Taranko, Marrison win seats on city council

Kevin Braciszeski - Daily News Staff Writer

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Mayor John Henderson, 850 votes, and 6th Ward Councilor Gary Castonia, 101 votes (only the 6th Ward voted), also won re-election Tuesday, in uncontested races.

City clerk

Luskin, who is completing her fourth year as city clerk, won another four-year term with 743 votes to the 274 received by her challenger, Joni Potter.

“I am just thrilled,” Luskin said after learning about her win at the Mason County Courthouse Tuesday night.

“I have to thank all the voters for coming out — they came out in droves in the afternoon and evening,” she said. “And I’d like to thank the city employees, because I couldn’t do the job without them.”

Potter earned her spot on Tuesday’s ballot by beating Les Johnson in the Aug. 4 primary election.

“Of course I’m disappointed, but I wish Deb well in the next four years and hope everything goes well with the city,” Potter said.

“This has been a good and positive experience for me and I would like to thank everyone who helped me and supported me,” she said.

2nd Ward

Wally Taranko received 139 votes to the 93 received by his opponent, David Buskirk, to win the council seat for the 2nd Ward.

That seat was filled for the past 12 years by Greg Dykstra, who was unable to run again due to term limits after serving three terms on the council.

“I’m very pleased with the results,” Taranko said Tuesday night. “I plan to do the best I can for all the citizens of Ludington and I thank them for their support, because without it, I wouldn’t have won.”

Buskirk said he plans to remain in local politics, possibly running for city treasurer in 2011.

“I want to thank everyone that supported me,” he said Tuesday night about the election. “I was looking forward to representing the people of Ludington again.

“There’s always a next time,” he said, adding, “I hope the councilors can maintain the budget with the economy we have and keep the same services we have.”

4th Ward

Wanda Marrison won her 4th Ward seat on the council with 89 votes to the 31 received by Lane Dulin.

That seat was filled for the past 12 years by David Weston, who was unable to run again due to term limits after serving three terms on the council.

“I am really grateful the 4th Ward — my neighbors and friends — have confidence in me and let me speak for them on the council,” Marrison said. “I hope to do a good job for them.

“The 4th Ward is a great place to live and I’ll be a new voice for the 4th Ward on the council,” she said.

Dulin said he learned a lot from running for election.

“It was a good learning experience for the first time running for office,” Dulin said. “I congratulate her and hope she does a good job for the 4th Ward.

“I appreciate all the people that supported me,” he said.

kevinb@ludingtondailynews.com

843-1122 x346