Some voting guides basically tell you the candidates and proposals with a brief description of each.  Some voting guides will be unashamedly projecting the author's political biases and directing you to vote for those they prefer.  The first is uninteresting, the second is too demanding; this guide will have enough of the first to be informative and attempt to have just enough personal author bias to make it interesting and useful for all. 

Let's start with the most local and work our way up.  The Michigan Secretary of State provides a most helpful service in providing you with what a local ballot anywhere in the state will look like with the added feature that it has sub-links that will take you to the candidates webpage, if they exist.  Here's a sample that those in the Fourth Ward of Ludington will look like.  This is a good place to start, because our first contest is there:

None of these candidates have websites, however they debated issues at the local candidates forum and had their own write-up in the local paper.  All but Jeff had an interview for the interim spot in front of the city council, citing an issue with the process, but he probably had the best performance at the debate.  Nevertheless, both women have lifetime credentials of living in the Fourth Ward, and solid backgrounds in local civic activities. 

Disclosures:  I voted for Cheri when she ran for mayor in 2016, I currently have one of Kandi's artistic yard signs at the front of the house, and I haven't disagreed with anything Jeff has said.  These are all great candidates.  Pick Cheri if you don't want ripples at city hall, pick Kandi if you want ripples and a responsive representative, pick Jeff if you like his mix of style and substance and are not deterred by the lack of his long-term residency of the Fourth Ward.  

Then there is this proposal that will be voted on by all 6 wards:

Read this article on why you should vote no.  Summarized, the proposal reduces accountability and provides less appeal to qualified city manager candidates than indefinite termed contracts with periodic evaluations mandated.  Then there are county-wide proposals:

This article has explained why this new tax is being misrepresented at the least.  Vote for this if you think $600,000 per year is a lot to pay for a service we haven't really needed in the past when we had more people here.  Vote against it, if you think it is or can't comprehend what 4 road patrol deputies will be doing for 3/4 of the year.  Then there's the jail millage renewal:

The arguments for it state that the money is needed to run the jail.  Paul Deller of Scottville had an interesting, compelling, and researched article on why you should consider voting no for a bloated jail budget.  I can't disagree.  The next proposal is for one medical care facility

Back in 2012, I proffered ten reasons why you should not feel guilty voting no on this rather large millage, those reasons still stand the test of time.  Nearly $2 million in taxes is a lot of cash in this county.  The last renewal is for senior centers and programs:

In my estimation this is the most reasonable of the millages coming before the county, though I've yet to see a full accounting of how the money is used.  If you or others close to you utilize these programs, or if you consider it worthwhile, then consider voting for it.  Otherwise just know that if a small taxpayer revolt happens next Tuesday, and all millage proposals totaling $4 million are voted down, then Mason County would move from being the 28th least taxed county to being tied for 5th (with Ottawa County).  If all are approved, the county will move to 35th least taxed, which may discourage economic growth from occurring.  

The County ballot is very disappointing in that there is only one contested primary in the eastern part of the county, and that the primary will decide the next commissioner, as the other party has nobody running.  Bacon has been involved with politics in the Village of Custer for awhile, Schulke used to be the county surveyor, and seeks to perk up his district economically.  Neither are incumbents, Bacon has the pedigree and demeanor you usually associate with a county commissioner, Schulke, though older, looks like he would bring some energy and innovative ideas to the commission.  This district has routinely voted for Tom Posma prior to his retirement, so they will likely go for Bacon rather than ham. 

Which brings us to the 101st District race.  The Democratic side pitting Edward Hoogterp versus Kathy Wiejaczka appears to have two locally-unelectable characters with two funny-to-pronounce names in the general election as they seem more socialistic than what the norm for the territory is.   But on the Republic side, there is a bit of distinction between the two candidates. O'Malley is a venerable radio personality, Cater is a young woman looking to drain the swamp.  Both share similar views, however, O'Malley appears more establishment, whereas Cater caters to a more outsider populist agenda and list of priorities.  In the 35th District State Senator race there is only one Democrat running, they get a pass, but there are four Republicans

All but Urka have websites and prior political experience.  Urka is a true outsider, a farmer who seems to have a personal stake in getting the seat, who could stand a chance if the three others split the vote and a 'change' motif was prevalent, but there isn't an incumbent.  Both Rendon and Franz were term limited out as state representatives, while VanderWall is a one termer hoping to switch over.  

Each of these three want to out-conservative one another, but Franz's looks to be the staunchest conservative. VanderWall appeals to many in Mason County looking for somebody local, but in his term as representative hasn't shown any favoritism. Rendon doesn't have anything that makes him stand out.  Among US Senator and Representative contests, only one has a primary contest:

You have likely seen or heard commercials for this race, which has become a dead heat.  James received Donald Trump's endorsement recently, however, Pensler still portrays himself as somebody who will work on the president's agenda.   James has inertia, has taken more of a higher ground, has conservative stances on issues,  and probably stands a better chance against the November foe, Debby Stabenow.  Pensler likely doesn't have a deep enough war chest or the charm to overcome the incumbent.  Which brings us to the governor position:

Among Democrats, Whitmer is the most moderate candidate, endorsed by organized labor, women’s groups and virtually the entire liberal Michigan political establishment.  Thanedar is an immigrant entrepreneur from India who has spent many millions, like El-Sayed he positions himself to the left of Whitmer, both want to make a single-payer health care system in Michigan-- which Whitmer calls unrealistic.  El-Sayed has aligned himself with Bernie Sanders and other hard-left politicians that favor socialism.  Whitmer seems likely to win, but do not be surprised if she gets a bit less than 50% of the vote.

