SAULT STE. MARIE — The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Primary Election weeded out hopefuls and left contenders for the General Election in late June. In the chairman's race, Aaron Payment (2,827 votes) and incumbent Bernard Bouschor (2,808 voter) made it through the primary. Candidate Robert LaPoint took in 1344 votes while Dennis McKelvie had 248 votes.
Following the Primary, LaPoint sent out a press release asking his voters to support Payment.
The Sault Tribe Board of Directors is comprised of directors from geographical units throughout its seven-county service area. The Sault Ste. Marie area is Unit 1, the Cedarville-Hessel area is Unit 2, the St. Ignace area is Unit 3, the Manistique area is Unit 4 and the Munising area is Unit 5. (There is no election this year in Unit 5).
Unit results as of May 26 follow, with those in bold advancing to the general election.
UNIT 1
Abramson, Cathy* 1493
Gravelle, Todd 1321
Eitrem, Joe 898
Menard, Mike* 834
Gravelle, Kim 776
Eagle, Ken 647
Hoffman, DJ 644
Jump, Lori 633
Eavou, Carol 556
Nolan, John 460
Biron, John 400
McKechnie, Issac 371
Osterhout, Toni 355
Candidates Abramson, Todd Gravelle, Eitrem, Menard and Kim Gravelle move into the general election. Eagle and Hoffman were tied each with 646 votes with Jump only a few votes behind, until a May 26 recount in which Eagle came out on top with had 647 votes to Hoffman's 644 and Jump's 633, according to the Evening News.
UNIT 2
Hank, Francis 224
Causley, Lana 219
King, Bill 196
Bellant, Cliff* 169
Fraizer, Dave 141
Willis, Basel 88
Hank and Causley vie for one seat in Unit 2.
UNIT 3
Incumbent Fred Paquin* was unopposed in his bid for Unit 3.
UNIT 4
Miller, Tom 219
Power, Ron 161
Kerridge, Allen 136
Petersen, Jerome 133
Snyder, Marty 123
Patsy Perret 71
Tom Miller and Ron Power will compete for one Unit 4 seat.
*incumbent
