Treasurer candidates both have extensive business background

Story and Photos by Rob Alway, Editor

Sherry Wyman

SCOTTVILLE – About 150 people attended Monday’s Candidates’ Forum at the Scottville Clown Band Shell. The event was sponsored by MasonCountyPress.com and WMOM FM 102.7. Participants included several of the county commissioner district races, county treasurer, county surveyor, clerk, prosecutor, register of deeds, probate judge and sheriff.

During the event, audience members were able to submit written questions to a panel consisting of filmmaker/journalist Lisa Enos and economist Jamie Healy. Enos and Healy checked over the questions to determine they weren’t redundant and that they were legible and fair. Moderator Mike Tanis, WMOM news director, then asked the questions based on the amount of time allotted per race, 10 minutes for all races except sheriff, 20 minutes.

Treasurer: Sherry Wyman and Shirley Smith

Both candidates are Republicans and will be run in the August 7 primary election.

Smith currently serves as chief deputy county treasurer. She is a lifelong resident of Mason County, growing up in Riverton Township and currently living in Fountain. She is a graduate of Mason County Central High School and has worked in the treasurer’s office for 12 years. Prior to that, she worked as treasurer for city of Scottville and also worked for several local businesses and industries. She has two children and four grandchildren. Her husband, Charles, passed away last year.

Shirley Smith

Wyman is co-owner of Wyman Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., which owns Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville. She was born and raised on a farm in Clare County and graduated from Clare High School. She has a degree in business administration. She and her husband have lived in Scottville for 13 years. They have four children and one grandchild. Wyman has several years experience in business. She serves on the MCC board of education, Ludington & Scottville Chamber of Commerce board and has served on the Scottville Main Street board.

Questions asked of Smith and Wyman were questions related to investment of county funds, handling foreclosures and use of technology. Both answered about the same. They both said dealing with foreclosures has to be based on policy not feelings.