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HART — Four Republican candidates are running for the position of Oceana County treasurer.
Current treasurer Sheila Gowell is not seeking re-election.
The primary election is set for Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Here are the treasurer candidates:
Hodges
Paul S. Hodges
“My name is Paul Hodges, a lifelong resident of Oceana County, and I am running for treasurer of Oceana County. After graduating from Hart High School, I attended Ferris State University, and earned a bachelor of science degree in business management. I have lived in Hart, Pentwater, and currently reside in Shelby Township.
“Upon graduating from college, I worked at Hodges Pontiac-Buick, Inc. in Hart with my father. Upon his death in 1990, I took over the day-to-day operations of the family business, subsequently adding GMC trucks to our lineup of vehicles. In 2004, we sold the new vehicle franchise to Don Rypma Chevrolet of Whitehall, and are currently selling, and servicing pre-owned automobiles.
“I have served on the Polk Road DDA Board, Hart TIFA Board, and currently serve on the Hart Housing Board. The two main roles of the county treasurer are as the custodian of all county funds, and the collector of taxes. I feel the qualities of the person filling this position should be trustworthy, honest, and fiscally responsible. It is my goal, if elected, to operate the treasurer’s office as efficiently as possible, and to ensure it works seamlessly with other county offices. My background in the private sector managing cost and daily operations as efficiently as possible is an asset to the office I seek. I would greatly appreciate your consideration at the August 2nd primary, and November 8th election.”
Phillips
Mary Lou Phillips
“After 32 years in the financial industry, I am pleased to announce that I am running for your Oceana County treasurer.
“I have resided in Oceana County since my birth. I am a graduate of Hart High School. After starting my career in banking, I continued my education in the evenings attending Baker College of Muskegon graduating Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor of business administration in accounting including government accounting.
“I began my financial career in a sales position working and listening to customers’ financial goals and recommending the right products for their deposits including governmental entities. I managed an operations department as well as overseeing the sales and operations of branch offices. As compliance officer, my responsibility was to make sure the bank adhered to government regulations. Most recently, I have enjoyed consumer, business and mortgage lending with current emphasis on mortgage lending.
As for community involvement, I was a member of the Hart Rotary Club overseeing the international youth exchange program hoping to bring world peace with students living abroad. I served on the Hart Silver Lake Mears Chamber of Commerce as their president, as a board member, and assisted with their fundraising efforts to promote our community. I was on the Finance Committee for our Hart Public Library to raise funds for their new building.
“For the past 20 years, I have also supported my husband, Gary, with the accounting for his construction business.
“I have appreciated my past challenges in all of my roles in the financial industry. I am accountable to my customers and to government regulations. After 32 years servicing customers, I am looking forward to bringing this experience to a new challenge as your Oceana County treasurer serving Oceana County in another aspect.
McDonald Schulte
Gail McDonald Schulte
“I graduated with an associate’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on accounting from Alpena Community College. I have a varied work history relevant to the treasurer’s position. I was a certified assessor and performed real estate closings for Advanced Land Title. I have 16 years of experience in the Oceana County treasurer’s office — 13 years as an accounting clerk and three years as chief deputy treasurer. As treasurer, I believe I can operate the office at maximum efficiency for the people of the county. I love serving the various local treasurer’s offices as well as the people of Oceana County.
Urick
Aleksy Walter Urick
“Aleksy Walter Urick of Mears, announces his candidacy to run on the Republican ticket for the Oceana County treasurer position. He graduated from Hart High in 1993 and graduated from Olivet College with honors (BA degree in economics) in 1997. Mr. Urick worked seven years for Compuware Corporation as a software-system business analyst and has extensive knowledge of software systems and state-wide reporting programs. During the last nine years, Mr. Urick and his wife, Rebecca, have owned and operated several causal clothing stores in the area and he is experienced in hiring, training and managing employees. He looks forward to serving the people of Oceana County as their next treasurer.”
