10 file for city seats

By CHRISTOPHER DIEM, Journal Staff Writer
MARQUETTE — In a Marquette City Commission meeting in late April, Mayor Tom Tourville announced that no one had filed to run in November for three open seats on the commission and he encouraged residents to step forward.


Looks like he got his wish.


As of 4 p.m. Tuesday  — the deadline for returning nominating packets — 10 Marquette residents had turned in enough signatures to get on the ballot for the Aug. 5 primary election.


According to City Clerk Dave Bleau, the unofficial list of candidates are: Fred Stonehouse, Richard Kochis, Robert Niemi, Don Ryan, Matt Holliday, Matt Edgell, Randy Girard, Joy Verlinden, Mike Plourde and Judith Cornfoot Musolf.


Bleau said a total of about 25 people took out packets.


In the August primary, the top six vote-getters will advance to the November general election.


The three city commission seats in question are held by Tourville and commissioners Mike Coyne and Joe Lavey. None are running for re-election.


Bleau said three people turned in nominating packets to run for two seats on the Marquette Board of Light and Power: Ed Angeli, Lou Chappell and John Sonderegger.


The two seats are held by BLP Chairman Tom Humphrey and Craig Stien.


Neither is seeking re-election.