News

Shiawassee County primary election candidate announcements

By The Argus-Press

Friday, June 27, 2008 8:11 AM EDT

Here's a roundup of all the candidate announcements we've received for the 2008 primary election:

Braid seeks another 4 years as clerk

County Clerk Lauri L. Braid has announced she will seek another term as county clerk.

She was first elected in November 2000. This is a partisan position, which serves for a four-year term. Braid runs on the Republican ticket.

Braid also serves as clerk to the 35th Judicial Circuit Court, clerk to the Board of Commissioners, the Gun Board, the Plat Board, the Elections Commission, the Canvassing Board and numerous other committees.

The county clerk is the chief election officer who oversees all elections in the county.

Braid has received her accreditation as an election official by the Michigan Department of State Bureau of Elections. She also is the general recorder of not only circuit court records, but also county records such as births, deaths, marriages, business and professional registrations, all township and county ordinances, Board of Commissioners minutes and resolutions and all general records of the county.

Before being elected as county clerk, Braid worked for the Michigan House of Representatives for eight years in several capacities. She was the administrative assistant to the director of the programs and research division and also a legislative assistant to House Appropriations Chairman and vice chairman.

Prior to that, Braid was the office manager for Congressman Dave Camp, R-Midland, Owosso district office. She has also worked as a legal secretary and paralegal for Attorney James R. Smith of Durand for seven years.

Braid is a member of the Michigan Association of County Clerks and serves on their Legislative, Standardization & Review committees and the Council of Election Officials (CEO). She is also a member of the United County Officers Association, the Shiawassee County Clerk's Association, and the National and Michigan Associations of Parliamentarians.

Other organizations Braid belongs to are the Shiawassee County Republican Party, the Shiawassee County Historical Society, Farm Bureau, the Corunna FFA Alumni and the Shiawassee County Agricultural Society. Braid is also actively involved with her children's 4-H club.

Braid and her husband, Dennis, live on their family Centennial farm in Corunna. They have five children: Eric, who lives in Ferndale; Kristin, in Lansing; Lance, who attends Corunna High School; Logan, a Corunna Middle School student; and Connor, 1 1/2.

Braid had the following to say about her candidacy: “I can't believe it is that time again. So much has happened and been done in the last four years here in the clerk's office. Progress keeps moving us forward. Just last week we finished the installation of a new vital records system in the clerk's office. This new system will allow us to do the work we have been doing more efficiently and quicker, leaving us time to take on new projects, such as making election records, death and marriage indexes available online. We are planning to make marriage applications and DBAs available online also.

“We are taking photos for passport applications and CCW permits, making it convenient and easy for customers to apply all in one place. Customer service is a top priority. Any way we can make it faster and easier for people to come in and take care of their business is always our goal.

“Election consolidation has taken place and, with the help of the local municipal clerks, is working very well. There is wonderful cooperation between the county clerk's office and the township and city clerks in Shiawassee County. I believe this is why elections run so smoothly and results can be given to the public quickly.We continue to upgrade the election results on the Web page and make it easier for people to read the results.

“I hope the voters will return me to office for another term so I can continue moving the county clerk's office forward to the next level with our current technology. I am looking forward to continuing to provide the most efficient, user-friendly, quality service to the people of Shiawassee County.”

McKay running for District 4

VERNON TWP. - Republican Don McKay has announced his candidacy for county commissioner for District 4.

A native of Cedarville, McKay's family moved to the Durand area in 1948 and he has continued to reside there ever since. After graduating from Durand Area Schools, McKay went to work in the family-owned business, Victory Machine Company. He owned and operated the business for 34 years before retiring and selling it 2001.

“As a fiscal conservative and former business owner, I would like to see an end to bloated government at the local, state and federal levels,” McKay said. “I believe that government should live within its means, much like businesses and taxpayers do on a dally basis. I would also like to see an end to the political partisan bickering that has plagued the board and county government for the last year. If elected, one of my first priorities would be an end to full-time health benefits for a part-time board of commissioners, and to put and end to the micromanaging of county departments and agencies.

McKay is married to Teresa and has three children and 10 grandchildren.

Stewart announces bid for commissioner

CORUNNA - Democratic incumbent Dan Stewart has formally announced his candidacy for Shiawassee County Commissioner in the First District.

