The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Incumbent, Leacher win seats
Mary Mehringer was the top vote-getter with 573 in Tuesday's school board race
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008
Milan school board incumbent Mary Mehringer was elected to a second four-year term Tuesday and John Leacher was successful in his second bid for a school board seat.
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Mehringer pulled 573 votes to Leacher's 463, while Mary Hoevemeyer Wine came in third with 300 votes.
Reached at her home late Tuesday night, Mehringer had not been following the polling results.
"My attitude has been if the people wanted me, they would vote for me," she said. "If they wanted someone else, they would vote for them. I think the other two people were well qualified and would have serve the district well."
Leacher, a Romulus police lieutenant `who made his first run for school board last year, said he believed he had wider name recognition this second time around.
"I got out to more events and really took some time to listen to people's concerns," he said.
Both Mehringer and Leacher said they believed Milan area residents were largely satisfied with the district's direction.
"I think people are pretty content right now," Mehringer said.
"Our school district is very well respected in Washtenaw County," Leacher said. "I think that says a lot about our school district."
They both are also looking forward to working with the new superintendent, Bryan Girbach, who only last month was selected to be retiring Dennis McComb's successor.
"I think Bryan is going to pick up where Dennis left off and just run with it," Leacher said. "I'm looking forward to working with him."
"Bryan will carry on in the spirit of what Dennis has done," said Mehringer, who was involved in the hiring of Girbach.
Without a galvanizing issue on the ballot or in the community forefront, turnout was expectedly low.
At 6:30 p.m., after working all day as a precinct volunteer, Ann Huff had doubled the size of a crocheted blanket she was making for the Detroit Rescue Mission.
"It has been a slow day here," she said, hooking another row on her bright green and yellow quilt.
Kathleen Craig has lived in Milan for eight years and came out to vote at the urging of a co-worker who has three children in the district.
"Also, it's my civic duty and I was happy to vote for the candidates my friend supported," Craig said.
Mike Sweet also felt it was his responsibility to get out and vote.
"People have died to provide us with this right," he said. "Also, Milan is a great place to raise children and I believe we need to continue to focus on the family."
Sweet said he read the biographies and stories of the candidates in The Milan News-Leader and respects all the candidates.
"They all deserve a medal for running and serving their community," he said.
Staff Writer Sue Collins contributed to this report.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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