Augusta Township Democrats will choose one of three candidates vying for former Trustee John McGehee’s seat in the Aug. 3 primary. McGehee resigned in April 2009, and Trustee Kathy Jackson was appointed by the board to fill his position.

Because McGehee served less than half his term, an election is required for voters to choose who will serve the remainder of it.

Residents Judy Thornton and Susan Burek are challenging Jackson. The winner will face Republican Brian Shelby, who is running unopposed in his party's primary, in the general election.

Whoever wins will be part of a divided township board. Trustees Mike King, Dan Lula, Supervisor Pete Hafler and Jackson frequently vote as one bloc, while McGehee, Treasurer Angela Sherbine, Trustee Bill Tobler and Clerk Kathy Giszczak often vote as another.

Some residents complained about Jackson's appointment because she had been defeated by Hafler in the November 2008 race for supervisor, and the board did not advertise the open position after McGehee resigned. Also, the board passed her appointment 3-2 while Sherbine was on maternity leave.

Jackson could not be reached for comment for this article, but both Burek and Thornton say it's time to end partisan rancor on the board.

Burek said she has heard during her campaigning that people are tired of the divisiveness.

“We need the board to function together, and I think people in the community feel the same way,” she said. “They feel so defeated because it has been like this year after year and it won’t change. That’s just not right. It’s sad that people feel that way.”

Thornton agreed. She said a regular 4-3 vote is not doing good for either voting bloc.

“Somebody needs to step up and make the difference,” she said. “We need to work together, we need to figure out what’s best for our residents.”

Burek, 55, who is employed as a contractor at Ford, said her job requires she get many different types of people “talking on the same page." She believes those skills would be an asset to the board.

While acknowledging that differences in opinion will always remain, Burek said the board still needs to move forward as a single unit, and residents need to vote out those who refuse to participate or compromise.

“I don’t care how smart we are, if we can’t work together, we are doomed,” she said. “(This board) has gone nowhere and they’re not able to do anything.”

Thornton, 62, is retired from Ford. She pointed to her experience serving on the election board since 1996 and regularly attending township board meetings.

“Attendance at our board meetings is very important," she said. "It keeps you up on what is going on. It gives you a chance to see what the board is doing."

Thornton commended Hafler for his work and said the board needs to focus on fiscal responsibility. She said the township cannot be spending more than it takes in.

Burek raises chickens in her back yard where she also has a large herb garden. She's part of the Washtenaw County Master Gardener program and founded an herb garden group at the Matthei Botanical Garden.

Burek said she built her home in Augusta Township in 1999 because she loved the rural character of the community. She said she believes most people living in Augusta Township want to see that character maintained.

“I understand development is important for our taxes, but it needs to be done in a smart way because that rural character is what people are here for,” she said. “We need to pay attention to our master plan because there’s a good one in place.”

Thornton, who built a home in Augusta Township in 1996, emphasized her belief in property rights. For example, she cited a farmer who is retiring and has kids not interested in farming. She said that farmer should be able to sell the land to whomever he choses - developers included.

But Thornton said the township needs to reconsider what its development looks like. She said the current size limitations on lots don’t allow people to build the types of homes with the space they desire.

“Give them some elbow room, that’s what people want is the room,” she said, adding that developers should be required to pay for all the infrastructure costs associated with development.

Thornton also wants to see a new fire department built to replace the facility the township has utilized since 1953, and is supporting the upcoming millage that would keep fire funding at its current levels.

“We’ve got to get behind the Fire Department, she said, especially with the millage coming up,”.

Burek said she wants to see the township continue providing services and is telling residents her campaign isn’t just about her being trustee.

“I think our township deserves better, the community deserves better and I deserve better, so now I’ve decided I should put my money where my mouth is,” she said.