Stewart's district includes Rush, Fairfield, Middlebury and Owosso townships, as well as part of the city of Owosso.

Stewart won the seat in 2006 against incumbent James Capitan. Since that time, Stewart has been appointed to 15 county boards. He holds multiple chair and vice chair positions and is the also the chaplain.

Stewart's Web site is http://web.mac.com/danthemanstewart.

During his time as a commissioner, Stewart has spearheaded new legislation to to waive food inspection fees for non-profit groups; has been involved in the Habitat for Humanity HUD $1 home program; and has instituted new funding mechanisms and legislation to improve 911 services and reduce landline phone taxes.

Stewart said his primary goals for 2008-10 year include improving safety and positive resources for children of the community, continuing to spur the economy and add new jobs, providing health care for Shiawassee residents, improving mental health for residents, improving technology and communication throughout the county and enhancing community relationships across party lines.

Gutting again running for road commission

ANTRIM TWP. - Jerry Gutting has announced his candidacy for a seat on the Shiawassee County Road Commissioner. Gutting is running on the Republican ticket.

Gutting, 56, is a graduate of Morrice High School and a life-long resident of Shiawassee County who lives in Antrim Township. He has been married to Deborah (Godfrey) for 37 years and together they have raised four daughters and one son.

A former dairy/crop farmer and present co-owner/operator of Gutting and Son Excavating, Gutting has a combined 20 years of public service on various government boards. “This experience,” he explained, “has allowed me the opportunity to work with varying personalities and opinions.”

Volunteering his time and labor, Gutting spent six years working side by side with the supervisor of Antrim Township “... to provide the best road programs with funds available. Such projects included securing a budget to procure funds to construct a new township hall with no added millage to residents. Proudly, the hall is currently in operation and available to the community for use.”

He has also represented the township as a member of the local fire board for six years and a board member of a former emergency services company for eight years, serving as president for five years.

“With tax revenues declining yearly, it is my primary goal to work together as a board to provide the best road maintenance program for Shiawassee County residents,” Gutting related. “Providing the best roads in the state of Michigan is a goal that should be the primary achievement of our road commission.

“This is my third run for a seat (on the) Shiawassee County Road Commission, which I believe exemplifies my dedication to our county and its citizens. I believe there is always room for improvement in any organization and bringing fresh ideas and a new perspective is a good place to start.”

Appeals Court Judge Fitzgerald throws hat in ring

Judge E. Thomas Fitzgerald, 68, of Owosso, announced this week he is running for re-election to a fourth consecutive sixyear term on the Michigan Court of Appeals. He is unopposed in the non-partisan race.

He is one of 28 appeals court judges in the state. First elected in 1990, his district of 2.5 million people includes the counties of Shiawassee, Genesee, Oakland and Macomb. Fitzgerald is the first person from Shiawassee County ever to be elected to the appellate court.

The court of last resort, the court of appeals consists of three-judge panels hearing civil and criminal cases. Its decision is final except in those very few cases where the decision is accepted for review by the Supreme Court.

A native of Detroit, Fitzgerald graduated in 1958 from Assumption High School in Windsor, Ont. He then attended the University of Detroit on a baseball scholarship, graduating in 1963. He earned a juris doctor degree from the UofD Law School in 1966.

Fitzgerald worked as a general practice attorney in Detroit for two years before relocating to Durand in 1968, joining the law firm of Ellis Bowler & Associates. A year later, he established the law firm of Fitzgerald & Dumon in Owosso, concentrating primarily on the practice of criminal and domestic law, a firm in which he was active until first elected to the appeals court in 1990.

He previously taught as an adjunct professor at Cooley Law School and is a current member of the Youth in Government board of directors. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, Shiawassee County Bar Association and Genesee County Bar Association.

He and his wife, Kathy, a Michigan assistant attorney general, have three adult children: John and Jennifer who are both attorneys, and Mary Kate, who is a junior at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Another “member of the family,” Martha Sutton of Vernon, a judicial assistant, has been serving in Fitzgerald's office for 38 years and plans to retire Jan. 1, 2009.

Fuja running for sixth term as District 4 commissioner

DURAND - Jon Michael “Mike” Fuja has announced his candidacy for Shiawassee County Commissioner from District 4, comprised of all of Vernon Township and the southern portion of Venice Township. Included in the district are the city of Durand and the villages of Vernon and Lennon.

Fuja, a Republican, is completing his fifth term as a county commissioner, serving as chairman of the board throughout his third and fourth terms. He currently chairs the Economic and Physical Development Committee, is vice-chair of the Finance Committee and the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, and sits on the local Emergency Planning Committee and the County Solid Waste Committee.

Fuja was born and raised in Durand. He is a graduate of Durand High School and Mott Community College. He resides in Durand with his wife Vicki. Married for 42 years, they have two daughters and four grandchildren. Fuja continues to run the family business, Jon Michael's Jewelers, in downtown Durand.

“The job of county commissioner is both simple and complex at the same time,” Fuja stated. “My 10 years of experience makes me one of the more seasoned veterans of the board and I am honored to have been supported by the voters of my district for the past 10 years.

“I pledge to you that I will always be willing to make the tough decisions, and to always remember the importance of the health, safety and general well-being of all the residents that I represent.

“I appreciate the trust voters of my district have placed in me, and promise to be open and available to your questions and concerns.”

Miller seeking to keep seat on road commission

CORUNNA - Richard “Dick” Miller is running for re-election to the Shiawassee County Road Commission on the Republican ticket.

“(I) feel that with the declining revenue and tight budget, experience will be a big factor in keeping the road commission financially solvent and the budget balanced,” Miller related.

Miller serves on the Shiawassee County Parks & Recreation Commission. He is a past chairman of the seven-county Council for Road Commissions. He served on the statewide county roads committee for many years and is past chairman of the organization, which is part of CRAM - County Road Association of Michigan.

Additionally, Miller has been a trustee on the board of CRASIF - County Road Association Self Insurance Fund - for worker's compensation for the past nine years. Trustees are elected by statewide road commissions.

In 2003, Miller was presented the Merit Award from CRAM for his leadership role as a county road commissioner. He is currently serving as chairman of the Shiawassee County Road Commission board.

A life-long resident of Shiawassee County, Miller is a graduate of Corunna High School. He and his wife, Joanne, live in Corunna and have been married for 57 years. They have three children, 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Miller is a life member of Owosso Masonic Lodge 81, a member of Elf Khurafeh Shriners and the Shiawassee Dog & Gun Club.

“Since becoming a road commissioner in 1991, I'm very proud of all the accomplishments that have occurred during my tenure, the most important being the new facility in 1993 ... the final payment was made in April,” Miller offered.

“We have been able to update the equipment and keep it at an updated level,” he added. “This year we added a salt shed in Perry to allow a more efficient and economical operation in that part of the county. This was teamwork with the state of Michigan.

“I'm also very proud of the rapport the road commission has with the townships. Building relationships with the townships was must. We needed this input to keep harmony in the county. They have all done a great job and I really appreciate the friendship of all the townships.

“We are admired by other road commissions in the state for our success in accomplishments over the last several years.

“It has been my privilege to serve the people of Shiawassee County as a board member on the road commission. I feel that with the invaluable experience that I have acquired with the road commission for the last 18 years, as well as the compatibility of the present three-member board, I can continue to serve the people of this county with experience, pride and integrity,” Miller concluded.

Colbry runs for 4th term as prosecuting attorney

CORUNNA - Randy Colbry, 58, of Corunna, has filed to run for election to a fourth four-year term as Shiawassee County Prosecuting Attorney.

As prosecutor, Colbry is the chief county law enforcement official and supervises a staff of five assistant prosecutors, an investigator, an administrative assistant, three legal secretaries, an office manager and a victim rights coordinator.

Colbry is a native of Lansing and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Central Michigan University in 1971.

He began his law enforcement career in 1973 as a Michigan State Police trooper.

After leaving the state police, he attended Cooley Law School while working as a personnel management analyst for the Michigan Department of Civil Service. He graduated cum laude from Cooley in 1981 and worked at the Ogemaw County prosecutor's office until moving to Shiawassee County.

He was appointed as assistant prosecuting attorney in 1983 by then-prosecutor David McClernan. When Ward Clarkson was elected Shiawassee County Prosecutor, he asked Colbry to serve as his chief assistant prosecuting attorney. When Clarkson became a district court judge, Colbry was chosen from a field of applicants by 35th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Gerald Lostracco to serve the balance of Clarkson's term commencing Jan. 1, 1995. He has served since the appointment through successful elections in 1996, 2000 and 2004.

