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Boyne City voters oust mayor, elect new commission majority
By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com
In a stunning reversal from four years ago, Boyne City voters unseated Mayor Tim Nemecek and elected three new commissioners Tuesday, reshaping city leadership after months of controversy surrounding the firing of longtime City Manager Michael Cain.
According to unofficial results from the Charlevoix County Clerk’s Office, newcomers Jennifer “Beano” Hampton, Rebecca Houser and Bridget Foltz won seats on the Boyne City Commission, defeating incumbent Tim Nemecek.
Here are the vote totals:
- Bridget Foltz - 766
- Rebecca L. Houser - 743
- Jennifer Beano Hampton - 596
- Tim Nemecek - 549
- Brian Kennedy - 447
Four years ago, Nemecek ran as part of a slate with George Lasater and Marty Moody, who won in a landslide. With Lasater and Moody not seeking reelection this year, Nemecek was the only member of that group to return to the ballot — and the only one not to prevail.
The March firing of Cain appears to have weighed heavily on voters. The commission’s first two city manager replacement choices declined the position, and after nearly eight months, the city has offered the job to Sam Demel, an Oklahoma administrator who left his last post after less than a year.
Commissioner-elect Bridget Foltz said she expects the new commission to bring a change in approach. “I think there’s going to be a shift in the whole tone and energy of the commission now, and I’m excited to make progress on key issues,” Foltz said. “We need to establish a city manager who’s a good fit for Boyne City and for our staff, and ensure we have the right person in place.”
She said she plans to attend Thursday’s special meeting where the outgoing commission is expected to act on the city manager offer. “They’re pushing ahead, and they appear focused on that candidate,” she said. “I’ll certainly be in attendance and paying attention.”
Jennifer “Beano” Hampton credited teamwork and a clear message for the victory. “We built a small coalition,” she said. “We may not agree on everything, but the three of us knew we could work together. We stayed out of the online rhetoric and discourse and just kept to our message.” Hampton said she plans to focus on learning the workings of city government and addressing housing and infrastructure needs. “Obviously, the city manager situation will have to come first,” she said.
Rebecca Houser said she felt honored by the support from voters and is eager to get started. “I’m excited to be part of what’s happening in the city and get to work,” Houser said. “We need to get housing going and figure out what’s going on with the North Boyne housing project.”
The new commissioners won’t be sworn in until Nov. 11, and Houser said she plans to attend Thursday’s meeting as an observer. “I understand that we can’t wait to fill the position,” she said. “I wish I could be a part of it, but I’ll be there in the audience so I know what’s going on.”
The new commission will be sworn in at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, and they will also elect a new mayor. Newly elected commissioners are not eligible to be mayor in their first year, so the mayor will have to be one of the incumbents, Sandy Pritchard or Bob Farrell.
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