Absentee Voter (AV) Ballots

AV Ballots are ready
Clerk's hours are Thurs 9-1
-or-
send a request to:
P.O. BOX 298
IRONS, MI 49644

Stop by for a sample ballot during office hours if you just want to get the heads-up

a web link for...

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABSENTEE VOTING

Sample ballots are available on line, but like everything the State does, there is a process...here's the link to begin...

good luck...

 

Michigan Voter Information Center 

Meet 'n Greet the twp candidates 2012

ATTENTION ELK TOWNSHIP VOTERS

Meet the Candidates who will be on the November 6^th ballot *

When:   Saturday, October 6, 2012

                         Time:   1:00 p.m.

                      Where:    Elk Township Hall

§  What topics interest you about our township? 

§  Do you have questions you would like to ask potential Board members?

§  Send your questions to…….....buckrj1261@sbcglobal.net

     or mail them to………………...9332 W. 10 Mile Rd. (Irons, 49644)                    

§  Please include your name with your question.

After the question and answer period, candidates and citizens will have the chance mingle and talk one-on-one about topics that might not have been previously covered.

Please join us for this chance to get to know the candidate before you vote! 

We look forward to seeing you there!

* This time with candidates is not a time for debate.  It is a time to hear what a potential

Elk Township Board member thinks about a topic that is meaningful to you.

Question and answer time will be hosted by the out-going supervisor, Douglas Mann.

Census Info and 2012 Official MI General Candidate Listing

Here are a couple links for your enjoyment...
Census figures:   
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/governments/cb12-161.html

and...

2012 Official 2012 MI General Candidate Listing:  
http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/candlist/12GEN/12GEN_CL.HTM 

September Regular Meeting

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

September 11, 2012

Meeting opened with Clerk, Vicki Gates, leading the Pledge of Allegiance

Members present:      Douglas Mann, Supervisor

Vicki Gates, Clerk

                                    Carol Draper, Treasurer

                                    Sharon Young, Trustee

                                    John Fairbanks, Trustee

                                   

Public Comments for future consideration-none

Candidates running for office acknowledged: Bob Hilts, Sheriff; Bill Atkinson, County Road Commission

Johnel Buckingham spoke about an upcoming “Meet ‘n Greet”, for all township candidates on Oct 6^th @ 1pm @ Twp Hall (she is requesting questions from residents to ask the candidates, call 616.328.7879, or 231.729.3253)

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve August 14, 2012 minutes, S. Young-seconded; passed

Treasurer’s Report-C. Draper: S. Young-motion to accept the treasurer’s report, J. Fairbanks seconded; all in favor; Treasurer will have office hours this Friday, Sept 14^th, from 9-5pm as this is the last day to pay property taxes without penalty

Clerk’s Report-V. Gates: J. Fairbanks-motion to approve the bills for August, S. Young-seconded; passed

Correspondence-there will be a county wide recount for road commissioner on Thursday, Sept 13^th, so V. Gates, Clerk, will not be in the office that day; income tax withholding for employees should be adjusted Oct 1, 2012 to 4.25%, and the personal exemption adjusted to $3950 until Dec 31, 2013

METRO-some discussion ensued concerning the METRO Act monies, and it was decided to table this issue for a month so that board members could research where these monies should be accounted

Dignitary Reports:

Fire Dept- Lou Fitz-Ron Rocho is the new assistant Fire Chief

Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-none

Cemetery- S.Young- the new maps need lot #s shown, J. Fairbanks will take care of labeling the map; volunteers are being sought for a spring clean up for next year; the current well at the cemetery is not functioning but considering the weather, S. Young-motion to table the well until spring, D. Mann seconded, roll call vote: S. Young-Yes, J. Fairbanks-Yes, V. Gates-Yes, D. Mann-Yes, C. Draper-No; motion passed; the next cemetery board meeting will be November 5^th  @ Elk

