Sample Ballots for November 3rd Election Released
BESSEMER, MI - Sunday, October 18, 2009 - Gogebic County Clerk Gerry Pelissero provided the Chronicle with sample ballots for Wakefield Township; the City of Bessemer; the City of Ironwood; the City of Wakefield; Bessemer Township; Erwin Township; the Charter Township of Ironwood; Marenisco Township; and Watersmeet Township.
There's no better way to understand what you will be voting for than to fully study the actual election ballots. To view the ballots, [CLICK HERE].
There are several propositions that are County-wide and will appear on all of the ballots:
GOGEBIC MEDICAL CARE FACILITY BONDING PROPOSITION
Shall the County of Gogebic, Michigan borrow the sum of not to exceed Eight Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand dollars ($8,150,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds, for the purpose of erecting, furnishing and equipping an addition to the Gogebic Medical Care Facility (including 28 private rooms); remodeling, refurnishing, and re-equipping the existing Medical Care Facility (including adding bathrooms and bringing electrical, plumbing and life safety to current code); demolishing the existing 1926 schoolhouse, constructing parking lots and constructing site improvements thereto?
The following is for informational purposes only: The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2010, under the current law is 1.04 mills ($1.04 of each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, will not exceed thirty (30) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 1.04 mills ($1.04 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).
(Pursuant to state law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for repair and maintenance costs, administrator and employee salaries, or other operating expenses). YES or NO?
GOGEBIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSALProposition to renew or continue the previous 1.5 millage; 1991-2010 for the Community College District of Gogebic County for a period of twenty (20) years from 2011-2030 inclusive:
"Shall the maximum annual tax rate for Community College District of Gogebic County, Michigan, heretofore approved by the qualified electors of said college district of one and one-half (1½) mills, be increased by an additional one and one-half (1½) mills for community college purposes, such rate, if subject to Article 9, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, to be effective as an increase in the Constitutional tax rate limitation for a period of twenty (20) years, the years 2011 through 2030 inclusive? The estimate of the revenue the college district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2011 is approximately $723,626.00. (This is the millage rate that has been in effect from 1971 through 2010 and represents a renewal of that millage, rather than an increase.)” YES or NO?
GOGEBIC - ONTONAGON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
I. SPECIAL EDUCATION MILLAGE PROPOSAL
(RESTORATION OF HEADLEE REDUCTION)This proposal requests additional millage to permit the continued levy by the intermediate school district of the maximum mills for special education previously approved by the electors.
Shall the current charter limitation on the annual property tax rate for the education of persons with disabilities in Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District, Michigan, be increased by .2492 mill ($0.2492 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation), for an unlimited period (this increase will allow the intermediate school district to levy the maximum rate of 2.30 mills previously approved by the electors which has been reduced as required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963); the estimate of the revenue the intermediate school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2009 is approximately $183,814 from local property taxes authorized herein? YES or NO?
GOGEBIC - ONTONAGON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
II. AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL EDUCATION MILLAGE PROPOSAL
(RESTORATION OF HEADLEE REDUCTION)This proposal requests additional millage to permit the continued levy by the intermediate school district of the maximum mills for vocationaltechnical education previously approved by the electors.
Shall the current charter limitation on the annual property tax rate for vocational-technical education in Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District, Michigan, be increased by .1084 mill ($0.1084 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation), for an unlimited period (this increase will allow the intermediate school district to levy the maximum rate of 1.00 mill previously approved by the electors which has been reduced as required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963); the estimate of the revenue the intermediate school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2009 is approximately $79,958 from local property taxes authorized herein? YES or NO?
Several Gogebic County communities are considering additional millage proposals:
BESSEMER TOWNSHIP
MILLAGE PROPOSALShall the previous voted increase in the 15 mill tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Bessemer Township be renewed at 8 mills ($8.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the period of 2010 through 2013 inclusive for the general township operating purposes, and shall the township levy such renewal in millage for said purpose, thereby, raising the first year an estimated $275,525.30? (This is a millage proposal to renew the existing former 8 additional operating mills that has been in effect for numerous years.) YES or NO?
