Wayne: Downriver voters pick new mayors in 4 cities

Steve Pardo / The Detroit News

Voters in the Downriver communities of Taylor, Flat Rock, Southgate and Woodhaven elected new mayors Tuesday.

Meanwhile, incumbents in Dearborn and Romulus did well.

In Dearborn, Mayor John B. O'Reilly Jr. cruised to a landslide victory, collecting nearly 88 percent of the votes. He defeated Michael J. Prus 14,150 to 1,932. In Ecorse, voters re-elected Herbert Worthy -- barely. Worthy defeated former mayor Larry Salisbury 848-833. Neither man received a 50 percent majority because there were 47 write-in votes. Worthy, 77, is still the subject of federal charges alleging he and other Ecorse officials accepted bribes from Michigan Municipal Services.

In Harper Woods, incumbent Kenneth A. Poynter defeated Anthoney Wimbush, 1,657 to 409.

In Southgate, Joseph Kuspa, won against Dennis David, who formerly was a mayor, 3,450 to 1,182.

"It's an ecstatic feeling to get the overwhelming support across the board," Kuspa, 52, said. "The priorities are moving the city forward. All the communities in Michigan are dealing with the reduction in state revenue. We're going to have to fill that gap. That's our first priority."

Flat Rock Mayor Richard C. Jones announced he wasn't running for re-election this year, opening the field for new candidates. Councilman Jonathan Dropiewski was the top vote-getter in the primary and he defeated William Stanifer Jr. 1,106 to 243.

Woodhaven Councilwoman Patricia Odette nearly doubled votes received by City Administrator David Flaten, 1,475 to 751.

Mayor Alan Lambert won re-election in Romulus, defeating Harry Crout 2,519 to 1,557. Lambert admits he and the city will most likely face an uphill struggle in the near future.

"It's going to be a tough next four years with the economy the way it is now," Lambert said. "I guess we just roll up our sleeves and work hard."

Incumbent Karen Majewski bested Councilman Abdul Algazali 1,708 to 1,585 in the Hamtramck mayoral race. And in Lincoln Park, incumbent Frank Vaslo defeated Joseph Baughman 2,291 to 1,668.

Incumbents generally did well, but in Taylor Mayor Cameron G. Priebe lost to Jeffrey P. Lamarand 5,596 to 4,448.

Several suburban Wayne County communities elected clerks, treasurers and council members.

Julie Evans, 51, of Westland threw her support to candidates who want to reduce wasteful spending.

"I want them to look at what we have and use it wisely," said Evans, a four year resident of Westland.

Jim Ward, 75, looked for new representation for the city he has lived in since 1957.

Others came out because of millage proposals.

Countywide, voters were on their way to approving a 0.95 mill renewal to fund county services including courts, parks and senior citizen programs. The proposal held a 71 percent to 29 percent lead with nearly 90 percent of the votes tallied.

Voters in Brownstown Township approved a 2 mill increase for firefighter personnel by only four votes -- 1,822 to 1,818.

Dearborn voters approved a .5 mill continuation for Henry Ford Community College by a more than 3-1 margin. Garden City residents approved a two-year 0.5 mill plan for a sinking fund.

Grosse Pointe voters approved a 19 mill replacement millage and a 1-mill proposal for school building development and repairs. River Rouge voters turned down a school bond issue.