach Mr. Serwach, 65, is a Republican seek ing re election as township supervisor. He is married to Pat ricia Ser - wach and has five grown children and eight grand - child ren. He earned a Bach - elor of Science degree from Wayne State University in 1975. He has eight years experience as Brevort Township supervisor.

Mr. Serwach is running for office to build on a record of successful administration and to continue providing leadership that encourages people to work together, he told The St. Ignace News.

David Craig

"When I took office in 2000, Brevort Township had real challenges," he said. "The sewer contractor had left homes with ruined landscaping, damaged foundations, and a serious H2S gas problem at the lift station. Downtown Moran had deteriorated. Roads were in bad shape, and cormorants had depleted the fish in Brevort Lake. Our master plan was outdated and ambiguous."

The township fixed the sewer contractor's mess, he added, re - solved the sewer gas problem, improved four roads, and received grant funding for improvements in downtown Moran.

Board members encouraged business investment that drew four new businesses to town which now provide employment and local services. The board provided financial support to the Straits Area Sports - men's Club, which addressed the cormorant population problem, and provided local activities for residents and visitors.

The township is finalizing its new master plan and has commissioned architectural plans for a new fire hall to be built with existing community funds.

Burt Rutledge

"That is a record of successful administration," Mr. Serwach said.

Economic and road issues are top concerns in the township, he pointed out.

"Road maintenance is always a priority. State revenue sharing is uncertain for townships, and property values could decline, eroding the tax base," Mr. Serwach said. "We have to look twice at every expense. We have to keep expenses low."

Brevort Township is at a "great juncture," he added.

"People are working together to make the township an even better place to live. The challenge is to foster and develop that community culture where everyone is valued for what they bring to the table, where personal differences can be set aside, and where consensus can be reached so that projects can move forward."

"That is the culture that exists today in Brevort Township, and it is a culture that, as supervisor, I will continue to recognize, appreciate, and encourage."

Darren Spring

Mr. Spring, 41, is seeking the township supervisor position. He is owner of Brevort Lake Services, has a wife, Lori, a son, Shane, and a daughter, Andrea.

"I am running because I believe there are some changes that would be in the best interest of the community," he told The St. Ignace News.

Addressing two major issues facing Brevort Township, Mr. Spring said the sewer system could be run more efficiently and more cost effectively. He would also stress preventive maintenance for the future of the system.

If elected, Mr. Spring plans to investigate what can be done to build a new community center and fire hall in the township.

Susan Stelzer

Mrs. Stelzer, 44, is a Republican seeking reelection as township clerk. For 15 years, she has been vault supervisor at Kewadin Shores Casino in St. Ignace. Mrs. Stelzer has been married to Joseph Stelzer for 24 years. They have two daughters, Heather Bird and Kathleen Stelzer; and four grandchildren, Jennie, Shyanne, Ally, and Mason Joe.

"I am running for office because I want to make a difference in our community and continue to be part of making our community a great place to live, play, and relax," she said.

In the past four years, Brevort Township has had many community improvements, she pointed out, including the attraction of businesses, and the development of a parking lot in Moran funded, in part, by grants. The township playground has been remodeled by volunteers, a project funded by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. A flower garden in Moran was developed by two master gardener volunteers. The planning commission has completed a new master plan, which was funded by grants.

"I could go on and on," she told The St. Ignace News, "but the important message here is none of this could be possible without involvement of people what want to make a difference in our township."

"It is very exciting to be a small part of making our township a great place to be," she said.

"The next goal for our township board is to complete the construction of a new fire hall and community center. Plans for a new fire hall with the ability to expand the structure to include a community center are underway."

The existing community center is fully accessible by people with disabilities and is in bad repair, she added. Volunteer building committees have compared the cost of building a new structure to repairing the old structure.

"With the ability to add on to the new fire building, costs should be comparatively less than remodeling," she said. "A new community center will be a great addition to our township, by providing a place where township residents can utilize the library or enjoy community events," she said.

The next goal Mrs. Stelzer would like to accomplish is to encourage all residents to be involved in township affairs.

"Participation in projects, no matter how big or small, makes a difference. We have many hidden talents in Brevort Township just waiting to be discovered," she said.

David Craig

Dr. Craig, 74, is a Re - publican seeking a trustee seat on the township board. He has a doctorate in educational administration and su - pervision. Dr. Craig is retired, has a wife, Irene (nee Trudy), four adult children, and 11 grandchildren.

"I began my career as a school superintendent, teacher, and coach in the Brevort Township School in 1958. Over the years, I have had many experiences in millage issues, building facilities, and financial matters. I would like to use my background experience to help improve our township," he told The St. Ignace News.

A new member of the township planning committee, Dr. Craig has added his input to a group that has spent a great deal of time preparing an excellent plan for Brevort Township, he said.

"As a board member, I would have the opportunity to ensure the plan is implemented."

The most pressing issue in Brevort Township is the need to build a fire hall adequate to meet state fire marshal requirements.

"The public must be well informed about the progress of this issue at all times," he said.

A second major issue is the care and maintenance of area roads, he added.

"We need to have board representation at all Mackinac County Road Commission meetings. This is the only way to be sure our needs are met. I would like to be that person," he said.

A third issue facing the municipality is the township sewer system, a matter of importance to many area residents, he said. Minimizing sewer system problems is another important municipal undertaking.

Burton Rutledge Mr. Rutledge, 68, is running for reelection as a township trustee on the Republican ticket. He has a wife named Joan. Mr. Rut - ledge is retired after 27 years with Cheboy - gan Lum ber Com pany. He now works part -time at Moran Hardware and Lumber.

A 1958 graduate of LaSalle High School, he went on to earn a degree in lumber grading from Michigan Technological Univer - sity. He has spent the past 20 years on and off the township board, has been a township fireman for 46 years, and now holds one of three assistant chief positions.

Stressing community service, "I am running to continue working on improving the township," he said.

A major issue facing the township is the deteriorating fire hall building, he said. Mr. Rutledge plans to work toward building a new fire hall first, and then focus on obtaining a new community center for the area.

Also of critical importance is how to make the many road improvements needed, with limited funds. The board has prioritized which roads must be addressed first, he said.