Luna Pier administrator ousts Bedford's supervisor
Stewart likely to win in Nov.; no Democrats on ballot
8/7/2012
Greg Stewart, who beat Bedford Supervisor Walt Wilburn for the GOP nomination waits for election returns with Bob Tienvieri and Marti Stewart, Mr. Stewart's wife.
TEMPERANCE — Bedford Township Republican voters have turned to a new candidate for the November general election for the office of supervisor. Unofficial results showed challenger Greg Stewart ousting two-term incumbent Walt Wilburn.
Mr. Wilburn conceded to Mr. Stewart in the township hall Tuesday before the final results were in.
An independent tally of votes by precinct watchers showed Mr. Stewart defeating him by about 200 votes, Mr. Wilburn said.
He and Mr. Stewart shook hands and embraced as Mr. Wilburn offered his congratulations. Mr. Stewart is the Luna Pier administrator and would leave that job to become supervisor.
"It feels good," Mr. Stewart said of his apparent victory. "It's a lot of responsibility."
Mr. Wilburn said the voters wanted a change and the low turnout hurt him. He also believed a lot of his supporters believed he was ensured re-election and voted for the competing sheriff's candidates on the Democratic ticket. Michigan primary voters must vote a straight party ticket.
"I have had a wonderful tenure as supervisor," said Mr. Wilburn, who is in his eighth year in office. He said he would make sure Mr. Stewart was "up to speed" taking over.
"We both said we would run a clean race, and we did," he said.
Bedford Township's busy slate of primary races virtually guaranteed that the community's three top township board offices — supervisor, clerk, and treasurer — will stay in Republican hands, barring the emergence of strong independent or write-in candidates in the November general election because no Democrats were on the ballot.
In his campaign, Mr. Stewart touted his background in economic development and said Bedford needed new leadership. He became Luna Pier administrator in 2008 and before that worked at the Regional Growth Partnership and Edison Industrial Systems Center in Toledo. He is a Lambertville resident.
In the contest for township clerk, incumbent Trudy Hershberger, who was appointed to the post after the death in January of her predecessor, Bob Schockman, was leading by a wide margin over Gail Hauser-Hurley, a township trustee and former Monroe County commissioner.
The treasurer's race between Paul Francis, a township trustee and former Bedford Board of Education member, and Laura Collins, were running neck and neck with half the township's 14 precincts reporting. Mr. Francis and Ms. Collins are both accountants.
The competition for the four township trustee seats showed Nancy Tienvieri with a modest lead among the eight Republicans in the running. The Republican field will be reduced by half in the primary. Two Democrats also are running, including incumbent Larry O'Dell.
In Whiteford Township, Trustee Donald Sahloff and Christine Hauser defeated Kipp Van Tassel in the Republican primary to run against former supervisor and Democrat Bernice Heidelberg for two open seats.
Ida Township Clerk Donald Appleman won over Denise Horner in the Republican primary to keep his job. There is no Democratic candidate.
Frenchtown Township Supervisor James McDevitt held off a challenge from fellow Democrat Jeff Grodi to retain the office as he faces no opponent in November.
In LaSalle Township, David Brown lost to fellow Democrat Fire Chief Tim DeSloover for the right to run against Republican Peter Demray for township supervisor. Also, Democrats Thomas Rutledge and Lorey Roop advanced to face David Anteau for the two open trustee seats in November.
In Monroe Township, William Heck, Jr., Richard Janssens, Amber Pancone, and Richard Wilson won Democratic nominations and will face Ryan Timiney, the lone Republican candidate, for four trustee positions.
Summerfield Township Clerk Tammy Bleashka lost to fellow Republican Jamie Dean. He will face Democrat Trudy Goodin, who defeated Zelda Lucas. Supervisor Kevin Iott barely held off Richard Garst in the Republican primary and will take on Democrat John Chandler.
In the trustee election, incumbent Dale Wagenknecht and Gary Missler advanced in the Republican primary. They will face Democrat Tammy Harbaugh for two open trustee seats.
Contact Carl Ryan at: carlryan@theblade.com or 419-724-6183.