In one of the most competitive township races in the county, Leland Township trustee Clint Mitchell won the vote for supervisor against incumbent Susan Och on Nov. 5. According to Leelanau County unofficial general election results, approximately 725 votes were cast for Mitchell (54.39%), which was 121 more votes than Och’s 604 votes (45.31%). There were a total of four write-in votes (0.30%).
Mitchell, who has served as a township trustee and planning commissioner for the last four years, said he appreciates the broad support of voters and the efforts and endorsements of so many people over the last few months.
“I don’t necessarily see the outcome as a mandate for specifi c policies or plans, but more so a fundamental desire among residents for open and honest communication, a willingness to work together, and respect for the statutory limits of the office,” Mitchell said. “I take seriously those aspects of elected office, and I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve.”
In terms of what Mitchell is looking forward to addressing in the future, he said the board will be wrapping up the Sunset Shores community drain field project, among other things.
“... Once we get that bonded, and the township’s reimbursed, we can start looking at next year’s budget. We’ll also be starting soon on contract negotiations with firefighters,” he said.
Och, who has served in the supervisor role from 2016 to present, responded to the results and said that it has been “a pleasure and an honor to serve Leland Township” during her tenure.
“I’d like to extend my congratulations to supervisor Clint Mitchell. I wish him luck and am ready to do whatever I can to ensure a smooth transition,” Och said.
Och said it will be up to the next town board to strike a balance between the level of service that residents like and the level of taxation that they will approve.
“Much of our infrastructure — roads, parks, stormwater systems — is at the end of life and will require investment sooner rather than later,” Och said. “I hope that the new board members and supervisor take responsibility of our many training opportunities to become the best possible public servants.”
In addition to the new supervisor, two new trustees were also elected to the board. Incumbent Mariann Kirch lost by 11 votes against her republican challenger, Steve Scales, who won the seat with a total of 622 votes. Kathryn Dawkins also won a trustee seat with 656 votes, while Brian Fenlon, the other democrat candidate, earned 596 votes. There were approximately five votes cast for the trustee seat.
