Today Is Michigan Primary Election Day!

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - Polls will be open from 7:00 AM through 8:00 PM today for Michigan's State Primary Election.

Three referendums are on the ballot for Ironwood voters:

Gogebic County Transit (County-Wide) - This proposition is asking the voters to renew the existing 1/3 mill for the operation of the Gogebic County Transit for four more years, 2009 through 2012. This is the same tax that property owners are currently paying. Total revenue represented equals $143,800.

Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency (County-Wide) - This proposal is to renew the 6/10 millage for their Senior Citizens program for four more years, 2008 through 2011. This is the same millage that property owners are currently paying. Total revenue represented equals roughly $273,197.

Pat O'Donnell Civic Center (City of Ironwood Only) - This proposal is to renew the 1 mill that taxpayers are currently paying to continue the operation of the Civic Center. Part of the money generated from this proposal if it passes is to retire the existing debt of the Center. This millage will be for four years, from 2009 through 2012.

Candidates for County Drain Commissioner, James Loeper; County Clerk/Register of Deeds, Gerry R. Pelissero; County Sheriff, Larry Sanders; County Treasurer, Sue Pertile; County Prosecutor, Richard B. Adams; 32nd Circuit Court Judge, Roy Gotham; and 98th District Court Judge, Anders B. Tingstad are all running unopposed in today's election.

County Commissioners James Oliver, District 2; Thomas Gerovac, District 4; Leroy Kangas, District 5; Dennis Jacobson, District 6; and Joseph Bonovetz, District 7 are also running unopposed.

Incumbent Commissioner Robert Morin is being challenged in District 1 by former Commissioner Dave Ramme. Incumbent Dan Siirila is being challenged in District 3 by Thomas G. Kangas. Donald Pezzetti is trying to unseat William Anonich in District 8, and George Peterson III is being challenged by Frank Kichak in District 9.

Also on the ballot will be:

• A race between 110th District State Representative Mike Lahti (D) from Hancock and John Faccin (D) of Crystal Falls.
• One Republican for the 110th District is on the ballot as well -- John Larson (R) of Hancock.
• 1st District Representative Bart Stupak (D) from Menominee is unopposed as a Democrat.
• Don Hooper (R) of Iron River is running in the Primary as a Republican for the 1st District. Two other Republicans are running as well -- Tom Casperson (R) of Escanaba and Linda Goldthorpe (R) from Curtis.
• Democrat U.S. Senator Carl Levin is unopposed in the Primary.
• Republican hopeful for the U.S. Senate is State Representative Jacob W. "Jack" Hoogendyk, Jr. of Texas Township.