It’s election time, and while many people might dread another trip to the polls, it’s a time that can also bring a sense of hope and renewal.

While many residents in the Grand Blanc View coverage area will not have candidates to vote for in the Nov. 6 general election, City of Grand Blanc voters will have a couple choices.

Mayor Michael Matheny is seeking re-election, and faces challenger Michael J. Byrne for a four-year term (see page A-1 for more).

Council members John Freel, Susan Soderstrom and Steve Robinson are running unopposed: Councilmember Keith Baldwin faces challenger Cathleen Buell for a two-year seat.

Matheny has led the city for the last 10 years and certainly has a wealth of knowledge of the city, helping establish a professionally, efficiently run government, with qualified administrators and the most civil council I’ve ever seen.

Byrne, who previously served on the city council for four years, calls his platform “A Contract for Change.” He is a businessman who has made a career of “turning around business” in short periods of time, and, if elected, he intends to only serve one term, and wants to cut taxes.

What residents need to decide is how happy they are with life in the city. Certainly, in tougher economic times, tax cuts might seem like a boon. But many residents moved to the city because of the services it provides — and you get what you pay for.

Matheny has helped build some aspects of the downtown area, attracting businesses and making it more pedestrian friendly and enhancing the parks.

While Byrne might be able to cut taxes without cutting services, residents also need to consider whether they want stability or are willing to accept several changes over the next four years and in the next mayoral race.

Colbert for President
Speaking of figureheads, Comedy Central pseudo news host Stephen Colbert has declared that he’s running for president — that’s President of the United States — in his native state of South Carolina, in both the Republican and Democratic primaries.

Like fellow news entertainer John Stewart, Colbert has garnered a huge following with his wit and biting satire.

According to some surveys, younger people in the 18-25 year old category actually watch Colbert and Stewart as a viable news source. Not merely to be entertained by a clever satirist, but to actually get their news about the world.

What’s sad about Colbert’s run is that he’s actually making the presidential race interesting again. That hasn’t happened since 1992 when billionaire H. Ross Perot went on prime time television with his colorful charts and “chicken man” and “potato chip man” antics — which were strangely enlightening.

Many people are already tired of a presidential race that still has more than a year to go before the election. Who can blame them when the candidates, it seems, care more about their war chests, making promises to whatever demographic they are speaking to that day and developing a convincing pageantry to go along with their pomp?

At least Colbert adds some levity to an already tiresome charade. The only thing that repulses die-hard Republicans more than former President Bill Clinton is Hillary; and the only thing Democrats detest more than the current president is ... uh? Sorry, I’m at a loss.

Hopefully Colbert’s presence draws some people who would otherwise ignore the issues to pay attention to the serious side of the election.

I’ve also heard that the Secret Service is taking Dennis Kucinich seriously this time, giving him a really big whistle when he declared his bid for the presidency. I wonder what kind of protection Colbert will get?

But what kind of protection, and assurances, we will get from the candidate? At least we know Colbert doesn’t intend to keep his promises.

Something, sadly, we can also assume of most of the serious candidates.

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