Addison Township’s top officials – Clerk Pauline Bennett and Treasurer Dan Alberty – currently stand uncontested for their offices in the August 5 Republican Primary; however, the Supervisor and trustee seats for the board will see some competition.
All seven township board seats ? which includes four trustee seats plus the full-time positions of supervisor, clerk and treasurer ? are up for election.
The deadline to file nominating petitions for the primary election passed at 4 p.m. on May 13. As of that time, six individuals had filed for the four available trustee seats including incumbents John D. Sutphin, Ed Brakefield, Christine Sypitkowski and challengers Joe Schnur, John Boehmer and Linda Gierak. Current trustee Claudia Von Drak did not file a petition for the primary.
Facing off with Koski will be Sereal Gravlin and Bruce Pearson.
Supervisor
Supervisor Andrew Robert Koski, 74, has been supervisor for Addison Township for the past 16 years.
Koski has lived in Addison Twp. for over 35 years and decided to run for re-election to finish what he’s started.
‘I still have issues to complete,? he said
He’s also active on the Park Commission, involved with the Oakland County Lake Board.
Running against Koski as an Independent the second time around is Addison resident Sereal Gravlin, 61. He also ran against Koski in 2004.
Although he won’t be on the ballot this August, he will make the November ballot.
Gravlin decided to run for the position of supervisor to return Addison Twp. government to the will of the citizens ‘under lawful guidelines and precepts, while bringing a fresh prespective and innovative ideas.?
‘Citizens are a prime resource for ideas, goals and problem-solving,? he said.
If elected, Gravlin has goals of repairing neglected buildings an grounds and reducing legal expenses. He would also work to make the township offices stay open for a half day on Saturdays.
‘I can better serve the people with greater freedom of action than a partisan supervisor,? he said. ‘I have no political debts, no party line or bosses, and can and will work with all, while not abandoning personal integrity for political gain.?
Seven-year Addison Township resident and Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy Bruce Pearson also filed to run for supervisor.
He’s planning on retiring this year after 33 years of police work and thought now would be as good a time as any.
He’s active with the Addison Township Lion’s and Elk’s Club and volunteers a lot of his time at Leonard Elementary, where his son, Cody, attends school.
‘I’ve been very blessed and it’s time for me to give back a little bit,? he said, adding that his number one goal would be to get the Watershed Preserve park up and running so residents can benefit from it.
‘We have a lot of talent and a lot of good benevolent people in this township who just need direction,? he said.
Trustees
Incumbent John Sutphin, 73, and his wife Joyce have lived in Addison for 44 years.
He retired from Michigan Bell in 1990, retired after 14 years on the Fire and Police Administration Board and has served as an Addison trustee for the past eight years.
Incumbent Ed Brakefield, 58, moved to Addison Township 36 years ago with his wife Catherine and wants to thank God for allowing him to be on the township board for 12 years.
His goals, if re-elected, are to try to get the budget back in line and re-establish better partnerships with surrounding townships.
‘One of my goals is to continue to harmonize development and ecology,? he said. ‘Over the years, I continue to see challenges of protecting our rural areas and to make every effort to keep Addison rural by moderating these developments.?
Other areas of the township Brakefield is active in are the Planning Commission, the Polly Ann Trail Council and has sat on teams to update the Master Plan.
Incumbent Christine Sypitkowski, 56, has lived in Addison Township for the past 12 years, and has always been active in area issues. She is a family physician with her own practice, The Country Doctor Family Practice, P.C., in Lake Orion.
One new face has decided to throw their hat into the trustee pool.
Joe Schnur, 75, has lived in Addison Twp. for 11 years with his wife, Pat, and decided to run for trustee after ‘a lot of people? asked him to.
He’s very interested in getting involved in what goes on in the township.
‘What I plan to do is find out from the constituents what they want to bring to the township board,? he said. ‘Leadership goes both ways.?
Twenty-three-year Addison Township resident John Boehmer, 51, decided to run for trustee for ‘a variety of reasons.?
Boehmer’s also been on the township’s Zoning Board of Appeals, the Planning Commission, he’s involved with the Addison Elk’s Club and the Boy Scouts.
Eighteen-year Addison Township resident Linda Gierak, 46, also filed for a trustee position because she’s interested in the township and wanted ‘to contribute to the community.?
She currently acts as the interim Polly Ann Trail manager for the last six months and has worked for the Village of Leonard in the clerk’s office since 2004.