Pubdate: Thu, 10 Nov 2005
Source: South End, The (MI Edu)
Copyright: 2005 The South End Newspaper.
Contact:  http://www.southend.wayne.edu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2932
Author: Julianne Franzen, Contributing Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

SUBURBAN RESIDENTS TAKE TO THE POLLS

Voters across Michigan marched to the polls Tuesday to make their 
voices heard for the state's Election Day.

Seventy-four Metro Detroit communities held their elections for 
positions including mayor and council membership. They also presented 
various proposals, ranging from medical marijuana legalization in 
Ferndale to the removal of the regional bus system in Livonia.

In Ferndale, voters approved Proposal D, allowing the prescription of 
medical marijuana, said the Ferndale City Clerk's office. The city 
joined Ann Arbor and Detroit, who in 2004 also allowed the medicinal 
use of pot. Before the vote, police said that they would still arrest 
anyone in possession of the drug because it's illegal under state and 
federal laws.

Livonia residents voted yes on the proposal to discontinue the 
Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) bus 
service, reported the Livonia City Clerk's office. Instead of the bus 
system, a $500,000 tax will be imposed for a community transportation 
program and city facilities.

Voters for the Hamtramck mayoral election decided on Karen Majewski 
over Tom Jankowski in a vote of 1,581 to 1,184, according to The Detroit News.

Sterling Heights Mayor Richard J. Notte won unopposed. However, 
voters decided against amending the City Charter to extend the 
mayor's and city council members' terms of office from two years to 
four years, according to the City of Sterling Heights.

In Dearborn, Kathleen Buda was elected as city clerk.

In Belleville, George Chedrane and Lori Hecksel were elected to the 
city council.

Also in Belleville, voters shot down a proposal to add 1.874 mills 
for an unlimited number of years, to offset millage reduction.

Complete election results can be found at www.detnews.com or www.freep.com.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman