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    • Democrat Paul Gieleghem elected Clinton Township. supervisor
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    Democrat Paul Gieleghem elected Clinton Township. supervisor

    Umito Posted on

    Clinton Township’s first new supervisor in more than two decades pledged Wednesday to work on township communications, expanding recreational opportunities and connecting with residents and neighborhoods.

    Democrat Paul Gieleghem, the town’s current treasurer, defeated Republican challenger Vicki Wolber with 52 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s election, while Wolber had 48 percent, according to unofficial results. He will succeed longtime Supervisor Bob Cannon, who is retiring this year after more than two decades leading Michigan’s most populous township.

    “I think the first key is to communicate better, so that we as a township can make sure that everyone feels a part of Clinton Township as a community,” he said, adding that he wanted to make sure there were It’s not about “left-behind neighborhoods.”

    Meanwhile, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido, who was re-elected, said he wants to reduce the juvenile recidivism rate and plans to continue diverting people with drug addictions from jail and providing them services. Lucido defeated Democratic challenger Christina Hines 57% to 43%, according to unofficial results.

    The Gieleghem and Lucido elections were just two of several local elections held Tuesday in Macomb County. Sheriff Anthony Wickersham, a Democrat, was also re-elected with 52 percent of the vote, as was Clerk Anthony Forlini, according to unofficial results. County Executive Mark Hackel was not up for re-election this year, but every other elected official in the county was, and they won their elections.

    Ten of the 13 seats on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners were also contested Tuesday. All sitting commissioners were re-elected to the board except for District 11 Commissioner Gus Ghanam, a Republican, who lost to Democrat Lisa Wojno by 47 to 53 percent. Republicans lost a seat but will control the board 8-5.

    Meanwhile, in Sterling Heights, a $0.95 million proposal to fund various initiatives, from parks to tree planting, was narrowly approved with a 50.6 percent yes vote, according to results unofficial finals.

    Clinton Township Supervisor Election

    Gieleghem, the township treasurer, is a former state representative and county commissioner. He said he was still processing the election results.

    “But I mean, obviously, I’m very happy to have the opportunity to serve my community as a supervisor,” he said.

    Gieleghem said he had “a history of service” and had tried “to devote a lot of energy to serving as a very effective treasurer.” As supervisor, he wants to survey residents about what they need, what they want to see in their parks and other issues.

    He applauded the township’s senior center and its parks and recreation program, but said “a lot of people don’t feel like they’re connected” to those amenities. He said he wanted to offer this type of service throughout the municipality.

    “We want to make sure we’re making improvements to parks everywhere, not just here at the Civic Center,” he said.

    Roads are another priority for Gieleghem. He explained that the main way to repair neighborhood streets in Michigan’s townships is through special assessments, or levying a property tax for road improvements. He said he wants to reduce the cost residents pay for road repairs.

    Election of the prosecutor

    Lucidwho was first elected prosecutor four years ago, defeated Hines, a former assistant district attorney. Lucido said his victory confirms that “the work we do here is positive and that people really appreciate what we do.”

    Lucido’s next term begins January 1. He said he wants to reduce the rate of juvenile recidivism, which is when young people who have already been arrested commit a crime again.

    “We believe that if you don’t solve a problem in young people, it will create a bigger problem when they are adults,” he said.

    Lucido said he also wants to focus on specialty courts, like veterans court and drug court. He said these courts are ways to divert people from the criminal system. Lucido said he is preparing for the expansion of the Macomb County Jail. The county is building a new central intake and assessment center, which will change the way the county treats inmates with mental health and substance abuse issues.

    A county investigation found in 2022 that Lucido made inappropriate sexual comments toward Macomb County employees, used race as a factor in assignment decisions, and used county staff for “type activities.” campaign “. He denied the accusations and told The News that the people who filed the complaints did not follow the grievance procedure.

    Clinton Township resident Carol Dennis, 74, voted for Lucido for prosecutor.

    “I think he’s pretty conservative and he’s not going to get caught up in this woke stuff,” said Dennis, a conservative-leaning independent. She believes that if someone has committed a crime, they should not “get a free pass.”

    Sheriff Race

    Wickersham said in a text message that he was honored to be elected to a fourth term as sheriff.

    “The citizens of Macomb County can rest assured that they will have a sheriff who will keep them safe and who will be honest and dedicated,” he said.

    He previously said his office has “some big projects and I’d love to be there to see them finished.” One of them is the Central Intake and Assessment Center, an estimated $228 million project expected to be completed by mid-2027.

    Sterling Heights resident James Perlaki, 64, voted for Wickersham for sheriff. He said Wickersham had “done an excellent job” and had “no reason to believe he couldn’t continue to do this job.”

    Dennis, the independent voter from Clinton Township who leans conservative, said she voted for Wickersham. She said her brother-in-law was a former police chief and “he had good things to say in support of Wickersham.”

    Sterling Heights Millage

    In Sterling Heights, residents narrowly approved a millage project called “Pathway to Play and Preservation,” with 50.6 percent voting yes. The millage will fund a pickleball complex; trails through a nature preserve in the northwest quadrant of the city; replacement of sidewalks; preservation of open spaces; and replant trees in neighborhoods.

    Sterling Heights resident Erika Baartmans said she voted for the millage.

    “I know it’s a little bit of extra money for our taxes,” she said of the new millage, “but I want beautification and to have trails and places – I I feel like it just brings out the value of the city.”

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    Umito
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