Voters were kind to incumbents in Independence Township, returning all candidates on the ballot.
Supervisor Pat Kittle, Clerk Barbara Pallotta, Treasurer Paul Brown all ran unopposed in the Aug. 2 primary.
Incumbent trustees Jose Aliaga, Ron Ritchie and Andrea Schroeder earned their nominations, along with newcomer Rachel Loughrin. Trustee David Lohmeier did not run for reelection.
“It’s encouraging to know all incumbents were re-elected; we are an exceptional team,” Pallotta said. “I will personally miss David Lohmeier, but I’m excited to have Rachel Loughrin as our newly elected member; her economic development experience will be a valuable asset.”
No democrats were on the ballot.
Pallotta garnered 3,677 votes, while there was also nine write-in Republican votes and 76 write-in Democrat for clerk.
Kittle agreed, who received 3,750 votes. There was also 22 write-in Republican votes and 97 write-in candidate votes for supervisor.
“Keeping six of the seven members on the Independence Board will enable us to continue our conservative approach to business as well as allow us to build on the successes of the past.  And our new trustee, Rachel Loughrin, brings a wealth of knowledge as a past Zoning Board member from the City of Birmingham and as a current member of the Oakland County Economic Development team,” Kittle added. “I’m really excited about the next four years.”
Brown received 3,621 votes. There were 11 write-in Republican votes and 70 write-in Democrat votes for treasurer.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve the residents of Independence for four more years and I look forward to another productive term as part of a good board,” Brown said.
Aliaga was the top vote getter for trustees, garnering 2,648 votes.
“After four years of hard-work and dedication to serving the great township of Independence, it was a big honor to receive the most votes of any trustee in my bid for re-election,” he said. “Having my commitment so recognized by the constituency was such a blessing. I really enjoyed going door-to-door throughout my last term, meeting the residents personally, hearing their questions, comments, and concerns face-to-face; and then relaying them to the board.”
He noted he is dedicating his second term to his mother, who passed away eight months ago.
“She inspired me to always give 100 percent in whatever I do,” Aliaga added. “I look forward to continue sharing the responsibility of finding new ways to ever improve any and all aspects of our wonderful community.”
Schroeder was next, receiving 2,586 votes.
“I think people recognize that we all take seriously our roles as stewards for our community, and we’ve worked hard to earn their trust in the decisions we make,” she said. “I’d also like to mention how pleased I was in the restraint shown in sign placement on public easements, and most signs had been removed by the day after the election. No one likes the visual pollution created by crowded flocks of political signs at every corner, as seen in some neighboring communities. It made it the primary election cycle a lot more pleasant when driving around town.”
Ritchie took the third spot with 2,376 votes and Laughrin beat Tony Miller for the fourth spot with 2,156 versus 2,120.
“I would like to thank everyone that took the time to come out to vote on Tuesday,” Loughrin said. “It was a very close race and I am looking forward to representing our community during the next four years on the township board.”
“It was a close race between us all,” Miller added. “I am very proud of this township and what it stands for.”
After the results came out, Miller said he received a lot of calls from people asking why he didn’t campaign to let everyone know he was running.
“My answer was simple, I would like to be elected because of who I am, not the signs or the advertising I buy,” he said. “Anyone who knows me knows what I stand for, equality and the best decision for the majority. I know this township is in great hands with our current elected officials. I wish them all the best.”
Turnout was about 24 percent. Out of 27,489 registered voters in Independence Township, 6,692 cast ballots, including 4,122 precinct and 2,570 absentee.
Pallotta said she was surprised by the low turnout due to three proposals on the ballot involving millages.
“Other than a low turnout, it was pretty ordinary,” she said. “Thankfully everything ran smoothly despite the humidity which could have affected the ballots, and all tabulators worked well,” she added.
Overall, the clerk said this election was a turning point for herself.
“Employees and election inspectors have a great understanding of the process and there were very few calls to our office regarding problems or the process,” she said. “It was a great day.”
Pallotta and the clerk’s office will now be getting ready for the Nov. 8 election, which will include the presidential general election.
“We’ll begin putting numbers together for ordering ballots (for November),” she added. “We should be contacted by the Oakland County on or about Aug. 11.”