ERWIN TOWNSHIP
MILLAGE PROPOSALShall the previous voted increase in the 15 mill tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within the Township of Erwin be renewed at 10 mills ($10.000 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for the period of 2010 through 2014 inclusive for general Township of Erwin operating purposes; and shall the township levy such increase in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $83,948.74. YES or NO?
MARENISCO TOWNSHIP
MILLAGE PROPOSALShall the tax limitation on general ad valorem taxes within Marenisco Township imposed under Article IX Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution be renewed or continued for Marensico Township by 8.0000 mills ($8.00 per $1,000 taxable value) for the period of 2009-2014 for general operating purposes; and shall the Township levy such increase in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $361,000.70? YES or NO?
Ironwood Township Supervisor Kim M. Mattson is facing a recall:
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF IRONWOOD RECALL
Statement of Reason:
1) During Mattson's first few days in office, she was responsible for a "proposed" draft budget which would have increased her salary by 15% over her predecessor and a 17.5% increase for the Treasurer and Clerk. These wages could have taken effect if not for public outrage.
2) Failed to adequately notify the media of special meeting times and dates, including sending false information about the start time on a special meeting held on February 18, 2009.
3) Tried to keep information from the public at a meeting on April 13, 2009. Mattson had agenda items listed as "items 1,2, & 3." Called for a vote without publicly discussing the content of those items relating to union pay and benefits. Would not disclose the contents until forced under the Freedom of Information Act days later.
4) Abused her elected position by using the "power of office" to make false allegations against taxpaying citizens, including calling an employer and causing disruptions in the citizen's respective work environment.
5) Stated there was a pension contract requiring the township to pay 10% of gross compensation to the full-time officials and employees. A Freedom of Information Act request uncovered no such contract.
Justification of Conduct:
1) I was not seated in office when the first draft budget was presented. Each department submits their budget to the Supervisor to present. The seven-member board makes the decisions on the proposed budget. As Supervisor, I received a 0% increase from my predecessor. The Clerk and Treasurer received a 3% increase.
2) Notification of meetings is the Clerk's statutory duty. Notices are posted as required by the Open Meetings Act.
3) The union negotiation committee presented items 1, 2, & 3 for board approval and the Board approved them. Once approved, the Freedom of Information request was answered in accordance with the law.
4) A petition was circulating at a large local employer. The CEO was contacted regarding the petition.
5) Timely responses are given to all Freedom of Information Act requests according to Michigan law. Requests are answered exactly as received.
I wish to continue to serve as your Supervisor.
Shall Kim M. Mattson be recalled from the office of Ironwood Township Supervisor? YES or NO?
In addition to the proposals, several communities will be electing Council, Board, and Commission members:
CITY OF BESSEMER
COUNCIL MEMBER (AT LARGE)The City of Bessemer is electing a new at large Council. Voters are to choose no more than five of the following seven candidates: John Frello; Alfred Gaiss; Peter Matonich; Bill McDonald; Linda Nelson; Jim J. Prezkop; and Marlene A. Zaleski.
CITY OF IRONWOOD
COMMISSIONER (AT LARGE)The City of Ironwood is electing a new at large Commission. Voters are to choose no more than five of the following twelve candidates: Bob Burchell; Joseph F. Cayer; Kim S. Corcoran; Louise Demasi; George Goerig; Ken Jacobson; Tom Laabs; Gemma Gorrilla Lamb; William D. Lucius; Rick Semo; Ron Taylor; and Suzanne Toth.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Please note that the Commission candidates are listed as above in Precinct 1, but are listed as follows in Precinct 2: Joseph F. Cayer; Kim S. Corcoran; Louise Demasi; George Goerig; Ken Jacobson; Tom Laabs; Gemma Gorrilla Lamb; William D. Lucius; Rick Semo; Ron Taylor; Suzanne Toth and Bob Burchell.
CITY OF WAKEFIELD
COUNCIL MEMBER (AT LARGE)The City of Wakefield is electing a new at large Council. Voters are to choose no more than five of the following five candidates: Richard W. Bolen; Joseph R. DelFavero; John P. Ozzello; Charles Picoldi; and Rod Ritter.
“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.” - George Jean Nathan