Road Project Committee-S. Young-committee will be doing a drive through areas that have come up for discussion; all roads were brined before Labor Day; committee will meet next Wed, Sept 19^th @ 7pm

Supervisor-public officials retain “Freedom of speech” and may purchase ads personally for anything they choose

Big shout out to Lou Fitz & Jeff Riggs for the stump removal @ the twp hall, S. Young-motion to reimburse Jeff Riggs for gas costs, D. Mann-seconded; passed

Port-A-Pot is meeting a need, and D. Mann suggests renewing their contract for the spring

Front door & back door secure, and D. Mann gave V. Gates, clerk, his keys & memory stick for safekeeping for next Supervisor

Trustees-S. Young-spoke with Jon Bumstead, Representative, concerning Bluegill Lake achieving a “No motors” lake status, J. Bumstead indicated that he had spoken with the DNR and their ruling stands (denied); Lake County & Webber twp are looking for donations for a Family Youth Park located on M-37 north of Baldwin in Webber twp (donations may be sent to: Treasurer, Webber Township, marked “Park Donation”, P.O. Box 939, Baldwin, MI 49304); a hazardous waste collection will be held north of Baldwin on Oct 13^th from 9-12noon; next Township Association Meeting will be Oct 25^th @ 7:30pm @ Pinora Township

Action Items

J. Fairbanks-motion to accept the tax rates for the L-4029 document that goes to the county, V. Gates--seconded; passed (general operating .6667; roads .3994; fire equipment .7991; fire operating .7991)

D. Mann-motion to approve Oct 4, 2012 @ 10am for the public accuracy test for the tabulator used in the election, C. Draper--seconded; passed by Election Commission (Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer)

S. Young-motion to purchase a 4-drawer fire resistant safe for important documents, V. Gates--seconded; motion & second withdrawn after discussion (it was decided to allow J. Fairbanks to keep the historical documents in a fire resistant safe at his house, but the Supervisor, D. Mann voiced concern that the Elk Twp historical documents should be returned to the twp hall when possible)

J. Fairbanks-motion to allow V. Gates to purchase an outdoor bulletin board, not to exceed $300, S. Young--seconded; passed

S. Young-motion to allow Jim Abbott to build and fix the garbage collection receptacles with reimbursement up to $400, C. Draper--seconded; passed

Old Business

Installation of lighting for the new parking area: discussion, no action

New Business

Wiring inside building, still questioning the safety of the town hall due to the age of the wiring

Public Comment-Johnel Buckingham introduced Lou Fitz & Craig Stapley, both running for Supervisor

Harry Mead mentioned that there are monies available for low income home repairs at the county level

J. Fairbanks -motion to adjourn, V. Gates-seconded; all in favor

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk

9.12.12

ELK TOWNSHIP RETAINS THE TROPHY

Well, summer is gone, gone, gone....
and the annual softball game was a successfully fun time!
Elk Township was victorious, and many thanks go out to Sauble Township for their awesome hospitality!

Softball Game w/Sauble Twp

Calling all able bodied softball players or fans...

Sauble Picnic @ Sauble @ 3pm Sept 1st, bring a dish-to-pass

Softball game @ Sauble @ 4pm Sept 1st, bring Ther-a-gesaic & oxygen

Elk Election Results for Primary 2012

http://www.lakecounty-michigan.com/Documents/2012%20primary/elk%205.pdf

August 2012 Regular Board Meeting

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

August 14, 2012

Meeting opened with Clerk, Vicki Gates, leading the Pledge of Allegiance

Members present:      Vicki Gates, Clerk

                                    Carol Draper, Treasurer

                                    Sharon Young, Trustee

                                    John Fairbanks, Trustee

Members absent:        Douglas Mann, Supervisor, due to a family emergency & resulting travel to Arizona

V. Gates-motion to appoint J. Fairbanks as moderator for this meeting, S. Young-seconded; all in favor

C. Draper-motion to approve agenda with 2 additions to Action Items, S. Young-seconded; all in favor

Public Comments for future consideration-none

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve July 10, 2012 minutes, V. Gates-seconded; all in favor

