Incumbent Candidates for Garfield Township Board Share Views With Voters
By Paul Gingras

There are no contested races for seats on the Garfield Board of Trustees for the Tuesday, August 5 primary. All township officials are running unopposed for reelection. They include Supervisor Cleo Smith, Clerk Linda Bennett, Treasurer Debra L. Bennett, Trustee Donald Butkovich, and Trustee Duncan MacArthur. All are Republicans, except Mr. Butkovich, who is a Democrat. All terms are four years.

The following candidates responded to questionnaires sent by The St. Ignace News.

Cleo A. Smith

Cleo Smith is a Republican running for reelection as township supervisor. She has a daughter, three grandsons, two granddaughters, and a son-in-law. Mrs. Smith is a high school graduate and retired former owner of Brandon Oil Company.

"I believe I have something to offer my community," she told The St. Ignace News. "I have lived here my whole life, and I want to try and help make our community be a better place to live and raise a family. I am retired, and I have all the time that is needed to put into projects that will be a benefit to all."

Improving the Naubinway Marina is one of the most pressing issues in township, Mrs. Smith said. She describes the marina as "a sore spot with the whole community," however, the municipality will receive help from the Michigan State Waterways Commission to improve the facility, she added.

Another major issue in Garfield Township is the need to maintain and improve area roads. As in any community, improving the fire department and the ambulance corps are important municipal matters, she said.

Linda Bennett

Mrs. Bennett is a Republican seeking reelection as township clerk. She is married to retired firefighter Robert "Terry" Bennett. Her family includes four children, seven grandchildren, and "a spoiled German shorthair."

She is a high school graduate who focused on business and secretarial work. She has 30 years of secretarial experience, nine years as Garfield Township clerk, and has attended many classes and seminars regarding Michigan townships.

Mrs. Bennett is seeking reelection, in part, because she enjoys working with the present board. She feels members compliment each other with a variety of ideas and opinions. They are able to discuss issues appropriately, leading to good decisions for the municipality, she told The St. Ignace News. Mrs. Bennett said she worked steadily for nine years to master her job and seeks to use her knowledge.

"I like working with the people and helping them as much as I can," she said.

The need to continually dredge the Naubinway Marina to keep it serviceable is an expense Garfield Township cannot afford. This is a major township issue, she said. A second major issue is maintaining roads to a quality level satisfactory to all residents.

Debra L. Bennett

Mrs. Bennett, 43, is a Republican running for reelection as Garfield Township treasurer. Her family includes her husband, Sean, and her children, Michael, 18, Tyler, 14, and Samantha, 11. She is employed as township treasurer and has associate's degrees in office administration and executive secretarial studies.

She seeks reelection because she already maintains the position and thoroughly enjoys it, she told The St. Ignace News.

"I feel I do an excellent job and represent the township well," she said.

Keeping the Naubinway Marina running is a struggle and one of the major issues in the municipality, she said.

"We have constant, costly dredging issues with no easy solutions," she said.

Another major issue is staffing the ambulance department.

"We have a very dedicated volunteer ambulance department, but few in numbers," she explained. "Finding individuals willing and capable to take the necessary schooling is very difficult."

Donald Butkovich

Mr. Butkovich, 50, is a Democrat seeking reelection as township trustee. A 1976 graduate of Engadine High School, he works in maintenance at Engadine Consolidated Schools. Mr. Butkovich has a wife, Cathy, a daughter, Melissa, and a son, Scott.

Addressing his reasons for running, Mr. Butkovich said, "It has been a very rewarding experience to have been able to represent the people of Garfield Township for the past 3.5 years."

The board is a tight unit that works well and has moved kept the township moving in a positive direction, he said. Its members have been able to address local maintenance issues and have made improvements.

Serving as a board member has provided Mr. Butkovich insight regarding how "many great people are involved in so many ways that go unnoticed in our township," he told The St. Ignace News.

Mr. Butkovich said he has great appreciation for people serving the township, from the fire department to the sexton, and many others.

To keep the township progressive, he hopes strong township service will continue and that area youth will become more involved.

"I am looking forward to the continued support of the citizens of Garfield Township," he said. Mr. Butkovich said he will continue to make decisions regarding what he believes is best for the entire community.

Addressing major local issues, the impact of the state economy on Garfield Township is a serious concern, he said.

"We have already faced moves by the legislature to try and eliminate local township government," he said. "We are always hearing about reductions in revenue sharing and turning over operations to the county levels. We need to continue to impress upon our state representatives how important township government is and see that our tax dollars are kept in our township."

The high cost of maintaining and improving the local marina is another important concern, he added. Road maintenance needs to be addressed at the state and county level, and the need for additional fire and ambulance personnel are important issues in Garfield, he said.

Duncan MacArthur

Mr. MacArthur, 48, is a Republican seeking reelection as a township trustee. A graduate of Engadine High School, he went on to complete two years at Lake Superior State College, now a university. He now works for the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Mr. MacArthur grew up in a family active in community and local government. This, in part, drives his interest in serving on the township board.

"From early on, I had a strong interest in government," he said. "I have had the privilege to work over the last four years with some very qualified people who believe, as I do, in putting the community first and what works for the community as a whole ahead of personnel interests," he told The St. Ignace News.

The condition of area roads, the Emergency Medical Service, and the Naubinway Marina are three major issues for the municipality, he said.

"All three...require close study in the near future," he said.