Gogebic County heads to polls in Tuesday's election

Gogebic County voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in Michigan’s August primary.

Besides several party primary races which will determine the names on November’s general election ballot, there are six millage renewals in various jurisdictions across the county on Tuesday’s ballot.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

At the county level, Prosecutor Nick Jacobs, Clerk Gerry Pelissero and Treasurer Sue Pertile are running unopposed as Democrats, while Republican Jim Loeper isn’t facing a challenger for drain commissioner.

None of the four races have candidates from the opposite party on the ballot, meaning the incumbents likely won’t be challenged in November either.

Sheriff Pete Matonich is facing a challenge from Gordon Koski in his re-election bid, both are running as Democrats. There are no Republicans on the ballot in the race.

Only one seat on the county board has a contested race, where Democrat incumbent Tom Laabs is being challenged by Dave Ramme to represent Ironwood’s District 2. Incumbents James Oliver, District 3, Ironwood; Jeff Wasley, District 4, Ironwood, Erwin Township and Bessemer Township; Joe Bonovetz, District 5, Bessemer and Bessemer Township; Bob Orlich, District 6, Wakefield and Wakefield Township; and George Peterson, District 7, Marenisco and Watersmeet townships are all running unopposed as Democrats.

Leroy Kangas has decided to not seek re-election representing Ironwood’s District 1, and Dan Siirila is running unopposed to replace him.

At the local level, the county’s six townships have candidates on the ballot.

In Bessemer Township, current board members Supervisor Jeff Randall, Treasurer Jerry Grenfell, Clerk Debbie Janczak and trustees Hope Tarnaski and Beverly Ikola are all running for re-election unopposed.

In Erwin Township; Supervisor Larry Grimsby, Clerk Vicky Finco and Treasurer Renee Hill are all running for re-election unopposed. Trustees Ray Brown and William Hellen are running for re-election, along with James Anderson. While there are only two trustee seats on the township board, all three will advance to the November election as Anderson and Brown are running as Republicans, while Hellen is a Democrat.

In Ironwood Township, Trustee Steve Boyd and former supervisor Marvin LeGrew are running to replace Supervisor Alan Baron. Clerk Mary Segalin is running for re-election unopposed. Two names will appear on the ballot in the race for township treasurer, Treasurer Jyl Renee Olson-DeRosso and Maria Graser. Six Democrats — incumbents Bernard Brunello and Kevin Lyons, along with Rudy Grbavcich, Darrin Kimbler, Robin Lonsway Bock and Marlene Saari-Mieloszyk — are running for the four trustee seats on the board. Republican Bev Michaels will advance and face the top four vote-getters of the Democratic race in November.

In Marenisco Township, Supervisor Richard Bouvette, Clerk Donna Kenny, Treasurer Diane Dean and Trustee David Hagen are all running for re-election, with newcomer Kelly Dunbar running for the board’s second trustee position.

In Wakefield Township, Supervisor John Cox, Clerk Mandy Lake and Treasurer Joan Dalman are running for re-election. Incumbents James Spencer is running against fellow Democrats Gerald Niemi and Michael Heikkila for the two seats on the township’s board.

In Watersmeet Township, Supervisor Mike Rogers, Clerk Sandy Mansfield and Treasurer Paul Kemppainen are running for re-election. Trustee Bill Neumann is running for re-election as a Republican. Democrats Alan Piel and Julie Mathiesen are also running for trustee. All three will face off in November for the two trustee seats.

There also six millage proposals on the ballot.

The Gogebic County Transit Authority is asking for a renewal of 1/3 mill for four years for the continued operations of the transit system. The Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency proposing a .6 mill renewal for the next four years to continue the operation of its senior program.

There is also a proposal for .4 mill, levied over the next four years, for building and site improvements at the Gogebic County Medical Facility.

Voters within the limits of the Ironwood Area Public School District will be asked to vote on a 18 mill millage levied on properties other than primary residences for the next four years to provide operating funds.

Ironwood voters will also vote the renewal of on a 1 mill operating millage for the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center. The millage will run from 2017-2020.

Bessemer Township voters will vote on the renewal of an 8 mill operating millage to help fund township operations.

In addition to local races and ballot proposals, voters will also be voting in state and national races.

Both Democratic incumbent Scott Dianda and Republican Gregory Markkanen are running unopposed in their respective primaries, setting up a November showdown to represent the 110th State House District.

Five candidates are on the ballot in the race to represent Michigan’s First Congressional District in Washington D.C.

The Republican race will feature state Sen. Tom Casperson, Jason Allen and Jack Bergman, while the Democratic race will feature Jerry Cannon and Lon Johnson.

The winners of the two primaries will meet in November.