By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer

GROSSE POINTE SHORES — The Shores may retain “village” in its name, but the community is now on its way to becoming a city.

Voters on May 6 overwhelmingly approved a proposal to change the village charter and incorporate as a city.

“I’m very happy with the results of the election,” said Shores Village Council President James Cooper. “I want to thank all of the residents who took the time to make an informed decision and vote. I’m most pleased with the margin of passage in both townships.”

According to unofficial ballot tallies available at press time, 79 percent of Grosse Pointe Township voters and 88 percent of Lake Township voters at the polls approved the proposal to incorporate as a city. In Grosse Pointe Township, 28.2 percent of 2,208 registered voters — or 638 — cast ballots in the election, while 48.1 percent of Lake Township’s 54 registered voters — or 26 — voted.

“I thought it was a good turnout for a single-issue election,” Shores Village Manager Michael Kenyon said. “We’re happy about the results, and now we have to get working on the charter.”

Voters also selected a nine-member charter commission from among 12 candidates. The charter commission will consist of Brian Geraghty, Bob Graziani, Mary Huebner, Brett Marshall, Patrick McCarroll, Fred Minturn, Gary Mitchell, Mike Monahan and Linda Walton. Monahan, a developer who also serves on the Shores Planning Commission, was the highest vote-getter, with a total of 381 votes cast in his favor from Grosse Pointe and Lake townships.

Narrowly missing election to the charter commission were Daniel Aitken, Laura Bartell and Shores Village Council member Glenn Peters.

“We were fortunate to have 12 very qualified people running,” Cooper said.

Shores officials now hope that the charter commission will be able to revise the document in time to get the new charter on the November ballot for voter approval.

You can reach Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1047.