Former candidate launches Election Day transportation service
Scott Budnick may have lost in his bid to become the Republican candidate for Macomb County sheriff, but the lawman is by no means done with public service.
Budnick, 53, recently purchased a used 15-passenger bus for $6,700 that he plans to use to transport Macomb County residents to the polls on Election Day and elsewhere in the future. He had the slogan "For the people" emblazoned on the side of the vehicle.
"I changed gears after the primary election," he said. "I bought a bus that can take people to the election polls if they want to go out and vote on Nov. 5. If there's an interest, I could expand it to taking senior citizens to the movies or doctor's appointments. I'm hoping it takes off."
The part-time Hamtramck police officer narrowly lost to Terence Mekoski by fewer than 200 votes for the Republican nomination for sheriff in the August primary election The three-man race also included former Warren City Councilman Eddie Kabacinski.
Budnick will have the bus on display in the parking lot of Lakeside Mall this weekend for the Macomb Gun Show.
"I'll be selling T-shirts and accepting donations to raise money to pay for the bus, gas and insurance," he said, adding he will have a booth at the gun show.
The Macomb Gun Show runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday in the former Sears building of the closed shopping center on Hall Road (M-59) at Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights. Admission is $10.
According to Gun Show Trader and JDR Promotions, the organizers of the event, there will be about 600 tables and vendors with various firearms.
To schedule free transportation to vote in the general election, call 248-961-2637.
Early voting rides with a licensed driver are available 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 3. On Election Day, rides are available 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Budnick said the team is not equipped to transport residents who require medical assistance and the bus is not wheelchair accessible.
