Eight running for seats at council table
By Barb Pert Templeton
We may be five days away from the Nov. 5 general election but Algonac voters are turning in absentee ballots and turning up to vote early at a steady pace.
City Clerk Lisa Borgacz said Algonac has 3,593 registered voters and that number has not increased this year heading into the November general election.
The city issued 899 Absentee Ballots and as of Oct. 28 Borgacz said 684 of those had been returned. Algonac’s also hosting early voting and those wanting to avoid likely lines on Nov. 5 have been showing up in droves.
“It’s been very busy and Algonac has combined with Clay Township for Early Voting,” Borgacz said.
Voters interested in early voting have been directed to the Clay Township meeting hall at 4710 Pointe Tremble Drive with the site operating from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3 during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
When asked if she had any tips for voters who prefer to cast their ballots on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, Borgacz offered these sentiments.
“Please be patient,” Borgacz said. “Election workers do all they can to make sure everyone gets to vote and has a pleasant experience doing so. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”
Council race offers plenty of choices
The City of Algonac has 3,593 registered voters.
There are four seats with four-year terms expiring on the Algonac City Council and eight candidates will be on the ballot on Nov. 5 hoping to land a seat at the table.
The list includes incumbent council members Michael Bembas, Cathy Harris and Raymond Martin plus there’s the seat vacated by Councilman Corey Blair in May 2024 which is also open.
The three incumbents are being challenged by, Christina Halkias-Robb, Wendy Meldrum, Anne Marie Ponessa, Terry Isaacs Stoneburner and Jacob Skarbek.
Algonac City Council members are elected to four-year terms on a rotating basis in even-numbered years. Each new councils first meeting is an organizational one where they elect the mayor and mayor pro tem. They also adopt their organizational rules and the ethics policies for the term. The meeting this year is set for Monday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. in the council chambers.
As for the remaining members of the current city council, Mayor Rocky Gillis and council members Ed Carter and Dawn Davey have terms that expire in November 2026.
The Algonac City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. Council members earn $40 per meeting and an additional $10 for any special meetings.
Algonac ballot has no proposals
The ballot for Algonac voters carries the presidential, senate and congressional races, the state legislation, the state board of education and candidates seeking to serve on the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Michigan State University boards.
Then come the St. Clair County races. Votes for Prosecuting Attorney Michael Wendling, Sheriff, Mathew King, Clerk and Register of Deeds, Angie Waters, Treasurer, Kelley Roberts- Burnett, and Drain Commissioner, Robert Wiley, are being sought with all the candidates noted to be Republican and unopposed on the ballot. Although there’s an opportunity for write-in candidates for each race.
District 7 County Commissioner Dave Vandenbossche(R) is seeking a return to his spot on that board and is also running unopposed.
Races for judgeships for several state and local courts, plus trustees at St. Clair Community College are all part of the two-page ballot for Algonac voters.
Closer to home the ballot concludes with the race for city council and selecting two from four candidates seeking seats on the Algonac School Board.
Both precincts for voters will be hosted at St. Catherine’s Activity Center, 1103 Washington Street from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
In addition, the city’s clerk’s office will be open Saturday, Nov 2 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to issue Absentee Voter Ballots, received voted AV Ballots, and voter registrations.
Contact the City Clerk’s office for more information 810.794.9361 x6
