By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – Tuesday's primary election for the Cass County Board of Commissioners boils down to eight candidates chasing four two-year seats in District 7, 10, 12 and 15 on the 15-member panel.
Pertaining to portions of the City of Dowagiac and Pokagon Township is the District 12 Democratic matchup pitting incumbent Minnie Warren, 60, of M-51 South, Pokagon Township, against Selina Ivens, 39, of Dowagiac.
The victor faces no general election opposition.
Ivens serves on the city Cemetery Board.
In June she unveiled the "Thinking for a Change" youth recognition program before Dowagiac City Council.
Students were selected from the Dowagiac and Cassopolis school systems based on such criteria as respect, responsibility, integrity, courage, service and self-control.
The next recipients will be honored in November.
Warren, 60, and on the county board since 2003, is president of the Dowagiac Housing Commission and owns a Niles machining and light assembly business, Mintech, which created 12 new jobs.
Warren wants to use her business expertise to assure the county budget is kept under control while providing services in the most economical way. Economic development, continuing to balance the budget and improving our communities are Warren's priorities.
Democrats hold three seats on the commission.
On May 16 15 Democrats and 13 Republicans filed. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
District 7
Contending for the Republican nomination are Paula Ralph and Harry Stemple, both of Edwardsburg.
Ralph, 44, has been Ontwa Township deputy treasurer for two years.
Stemple, 59, is a Realtor with Re/Max Shore Acres in Cassopolis and the 2005 president of the Southwest Michigan Board of Realtors.
He spent 12 years on Edwardsburg Village Council, 1984-96.
Tuesday's winner takes on Democratic incumbent David Taylor Nov. 7 in District 7, which takes in parts of Ontwa and Jefferson townships.
District 10
"Our Man Steve" Saltzman lives on Dutch Settlement Street.
The former Dowagiac resident has been married to Judy for 31 years. She is a registered nurse at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.
The Saltzmans have two children, a son, who is an electrician in Three Rivers, and a daughter, who is an elementary teacher in Ann Arbor.
District 10 encompasses LaGrange Township and western Penn Township in the Cassopolis area.
Saltzman owns Eastgate Shopping Center in Cassopolis. He also sells antiques at Michiana Antique Mall.
Saltzman's education includes: Jackson High School, South Bend, Ind., 1965-69; Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind., 1969-74, engineering and wildlife science in the School of Agriculture; Ulpan Hebrew School Kyriat, Shmona, Israel, 1975-76; and an associate degree in nursing from Southwestern Michigan College in 1986.
As a progressive Democrat, Saltzman advocates taking care of the people's concerns. His constituents would always be his first priority and he would keep them informed through regular newsletters.
His five-part platform includes: working with economic developers to increase opportunities for the Cassopolis industrial park; advocating for additional youth programs; supporting grant and loan programs for more affordable housing; supporting and assisting residents to take advantage of the county housing improvement program, as the Village of Cassopolis housing program is no longer available; and being available to listen to farmers' concerns.
As in 2002, the other Democratic contender is former village councilwoman Maxine Snipes, 52, who ultimately lost to current Republican Commissioner Dixie Ann File, who has no GOP opposition to a second term.
Snipes, an information technology officer at Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, was one of three Cassopolis officials recalled last August over their supervision of former village manager Art Sciorra.
District 15
Niles Democrat Dwane West, 43, is being challenged by Paullean "Lois" Washington, 56, for their party's nomination to face Republican incumbent Robert Ziliak.
West owns West Construction and Property Management in Niles. He is married and has six children.
Washington has served on the Howard Township Park Board and on the Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network Board in Cassopolis.
Retired, she works with in-home care patients in Niles. She has four children and nine grandchildren.
District 15 includes Milton Township and part of Howard Township.
District 1
Ed Goodman, D-Silver Creek Township, who won the appointment to finish Republican Terri Kitchen's term, has no fall opponent.
District 2
Wayne Township Democrat Myron Miller takes on incumbent Chairman Robert Wagel, R-Wayne Township, in this Dowagiac-area contest.
District 3
Former Dowagiac resident Cathy Goodenough, R-Marcellus, is unopposed.
District 4
Republican incumbent Alan Northrop did not seek re-election.
Seeking to succeed him is Vandalia Democrat Bill Steele.
District 5
Democrat Ernie Kurdys has been a Cass County resident for 20 years. The U.S. Navy veteran retired from St. Joseph Medical Center in South Bend, Ind. He currently serves as treasurer of the county Democratic Party.
Pledging to "Restore Your Voice," Kurdys offers leadership and problem-solving skills acquired through his work career in supervision and management in a variety of industrial and health care settings.
As a supervisor and manager, he is experienced in budgeting, procurement, time studies and production methods. He is mission-oriented and approaches challenges with energy and creativity.
Kurdys believes in cost-effective and accountable local government that exercises diligence and efficiency in its expenditure of taxpayers' dollars while meeting the needs of its citizens.
He says he understands the importance of facing critical issues and the courage to find meritorious solutions within a framework of fairness and honesty. He promises to provide leadership, competence and commitment to his constituency.
Kurdys, of 14889 Hideaway Drive, Vandalia, says he believes in open, responsive and accountable government, advocates fiscal responsibility and is guided by a strong sense of personal ethics.
In November Kurdys would meet Republican incumbent Gordon Bickel of Porter Township, Constantine, seeking his second two-year term.
District 6
Republican incumbent Jack Teter Sr. of Edwardsburg did not seek re-election.
Contesting the seat Nov. 7 will be Republican Charlie Arnold of Cassopolis and Democrat Max Brown of Union.
District 8
Carl Higley Sr., R-Edwardsburg, is being challenged by Democrat Tony Catanzarite, D-Edwardsburg.
District 9
Vice Chairman Ronald Francis, R-Cassopolis, seeks re-election without opposition.
District 11
John Cureton, R-Dowagiac, seeks re-election to his second term without opposition.
District 13
Democratic incumbent Johnie Rodebush of Howard Township is opposed by Republican Cheryl Fortuna, R-Cassopolis.
District 14
Former commissioner Debbie Johnson served in 2003-04. While out of office the past two years, the Democrat completed her bachelor's degree in organizational management so she could return with more knowledge and experience to manage county business.
Johnson says she will stand up for the needs of her district, provide citizens a voice in their government, keep the county budget balanced by using tax dollars wisely and efficiently, work as a team with other commissioners, keep the environment clean, safe and healthy and support senior programs, local government and families.
Johnson also has an associate degree in early childhood education, a child development credential, certification in Healthy Families, Parents as Teachers and Building Strong Families and owned her own business.
November will bring a rematch between Johnson and Republican incumbent Dale Lowe.
The commissioner position pays $7,250.