Unopposed, with three seats short

Alger County elections highlight challenges of filling local offices

At a time when filling local public offices can be challenging, 15 candidates across Alger County are seeking positions without listed opponents on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. But two school board races highlight an even greater concern: There are fewer candidates than available seats.

In the Superior Central School District, three candidates are seeking four available school board seats, leaving one position without a candidate listed on the ballot. In the Au Train-Onota School District, just one candidate is seeking three available seats, leaving two positions without listed candidates.

Together, the two districts have three school board seats without candidates listed on the ballot.

The lack of competition extends to county, city, township, village and other school board races, where candidates are seeking positions that carry significant responsibilities for public services, infrastructure, education and local government.

While contested races often draw the most attention during election season, uncontested offices carry responsibilities that are no less significant. From maintaining county roads and managing public finances to overseeing municipal operations and administering elections, these positions directly affect the daily lives of residents.

In the Superior Central School District, Nicole Aho, Ben Bartlett and Kristian Saile are the only candidates listed for four available four-year school board seats.

In the Au Train-Onota School District, Molly Carmody is the only candidate listed for three available four-year school board seats.

In Burt Township Schools, Krista Dudansky is the sole candidate for a partial term ending Dec. 31, 2028. Lori Savage and Jennifer Williamson are the only candidates for two available four-year terms.

Similarly, in the village of Chatham, Kit R. Fortney, Gina M. Maki and Daniel Rushford are the only candidates listed for three available trustee positions.

Across those five school board and village contests, 11 candidates are listed for 14 available seats. Although write-in candidates could affect the final results, the ballot reflects a limited field of candidates for positions responsible for local education and municipal government.

The Munising Beacon interviewed four additional candidates running without listed opponents: Cori-Ann Cearley for the Alger County Road Commission, Robert Hughes for Alger County commissioner in District 1, Jordan Prunick for Munising City Commission and Pamela “Pam” Simmons for Onota Township clerk.

Their backgrounds and motivations differ, but each has expressed a commitment to public service and the responsibilities of local government.

Cori-Ann Cearley — Alger County Road Commission

Cori-Ann Cearley, a Republican, is running unopposed for a six-year term on the Alger County Road Commission.

Born and raised in Munising, Cearley has spent most of her life in the area. She currently serves as president and executive director of the Munising Visitors Bureau and has worked extensively in the tourism industry.

Her community involvement includes the Downtown Development Authority, Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association, Great Waters and Alger Parks and Recreation.

Cearley also brings familiarity with road maintenance, snowplowing and heavy equipment through her family’s former business, Gerou Excavating.

“I believe roads heavily impact our local quality of life,” Cearley said. “Roads and trails intersect throughout our county and directly impact us in a variety of ways.”

If elected, Cearley said her priorities will include maintaining responsible spending, considering how road policies affect residents and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

She believes the road commission’s current budget is balanced and its funding is distributed fairly, but said she intends to continue monitoring expenditures and making cost-effective decisions.

Cearley also emphasized accessibility and communication with residents, encouraging the public to attend road commission meetings and share concerns about road conditions.

“If you see me out and about and have a concern, please come and talk to me,” Cearley said.

She said she intends to approach decisions fairly and consider the needs of the county as a whole.

“I will always try to be fair and impartial when making decisions for the road commission,” Cearley said. “I will use my best judgment as to how roads impact us as a whole, and for me that means every facet of life.”

Robert Hughes — Alger County commissioner, District 1

Robert Hughes, a Republican, is running unopposed for a partial term representing District 1 on the Alger County Board of Commissioners. The term ends Dec. 31, 2028.

Hughes has spent 48 years serving Alger County through the sheriff’s office, including as county sheriff, and emergency medical services. After serving about one year on the county board, he is seeking to continue his work in local government.

“I can now continue serving the citizens of Alger County,” Hughes said. “This is something I have done for 48 years in both the sheriff’s office and Emergency Medical Services.”

