Pokagon Township Republican Minnie Warren withstood a challenge by Howard Township Republican Dale Lowe Jan. 5 to win her second one-year term chairing the Cass County Board of Commissioners.
The 8-7 vote was conducted secretly, which the law allows.
Silver Creek Township Republican Ed Goodman was re-elected vice chairman 8-7 over former vice chairman Ron Francis. That tally is public.
Supporting Goodman were himself; Roseann Marchetti, R-Edwardsburg, who nominated Warren; Carl Higley Sr., R-Edwardsburg; E. Clark Cobb, D-Dowagiac; Johnie Rodebush, D-Howard Township; and Warren.
Voting for Francis, R-Cassopolis, were: Robert Wagel, R-Wayne Township; Cathy Goodenough, R-Marcellus; Gordon Bickel Sr., R-Porter Township; Charlie Arnold, R-Cassopolis; Francis; Dixie Ann File, R-Cassopolis; Lowe; and Robert Ziliak, R-Milton Township.
Warren thanked her supporters and “those who didn’t, we’re still a team.”

Voter list fee adjusted
Clerk-Register Barb Runyon, who conducted the meeting until the chair vote, received an adjustment from the commission on the fee she has been charging since Jan. 1, 2009, for voter lists provided in digital form.
Instead of two cents per name, after comparing with other clerk’s offices, the cost appears to vary from county to county, with an average of $.005 per name, which will be the new cost, with a $20 minimum.
Runyon said voter lists in paper form and label form remain as previously set by the board at two cents per name for paper lists and six cents per name for labels.

Marcellus contracts
Commissioners approved agreements between Marcellus village and township and the Sheriff’s Office for police protection.
The village contracts for 16 hours of weekend coverage for $15,920.
Marcellus Township contracts for 40 hours of coverage per week for $102,448.