Colbry is president of the Shiawassee Valley Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police. He and his wife of 40 years, Caroline, have three grown children.

Announcing his candidacy, Colbry said, “My focus has never changed in my 30-plus years in law enforcement. Those who break the law should pay a price for their crime. I learned early in my career, my view of what that price should be differs from many others, both within and outside the criminal justice system. It is important that someone with my views be part of this system. I know that, through my efforts, justice in Shiawassee County is better served. I continue to believe I can make a difference.

“Indeed, through the course of my career, involving thousands of criminal prosecutions, I have earned the respect of the law enforcement community.”

Ford announces 85th District candidacy

OWOSSO - Owosso resident Judy Ford has announced her candidacy for Michigan's House of Representatives for the 85th District.

“After serious thought and consideration, I am announcing my candidacy for Michigan's House of Representatives,” said Ford, who is running on the Democratic ticket. “People across the 85th District have expressed the need for positive and serious change in Michigan's policies from protecting our natural resources, rebuilding our working families to taking care of our veterans. To insure change that improves and secures life for all residents of Michigan, it will require compassion, courage, clarity and creativity from representatives working together for the good of Michigan and all her people.”

Ford and her husband, Tom, are the parents of three children, Erin, Noah and Luke, who is still in high school. As a wife, mother, nurse of 30 years and a non-profit board member, as well as an active community volunteer, Ford said she will bring to the state legislature firsthand knowledge of the issues that are of concern to the 85th District's working families.

“I have been politically active all my life. I remember sitting on my father's shoulders, waving to President Eisenhower standing on the back of a train in Durand,” said Ford. “I remember waving to President Kennedy as he stood on the back of a train passing through Westown.”

Ford said her deep roots and familiarity with problems facing her neighbors and the community will enable her to be a representative of all the people.

“It is time for the Michigan Legislature to support programs and policies that will focus on tax credits for families saving for household emergencies or a down payment for homeownership,” she said. “Our families need policies that protect homebuyers from deceptive and abusive mortgage lending practices and allow for fair paydown of debt by prohibiting abusive credit card practices.

Michigan has supported working families and that is a history we must build on with policies that encourage economic opportunity and rewarding hard work.

When I have been asked the question, ‘Are our working families better off today than 4 years ago?' The answer is consistently ‘no.' To effectively answer this question, we have to look back as far as 20 years ago to see where the erosion begins. Much has been done to weaken workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. Much work has been done to dismantle our unions that built strong work environments, safe working conditions and consumer purchasing power that was essential to a strong economy and strong middle class,” she said.

Ford also said she will fight for Michigan's working families.

“The future of Michigan's middle class depends on jobs that produce incomes necessary to afford quality housing and sustains essential living expenses, the availability of affordable, comprehensive, quality health care, the educational opportunities necessary to obtain jobs to make us competitive in a global economy, economic security that allows for planning for a comfortable retirement and the ability to offer a start for our children's future and the protection of our beautiful state's water and natural resources,” she said.

Bruce Robb is a candidate for board of commissioners

Bruce Robb, 62, of Owosso, for a long time active in the Democratic Party, announces he is a candidate for the Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners, from District 2, which is in the city of Owosso.

He is running for the seat now held by Kim Van Pelt, who is not seeking reelection. Robb says he wants to “continue the tradition of Van Pelt's outstanding service.”

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Robb graduated from New Albany (Ind.) High School and then went on the earn bachelor's and master's degrees from Ball State University. He came to Owosso in 1970 and was a teacher, now retired, at Owosso High School. He also had his own construction company and was a licensed builder.

He is chairman of the Shiawassee County Parks and Recreation Board and was a member of the Shiawassee Board of Canvassers, but resigned to run for the office of commissioner. He is currently an officer in the Shiawassee County Democratic Party and served as vice chairman of the party in Michigan's 4th Congressional District.

As a member of the Michigan Education Association, he served as an association representative. He also was on the board of directors of Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity. He is a member of The Arc Shiawassee. An avid outdoorsman, he is a long-time member and currently a director of the Lansing Muzzle Loading Gun Club located near Laingsburg.

