I've pasted the story here in case the link disappears.
City Council shakeup: Incumbents ousted by three newcomers
DAVISON — In an obvious two-sided election, the threemember team supported by Mayor Fred Fortner and Councilman Jim Hershberger will be sworn into the Davison City Council at the Nov. 9 meeting.
Roger Lutze, Matt Judd and David Martin have earned four-year terms and will join the seven-member council.
Roger Lutze
Incumbents Ron Emery and Keith Flewelling lost their longtime seats on the council, while candidate Ralph Arceo also lost the election.
“Congratulations to Mr. Lutze, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Judd,” said City Manager Dale Martin. “I look forward to working with these three men, the mayor and the others on the city council. On behalf of the city staff, I also wish to thank Mr. Emery and Mr. Flewelling for their years of service to the community.”
According to unofficial election results from the City of Davison, Lutze received 369 votes. Martin received 349 and Judd received 306 votes. Emery received 250, Flewelling received 243 and Arceo received 198.
David Martin
In total, 1,717 voters turned out to the polls.
The results of the election come after an obviously twosided race, with the six candidates dividing into two teams of three. Fortner and Hershberger have gained a majority on the council, following a history with the previous council of a 5-2 voting split.
“I’m very pleased, I’m very excited and really looking forward to serving the community,” said Lutze after hearing the election results Tuesday night. “The main thing is going to be listening to the people of the city and that we started before we started the campaign.”
Emery, who has been on the council 18 years, said he was disappointed in the election results.
“After 18 years on council obviously I’m disappointed in the election results,” said Emery. “However with the resentment against incumbents and the strong campaign waged by Mayor Fortner against us, the results were not unexpected.
Matt Judd
“I wish the new council members well and hopefully they continue making Davison a great place to live.”
Judd said he plans to work in the best interest of the people, and will figure out the issues in the city once he takes his seat on the council.
“I think it’s time for new people to be in there and we’ll give it the best chance we can, do the right thing for people,” said Judd. “(I’m) just going to get on there and find out exactly what we’re doing, you know … and go from there.”
Flewelling, who has spent 10 years on the council, said he hopes the city will continue to be a quality place to live.
“I am obviously disappointed with the results of Tuesday’s election. It is clear that those who voted want a change in city government and I congratulate the winners,” said Flewelling. “I hope that the city continues to be progressive and maintains the quality of living its residents have come to expect.
“The employees of the city do an excellent job in providing the services that make our city what it is. I know that they will continue to do so and I expect the government officials will respect that.”
The incumbents are surprised and blame the mayor. Helloooo! Maybe it's because voters are unhappy about:
1. Their decision to remove the canopies downtown
2. Their desire to spend our tax dollars on a new, unnecessary municipal center.
Nah, must be a conspiracy. After all, the mayor is the former owner of a downtown business and was opposed to the canopy removal.
I'm so glad these clueless dolts are out of office and wish the best of luck to newcomers Roger Lutze, Matt Judd and David Martin!
3 comments:
Just because the council changed, doesn't mean the facts will.
The canopy still isn't up to code. As soon as the city needs to get to tear up the sidewalk, the canopy will have to go.
The administration building was a 40-year structure when it was built. That was 43 years ago. It's falling apart. There have been several estimates made for work on the boiler system, that alone will cost >$600k. The roof is caving in, and needs to be replaced. There is no holding cell in the police station.
In two years, the council is going to find out that everything the old one has been saying is correct, yet I doubt even then they will admit it.
...the aforementioned "tearing up the sidewalk" will happen whenever the city gets around to the much-needed sewer upgrade that will need to happen below Main St.
Dear Anonymous,
Thanks for your comments, but we'll have to agree to disagree.
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