By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS - Michelle Andrews, who came to Cassopolis in 1996, was elected Cassopolis Village President Tuesday in a special election, following the August recall of former president Julia Bell.
She has served as trustee and was appointed acting chairman, as being the one on the board for the longest time, after the recall of Bell.
Also elected Tuesday were two new trustees, Tim Swenor and Leon Gilliam. The three joined forces with their names on signs seen around the village.
They will replace the recalled trustees William Curry and Maxine Snipes.
Vote totals were 239 for Andrews to 87 for former village president Fred Senger and Curry's 92.
In the trustee race, Gilliam received 269 votes and Swenor 226, to 145 for Bell and 141 for former trustee Ray Strome.
Swenor and his wife Sandy came to the village to start a business, The Home Group, which is across from the Cassopolis Municipal building and provides commercial and residential doors and windows.
Leon Gilliam and his wife Jennifer (Withers) have two children. He is a deputy on the Cass County Sheriff's Department. He has also worked as a school bus driver and with the ambulance department.
The three winning candidates all wish to work for what the village residents wish to see in their community.
Top topics mentioned include the need for affordable housing, a working relationship between the village and county officials and the importance of seeking ways to keep our youth from leaving the area following their graduation.