The winner may have an advantage over the Republican in November.  Bill Schuette, the front-runner Attorney General has some ethical baggage that will hinder his own party's support, and energize Democrats to vote against him even if he wasn't Trump's choice.  Brian Calley has had moderate success as the moderate Republican serving as Lieutenant Governor the last 8 years, but his association with the current governor may work against him if the voters want a change at the top of Michigan.  

Patrick Colbeck and Jim Hines are two outsider candidates, who, like Thanedar and El-Sayed, may interfere with either one getting enough votes.  Colbeck is more conservative, Hines is a doctor analytically choosing a similar path.  Either of these two would stand a better chance against the Democrat winner, but they are unlikely to get the chance:  the latest polls show that Schuette has a commanding lead with Calley being the only one likely to catch up, minus a minor miracle.  

Review those websites (linked to on the SOS page) if you are still straddling the fence and be sure and get out to the polls on Tuesday August 7th to exercise your right to vote.

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Thanks X for all of the work you put into gathering this information. Great Job.

I'm still in favor of an extended contract for the City Manager's position. It's a fair compromise for that position. I certainly would not increase the term more than that.

As far as the Sheriff is concerned, he sure wants to get his hands into the taxpayers pockets with 2 proposals on the ballot, which I am against. I'm not sure what the proposal for an increase in road operations is about. Is it for adding more officers because as I read it it says nothing about increasing the number of patrols. So if anyone is in favor of the Sheriff adding officers to his staff I would seriously consider what this proposal is actually about. This is still a no vote for me.

According to the comments X posted by Paul Deller of Scottville, he mentions that the average population of the jail is 65 prisoners per day. There is no way that a small county like Mason will have that many prisoners, so it must be that Mason County jail leases out cell space to other agencies to house their prisoners which in fact creates additional income for the jail. In my opinion there is no need to continue the 1997 jail expansion tax. Another no vote for me
Regarding Oakview. Initially I was in favor of it but am reconsidering because if taxpayers are footing the bill for any non citizens or illegals medical care, of which I am certain is happening, then this proposals also gets a no vote from me.
The senior citizens center is also a no vote for me. There are clubs, church groups and other organization that seniors can use to socialize. Using tax dollars is ridiculous.
As for the other candidates, I vote conservative. That does not mean Republican.

Thanks X

Thanks for your observations, Willy, I like to put out a voting guide like this to hear the diverse opinions of others in the community, even if we have different ways of valuating the issues and people.  I can't find much to argue with what you said, except...

As noted in my other article on the city proposal, I believe it's a bad idea to extend the contract without addressing the loss of accountability that comes with it.  That's why I suggested a fix that would allow for indefinite termed contracts with a yearly evaluation by the council each September.  This actually offers better flexibility for the CM prospect and better accountability for the COL than either the current system or proposed system allows.  In my opinion, the city manager position is too powerful and important to not have an evaluation every year.  

I'd like to hear more from people in the Fourth Ward about their primary choices and from anybody else regarding any other race or proposal, especially if you take issue with any of my assessments, or can add a special insight.

I have business property in the 4th ward, and choose Kandi. Cheri's sign is in front of Krauch's house this summer, so that means she'd be like him mostly imho. I'd vote NO on all proposals that further more unnecessary tax burdens on locals. Franz is an overblown RINO, Vanderwall sounds a lot better. Cater is my choice for Repr., as her grandfather also won that seat in the 60's. The rest I don't know or much care about.

Latest election returns seem to show that all millage proposals will pass, and that the Ludington proposal will pass.  

It looks like Whitmer and Schuette are squaring off for governor (networks have already called this as both hover at 50%) and that John James will go against Debbie Stabenow.  Both Trump picks move on, but will they prove themselves in November?

In the Fourth Ward, Cheri Stibitz-Rozelle looks to have won with 118 votes, Kandi Fugere survives with 53 votes, and Jeff Casperson finishes a close third with 45 votes and will not find himself on the November ballot.  

Bacon looks to have won Posma's County Commission spot.  O'Malley wins Mason County handily, as has Wiejaczka and VanderWall.

Good reporting X, I also just checked the LDN ballot reporting and am quite shocked that the millage and charter proposals all passed, sickening. There sure must be a lot of rich aholes out here that want more taxation, and it's already overbearing now, stupid. And to see the 4th ward go to Cheri, doesn't impress me either, stupidity is reigning the primaries nowadays, sad, and disgusting. So, does Cheri and Kandi run off in Nov.? Is that the deal there? Thanks.

They will have a fresh slate in November in the Fourth Ward.  For those who see that Cheri had more than two votes for every vote Kandi had, consider what happened back in 2013 when Wally Taranko handily won a four way primary with Ryan Cox finishing a distant second.  Without any big gaffe by Taranko, nor any major push by Cox, Cox came back and won in November by a significant margin.

Does anyone remember the last time a millage vote was defeated in Mason County or Ludington?

All millages pass.

Voters taxing their way to

Venezuela.  

Passed  ??????  How can that happen? everyone I talked to said they were going to vote NO!  Sick of paying high taxes.  Maybe the voters didn't vote the back side of the ballot . 

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