Beth Bashert will be the Mayor of Ypsilanti for the next four years. Bashert won a five-way race on Tuesday against candidates without party affiliation, Anne Brown among them. Brown had sought to run against Bashert in the August primary, but failed to turn in petition signatures in time to qualify for the ballot. So, she launched an independent, write-in campaign. The other candidates were Mickeila Tate, Adrienne Hirschfelder and Sheila McSpadden. Bashert will replace outgoing Mayor Amanda Edmonds who decided not to seek re-election after one term in office.
The only contested race for Ypsilanti City Council was in the 3rd Ward. Anthony Morgan defeated Desirae Simmons for the right to replace Brian Robb. Robb chose not to seek re-election.
In the 1st Ward, Nicole Brown was unopposed. The current Mayor Pro-Tem will serve another four-year term.
Jennifer Symanns will be the new 2nd Ward representative. Symanns was unopposed on Tuesday. She will replace Daniel Vogt on council. Vogt did not seek re-election.
Bashert’s election to the mayor’s office will leave a hole on council. Bashert won election to the 2nd ward council seat in 2016 and has two-years left in that term. Now that she has been elected Mayor, city council will be charged with appointing someone to fill the council chair. The 2nd ward council seat will then be determined at the next, regularly scheduled election.
Ypsilanti Community Schools Win Voter Support For Sinking Fund Millage
A sinking fund millage has won approval from district voters in the Ypsilanti Community Schools. The 10-year, 3-mill levy will be collected beginning in 2019 and run through 2028. The first year of collection would generate more than $1.6-million dollars to fund a variety of district improvement. The money can be used for repairing existing facilities, the purchase or construction of new facilities and for technology upgrades. 67.79 percent of Ypsilanti district voters gae a thumbs up to the proposal.
Voters Say ‘Yes’ To The Ypsilanti District Library
The Ypsilanti District Library is more financially stable today. 67.01 percent of voters on Tuesday approved a 12-year, point-seven mill tax. The library board may authorize expenditures of the tax money to enhance district facilities and services to the community. The first year of collection is expected to generate over $1.3 million dollars. The tax collection will continue through the end of 2029.
Ypsilanti School Board
Celeste Hawkins, Ellen Champagne, and Gillian Ream Gainsley win.
Ypsilanti District Library Board:
Kristy Cooper, Bethany Kennedy, Theresa M. Maddix, Theresa M. Maddix all elected to take seats on the board for 4 years.
Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support. Make your donation to WEMU todayto keep your community NPR station thriving.
