07-30-2020 Election preview for August 4 primary election

Election preview for August 4 primary election

By Annette Christie

On August 4, 2020, voters are able to participate in the primary election. Although Michigan’s Secretary of State offered the option of absentee voting for all registered voters due to COVID-19, polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Berrien County townships

Coloma Charter Township

Coloma Charter Township Supervisor Ken Parrigin will face Republican challenger Phil Hickmon. Democrat Jeffrey Weber will be on the ballot in the November general election.

Ken Parrigin, Coloma Charter Township Supervisor for 17 years, resides at 6610 Brunden Place, Coloma. He is the owner and operator of Quality Paving and has been for over 51 years. His township experience also includes the Township Road Committee, Planning Commission, and Review Board.

Some of the accomplishments that have occurred during his tenure are a sanitary sewer system upgrade, establishment of the SAW Grant for sewer and lift station upgrades, helped obtain a grant to upgrade the sewage treatment plant, helped establish a Brownfield Authority, and managed the purchase of the Washington School property to create a township park.

Parrigin has worked with Indiana and Michigan Electric to develop a kayak park in the township and established a Parks Committee to specifically work on parks options for township residents. He worked with the State of Michigan on the extension and upgrade of the municipal water system. He continually works to protect township citizens’ rights, property, safety, and values.

Phil Hickmon resides at 6801 Rosemary Dr., Coloma. He grew up in Coloma and married his high school sweetheart, Nicole Cottier Hickmon. His wife is a member of the Coloma Community Schools Board of Education. While they were raising their family in the area, a career change took them out west, before returning in 2015. They have three children and raised their nephew.

Hickmon is a graduate of Michigan State University and Western Michigan University. He holds a Masters in Public Administration, with an emphasis in finance. His professional experience is in public health, business development, executive level management and chief operating officer. He did serve on the Coloma City Commission in 2007.

Hickmon is running for the supervisor position to give back to his community. He cares about the people and loves Coloma and he wants it to be better than it is. He believes it is time for a change in Coloma Charter Township. Democrat Jeffrey Weber, of 5909 Johnson Road, Coloma will face the Republic selected in the November election.

As Clerk Sandy Kraemer is not seeking re-election, Matt Moser, Sheila Hickmott, and Debra Becht will be running for that position.

Debra Becht resides at 5610 Topanga Dr., Coloma with her husband Lance (who is running for trustee).

A graduate of Watervliet High School, she moved to Coloma in 1988 and into the township in 1992. She has experience in office administration and finance for 15 years and has worked for a financial advisor for 12 years. With an impending retirement from her work in a church office, she is looking to serve. Working in the community is not new to her as she has always been involved in things such as the Athletic Boosters and the Coloma Community Pageant Organization.

She and Lance have two grown children and two grandchildren.

Sheila Hickmott resides at 147 Sassafras St., Coloma. She bought her first home in Coloma Township over 20 years ago, raised her son in the community and worked locally. With her son now grown and with the support of her husband, family, and friends, she would like to give back to the community of Coloma that has given so much to her and her loved ones.

Hickmott is a 1992 graduate of Grace Christian High School. She worked at Phil’s Video for 9-1/2 years before starting a career in the banking industry, where she remained for 19 years. She has experience assisting families with their finances, maintained accounting records, built communication skills, and learned to listen effectively and solve problems. She hopes to use those traits for the betterment of the citizens of Coloma Charter Township.

Matthew Moser, 5329 Defield Rd, Coloma, is not a new face in the political arena in Coloma Township. Over the years he has served as a member of the Coloma Township Planning Commission, Coloma Township Trustee (twice), member of the Coloma School Board, and Supervisor for Coloma Township.

He is a graduate of Coloma High School and has attended Michigan State University. He and his wife have six children together and 16 grandchildren.

Moser feels that his years of governmental experience provide the qualifications needed to be able to step right into the position of Clerk. In addition, he is president and general manager of Moser Fruit Tree Sales, Grandpa’s Orchard LLC and Grafting Systems, a division of Moser Fruit Tree Sales, Inc. “I have strived to use my personal, business and governmental experiences and positions as a basis for providing my community and industry with diplomatic, professional and effective leadership and service,” Moser said.