Treasurer’s Report-C. Draper: S. Young-motion to accept the treasurer’s report, J. Fairbanks seconded; all in favor

Clerk’s Report-V. Gates: S. Young-motion to approve the bills for July, J. Fairbanks seconded; all in favor

Correspondence-snowplow bid from Steve Riggs: J. Fairbanks-motion to accept contract (same as last year) with Steve Riggs for snowplowing, C. Draper seconded; all in favor

C. Draper noted that Mason-Lake Conservation District on US10 will be having a hazardous waste collection this Sat, Aug 18^th, from 9-2pm

Dignitary Reports:

Fire Dept- Marilyn Zdebski-we have a new fire chief, Greg Bombich, who is doing a good job; new turnout gear has been ordered; and Fireman’s Ball was a success

Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-the new ambulance station in Baldwin is going forward, but bidding will have to be discussed more due to costs; 911 millage & Dial-A-Ride millage passed countywide

Cemetery- S.Young- the new maps need lot #s shown, so they will need to be tweaked; volunteers are being sought for a spring clean up for next year; the current well at the cemetery is not functioning and J. Fairbanks has a quote for a new well from Peterson’s for $4,341.67 (there is some dialogue with Sauble to pick up the cost since we recently purchased a new lawn tractor); the next cemetery board meeting will be in November @ Elk

Road Project Ad Hoc Committee-S. Young-will meet for the first time Wed, Aug 15^th @ 3pm

Supervisor-report given by proxy-July 17^th Board Of Review completed; Port-A-Pot is meeting a need; front door secure & looks great; Trash/Clean Up day a success thanks to all the volunteers & a scrap metal person, a Thank You card will go out to Skinner Park/IATA for the use of their personnel & front end loader to compact receptacles; new marquee is installed & also looks great

Trustees-S. Young-next Township Association Meeting will be Aug 23^rd @ 7:30pm @ Lake Township

Action Items

New flag pole discussed and tabled

Trash bins discussed and tabled in hopes that more people like Jeff Riggs will step forward and clean & repair as needed voluntarily

Ron Mosher property @ Johnson Bridge discussed, but it was decided that since it is private property the twp will remain neutral

New bulletin board for minutes and announcements was discussed and tabled until more info is sought

Old Business

Softball volunteers are sought for a game against Sauble Twp September 1^st @ 3pm, bring a dish to pass & Sauble will provide hot dogs, sloppy joes & drinks

New Business

V. Gates-motion giving permission to J. Fairbanks to temporarily remove historical documents from Elk Twp hall to a fire proof cabinet at his home, S. Young-seconded; all in favor

Public Comment-none

S. Young -motion to adjourn, C. Draper seconded; all in favor

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk

8.15.12

2012 Audit Report for Elk Township

Audit report came back well done, and the figures are posted on the web. Check out this link:

http://michigan.gov/treasury/0,4679,7-121-1751_31038_61583-278263--,00.html 

Election Results...

30.7% Voter turn out
253 Voters
All Millages passed, including Elk Township Road Millage,
which passed 154 - 83

Out of all ballots cast for Elk Township, for the races that were actually contested:
Republican:                                             Democrats:

Pete Hoekstra for US Senate                 Bob Hilts for Sheriff 
              
Jon Bumstead for Representative  
         
Cooper for Prosecuting Attorney

Rick Haslock for County Road Commission

There was some confusion regarding the "No Party Affiliation" or Independent candidates:
these will only show up on the November, General Election, ballot

If anyone wants an absentee ballot for the Nov/General Election, contact the Elk Township Clerk,
Vicki Gates, @ 231.266.5983 on Wed or Thurs mornings, or @ home 231.266.8248

Wonderful job & many thanks to the election workers:
Sharon Puff
Johnel Buckingham
Pat Bishop
Bonnie Knysz