Pontiac — Local races and millions of dollars in public services, safety and school proposals across Oakland County are at stake in Tuesday’s election.
Voters will cast ballots in statewide elections and decide who they want in the U.S. Congress and the state Legislature. Several communities will pick top local government leaders, from city councils and trustees to mayor, and there is considerable competition for seats on library and school boards.
While most races are without controversy, in Royal Oak Township, officials who voted themselves hefty raises during the COVID-19 pandemic may have served their last terms. Voters will decide whether to recall township Supervisor Donna Squalls, Clerk Gwendolyn Turner and trustees Wanda Allen and Jeff Cushingberry.
Last year, Royal Oak Township trustees approved the salary hikes, which included a 25% increase for Squalls, from $20,000 to $25,000 a year and 87.5% for Turner.
The township is one of Michigan’s smallest and poorest communities. Royal Oak Township’s median household income is $26,406, less than half of the statewide figure, while budget troubles forced the township to operate under a consent agreement with the state from 2014 to 2017. The community, which covers just over a half of a square mile, has about 2,600 residents.
Felicia Royal and Richard Miles are challenging Squalls for supervisor. Turner faces Ossie Dixon and Ella Moore in the clerk race. Moore Kimberly Bradley Reaves and Cassandra S. Respress are looking to…
