The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Voters face decision on supervisor, clerk
Candidates unseated in primary are running write-in campaign
By Sotirios Adamopoulos, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: October 16, 2008
This November, residents of Augusta Township will vote in a new Supervisor.
Advertisement
Pete Hafler snatched the Democratic nod for the position from incumbent Kathleen Jackson in the August primary. His Republican opponent, Brian Shelby, entered the race with no competition in the primary.
Important issues await both candidates.
The unraveling economy has been the subject of many debates on a national and local level. Voters in Augusta Township recently turned down a police millage that will appear again on the Nov. 4 ballot. While some residents may feel the need for extra protection, others may oppose the proposition because of what it could cost the township.
"I can't give you a yes or no on the (police) millage," said Hafler. "It's something that's up to the voters."
If approved, the millage would cost $1.50 for every $1,000 of taxable residential value. This, coupled with the possibility of a 16-acre purchase for the township fire department, could make residents cough up more cash then they would like to.
"Having reliable police and fire departments are a good thing, but you can't raise taxes," Shelby said. "There has to be another alternative."
Shelby was unsuccessful in running for Supervisor in 2004. Hafler enters this election with no previous political experience, a fact that, he claims, should not matter. Hafler believes that his involvement in the community makes up for his lack of office time.
"I've been attending township board meetings for at least 10 years," said Hafler. "That's longer than some of the candidates (who) are running."
For Shelby, running under the Republican ticket, like he did in the previous election, has nothing to do with disagreement of the rival party. He claimed that, for many years, the spot remained open in Augusta. He felt that he should fill the seemingly vacant position for the benefit of the community.
"Sides don't matter when it comes to township politics," he said. "I believe in getting everybody involved."
Incumbent faces Republican challenger
Incumbent Augusta Twp. Clerk Kathy Giszczak faces opposition in the form of Republican candidate Kathleen McDonald.
McDonald claimed that she is running under the Republican ticket so she could avoid running against anyone in the primaries. She insisted that political parties are not the issue.
"I'd run the (Clerk's) office according to what's the right thing to do," McDonald said. "We need to serve the residents."
With economics being a major issue in the township, Giszczak believes that the most significant issue she, and other board members, need to focus on is excessive spending. Having several years of accounting experience, the incumbent clerk plans to focus on how money is managed within the township.
"I am determined to continue to challenge the Board's spending habits now and in the future," she said. "My bachelor's degree and more than 24 years of experience in professional accounting qualify me."
Although McDonald has never held the clerk position, she has years of experience under her belt as well. She feels that her history of working with people as an educator and corporate facilitator make her the better choice.
"I have knowledge coupled with experience," she said. "A lot of problems in the township have to do with common sense."
Some residents find the limited police force in Augusta Township a significant issue. Voting "yes" on the upcoming millage would force residents to fork over more money. McDonald believes that alternative methods of protection should be considered. She mentioned that a few retired police officers reside in the township. With this in mind, she speculated that a local safety patrol could suffice.
"Personally, I'd like to see us put together our own police force," she said.
Giszczak criticized McDonald's formation of a Neighborhood Watch, calling her opponent's group vigilante and a political tool.
"To be successful (in protecting the township) requires understanding and respect for the laws of our land and a healthy selfless commitment to the benefit of others," said Giszczak.
In addition to the races between Hafler and Shelby and Giszczak and McDonald, current Augusta Twp. Supervisor Kathy Jackson and current Treasurer Lynda Dew announced in August their intention to run as write-in candidates. Voters will have the option to write down the names of the candidates on the ballot, but they are not officials listed under party affiliation.
Sotirios Adamopoulos is a freelance writer for The View and Courier newspapers. He can be reached at samadamopolous@gmail.com
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
TOP JOBS
