Odd-year elections are usually uneventful, but no one told that to the White Lake area, which decided several important races Tuesday, Nov. 7, when ballots were counted.
Perhaps most notably, the hotly debated Whitehall District Schools bond issue was again defeated, with 54.7 percent of voters turning down the proposal. The bond was slated to be in the amount of $31.75 million; it focused on a new secured entry at the high school and replacing the aging HVAC systems at Shoreline Elementary and Whitehall Middle School. If approved, the bond would have lowered the district’s millage rate from seven mills to six, making it the lowest such rate in Muskegon County.
A previous attempt at a bond request in May, also defeated, was for a slightly higher amount but focused on the same issues. In addition to the main proposals, the bond also included a cafeteria addition at Shoreline, classroom additions at Ealy and the installation of a turf field to replace the grass football field, among several smaller items.
The debate on the bond issue seemed to reignite Oct. 30, when the district made the decision to move Whitehall’s home playoff football game against Big Rapids to Holton’s turf field after poor weather conditions affected play in the Vikings’ first-round win over Allendale. Some viewed the move as an attempt to justify the district’s request for a turf field, while Whitehall holds the position that the increased use of the field in recent years demands turf.
“The needs don’t just disappear,” Whitehall superintendent Jerry McDowell said in a statement on the district’s Facebook page. “They are still right in front of us. We know what they are and I can’t imagine them correcting themselves. We will be asking again for the community to support the learning environment of their children.
“WDS are committed to doing whatever we can to make the improvements needed in a timely and responsible manner. We will begin to work on our next steps and will continue to provide as much information as we can throughout the process.”
Also in Whitehall, mayor Steven Salter was re-elected, defeating challenger and city council member Scott Brown with 56 percent of the vote. The council itself also saw a shakeup; Richard Connell and Keith Heidelberg each fell short in their bids for re-election, with voters choosing former mayor Deb Hillebrand, former council member Tanya Cabala, and Tom Ziemer for spots on the council. Hillebrand and Cabala tied for the most votes - 472 - in the race, and Ziemer, who previously ran for the Whitehall school board last year, received 361 votes, 27 more than Connell.
Ron Bailey was elected White River Township supervisor in a recall of Mike Cockerill, previous holder of the office. Bailey drew broad support, taking 76.5 percent of the vote. Cockerill was recalled by township voters due to frustration among many of them with Cockerill’s involvement with Lakeside Solar LLC, which is working to bring a solar energy facility to the township.
“We’re looking forward to stepping up and doing the things we set out to do,” Bailey said. “We’re looking forward to creating the community support we talked about. I think the community wanted to have more of a voice in the process, and I’m hoping we can set up structures on the board to make sure their voices are heard in our decision-making process.”
Bailey said he and Cockerill haven’t been in contact in some time, but he’s open to any advice the latter has after he spent over 30 years in the supervisor role.
“He’s had this position for many years and I respect him, not only as a previous supervisor but as another member of the community that I’ve known a long time,” Bailey said. “If he has advice, I’d be open to listening to make sure I can transition in smoothly.”
Cockerill has remained silent about the recall except for one public statement he made during September’s township board meeting, where he stated the allegations made in the recall petition - which included that he withheld his involvement with the solar project from the board - weren’t true and that he has not acted unethically with regard to Lakeside Solar.
The solar saga continues to play out, with the state house and senate passing a bill this week aiming to grant permitting authority for such facilities to the state and not local governments. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign the bill, which has been one of her top legislative priorities, into law. The White River Township board, which along with many other boards formally opposed the bill, will certainly have its work cut out for it going forward.
“I’d like in my role to be part of creating a bigger network between townships to make sure we’re working together for the same common goal,” Bailey said. “We want to make sure to secure local control of the ordinances we have in place.”
White River Township voters also spoke out on a millage request, narrowly voting it down. Of over 640 voters, 52.2 percent rejected the request. The township was aiming to recover some of the millage revenue that’s been lost over the years from Headlee amendment adjustments. Those adjustments periodically dial back property tax millage rates to prevent them from outpacing inflation. The township previously said that the millage would have raised about $31,000 in revenue.
Voters in Montague faced more straightforward decisions. Montague Area Public Schools’ 10-year millage renewal drew support from 62.6 percent of voters; the renewal allows the district to continue collecting 18 mills on local commercial, rental and non-primary residences.
“The operating millage is something we count on each and every year,” Montague superintendent Jeffrey Johnson said. “With a 10-year renewal, it will help us...Without that support, the school district couldn’t operate the way we do. Thanks to the community for that.”
Also, Montague mayor Tom Lohman ran for re-election unopposed and received 100 percent of the vote.
