Ypsilanti Township's incumbent trustees all win another term
Ypsilanti Township’s incumbent trustees all held their seats.
Residents chose from eight candidates for four seats. The challengers included three from Y-Town Future’s slate of 10 candidates, which sought to unseat all elected incumbents, and Trudy Swanson-Winston, a former City of Ypsilanti council member.
Trustee Jean Hall-Currie, who was elected to a sixth term, won all but one of the township’s 20 precincts and received 19.5 percent of the vote. Trustee Stan Eldridge received 2,583 votes, or 16.3 percent; Trustee Mike Martin received 2,457 votes, or 15.5 percent; and Trustee Scott Martin received 2,290 votes, or 14.4 percent.
Maria-Sheler Edwards was the closest challenger. She received 1,558 votes, or 9.8 percent.
The township's incumbent full-time administrators also easily won re-election.
Sheler-Edwards was one of three Y-Town Future candidates along with Carlton Fields and Sylvia Spurlock.
Both campaigns largely focused on the township’s efforts to stabilize its neighborhoods, reduce blight and attract business.
Y-Town Future candidates contended that the township leadership could have done more to prevent the widespread blight issues it is tackling today and could have attracted more business over the last four years.
Trustee Mike Martin, who is no relation to Trustee Scott Martin, said he was “grateful” for the voters' support.
“It is gratifying to see (residents’) satisfaction with the hard work the board has done during our current term in office,” Mike Martin said. “I am especially proud of the residents for rebuking the divisive politics and campaign of misinformation that was perpetrated by our opposition, which was expressed by their overwhelming support for the current township team."
Incumbents have pointed to what they say is a comprehensive and effective blight reduction progam that has been successful in addressing a complex issue. They have said they helped attract numerous new businesses for which they partially credited the blight reduction efforts.
They also highlighted that the budget has remained balanced despite a significant loss of revenue after the GM’s Powertrain plant closed in 2009.
Hall-Currie is the most experienced trustee with over 20 years on the board. Mike Martin completed his first four-year term and Eldridge will serve his third term. Scott Martin was appointed to the board to fill a vacancy in April 2011.
With the exception of Swanson-Winston, none of the challengers had any significant prior political experience and were taking their first run at office. But they said that was an asset and residents needed fresh faces and ideas on the board. Throughout their campaign, Y-Town Future candidates argued that they were more representative of Ypsilanti Township’s diverse population.
Eldridge said he felt the results indicated voters saw the incumbent trustees’ experience as an asset.
“Not only am I humbled by the tremendous amount of support from the residents, but I’m also pleased with their affirmation that the township is moving in the right direction with its current leadership,” he said.
Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Ypsi Girl
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 12:31 p.m.
William Odom was not on YTownFutures slates but was endorsed by them at the polls, where they gave out his literature.
Monica R-W
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 12:34 a.m.
Rather than step into the discussion going on below between I Heart Ypsi and Ypsi Girl, I'll for say this. Its' important to let voters know why they should give one the pleasure of having their vote. This is critical, and was performed by having a robust background of the tasks involved in the position, one is striving to obtain. I was at Rawsonville School (precincts 11 & 12) for most of the day after Noon, took a break and was back before poll closing time. In my strong opinion, while canvassing for potential votes, my duty was to inform residents what was the role of Park Commissioners in Ypsilanti Township. With such, I'm sure Mr. Odom can speak for himself (as it would be highly inappropriate for me to add thoughts on his behalf) to the comments raised here, if he so wishes.
IheartYpsi
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 11:54 p.m.
William Odom was an independent candidate not affiliated with YTown Future. Monica Ross-Williams ran with the YTown Future slate and, according to Ypsi Girl's account, represented it well.
Ypsi Girl
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.
Well let me tell you how they used race. I spent 13 hours in the sun with ytown future candidates/volunteers/ and William Odom (Wannbe Park Commissioner who didn't know where Gault Village was at---or how many parks we had in Ypsi) who made it clear that they ran on the foundation of race. They made mention several times that Resident Firsts' team only had "pretend black people" or "not black enough black people" or Jean Curry Hall who's "Older then dust black person". All day they would urge voters to vote for them cause of nothing more then race. Park Commissioner Ross was the only candidate out there that was able to justify her position on a strong foundation that nothing to do with the black/white thing that was so important to their team. I have never dealt with a more ignorant group of individuals. As a bi-racial person, I was told that even I wasn't "a real minority". Ytown Future ran a race campaign, worked a race campaign, and lost a race campaign.
IheartYpsi
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 5:03 p.m.
What facts are you referring to, YT My T? Also, how is having an equal number of caucasian and African-American candidates together on the YTown Future slate using race divisively? I fail to see your point.
Y.T. My T.
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.
IheartYpsi, people are entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. The campaign information that was used by YTown Future was not always factual and in some cases intentionally misleading and inaccurate. They also resulted to using race as a divisive means of trying to gain momentum.
IheartYpsi
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 2:08 p.m.
It's too bad that Mike Martin had to take a swipe at his opposition - even after winning his seat. Opposing viewpoints and debate over issues are healthy, and serve to keep the administration accountable.
Dusky
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
Kudos to Brenda and Company....you all did good!! and we love you. Your secret to success lies in your keeping in contact with the people of the township and their needs....please don't ever change!