By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Mayor Donald D. Lyons, Dowagiac's 47th mayor, won re-election to his third term Tuesday by an almost 2-1 margin over Howard G. Hall.
Lyons collected 658 votes to Hall's 372, with Willie G. Harrington third with 88 votes.
Lyons carried First Ward, 133-103-40; Second Ward, where the mayor lives, 365-133-35; and Third Ward, 160-136-13.
All members of the mayor's “team” triumphed, too, including appointee Donna L. O'Konski, securing her first electoral victory since her appointment last Nov. 8 to succeed Jack Alexander, 134 to 91 for Robert L. Mortimore and 40 for write-in Ronald R. Leatz in First Ward; unopposed Bob B. Schuur, tallying 486 in Second Ward; and, in Third Ward, Leon D. Laylin captured his third term 188-118 over Jo Anne L. Wood.
He was reached at home after returning from an 8 a.m. Cass County Transportation Authority meeting in Cassopolis.
The mayor said he spent election night at a small gathering with council members so they could “go up or down together.”
Turnout was larger than anticipated, which Lyons attributed to two things - Southwestern Michigan College's hard work to harness support for its millage and contested city races.
While Dowagiac voters favored Southwestern Michigan College's 1.5-mill request after defeating it May 3, support was softer than SMC officials had hoped, counting on the city to offset some areas such as Porter Township, where the property tax measure was not expected to fare as well.
Dowagiac voters approved the SMC request 150-116 in First Ward, 334-198 in Second Ward and 173-135 in Third Ward.
SMC is perhaps the only issue upon which Lyons and Hall agree. Both urged a yes vote for the college.
City Treasurer Robin Coffey, cruised to her third term unopposed while garnering 1,022 ballots.