News

Owosso Council shaken up by voters

By MICHAEL PETERSON, Argus-Press Staff Writer

Friday, November 6, 2009 10:00 AM EST

OWOSSO voters turned out the city’s incumbent mayor and a sitting Councilman in Tuesday’s election. Voters chose three newcomers and one incumbent to fill out the seven-person Council.

OWOSSO - At the next City Council meeting, residents will notice several changes.

In Tuesday's election, voters went for new blood as the top three vote-getters, who will fill four-year seats on the Council, were newcomers Cindy Popovitch, Tom Cook and Michael Erfourth. The fourth candidate to win a seat, for a two-year term, was incumbent Christopher Eveleth.

Popovitch received 1,163 votes, Cook had 1,158, Erfourth had 845 and Eveleth had 642.

Candidate Burton Fox tallied 611 votes, Frank Livingston got 596, incumbent mayor Mike Bruff received 473, Erik Brabo got 449, incumbent Mike Cline received 264, Jack Rappuhn totaled 247 and Trafton Jean got 200.

Bruff served on the Council for four years, two of which he had been the mayor. Cline has served as a Council member the past four years.

Popovitch said she was humbled after hearing the election results.

“I'm looking forward to taking a more active role in Owosso than what I had in the past. I am honored to be looked upon as someone to take a leadership position,” she said. “I truly believe Owosso has a lot of potential and I'm excited to be a part of making it all happen.”

Popovitch has lived in Owosso about six years and is a mother of three children. She has a bachelor's in business administration from the University of Michigan in Flint and currently works at Memorial Healthcare as a human resource specialist.

This is her first elected position, but she is also on the Planning Commission and previously was the chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Committee.

Cook said he felt honored voters put their confidence in him.

“I think this is an important time for the future of Owosso and I'm hoping to get the city focused on economic development and housing issues,” he said. “We are all very pleased that the folks in Owosso have seen a positive future for Owosso, and we are excited about being a part of the future with them.”

Cook is married with two children. He went to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and received a city planning degree from the University of California.

He is the executive director of the Cook Family Foundation and is one of the co-facilitators of Leadership Shiawassee. He also is a co-owner of Wolverine Sign Works.

This is Cook's first elected position, but has held other seats on various boards and served on the Planning Commission.

Following the election, Erfourth thanked the voters and candidates who were involved.

“We had 11 candidates this year that were all highly qualified, and I think everyone ran great campaigns,” Erfourth said, adding he hopes the high energy level will not taper off now that the ballots have been counted. “We need a lot of cooperation and idea sharing over the next four years.”

Erfourth has lived in Owosso about 26 years and is married with one child. He graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in finance. He works as a commercial real estate lender for Fifth Third Bank. This is the first time he has held an elected position.

Incumbent Eveleth also thanked the voters.

“It was great meeting them on the doorsteps and I think that made the difference tonight,” he said. “I'm now going to focus on this two-year term and the issues that come along.”

Eveleth was appointed to the Council in May after Jason Simmons resigned. Eveleth said he has spent his entire life in Owosso and works at Jackson National Life at the trades desk. He is a graduate of Owosso High School and is attending Lansing Community College to receive a degree in business law.

- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpeterson@argus-press.com. Post comments about this story online at www.argus-press.com.

Comment on this Story

Frank Spencer wrote on Nov 10, 2009 12:08 PM:

" Again-is this just more of the same ole' same ole'? When is someone going to REALLY do something for the city of Owosso?
Monday night Popovitch, Cook, Eveleth, Erfourth and others will swear to up-hold the Owosso City Charter and then promptly allow the city Manager to reside outside the city limits....in direct violation of the charter. If these new council members will not abide by the city charter, then nothing has been accomplished by electing new people. If you don't follow simple charter rules, then why have a charter at all. "

S.E. wrote on Nov 9, 2009 10:37 AM:

" Yeah like anyone in this city is ever going to be recalled. Does anyone actually believe this town is politically aware enough to pull it off? "

kaylor wrote on Nov 9, 2009 9:19 AM:

" how do "we all know he was armed"? "

steve wrote on Nov 5, 2009 4:03 PM:

" because braidwood did not do his job when randy colbry was stopped for hit and run drunk driving fleeing eluding. plus we all know that he was also armed when he committed his crimes. cops should be treated like the rest of us all they are not above the laws. "

some people r stupid wrote on Nov 5, 2009 12:18 PM:

" ***STEVE***

Why are you saying that Braidwood should be recalled?

I have talked to several people that work at the sheriffs office and they say things are the best they have ever been..it is obvious that you have no idea what you are talking about! "

CjP wrote on Nov 4, 2009 10:21 PM:

" I just hope that the new folks understand that their mandate is that it is time to get something accomplished, rather than sit around wringing their hands and asking lawyers for advice. I know that it is not as easy as running a business, but they all ran for the office to be LEADERS, so let's LEAD. "

Dan wrote on Nov 4, 2009 7:42 PM:

" Now the rest of the council had better wake up. Get rid of the fat in out City! Failure to do so will result in a recall!!!!!! "

steve wrote on Nov 4, 2009 6:17 PM:

" good. colbry you and braidwood will be the next to go. "

jodi s. wrote on Nov 4, 2009 5:20 PM:

" Congrats to you Cindy, you will make a big difference in this town. "

Joe Citizen wrote on Nov 4, 2009 4:39 PM:

" Love it! The voters have spoken! A new leaf for Owosso? "

joe dirt wrote on Nov 4, 2009 4:04 PM:

" thank goodness the drunk mike cline is gone!!!4JjD84 "

city charter wrote on Nov 4, 2009 1:47 PM:

" Monday night Popovitch, Cook, Eveleth, Erfourth and others will swear to up-hold the Owosso City Charter and then promptly allow the city Manager to reside outside the city limits....in direct violation of the charter. If these new council members will not abide by the city charter, then nothing has been accomplished by electing new people. If you don't follow simple charter rules, then why have a charter at all.

I wonder if Popovitch, Cook, Eveleth and Erfourth bend the rules at their work, church and family? "

Anne wrote on Nov 4, 2009 1:29 PM:

" I like it. I like it a lot. "