News
3 battle for 2 trustee spots in Shiawassee Twp.
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Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:18 AM EDT
SHIAWASSEE TWP. - Now that the primary election is past, the two remaining Republican and single Democrat candidate for the Shiawassee Township trustee positions are prepping for November.
They all have their eyes set on the two open trustee positions on the board.
Republicans Richard Godfrey and incumbent Tom Braid were able to move past the primary while newcomer Michael Kalat didn't make the cut, earning only 45 votes. Braid got 184 votes and Godfrey received 136.
Candidate John Michael Sedlock, the only Democrat running for the position, automatically advanced to the general election.
And even though Sedlock, 60, is currently the only candidate who isn't an incumbent, he still has experience in local government. He was the Bancroft village president for two years and served as a village council member for four years prior.
“I just figure the people (on the current board) have been there for nearly 30 years and I think it is time to get some newer blood in with some fresh ideas,” Sedlock said.
He also said he would like to encourage more involvement with the community.
“I don't think the township board is in touch with the people in the community. Nobody comes to the meetings,” Sedlock said. “It's always the same people at the meeting unless there is something to complain about.”
He also would like to advertise the village council meeting times more publicly to the community.
“People need to be informed about what's going on in the township, such as roads being done or bridges being fixed,” Sedlock said. “People don't hear about these things until they read about it in the paper after it's already happened...If it doesn't affect or happen to them they don't seem to care.”
Before he retired in January 2007, Sedlock worked as an electrician for General Motors. He also served on the Shiawassee Township Fire Department for 28 years and was the assistant chief when he retired.
Godfrey has served on the Shiawassee Township Board for about 26 years. He first served as board treasurer from 1982 to 1997. He was then elected to a trustee position, which he has held since.
Godfrey is retired, but he worked for First Federal of Owosso - now known as Charter One - for 24 years. He worked as branch manager in the Durand and Perry offices.
Godfrey said he decided to run again because he enjoys politics and enjoys working with people. He also believes his experience working at banks makes him a good trustee.
“The old banker is always careful in spending money. They always count their pennies,” Godfrey said.
He said there will be many challenges facing the township in the coming years and the board will have to watch its spending.
Braid has served as a trustee on the Shiawassee Township Board since 1987. He also has been a Shiawassee County Conservation District Board member for about 20 years.
Braid is a farmer and said his experience is useful for the board.
“I think there should be farmer representation on the board,” Braid said. “The township deals with a lot of road issues and sometimes I think some farmers know a little bit more about it than somebody who lives in town.”
Braid said the biggest issue the township will face in the coming years is maintaining and keeping everything the same, but with reduced funding.
Both Braid and Godfrey agreed another major decision will be whether to build a new office for the Shiawassee Township Hall, or renovate the current building with the township's limited funds.
- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpetersonarguspress@gmail.com.
