By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS - The 2005-2006 Cass County Board of Commissioners will have some different faces, but the only incumbent turned out of office Tuesday was Democrat Debbie Ann Johnson, 47, of Niles, seeking her second term.
In a rematch with Republican Dale Lowe, 68, of Niles, Lowe prevailed, 742-680.
Johnson works as an instructional assistant for Niles Community Schools.
Lowe retired in 1998 as a foreman from Tyler Refrigeration.
District 14 offered the only upset in seven races between 22 candidates for the 15-member Board of Commissioners.
District 1, Silver Creek Township/Dowagiac, also featured a 2002 rematch, with Republican incumbent Terri Kitchen, 43, of Middle Crossing Road, defeating Democrat Ed Goodman, 54, of Sink Road, 851-705.
District 2, Chairman Robert Wagel, R-Wayne Township, was unopposed in garnering 1,094 ballots.
District 3, former Dowagiac resident Cathy Goodenough, 46, a Marcellus Republican, won over Democrat Burke Webb, 68, of Marcellus, 883-543, for the seat held by Republican Bruce Butchbaker, who did not seek re-election after one term.
District 4, Republican Alan Northrop, 46, of Marcellus, received his second term over Democrat Bill Steele, 52, of Vandalia, chairman of the county Planning Commission and a building inspector and contractor. The tally was 1,095 for Northrop to 992 for Steele.
District 5, Republican newcomer Gordon Bickel Sr., 74, of Constantine, who knocked off Commissioner Mike Raab in the August primary amidst the Porter Township sewer controversy, won with 941 to 493 for Democratic newcomer Connie Dalrymple, 60, of White Pigeon, and 167 for Rick Russwurm.
District 6, Republican incumbent Jack L. Teter, 63, of Edwardsburg, won his second term by beating independent Max Brown, 63, of Union, 629-385.
District 7, Democratic incumbent David Taylor, 64, of Edwardsburg, was unopposed and named on 749 ballots.
District 8, Republican incumbent Carl Higley Sr., 74, of Edwardsburg, was unopposed and got 1,131 votes.
District 9, Republican incumbent Ronald Francis, 68, of Cassopolis, was unopposed and received 1,138 votes.
District 10, Republican incumbent Dixie Ann File, 60, of Cassopolis, clinched her second term against Democrat Paula L.C. Beauchamp, 46, of Cassopolis. File is a Realtor with Remax Shore Acres. Beauchamp, the Cassopolis village clerk, chairs the Cass County Democratic Party. She served on the Village Council from 1992 to 2002. File won, 695-645.
District 11, Retired newsman John Cureton, 86, R-Dowagiac, had no opposition for the seat given up by GOP incumbent James Sayer and will be joining the board with 874 votes.
District 12, Democratic incumbent Minnie Macon Warren, 58, of Dowagiac, was unopposed in receiving 795 votes.
District 13, Democratic incumbent Johnie Rodebush, 81, of Niles, was unopposed and received 974 votes.
District 15, Republican incumbent Robert Ziliak, 56, of Niles, was unopposed and got 1,250 ballots.
Irwin defeats Gillam
for Cass treasurer's job
Republican Linda Irwin, appointed county treasurer from 12 applicants, took office two years ago on Oct. 1, 2002, when Sharon Hansell retired.
She won her first nod for her own term over Democratic challenger Rosemary Gillam, 12,925-8,237.
Cass drain commissioner
Jeff VanBelle defeated Lennel Smith, 11,969-8,661. The drain commissioner, 43, was appointed to his first elected position seven months ago to succeed Allan Butchbaker, who retired after serving since 1988. A county resident for 15 years, VanBelle grew up in Niles.
Pokagon Township
Supervisor John True did not seek re-election. That office was sought by Democratic Clerk Linda Preston (645), with Democrat Carrie Sandberg running for clerk (591).
Former Republican Treasurer Lynn Schantz tallied 492 votes.
Republican Trustees Gary Mihills and Robert Shaffer were re-elected to four-year terms with 576 and 627 votes, respectively.
Wayne Township
Republican candidates are unopposed for new four-year terms, including Supervisor Dr. Frank Butts (966), Clerk Kurt Reich (944), Treasurer Dawn King (926) and Trustees James Griggs (778) and Michael Krager Jr. (836).
Silver Creek Township
Two new board members will be elected, with Bill Saunders (1,215) succeeding Robert Ausra as supervisor and another Republican, Maureen Sullivan-Kuriata (1,241) set to follow retiring Treasurer Marie Huff.
Seeking re-election are Clerk Walter Lehmann (1,195) and Trustees Joel Moore (1,080) and Douglas Swisher (1,117), all Republicans.
LaGrange Township
Republican Supervisor Naida Covyeou Wallace withstood a challenge from Democrat Joe Decker, 724-666. She was the county's first female supervisor when she was first elected 26 years ago in 1978.
Democratic Clerk Amy Juroff was re-elected with 1,003 votes.
Republican Treasurer Naomi J. Criswell garnered 984 ballots.
Totals for trustees were: Republican Ronald D. Carlisle, 729; Republican Paul D. File, 732; and Democrat Lois M. Harris, 713.
Volinia Township
Totals include Republican Supervisor Wendy Elsey, a former county commissioner, 375; Republican Clerk Gwenn Johnson, 365; Republican Treasurer Esther M. Mead, 399; and Republican Trustees Donald L. Huff, 381, and Harry R. Rasmussen III, 361.