Hughes identified rising costs for county services as one of the most significant challenges facing local government. He said commissioners must balance residents’ needs with available funding while maintaining essential services.

Among his priorities is addressing shortages of emergency medical personnel, particularly in smaller communities that have lost first responders and emergency medical technicians.

“Staffing shortages in EMS are common throughout the nation,” Hughes said. “This is not an easy problem to tackle, but if we can keep it on the front burner we may be able to hold our own.”

Hughes also supports economic development that extends beyond tourism, including industries offering year-round employment and benefits.

He identified affordable long-term housing as another important issue, citing the concentration of short-term rentals in some areas as a challenge to community growth.

“Affordable long-term housing is important for growth and opportunities,” Hughes said.

Hughes emphasized cooperation among county commissioners, elected officials and department heads, noting that collaboration is important when addressing financial and operational challenges.

He also encouraged residents to participate in county government by attending meetings and contacting commissioners with concerns.

“I was raised to serve others and have been doing so my whole life,” Hughes said.

Jordan Prunick — Munising City Commission

Munising City Commissioner Jordan Prunick is seeking another term, running unopposed for the seat he first won in November 2023.

Prunick, who was selected as mayor pro tem in 2024, said his decision to remain involved in city government reflects his commitment to the community where he is raising his family.

“When I moved back to Munising, I knew I was setting my roots here for my growing family and wanted to be involved in the growth of this community,” he said.

Prunick’s professional background includes banking and the beverage industry, with experience at Range Bank, Huntington Bank and East Channel Brewing Co. He also studied business administration and management at Northern Michigan University.

During his first term, Prunick participated in the city manager hiring process and labor contract negotiations, experiences he said helped him better understand municipal operations and the responsibilities of city departments.

“It really gave me a perspective of what all of our city departments do and how crucial each department is to help this city flourish,” he said.

He identified rising water costs as one of the more difficult issues facing Munising residents and commissioners. Prunick acknowledged the financial burden of higher utility bills while emphasizing the need to fund infrastructure improvements.

“As a city resident and paying for city water, we see firsthand the negative result of higher costs on utilities for families,” he said, adding that projects requiring funding must also be completed to improve the city.

Looking ahead, Prunick said the search for a new city manager following Michelle Harrison’s resignation is among the city’s most immediate priorities.

He described the hiring process as an important responsibility requiring commissioners to identify a candidate with the experience and qualifications necessary to lead municipal operations.

Although Prunick did not identify a specific new project or policy he intends to pursue, he emphasized collaboration among commissioners, listening to residents and continuing to build on the knowledge gained during his first term.

His goal, he said, is to help “make this community the great place that it is.”

Pamela “Pam” Simmons — Onota Township clerk

Pamela “Pam” Simmons is running unopposed for Onota Township clerk, a position she has held for more than two years.

Simmons initially became involved in township government through an interest in serving on the board. After a series of changes in the clerk’s office, she served as deputy clerk before assuming the clerk’s responsibilities in August 2024.

Although she had previously assisted with elections, Simmons said taking on the full responsibilities of the office required extensive learning and guidance from other township clerks.

Her duties include preparing meeting agendas and minutes, processing township bills, maintaining records, assisting with the budget and administering elections.

Simmons also works full time at Walmart Pharmacy, balancing her professional career with the demands of township government. She often dedicates her days off and time before work to fulfilling her responsibilities as clerk.

She credited fellow township clerks, Alger County Clerk Joel VandeVelde and Onota Township’s treasurer, Cheryl Lane, with helping her navigate the position, noting the importance of collaboration and learning from others.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to do this without help from other clerks, because I had no training,” Simmons said.

Simmons said one of the most rewarding aspects of the job is knowing her work benefits the township and its residents.

“I guess the biggest thing is feeling the pride of doing something for the township,” she said.

Because the township does not maintain regular office hours, Simmons encourages residents seeking assistance to contact the office by email or leave a telephone message.