School board races, millage renewals on Iron County ballot Nov. 5

School board races will highlight local contests on the Nov. 5 ballot in Iron County, along with proposed millage renewals for the Crystal Falls Community Library District, Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District and Iron County roads.

Early voting begins today and continues through Sunday, November 3 at Crystal Falls City Hall, Iron River City Hall, Bates City Hall and Mastodon City Hall.

The Crystal Falls site is for voters in the townships of Mansfield, Hematite and Crystal Falls, as well as the city of Crystal Falls. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for each of the nine early voting days.

The Iron River site is for voters of the towns of Stambaugh and Iron River, along with the towns of Iron River, Gaastra and Caspian. The schedule is daily between 8 am and 4 pm.

Hours for Bates Township and Mastodon Township voters at their early voting locations are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day.

Summaries follow –

BOARD OF IRON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

In District 1, incumbent Democrat Patti Peretto is unopposed.

In District 2, no candidates filed for the ballot.

In District 3, incumbent Mark Stauber, with no party affiliation, is unopposed.

In District 4, unaffiliated incumbent Ean Bruette is unopposed.

In District 5, unaffiliated incumbent Jacob Conery is unopposed.

IRON COUNTY OFFICES

The candidates for county positions are all incumbents and unopposed. They are: Chad DeRouin, Republican, prosecutor; Ryan D. Boehmke, Democrat, Sheriff; Amy Donati, Democrat, Clerk and Register of Deeds;

Melanie Camps, Democrat, Treasurer; Thomas Karvala, Democrat, Mine Inspector; and Ron Frailing and Dan Germic, Republicans, road commissioners.

In a nonpartisan race, Judge Donald S. Powell is unopposed for re-election as a probate court judge.

MILAGE of the IRON County Road

A renewal of 0.5 mill, or 50 cents for each $1,000 of taxable value, is proposed for 2025 through 2028 for the maintenance, repair and reconstruction of public streets, boulevards and roads. That levy, which would otherwise expire with the 2024 tax levy, would raise about $345,594 in the first year. The towns of Caspian, Crystal Falls, Gaastra and Iron River and the village of Alpha will keep the revenue, while the Iron County Road Commission will receive revenue collected in unincorporated areas of the county.

DICKINSON-IRON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

A 10-year renewal of a special education millage of 0.4983 mills, or just under 50 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, is proposed in the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District. Estimated income in 2026 is $861,567. This millage is to provide funds for the education of students with disabilities.

CRYSTAL FALLS District COMMUNITY LIBRARY DISTRICT

A five-year renewal of 1 million, or $1 per $1,000 of taxable value, is proposed to provide library services in the Crystal Falls Community Library District. That tax would raise about $209,040 in 2026.

WEST IRON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL

The district has eight candidates for four school board seats: Merrie Gillaspie, Michael Goriesky, Linnea Johnson, Andrew Oberlin, Gary Olson and incumbents Gary Pisoni, Ryan Meske and Ian Gill.

FOREST PARK SCHOOL CARRIAGE

There are six candidates on the ballot for two six-year terms. They are Ryan Aho, Zach Hautala, Allen L. Jaeger, Brook Ponchaud, and incumbents Debra J. Divoky and William C. St. John. Candidates on the ballot for a partial term through 2026 are April Anderson and Angela Stafford, although Stafford is not an active candidate. Tim Bendick is also seeking the two-year term.

CASPIAN CITY

Three candidates filed for three board seats: Matt Jacks, Robert Ketchum and Gary Sabol. They are all holders.

City of CRYSTAL FALLS

For mayor, the candidates are Tim Bean, Rob Damske and incumbent Mike McCarthy. The city has no candidates for two open council seats.

Bates Township

All candidates for township office are Republican and unopposed: Mike Stafford for Township Supervisor, Jane Adams and Michael Franzene for Trustee, Barbara Benson-Stafford for Clerk and Teresa Nelson for Treasurer. No one has filed a police report.

CRYSTAL FALLS TOWNSHIP

For township supervisor, the candidates are Democrat Allen L. Jaeger, Republican Curtis Stebic, Libertarian Bob Black and Tom Stachowicz, who has no party affiliation. Incumbent Scott Kenney is not seeking re-election.

The two candidates for trustee are both incumbent Democrats, Diane Kut and Joanne Seppala. Democrats are unopposed for the other city offices: Nancy Niemi for clerk, Jennifer Ketola for treasurer.

THE CITY OF GAASTRA

All positions are unopposed: Richard Holm for mayor, Chris Cain and Mari Kay McNamara for two city commissioner seats and Tony Holm for one city commissioner seat.

HEMATIT municipality

Joseph A. Hoenig, with no party affiliation, is unopposed for supervisor. Running for two trustee seats are Carlyn M. Raduechel, a Republican, and Dale Richardson, no party affiliation.

The township has a police race: Republicans Gordon Robinson and Kurt Colombino, no party affiliation. Other township positions are unopposed: Vanessa Warren, no party affiliation, for clerk; Ashley Haag, no party affiliation, for treasurer.

IRON RIVER TOWNSHIP

Republican mayoral candidates are unopposed. They are Scott L. Tarsi, supervisor; Amber Laturi, Clerk; Marla J. Hill, Treasurer; and Westley Hill and Michael J. Sheehy, trustees.

TOWN OF MANSFIELD

Republican mayoral candidates are unopposed. They are Brock VanOss, supervisor; John Leutz, Clerk; Rosalie A. Poynter, treasurer; and Mike Carey and George J. Minerick, trustees.

MASTODON municipality

Candidates for Alpha village offices are unopposed. They are Peter LaPin, president; Krystal L. Sedwick, Clerk; Molly Cameron, treasurer; and Gene S. Byrge and Charyl McCole, Trustees.

STAMBAUGH TOWNSHIP

Candidates for mayoral positions are not opposed. They are Kevin S. Isaacson, Republican, Supervisor; Margaret Christensen, Republican, Clerk; Sharon Rogers, Republican, Treasurer; and Dean Stolberg, Democrat, Trustee, and Sherry Pangrazzi, Republican, Trustee.