Running for trustees are Bryan Duffield, Jerry Willmeng, Kendyl Adams, and Lance Becht. There are four trustee positions to fill.

Incumbents, Duffield resides at 7039 Little Paw Paw Lake Rd., Coloma, and

Willmeng resides at 7068 Paw Paw Ave., Coloma.

Becht was the former treasurer for 18 years before deciding not to run again four years prior. He is retired from Lane Automotive and has re-activated his CPA license and does contract work in that field.

He looks forward to being involved in parks, especially Washington Park, and in expanding on the kayaking/canoeing opportunities in the township.

Kendyl Adams currently serves the township on the Cemetery Board in the office of secretary/treasurer. She is a lifelong resident and graduated from Coloma High School in 2012. She attended Southwest Michigan College as well as Cincinnati College, obtaining degrees in business and applied science. She is employed as a funeral director at Duffield & Pastrick Funeral Home.

She and her husband have a two-year- old daughter and reside at 7210 Little Paw Paw Lake Rd., Coloma. She looks forward to providing a fresh mindset to the board and believes the position will provide experience that will assist her with her future plans while she is serving her community.

Treasurer Jim Fulton faces no opposition. His address is 6005 Paw Paw Lake Rd., Coloma.

Watervliet Charter Township

Watervliet Charter Township Supervisor Dan Hutchins, Clerk Patt Bambrick and Treasurer Tom Scheid are all seeking re-election. Rich Quinn is challenging for the supervisor seat. For the four trustee seats, voters will see incumbents Joe Stepich, Bob Wallace, and Glenn Giannetti on the ballot with the addition of Karl Bayer. Joe Matthews is not seeking re-election.

Hutchins, 5084 North Watervliet Road, Watervliet, was first elected as Supervisor in the fall of 2003. Prior to that, he had been a trustee for four years. He and his wife Carol have three children and six grandchildren.

Hutchins, who wishes to continue serving the residents of Watervliet Township, believes that there are three upcoming topics that he thinks are at the forefront. Recreational marijuana businesses in the township will continue to have a lot of discussion and believes that most people are surprised at the support. He would like to see several public hearings on the subject to make sure the residents are heard. He also believes that the South Watervliet Drain, a shared drain that will cost taxpayers a lot of money, but is necessary, will be a topic of interest in the very near future. Hutchins also sees the conditions of Paw Paw Lake and preservation of that as a matter of priority as well.

Rich Quinn, 4702 M-140, Watervliet, has previously served as a township trustee for Watervliet in 1990. He has served on the Township Cemetery Board, Planning and Zoning Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Watervliet Independence Day Celebration Committee.

He and his family have lived in Watervliet Township for over 40 years. He and his wife Pam have three grown children, four grandchildren, one step-grandchild, and three four-legged grand doggies. Quinn served as a firefighter and an EMT until his retirement.

Quinn hopes to earn the vote of the residents, earn their respect and take the communities voice as a guide for the decisions that are made for Watervliet Charter Township and its future. He has three main goals for the position and the township as a whole, to be transparent to the community, to engage the community to become more involved, and to be fiscally responsible through transparency.

Patricia Bambrick, 8223 Pokagon Rd., Watervliet is running unopposed for clerk.

Tom Scheid, 7608 Forest Beach Rd., Watervliet is running unopposed for treasurer.

New to the trustee candidates is Karl B. Bayer, who resides at 9384 Red Arrow Hwy., Watervliet with his wife Anne. They have lived in the Watervliet area since 1984 and are the owners of the Tri-City Record newspaper.

They are the proud parents of three children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Bayer has served as the mayor of the City of Watervliet, on the Charter Committee, the City Planning Commission and Downtown Development Authority, as well as being on the airport and hospital boards in the past.

He is running for this office, as he has always been interested in the success of the Watervliet area and wants to do his part. As a Watervliet Charter Township Trustee, areas of interest include infrastructure and the beautification and growth of the township’s parks areas.

