DELTA COUNTY, Mich. (WZMQ) – It is Election Day across the U.P. In Delta County, voters are deciding on commission and council races, as well as a new way to utilize old funds.
In Gladstone, residents are voting on a City Commission race. Three seats are available, and four candidates are on the ballot. Incumbents Joe Thompson and Steve O’Driscoll are looking to retain their positions, while candidates Mike O’Connor and Whitney Maloney are hoping to join the commission.
Even though the ballot is light, such commission races can have major impacts. Gladstone City Manager Eric Buckman says commissioners play a vital role in the community.
“In the past, we came through sort of some hard times financially with the pension liability and the roads,” he said. “With the commission we had, we did a good job of getting through it and getting our pension back on track. We did miles of roads. I think it’s important to keep that up, so it’s important who you have on the commission.”
Despite the importance of the race, Election Day got off to a slow start in Gladstone. About 38 voters showed up at the City Hall precinct in the first four hours.
“Definitely less turnout in this type of election, other than your typical presidential or primary type election,” said poll worker George Sailer. “You have to have a say as a citizen, and our say is if you vote and express what you want. I think they’re all important, no matter how many people or what the election is for.”
Morning turnout was similar in Escanaba, where City Council members Mark Ammel, Ronald Beauchamp, and Todd Flath are running unopposed to keep their seats.
“It’s 11:30 right now, we’ve had approximately just under 40 voters,” said Marilyn Noble, who has worked at the Escanaba City Hall precinct for the past seven years. “The good thing is with those [absentee ballots], there’s about 1,200, so we’re hopeful that we’re going to get a good collection of voters from this precinct.”
Also on the ballot is a measure to change the way certain city funding is used. If the measure is approved, gas utility proceeds previously restricted to capital improvements would instead be used to reduce unfunded pension liabilities.
Even though numbers were not as high as they could have been early in the day, poll workers were happy to be at their precincts, offering every citizen an opportunity to make their voice heard.
“I love it because it’s really a great way to be a part of your community,” Noble said. “You see those same faces over and over again. You know that it’s important to them, so you feel that it’s important as well.”
Stay tuned to WZMQ 19 News throughout the day for election results from across the Upper Peninsula.
