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Ballots are set in Alpena County

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena County Commissioners Brad McRoberts, left, Bob Adrian, center, and Nick Modrzynski take part in the commissioner’s meeting Tuesday. McRoberts and Adrian will be unopposed during the next election cycle, while Modrzynski will try to hold off challenger Richard Neumann during the general election in November.

ALPENA — Tuesday afternoon was the deadline for candidates to file and be eligible to be on the August primary election ballot. In Alpena County, there is a pair of contested commissioner races. There will also be several millage proposals on the ballot and the probate judge seat will also be up for grabs.

This year, all eight commissioners are up for re-election and there are some who will be challenged and others who will run unopposed during the primary election in August and the general election in November.

The board’s longest tenured commissioner and chairman Cam Habermehl, of District No. 7, will be challenged by a pair of fellow Republicans in August, as Kevin Burr and Howard Lumsden filed to run. The winner of the primary will run unopposed in the general election.

District No. 5 commissioner Brenda Fournier (R) is running unopposed in the primary, but facing a challenge from former commissioner Mary Hess (D) in November. Fournier narrowly defeated Hess three years ago.

District No. 6 commissioner Ron McDonald is being primaried by fellow Republican Kevin Osbourne, with the winner running unopposed in November.

District No. 1 commissioner Brad McRoberts will run unopposed, as will District No. 4’s Bill Peterson. District No. 8 commissioner John Kozlowski will be unchallenged and retain his seat, as will Robert Adrian from District No. 2. Adrian is seeking a third term and is the second longest tenured commissioner behind Habermehl.

Adrian said he enjoys being involved in local politics and working for the people of not only his district, but everyone in the county. He said being involved in large projects, such as the new terminal project at Alpena County Regional Airport, is important and he wants to be able to see them through to completion.

“I really enjoy this and we have a lot of things that are unfinished that I want to continue to be a part of,” Adrian said. “In the county, there is no partisan politics and we set all party politics aside and try to do what is best for the people and county. I want to continue to be a part of that.”

District No. 3 commissioner Nick Modrzynski (R) was appointed after Camile Nerkowski resigned from the board due to health reasons and he finished out her term. He has decided to seek a full term and is running unopposed in the primary, but will be challenged by Democrat Richard Neumann, who was defeated by Nerkowski in 2016.

Modrzynski said he has enjoyed his short time on the board and giving back to the community. He said the experience prompted him to run for a full term.

“I have learned a lot while finishing out Mrs. Nerkowski’s term after being appointed, but I want to win a full one on my own,” Modrzynski said. “Being the youngest person on the board is also good I think because I can add maybe a little different perspective to some issues.”

Probate Judge Thomas LaCross, a Republican, will face a challenge from Denise Burke, who is a long time attorney in Alpena. The winner will run unopposed during the general election in November.

There will also be at least four millages on the August ballot in Alpena County. There are a pair of senior millage renewals, as well as a half-mill renewal for youth and recreation. There is a 0.21 mill veteran’s millage request which will cover costs to keep the full-time office in the county open and staffed. It is expected that Alpena Township will also a a 1.5 mill fire department request on the ballot. Millages can be added to the ballot until May 15.

At the state level, 106th District Representative Sue Allor (R) will run uncontested in the primary and will face the winner of the Democratic primary candidates, Lora Greene and John Norton III, both of Alpena will square off against Allor in November.

The August primary election is Aug. 7 and the general election is Nov. 6.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.

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