Joe Stepich, 5780 N. Watervliet Rd., Watervliet, has been a trustee for 12 years. He looks forward to continuing to provide good services for the

township residents and believes that is crucial. Stepich would like to see progress in obtaining the goals in the new master plan. He hopes to see the parks and recreation development continue to grow for the residents and would like to establish more partnerships with surrounding communities to provide as many services as possible in the most cost effective way.

Bob Wallace, 8454 Lake Ave., Watervliet, is pleased to have served in the position of trustee for eight years and looks forward to continuing in this role.

Glen Giannetti, 8402 Lake Ave., Watervliet ran in 2016 but nearly missed enough votes for selection as a trustee. Upon the resignation of Matt Clay, township officials appointed him to finish Clay’s term.

Bainbridge Township

Bainbridge Township, Treasurer Nancy Weber, Clerk Patty Hiler-Molter, and trustees Don Baiers and John Yetzke, are seeking re-election. Rodney Winkel is seeking the seat of supervisor as current Supervisor Bill Hodge is not seeking re-election.

Winkel resides at 7901 Territorial Rd., Watervliet. He has resided in Berrien County ever since college. He attended MSU and graduated with a degree in horticulture. He farmed with his uncle on the family farm on North Branch Road for 49 years before retiring four years ago.

He and his wife have three grown daughters. Now that he is retired, he is looking for a way to give back to his community by serving, thus running for the office of supervisor.

Hiler-Molter resides at 6808 Territorial Rd., Benton Harbor, is seeking re-election as Clerk.

Nancy Weber, treasurer, resides at 6439 North Branch Rd., Benton Harbor.

Donald Baiers and John Yetzke, round out the board.

Hagar Township

Hagar Township Supervisor Izzy DiMaggio, Clerk Sarah Rodriguez, and Trustee Andy Ulleg have all filed to be re-elected. Deb Frank and Peter Colovos are also seeking a trustee seat. No one is on the ballot for the treasurer position.

Izzy DiMaggio resides at 6420 M-63 N., Coloma and faces no opposition in the primary or the general election.

Sarah Rodriguez, 2787 Coloma Rd., Benton Harbor, faces no opposition in the primary or general election for the treasurer position.

Peter S. Colovos, of 3190 Eaman Rd., Benton Harbor; Deb Frank, of 3264 Chestnut Ave., Coloma; and incumbent Andrew Ulleg, of 4210 Taube, Coloma, are all seeking two trustee positions.

Van Buren County townships

Keeler Township

Quite a few new faces will be on the Keeler Township Board following the November election as Clerk Carl Davis is the only one seeking re-election. Don Blackmon is seeking the supervisor seat, Sharon Kay Rudel-Clupper is seeking the treasurer seat, and Jerry E. Morin and Kenneth C. Rahn are both seeking the two trustee seats on the board.

Blackmond, of 94888 62nd St., Dowagiac, grew up in the South Bend area. He is a 1991 graduate of Michigan State University and went on to graduate from the Valparaiso School of Law in 1994. He has resided in Michigan for the last 26 years, 18 of that in Sister Lakes.

Blackmond is the current Deputy Township Supervisor and is a lawyer by trade. He and his wife have two grown children. He hopes to see Keeler Township continue to be successful and while it is difficult to get people to be involved at the local level, he feels that it is a civic duty.

Sharon Kay Rudel-Clupper, 65681 80th Ave., Hartford, is seeking the treasurer position. She is the current Chairperson of the Election Committee for Keeler Township.

She was born and raised in Hartford and attended Southwest Michigan College. Her careers include experience in administration, bookkeeping, accounting, and now in being a farmer with husband Bill.

An active participant in township meetings, she has always had an interest in township government and hopes to continue to do the good job that has been done by other township officials.

Seeking one of the two trustee seats is Jerry Morin, who resides at 68554 Hillside Dr., Dowagiac. Morin is a co-owner of Sister Lakes Brewery, which is in partnership with his three sons.

While he grew up in Illinois, his grandfather was raised in the Riverside area. Through the childhood experiences of his mother being here in the summers growing up followed by him being here, he and his wife decided to move here permanently six years ago.

