Waterford Township elects a new supervisor for the first time in 12 years

Republican Anthony M. Bartolotta, a 14-year Waterford Township trustee, will take office as supervisor later this month. He beat his challenger, Democrat Mary Craite, 22,233 to 17,728 on Tuesday.

"What a great election in Waterford Township," he wrote on his Facebook page. "Thank you everyone that voted for me!!!!"

He spent Wednesday picking up campaign signs and fielding congratulatory calls from supporters.

"I'm overwhelmed by all the responses and calls," he told The Oakland Press, adding that he doesn't plan to make any major changes from his predecessor, Gary Wall, the supervisor until Nov. 20.

"I'll be just like Gary. I'm going to follow in his footsteps. He's done an outstanding job in the last 12 years," Bartolotta said.

He plans to meet with township department heads as he gets ready for his Nov. 20 swearing-in ceremony and will work with Wall to learn more about the supervisor's job.

"I'm not a micromanager," he said. "All the department heads are great people to work with ... I'll keep an open-door policy."

Wall, a fellow Republican, will remain active in township government as a new trustee after finishing among the top four candidates in a field of eight hopefuls. He received 20,373 votes of the total 146,640 votes cast for trustees. Incumbent Marie Hauswirth, a Republican, retained her seat with 20,405 votes. Two other Republicans that finished among the top four are newcomers to the board. Sam Harris, with 20,130 votes and Jeff Gilbert, 20,138 votes, will replace Janet Matsura, who did not run for re-election, and Mark Monohon, who lost in the August primary.

Republican Kim Markee, Waterford's incumbent clerk, retained her seat beating Democratic challenger Johnathon Wertheimer, 23,226 to 16,092 votes.

Treasurer Steven Thomas was unopposed for his seat. He received 26,797 votes.