Nov. 8, 2016 Presidential Election: What's on the Ballot

ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI – As is typical in presidential election years, contests at the top of the ballot grab all the headlines; this year even more than usual. But voters in St. Clair Shores have a few things at the bottom of the ballot; it's these smaller races that often go unheralded, but really have more to do with our day-to-day lives than who sits in the White House. Here are some things to prepare for on next week's ballot:

Lake Shore Public Schools Board of Education, vote for two, six-year terms:

• Mark E. Beghin (incumbent)
• Joshua Denzler
• Shannon R. Ketelhut (incumbent)

Lakeview Public Schools Board of Education, vote for two, six-year terms:

• Peter Accica
• Timothy E. Houlihan (incumbent)
• Donald C. Wheaton Jr. (incumbent)

Lakeview Public Schools Board of Education, vote for one, partial term:

• Megan Eileen-Lamb Crussen
• Bonita Dell
• Robbyn J. Martin (incumbent)

South Lake Schools Board of Education, vote for two, six-year terms:

• LaTanya Fair
• Renard Morey-Greer
• Robert Penn (incumbent)
• Charlotte Rebelein (incumbent)

Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan
A Proposal Authorizing the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) to Levy an Assessment
The proposal would authorize the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) to levy within Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties a property tax assessment:
• at a rate of 1.2 mills ($1.20 per $1,000 of taxable value);
• for 20 years beginning in 2016 and ending in 2035;
• that may not be increased, renewed, or used for other purposes without direct voter approval; and
• to be used upon the affirmative vote of an RTA board member from each RTA member jurisdiction for the purpose of construction and operation of a public transportation system connecting Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties, including rapid transit bus routes across county lines, specialized service for senior citizens and people with disabilities, commuter rail, airport express service, and other public transportation purposes permitted by law, consistent with RTA bylaws and subject to the limitations of the Regional Transit Authority Act.
If this new additional assessment is approved and levied, revenue will be disbursed to the RTA. It is estimated that $160,907,285 will be collected in the first year.
Should this assessment be approved?

If you are in the St. Clair Shores area, the city clerk has posted a precinct map with polling places on the city website. Find it here.
On Tuesday, Nov. 8, polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Photo by Shutterstock