He and his sons decided to open the brewery to expand the options of things for people to do in the area. He and his wife also have a daughter and four grandchildren.

While he currently works in the computer industry, where he has been for 40 years, he does plan to retire someday. A frequent visitor to township meetings, Morin believes that people need to get more involved and jump in and do something and describes himself as the kind of person who will roll up their sleeves and do something.

The other trustee candidate for Keeler Township is Kenneth Rahn of 67217 Victory Shore Dr., Dowagiac. He has lived in the area for 22 years, following a 30-year career as a police officer in Lansing, Illinois.

They discovered the Keeler Township area by visiting friends from Illinois that had moved here, and once he retired, he and his wife decided to re-locate here permanently. The two have four children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Rahn has served on the Zoning Board of Appeals for three years. He has long had an interest in township government and decided to run when he found out the two previous trustees were not running for office again. His goal as a township official is to keep things running as smooth as they have been running and to keep the non-full-time residents coming back, as the businesses in the area depend on it.

Carl F. Davis, of 64418 Territorial Rd., W., Hartford, is seeking another term as Clerk.

Hartford Township

Hartford Township Supervisor Ron Sefcik will be seeking another term as Supervisor. In similar fashion, Clerk Julie Sweet and Treasurer Steve Starner will also seek re-election. For the two trustee seats, voters will have a choice of three, John McLellan, Mike Phillips, and Chris Cowgill.

Mike Phillips, 71350 60th St., Hartford, was appointed as a trustee in April 2020 and is running for his first elected term. He and his wife Shannon have been married for 31 years and have two grown children that continue to reside in the Hartford area.

Phillips grew up in Hartford and graduated from Hartford High School. He graduated with an Associate in Science along with Airframe and Powerplant Certification from Southwestern Michigan College. He has been working on corporate aircraft for 32 years and is currently an aircraft inspector. He grew up on the family farm “Phillips Sunshine Farms”, and still owns and operates the family farm.

He has previously served as a Trustee and a Deacon at church. He is running for the Hartford Township Trustee position with an aim at keeping Hartford Township a safe and great place to live and raise a family.

Christopher Cowgill resides at 48350 59-1/2 St., Hartford. He is married and has four children. He has served in a previous position on the Hartford Community School Board.

Cowgill is originally from Coloma, but has lived in Hartford now for 18 years. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He has worked at Wightman & Associates for 19 years.

He seeks to serve the community not because he is trying to oust anyone, but rather, just to serve. He would like to see the township work with other entities to save money, maybe increase some grant matches, and ultimately to provide more for the citizens.

He has served on a church board and on the Paw Paw Lake AYSO Board.

Incumbent John F. McLellan resides at 62785 Red Arrow Hwy., Hartford. He has served three terms as a Hartford Township trustee.

A graduate of Western Michigan University, he and his wife ended up in Hartford after selecting someplace within a 30-mile radius of Western in Kalamazoo. He has taught, worked in the graphic arts field and worked for Lake Automotive for 25 years before retiring in 2014. He and his wife have three grown children and three grandchildren.

When he originally ran for office, McLellan said that there were some things going on and instead of being an armchair politician he and others ran for office, ending up with an almost new board. “We are a good board and we have gotten some things done,” McLellan said, adding, “I like to see good things happening in Hartford.”

Van Buren County

Van Buren County officials are facing no opposition – Prosecutor Susan Zuiderveen, P.O. Box 204, Paw Paw; Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott, 30600 60th St., Bangor; Clerk Suzie Roehm, 517 Greenbriar Terrace, Decatur; Treasurer Trisha Nesbitt, P.O. Box 400, Lawton; Register of Deeds Paul W. DeYoung, 35491 CR 665, Paw Paw; Drain Commissioner Joe Parman, 410 Water St., Paw Paw; Surveyor Donald Gilchrist, P.O. Box 121, Paw Paw; County Commissioner Mike Chappell, 65234 Red Arrow Hwy., Hartford, MI.

Berrien County

Berrien County will see some familiar faces returning at the end of 2020, facing no opposition in the August primary.