Robb and his wife, Laurel, have two grown sons, Randall who lives in Owosso, and Michael, an attorney in New York City.

In a statement of his candidacy, Robb said, “I want to run for the county commission for the same reason that I chose teaching as a career: I want to make a difference. I wanted to have a positive effect on the lives of the young people I came in contact with. I did. Now, I want to use those same abilities to have a positive effect on county government. As a teacher, I learned how to work with others to accomplish goals as part of a team. As a county commissioner, I will use that same skill to be a responsive and effective member of the Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners.

“I have the ability to understand complex issues, as frequently come before the board of commissioners. As a commissioner, I want to represent people. I have always been interested in working with people, their concerns and needs. When elected, I will listen to all the people of Shiawassee County. I want to help make Shiawassee County an ideal place to live.”

Cole makes formal announcement for county board

BURNS TWP. - Gerald Cole has announced his candidacy for Shiawassee County Commissioner, representing District 5, which includes Burns, Antrim and Shiawassee townships and the south portion of Caledonia Township. Cole is running for re-election on the Republican ticket.

Cole has been a life-long resident of Burns Township. Cole and his wife Helen have four children and 10 grandchildren. He owned and operated Cole Farms until 2000, when his two sons took over the farming operations.

Cole served as a county commissioner from 1982 through 1991. At that time, he chose not to run for re-election. Six years later, in 1998, Cole ran again and was elected.

During his tenure, Cole has served as Board of Commissioners chairman and vice chairman, and has served on all other commission boards. He is board-appointed to the Valley Area Agency on Aging, serving as treasurer, and was appointed to the Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee Planning Development Commission.

Cole is a member of Farm Bureau, Durand Union Station and Durand Congregational Church, where he serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees. Cole served on the Farm Credit Bank Board for 24 years.

Some of accomplishments of the Board of Commissioners include the purchase and remodeling of the Griffin Home for the Juvenile Detention Center and work release housing for inmates to help keep population down at the county jail. Also, the district court entrance was remodeled to provide security for the safety of the public and employees by installing metal detectors. The circuit courthouse is now undergoing a similar transformation to provide security. The ground floor is being renovated to provide more space for Friend of the Court and Register of Deeds offices.

“It's been a privilege and honor to serve on the Board of Commissioners,” Cole said. “If re-elected I will continue to serve to the best of my ability and make common sense decisions for the citizens of Shiawassee County.”

Holzhausen seeking four more years as drain commissioner

OWOSSO - Gary Holzhausen is seeking re-election for another four-year term as Shiawassee County Drain Commissioner.

Holzhausen, a Republican, was first elected to the position in November 2004.

Holzhausen previously worked in the drainage field profession in Shiawassee and neighboring counties for 40 years. Thirty-three of those years were spent as owner and operator of Holzhausen Excavating Company, a family-owned business that was started in 1946.

“With Holzhausen Excavating, I gained valuable knowledge and experience working directly with farmers, home owners, engineers and drain commissioners,” Holzhausen related. “Prior to being elected, our business was awarded many contracts with local, state and federal governments.

“The drain commissioner is responsible for administering the Michigan Drain Code,” Holzhausen continued. “In Shiawassee County, there are more than 500 drains (and) there are in excess of 60 inter-county drains. All are under the care of the drain commissioner. I am continually working with landowners and doing preventative maintenance on the drains to keep them flowing properly.”

Holzhausen, who lives in rural Owosso, is a life-long resident of Shiawassee County. He has been married to Nicki Holzhausen for more than 44 years. Together they have two children and three grandchildren.

Holzhausen is an active member of the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners and he attends many county and township meetings.

“During my time in office, I have balanced all of the drain commission accountants and implemented office policy to balance monthly with the treasurer's office,” Holzhausen stated. “Our office collected more than $45,000 from the railroads and highway which were billed but uncollected for the years 2000 through 2004. We organized the office finances and brought the office into compliance with the county auditors. I have hired friendly and knowledgeable staff to assist in department operations. Since my election in 2004, we have successfully operated the drain office under budget each year.

“I strive to put the interest of Shiawassee County residents first and foremost,” Holzhausen concluded. “It has been a privilege to serve the public and I would be honored to continue to serve as your drain commissioner.”

