By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Niles Charter Township is gearing up for what could be one of the more interesting sets of elections in the area this August.
"We got the overseas (ballots) out very quickly," said Marge Durm-Hiatt, township clerk. Absentee applications are still coming in, she added and training will take place in the coming weeks for election workers.
Durm-Hiatt and trustee Kevin Tonkin both remarked Monday evening on the current state of voters for the township -which they said came to a total of 10,009 registered voters for an estimated 13,000 township population.
The Niles Charter Township ballot may prove to be one of the more exciting ballots to watch when it comes to the Aug. 5 primary. The board will see a new supervisor, as the current holder of that seat, William Myers, is not seeking re-election. That seat is being pursued by Republicans David A. Spurlock, current trustee Kevin Tonkin and Jim Kidwell.
Much attention has been given to that particular race amidst a proposal voters will also face regarding an increase in millage for police protection within the township and the upcoming expiration of the contract with the Berrien County Sheriff's Department for current police coverage.
Also on the ballot, the Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Services (SMCAS) proposal to "renew and maintain a special assessment district for a period of eight consecutive years." The proposal states that an amount of $20 annually per parcel won't be exceeded within that time period for the operation and maintenance of SMCAS. Additional proposals for consideration include those regarding the 911 emergency system, county law enforcement and public safety and senior centers.
With such a high rate of registered voters to residents, the board is hoping for a high voter turnout. "I'd be happy with 25 percent," said Durm-Hiatt. "I think that would be outstanding."
At Monday's meeting, board members also heard from Joseph M. Walls, CPA with Siegfried Crandall PC, as he gave his auditor's report. Walls seemed pleased with the state of the township's finances. "You have adequate resources," he said. "You have a good fund balance." Still, Walls did suggest operating under careful consideration of funds.