News
Blunier, Rentfrow advance
By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 10:19 AM EDT
CASSOPOLIS - Dale Blunier and Stacey Rentfrow move on to the Nov. 4 general election for Cass County Fourth District Court judge.
"I'm very thankful for the support I've gotten," Blunier said shortly after the last results came in from Marcellus Township to assure Rentfrow of the second spot on the Nov. 4 ballot and leave Assistant Attorney General Scott Teter, former Cass County prosecutor, the odd man out.
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| Judge Susan Dobrich and Sheriff Joe Underwood congratulate Edwardsburg attorney Dale Blunier Tuesday night on finishing first in the three-way primary race to succeed retiring Fourth District Judge Paul Deats. Blunier and Paw Paw attorney Stacey Rentfrow of Marcellus square off Nov. 4. Underwood was the biggest vote-getter in Cass County with 4,331 ballots.
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Unofficial vote totals showed Blunier, a former Dowagiac resident, with 2,208 to 1,965 for Rentfrow and 1,857 for Teter.
"I really want to thank my campaign committee - especially my campaign manager, Heidi Behnke," whose husband, Ron Matthews outpolled incumbent Dowagiac Commissioner John Cureton, 152-103, for the Republican nomination to face Democrat Edward Clark Cobb in the general election.
Behnke also guided Berrien Springs businessman Bill Baber to a 616-478 win in Cass County over Sharon Tyler of Niles in the 78th District House race, though Tyler won the Republican nod with Berrien County included.
Blunier also credited "my best worker - my wife and best friend," Leigh Goyings, an Edwardsburg teacher.
"Tonight the people of Cass County showed they want a judge who has no agenda and will be fair and impartial," Blunier said. "They felt comfortable voting for that person, knowing that they will be treated with respect and on a case-by-case basis. My plan was to be No. 1 or a close second.
"I really congratulate Stacey on what she's done because she's done a really excellent job. It's not going to be any easier from here on out because she's a tough candidate and a great campaigner. I've gotten to know her throughout this campaign and my respect has been tremendous for her. She's a worthy adversary. No matter who wins in November, the people of Cass County will be the winners," Blunier said.
He added, "I thought (Teter would be his chief adversary) because he had won countywide office before and a contested primary" in 1996 against the late Jeff Baumann when former U.S. attorney Margaret Chiara's former chief assistant prosecutor chaired the county Republican Party.
"I thought Scott was the one to beat - and I planned on doing that," the Edwardsburg attorney said.
Facing Rentfrow "really doesn't change my strategy" heading on to the November general election because the thrust of Blunier's campaign is to stress his 11 years of Fourth District Court experience.
Eleven years is how long Blunier has contracted with Cass County to represent indigent defendants who cannot afford their own attorneys, building relationships with the other judges, the Board of Commissioners, the sheriff's office and law enforcement.
As he told Dowagiac City Council July 28, the only person more knowledgeable than him about Fourth District is the man he seeks to succeed, retiring Judge Paul Deats.
Rentfrow, of Marcellus, practices law in Paw Paw and is a former Van Buren County Friend of the Court referee.
Blunier outpolled Teter about 2-to-1 on their home turf in Ontwa Township.
In case his health became an issue, Blunier made a point of walking in parades, giving blood and, in the process, dropped 35 pounds.
Blunier feels he's "matured" since 1994, when he first sought the bench against Judge Susan Dobrich, a former prosecutor.
Teter carried Dowagiac's Third Ward, 56-47, over Blunier, who prevailed in First Ward (60-22) and Second Ward (102-69, with 88 for Rentfrow).
Teter won Calvin Township, Howard Township, Milton Township, Newberg Township and Porter Township.
Rentfrow won Volinia Township with 116, to 19 for Blunier and 38 for Teter.
Rentfrow also crushed the men in Marcellus Township, 249 to 36 for Blunier and 31 for Teter, and in Newberg Township, where she accumulated 156 ballots to 32 for Teter and eight for Blunier.
Rentfrow was the top vote-getter in Penn Township with 123 and ran a strong second in Silver Creek, 109 to Blunier's 118, with 88 for Teter.
Prosecutor
Incumbent Republican Prosecutor Victor Fitz withstood a primary challenge from Thomas Swisher, 2,851-1,745, but the 23-year Dowagiac trial attorney carried all three city wards and Wayne Township.
Drug millage
Renewal of the millage carried countywide, 4,043 yes to 2,300 no.
Dowagiac supported it, 80-38 in First Ward; 195-80 in Second Ward; and 103-40 in Third Ward.
The margin in Wayne Township was 209 yes to 121 no.
Silver Creek favored renewal 215 yes to 110 no.
Pokagon Township passed the proposal, 137 yes to 95 no.
The margin in LaGrange Township was 315 yes to 136 no.
Volinia Township supported the drug millage, 108 yes to 72 no.
In fact, the proposition carried in every township, coming within three votes of defeat in Howard Township's second precinct, 114 yes to 111 no.
The proposition assures up to .4805 of a mill for four years. Estimated revenue collection in its first year is $796,124.
COA millage
Financial support for Cass County Council on Aging's renewal for services to older citizens passed by an even more comfortable margin than the drug millage, 4,200-2,137.
Dowagiac endorsed the COA 89-30 in First Ward; 204-73 in Second Ward; and 112-30 in Third Ward.
The margin in Wayne Township was 229 yes to 103 no.
Silver Creek favored the continued funding, 213 yes to 112 no.
Pokagon Township passed the proposal, 148 yes to 85 no.
The margin in LaGrange Township was 353 yes to 106 no.
Volinia Township went for the COA, 127 yes to 55 no.
The COA millage also carried all 15 townships, although Porter Township's second precinct tied on the proposition, 36-36.
The four-year proposition provides .9092 mill, generating $1,506,421 for the COA during the first year.
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