Newman announces drain commissioner candidacy

CORUNNA - Anthony Newman, of Corunna, is seeking election to the office of Shiawassee County Drain Commissioner.

He is a graduate of New Lothrop High School and has been a resident of Shiawassee County for more than 35 years.

He and his wife of 31 years, Debra (Cesal), have one daughter, Jamie, and a grandson, Jordan.

Newman farmed for 18 years and worked closely with the Soil Conservation Service to preserve the watercourses, drains and ditches through good soil management practices and implementation of soil erosion structures. He was honored as Outstanding Conservation Farmer in 1991.

He is a member of the Shiawassee County Democratic Party, as well as a member of the Michigan Democratic Party.

Employed for the last nine years with the Shiawassee County Road Commission on the bridge/culvert crew, he has continued working with the drains and watercourses throughout Shiawassee County. He is currently the vice president of Local 1071 AFSCME Mid- Michigan Road Workers Union and chapter chair of Local 1071 Shiawassee County Road Commission Chapter.

He has been a Hazelton Township trustee for four years.

“I think it is important for the Shiawassee County drain commissioner to work closely with other county officials, villages, townships, cities and government agencies (both state and federal). The integrity of the intra-county and inter-county drains must be maintained and function properly to benefit all residents of Shiawassee County.

“I would like to see an active maintenance program to keep recently constructed drains on a scheduled inspection, brush removal and cleanout.

“County drains are a public utility and should be treated as such. They must be maintained and preserved to allow for farms to be their most profitable, to keep our roads and bridges passable, and to allow for economic growth in communities.”

Cline announces run for District 2 seat

OWOSSO - Deborah Cline of Owosso has announced her candidacy for the Board of Commissioners for District 2, containing most of the city of Owosso.

Kim VanPelt, who currently holds that seat, is not running for re-election.

Cline said her goal is to restore trust in government, saying she is guided by the words of the framers of the Constitution: “For the people, by the people.”

“Many people have lost faith in their government, and believe government no longer represents them,” said Cline. “Government cannot solve all problems but works best when it represents the interests of the people and not a political party or special interest.”

Cline works for the Michigan Senate.

“The legislative experience I have gained over the last 13 years has been invaluable and has prepared me well to serve on the board,” she said. “In these tough economic times, it is important that we work together and with our state representatives so we can fully support critical services such as transportation, public safety, public health and libraries in our communities.”

Deborah is a 19-year resident of Owosso, where she attends River of Life Fellowship.

“This is a great time for me to become more involved by serving the community I love. The name Owosso means ‘bright spot,'” she said. “Owosso truly is a bright spot in the center of our great state, and I believe our future can be even brighter.”

Cline raised her children in Owosso. Her daughter Holly, a graduate of Owosso High School, is a special education teacher in the Grand Rapids area, where she resides with her husband and 7-month old daughter. Deborah's son, Brandon, graduated from Corunna High School and served in Iraq as a paratrooper with the 173rd Airborne. He is currently a student at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids.

Cline said residents can expect to see her at your door in the next few months.

“I want to get to know the people that make Shiawassee County a great place to live and raise a family,” she said. “It is time they feel they are being listened to - and that is what I intend to do.”

Michalec announces run for road commissioner

Caledonia Township resident John A. Michalec is seeking election to the office of Shiawassee County Road Commissioner.

A graduate of Owosso High School, he spent three years in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, N.C., and also attended Baker College of Owosso.

His wife Karen is also a graduate of Owosso High School and is a teacher with the Owosso Public Schools. They have two children: Devin, a freshman at Owosso High School; and Chelsea, a seventh-grader at Owosso Middle School. Michalec is a member of the Shiawassee County Democratic Party, as well as a member of the Michigan Democratic Party.

Michalec has more than 14 years experience in working at the Shiawassee County Road Commission in various positions, including laborer, highway (trunkline) maintenance worker, district truck driver and sign shop worker.

He is currently employed as a staff representative with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25. He feels his previous employment with the road commission and his current position gives him the experience and knowledge required to be a county road commissioner.

“I understand that with declining revenue it requires extra effort to ensure that our county road system continues to improve and be one of the best in the state,” Michalec said. “It is more important now than ever to keep improving our road system. I believe improving our roads and bridges will be the path to allow for economic growth in Shiawassee County.”

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