Republican Swing Vote Vaughn Begick Puts Colleen Maillette into County Post
Primary Battle Looms for Dem Nomination for 4th District with Doug Goupil
February 3, 2010
By: Dave Rogers
A highly experienced "oldline Democrat," Mike Buda, was upended Tuesday by neophyte Colleen Maillette (Pictured at Right) in a 5-3 vote for the 4th District County Commission seat.
Ms. Maillette will serve the unexpired 10 1/2 months of the term of Dawn Klida, who resigned to take one of two 74th District Court judgeships.
The only Republican on the commission, Vaughn Begick, voted for Ms. Maillette along with three Democrats, Brian Elder, Donald Tilley and the "dean" of the board, Eugene Gwizdala.
Backing Mr. Buda were Mike Duranczyk of Pinconning, Ernie Krygier and Kim Coonan.
Two other candidates for the appointment, Douglas Goupil and Lynne Moore, did not receive any votes.
Mr. Buda is a former mayor, city and county commissioner and well-connected member of the Bay County Democratic Party. He is retired from Consumers Energy and was active in many civic affairs, including the board of the Bay City Fireworks Festival for many years.
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As the lone Republican, Begick thus became the swing vote to put Bangor trustee Maillette over the top. In her statement to the board before the vote, Ms. Maillette stressed her business experience as a Realtor and her management of the retail arm of Do-All, Inc.
"As a Realtor for over 25 years I have been selling the community as I sell homes," Ms. Maillette said in her application for the appointment. "I am familiar with the county resources, neighborhoods and businesses. As a commissioner I will bring a practical approach to the board."
Ms. Maillette replaces Ms. Klida, who was appointed by the governor and recently sworn in as district judge. She succeeds Craig Alston, who resigned and is planning a move to the Seattle area to enter the computer business.
The appointment sets up a confrontation on the August primary ballot with Douglas Goupil, former industrial engineer, who has already filed for the Democratic primary, according to County Clerk Cindy Luczak. If Ms. Maillette files, she would be seeking a full two-year term on the Commission.
It is not known if Mr. Buda or another defeated candidate for the appointment, Lynne Moore, a Bangor Township Schools human resource specialist, will also be seeking the seat in the election. Neither Mr. Goupil nor Ms. Moore received any votes in Tuesday's balloting.
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