Shelby Township Board of Trustees To Be Sworn in During Official Ceremony

In Shelby Township, Republicans rule.

During the 2012 elections Tuesday, every seat on the Shelby Township Board of Trustees was filled by a Republican, and all incumbents, except for one new trustee.

Shelby Township incumbent Supervisor Rick Stathakis will hold the township’s top spot for another four years. Stathakis beat Independent candidate David Erickson for the spot with 20,102 to Erickson's 11,520.

"Although I was not elected, my heart was filled with joy for the over 11,500 people who gave me their support and confidence by voting for me," Erickson said in an emial.  "I am thankful and honored beyond words. This whole process was never about me. It was about providing the great people of Shelby Township a choice and an opportunity for change."

Stathakis told Patch he plans to continue to hammer away at the township's agenda, which includes reducing costs and making local government more transparent.

Shelby Township Trustee Michael Flynn will be the new Treasurer after he ran unopposed in the November elections. 

Flynn told Patch as treasurer, he will shift his focus to pension reform. 

Former Treasurer, Paul Viar, will join the board as trustee. He won 19,070 of the votes.

"We’ve had a pretty smooth transition plan with Mr. Viar and I am ready to go to work," added Flynn.

Current Clerk Stan Grot will remain in the role for another four years after running unopposed. The Shelby Township Board of Trustees appointed Grot to the position at the end of 2011.

Viar, will join incumbents Doug Wozniak, Paula Calvaruso Filar and newcomer Nick Nightingale. This is the first public office for Nightingale.

Voters were asked to choose four of the five candidates for the Board of Trustees. The lone Democratic candidate, Clarence Cook, had the least votes.

The board will be sworn in during a special ceremony on Nov. 20 at noon at the Shelby Township Municipal Hall.

Full results available here: