Dorr incumbents turn back challenges from NPAs

Despite the large number of No Party Affiliation candidates, incumbents and Republicans ruled the day in the Dorr Township election.

Incumbents Josh Otto, Dan Weber and John Tuinstra were returned to their four-year trustee seats and Treasurer Jim Martin was re-elected handily. Newcomer Terry Rios won her seat as a Republican.

Otto polled the most votes, just as he did in 2012, with 2,590, and Weber had the second largest total at 2,454. Tuinstra had 2,347 and Rios 2,266.

NPA candidates Gordon Lieffers had 827 and Barb Herbert had 794. Christine Schwartz of the U.S. Taxpayers’ Party polled 874 votes.

Both Otto and Weber will be serving their third four-year terms, Tuinstra won his second and Rios is a newcomer who first ran in the August primary.

Both Schwartz and Lieffers unsuccessfully have run for offices before.

Elected to the Parks Commission were Vicki Fifelski, Chris Gesink, Denice Lawrence and Mark Muscarella.

Wayland Township trustees

Republican incumbent trustees Patricia Staley and Jim Stein comfortably turned back a challenge from Democrat Ron DeVries.

PHOTOS: Dan Weber   Jim Martin   Terry Rios

John Tuinstra   Josh Otto