Voters chose Gilbert, Gildner and McLennan in primary
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
Presque Isle County will have a new prosecutor in January 2025 and the race for probate judge was trimmed from four to two following Tuesday’s primary election.
Voters also approved all the proposals, including Onaway Area Community Schools’ (OACS’) renewal of the operating millage.
The biggest story primary night was the win by the Republican newcomer with the familiar last name.
Zakary McLennan edged incumbent prosecutor Kenneth A. Radzibon, 1,378 to 1,255, and will take over the office once held by his respected uncle Don McLennan for a quarter-of-a-century.
Zakary McLennan has been serving as the Cheboygan County assistant prosecutor and will become the county’s new chief law enforcement officer with no competition in November.
Probate judge candidates James L. Gilbert and Kimberly Gildner were the top vote getters and will now face off in November’s general election to see who takes over for presiding probate judge Erik J. Stone vacating his seat on the bench. Gilbert received 1,092 votes while Gildner was not far behind with 1,022.
Coming in third and fourth were Matthew J. Wojda (777) and Jeremiah Buffalo Wirgau (594) who were eliminated in one of the most competitive races the primary election.
The majority of voters said “yes” to the continuation of the OACS’ operating millage for the next 10 years, keeping funding in place and avoiding cuts to programming and causing financial chaos.
In Presque Isle County, 830 voters approved the renewal, while 455 filled in “no” on their ballots. In Forest and Waverly townships in Cheboygan County, it received a thumbs up, 271 to 164.
The final vote for the school resource officer renewal was, 2,656 to 1,351 in favor, while the Presque Isle County Council on Aging Transportation renewal received overwhelming favorable support, 3,028 to 997.
Voters also showed strong support for the ambulance operation millage renewal for the Rogers City area that received the most support of any proposal, 1,7
In Metz Township the operating millage survived by 12 votes, 47 to 35, but there was an upset in Presque Isle Township with longtime clerk Cynthia Paavola coming up short in her bid for re-election against Kate Szydlowski, 223 to 205.
Presque Isle County clerk Ann Marie Main was expecting voter turnout to be about 35 percent and it came in at just under 36, or 35.92, without numbers from Forest and Waverly townships.
“Early voting increased again,” said Main, an hour after the votes were tabulated. “In February, we had 350 and this time it was 418.”
All the results are unofficial until certified by the Presque Isle County board of canvassers, that will convene this morning (Thursday).
