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Incumbents returned to office in Laingsburg
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Friday, November 6, 2009 10:00 AM EST
LAINGSBURG - City residents opted to vote for familiar faces, keeping the incumbent mayor, as well as the two City Council members, during Tuesday's election.
Two candidates were running for the two-year mayoral seat while nine sought the three, four-year Council positions.
Mayor Michael Culpepper defeated newcomer Randy Martin by 108 votes, with Culpepper receiving 158 and Martin getting 50.
For Council, incumbents Jessica Bayer, Tim Leonard and newcomer Michael Woodworth won. Leonard had 113 votes, Bayer had 112 and Woodworth 104.
Candidate Todd Schocke received 73 votes, Scott Roth 61, Alan Ducastel 41, Ashely Dibble 40, Karen Ducastel 30 and Cynthia Parker-Martin 25.
Culpepper, who has served as mayor for the past 61/2 years, said he was relieved the election had ended, but was excited to continue as mayor.
“I thank the good citizens of Laingsburg for their support,” he said, adding he was looking forward to the newly elected Council members. “I think they will benefit the city in every aspect.”
He added he will “continue to do what is best for the city of Laingsburg.”
“I want to help it grow and maintain businesses,” Culpepper said. “We've been fortunate that we have grown through these years of recession. ... It's encouraging when you see that.”
Culpepper is married with two children and is a Laingsburg High School graduate. He is retired, but previously worked for General Motors as a community service representative.
Woodworth said he was also anticipating serving the city.
“I've got a lot of big plans and working alongside Jessica Bayer and Tim Leonard will be great,” Woodworth said. “I think the most important thing to do is get in there, see what is going on and feel it out before I know exactly what the plan is going to be for this year.”
He is married with one child and is a graduate student at Central Michigan University studying business administration. He also has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Western Michigan University. He works as a customer service representative for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan.
Bayer, who has been on the Council for four years, thanked the voters for entrusting her with another term.
“I'm just going to keep going on the path that I've been going on,” Bayer said.
Bayer is married with two children and has an associate's degree in interior design from Baker College of Owosso. She works part-time as program manager for The Foundation for Investor Education and part-time as an interior designer.
Leonard could not be reached for comment by press time. He is a Laingsburg High School graduate and the previous owner of the local True Value Hardware, which he sold in 2000. He has served as a Council member for seven years. He has also worked with the Downtown Development Authority for approximately 15 years.
- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpeterson@argus-press.com. Post comments about this story online at www.argus-press.com.