Voters to elect new mayor for first time in 20 years
BURTON -- When Charles Smiley left the Burton mayor's office for the State House of Representatives in November 2010, it meant the city would elect a new mayor for the first time since 1991.
That election, scheduled for Tuesday November 8th, pits Paula Zelenko versus Danny Wells.
Zelenko, a former Burton city councilwoman, was appointed mayor in January.
"Government is forced to shrink. Our revenues and our budgets are shrinking. We're forced to change. This is no fault of the previous administration, no fault of mine or the next. It is all economics," says Mayor Zelenko, who has been criticized at times for laying off public safety officers.
"It is an opportunity for a fresh start. Charlie (Smiley) did a superb job for 20 years. The last two or three years there were some struggles. He grew this community while he was in there, there's no question about that," says Wells, who currently serves on Burton's city council.
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