Sheriff Paul Bailey, Drain Commissioner Christopher Quattrin, and Surveyor John Kamer are among those that face no opposition.

As Prosecutor Mike Sepic has chosen not to run again, Steven Pierangeli, the current Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney since 2018, will be seeking that position and faces no opposition.

Pierangeli has served in the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office for over 15 years. He has served in the adult criminal division, the juvenile division and neglect and abuse division. He has written appellate briefs for the Prosecutor’s Office and argued in front of the Michigan Supreme Court.

He has successfully handled all types of cases from traffic tickets to homicides, often working on highly publicized and complex cases. He recently prosecuted a high-profile homicide of a United States Army Sergeant while home on holiday leave in Berrien County. Pierangeli also prosecuted multiple defendants in a complex sexual assault case involving social media and “sextortion”. It was the first time a case of that nature was prosecuted and taken to trial in Berrien County.

Pierangeli was awarded the Mothers Against Drunk Driving David M. Schrieber Lifesaver Award by the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan for his efforts in the courtroom to keep the community safe. Growing up in a large family in Southfield, he fostered a love of service that still motivates his work today.

Outside of his courtroom duties, Pierangeli is responsible for training assistant prosecutors in the office, managing office staff, strategic office planning and acting as a liaison between the Prosecutor’s Office and the Berrien County judiciary. He instructs across the state on criminal law and trial techniques for the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan. In addition, he teaches constitutional law, criminal law, and courtroom testimony for the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department as well as courtroom testimony for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Clerk Sharon Tyler, Republican, faces no opposition in the August primary but will face Gwen Swanigan, Democrat in November.

Both the Register of Deeds and treasurer positions will face opposition in the primary.

Lora Gnodtke Freehling, current Register of Deeds, was appointed to fill the remainder of the term when Lori Jarvis tragically passed away during

her term. Gnodtke Freehling is a lifelong resident of Berrien County growing up on the family farm in Sawyer. Her parents, Carl and Mary Jane, instilled on Lora and her siblings the meaning of faith, hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Lora is the youngest of five children. In 1985, she graduated from River Valley High School and continued her education at Oakland University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration in 1989.

Her professional experience has been gained in the public sector and in county government. She began working for the Berrien County Treasurer office in 2011. She also worked as a judicial assistant prior to being appointed as the Register of Deeds in 2018.

She and her husband reside in Lincoln Township and have two children.

Since serving as Register of Deeds, she has made it a point to continue the expected positive customer service, increase efficiencies of searching land records and is actively reaching out to and educating the community. She is committed to continuing to provide an efficient and timely recording of documents, increased efficiencies in land record searches, and sharing the importance of the office and the conveyance of property. She will face Brandon Vance of Buchanan.

Vance, 16384 Rynearson Rd., Buchanan, says that he has been preparing for the role of Register of Deeds in many ways. He describes his

background as being very unique and tailored to fit perfectly with the Register of Deeds office. He has nearly 10 years of experience in the real estate industry. “I understand the importance of the Register of Deeds office and the impact it has on the real estate community,” Vance said.

He is a right-of-way agent with Michiana Land Service where he has been since January 2018. The position gives him the ability to handle complicated negotiations with landowners for the acquisition of rights relative to the construction, reconstruction, enlargement or maintenance of property. He has worked as an escrow manager for a title company and has worked in the mortgage banking field at Notre Dame Federal Credit Union. He has also served his country in the Michigan Army National Guard.

Vance holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts from Central Michigan University.

Goals he has in mind if he is elected are to continue and expand the internship program, implement a fraud prevention program, create an emergency disaster plan, and to work with the road department and other departments to ensure that the road right of way and other utility easement information is more accessible and transparent.

Shelly Weich the current Treasurer was appointed to fill the term when former Treasurer Bret Witkowski retired in April of 2020. Weich resides on Ruggles Road in Baroda. She faces Troy Rolling of 1149 Maynard Dr. in Benton Harbor.

Weich, a lifelong resident of Berrien County, served the county as Chief Deputy Treasurer for 10 years. During this time, she has acquired the knowledge and experience to know what it takes to fulfill her role as Treasurer. Her strong relationships with other county departments such as Finance, Land Description Register of Deeds, County Clerk and the Court system will serve to enhance her effectiveness.

One of Weich’s major accomplishments within the department was the development of a program that detected and pursued property owners who filed invalid homestead exemptions. Through this program, millions of tax dollars have been collected and distributed to local schools throughout the county. While aggressively pursuing property taxes rightfully due to the county, she also has demonstrated compassion in working with citizens who are trying to honor their tax obligations but have been impacted by unexpected financial events.

Her efforts to access available programs or develop creative solutions to the payment of past due taxes have allowed many property owners to stay in their home or maintain their business as they work to resolve their problem.

Weich has an associate’s degree in Accounting/Administrative Services from Davenport University of Kalamazoo. She and her husband have two grown children who also reside in Berrien County.

Troy Rolling of Benton Charter Township is seeking the treasurer position. Rolling says, “The economy is in real turmoil because of coronavirus,

and it has had a profound impact on families, businesses, and workers across Berrien County. This is an important time for bold and innovative leadership from our next County Treasurer, especially when it comes to helping households and entrepreneurs who face challenges with their property taxes. As County Treasurer, I will proactively work with families and business people to overcome those challenges and stem the tide of tax foreclosures,” Rolling said.

Rolling’s family has been in Berrien County since 1918. He has been active with the Citizens for the Success of Benton Harbor, Michigan’s Great Southwest Strategic Leadership Council, has served as a commissioner for the Benton Charter Township Planning Commission, and was the Statewide Vice Chairman for the Michigan Republican Party in 2010-2012.

In 2010, Rolling became a fellow of the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University where he has trained on public policy and the skills needed to govern effectively. He started a second business in 2014 called the Redtie Concierge servicing clients all over West Michigan and northern Indiana.

Commissioner Jon Hinkelman, of District 2 (Watervliet City, Watervliet Township south of I-94, Berrien Township, Pipestone Township, and Bainbridge Township) faces no opposition in the primary or the general election in November. Hinkelman resides at 2201 N. M-140, Watervliet.

Commissioner Dave Vollrath of District 1 (Coloma City, Coloma Charter Township, Hagar Township, and the portion of Watervliet Charter Township north of I-94) will have opposition in the November general election from Kevin Holmes of 6235 Hagar Shores Rd. W., Coloma. Vollrath resides at 4729 Wil-O-Paw Dr., Coloma.

State offices

As Pauline Wendzel seeks another term as the Representative for the 79th District, she will face primary competition from Jacquie Gnodtke Blackwell.

Wendzel is a lifelong Watervliet resident from a proud 4th generation Bainbridge Township farming family. She is an active alumnus at both Watervliet High School and Michigan State University. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Food Industry Marketing. At the time of her election, she was the product brand development manager at Coloma Frozen Foods.

She states that her largest accomplishment by far while in office has been the historical auto insurance reform package. She also led a 16-bill package to help Berrien County businesses grow and expand. Her bills will help local brewers by allowing them to distribute more of their product without signing a contract with a distributor. She has had the opportunity to work on other issues important to the area such as leading the state and nation with bipartisan criminal justice reform, protecting the Great Lakes, natural resources and the jobs that depend on the area’s sport fishing industry, defending the integrity of the election process, and opposing the dangerous and reckless policy of defunding local police departments.

Gnodtke Blackwell describes herself as having a strong family lineage in agriculture and public service. She is the daughter of former Republican State Representative Carl F. Gnodtke. She has served as an intern at the Capital building for the Republican House Press corp. She has served in an administrative capacity for other elected officials and also had experience in many campaigns.

She is a graduate of River Valley High School and from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Olivet College. She is currently employed at Spectrum Lakeland Health as a Behavior Health Tech.

She and her husband have two children.

Congress

Long serving representative in Congress, Fred Upton, will face fellow Republican Elena Oelke in the August primary.

Jon Hoadley and Jen Richardson will be seeking votes to be the Democratic candidate on the November ballot for the 6th District Congress Representative.