Page 3-A-TRI-CITY TIMES-FEBRUARY 10, 2021

PaczkiDayTuesday

February 16th

Audit process tests election’s accuracy

L A P E E R COUNTY — Last month, election officials in Lapeer County and across the State of Michigan conducted “risk-limiting” audits to confirm the results of the Nov. 3, 2020 general election.

The statewide audit was directed by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and involved reviewing ballots from more than half of Michigan’s local jurisdictions. Lapeer County Clerk Theresa Spencer said post-election audit-ing is nothing new, but that given recent con-

cerns about election accuracy, this year’s audits carry added weight. “We all want to know that our elections are run fairly and that their results are accu-rate,” Spencer said. “Unfortunately, folks were bombarded with disinformation that questioned the legitima-cy of our election pro-cess. “We hope these proce-dures will help to dispel

those concerns and re-instill confidence in the process among voters.” Senate race focus Spencer noted that clerks were additionally directed to hand-count the highly-contested State Senate race between Democrat Gary Peters and Republican John James. The final vote totals showed Peters narrowly defeating James state-wide by a margin of 49.9% to 48.2%. “My chief deputy and I went on-site to the precincts selected, where we checked the numerous required items and hand-counted the ballots with regard to the Senate race,” Spencer said. “In all four precincts, our hand count matched the tabu-lator tape results printed at the close of the Nov. 3 election day. “This process con-firmed that the machin-ery and programmed software counted the voters’ marked ballots accurately, since the results were the same.” Secretary of State Benson hopes the state-wide audit process will increase confidence in the election process; particularly in light of an abundance of what she described as “unsub-stantiated claims of voter fraud” in the recent election. “Post-election audits are always an important part of the elections pro-cess,” Benson said. “They are critical in both affirming the accu-

racy of the results and in reinforcing citizens’ trust in the system. “This year more than ever, the audit is an important step in ensur-ing that Michigan voters understand the truth about the security and integrity of our election system,” Benson said. That opinion was shared by Spencer and Imlay City Clerk Dawn Sawicki-Franz, who on Jan. 21, participated in the post-election audit-

ing process with Imlay City Deputy Clerk Cindy Adams. S a w i c k i - F r a n z agreed that the auditing process is necessary and helps ensure the accura-cy of election results. “It was a well-orga-nized procedural check of a predetermined num-ber of ballots,” she explained. “I am confi-dent that our numbers are accurate and consis-tent with the original election results.”

Deputy Clerk Cindy Adams (left) and Clerk Dawn Sawicki-Franz took part in the risk-limiting audit process.

Pho

to p

rovi

ded

Local jurisdictions join inhand counting of votesBy Tom Wearingtwearing@pageone-inc.com

Senior artists shineAlmont High School Seniors Brooke Cynowa and Brandi Kautz were both Scholastic Art and Writing Awards winners. Cynowa’s ‘Dark Expression’ photography entry and Kautz’s ‘Enchanted Forest’ mixed media creation caught the judges’ attention. Teacher Lisa Wright noted that this year’s ceremony and exhi-bition will be celebrated virtually. Wright said Cynowa and Kautz deserved “tremendous kudos” for their achievement and dedication to their art studies even during periods of remote instruction.

Pho

to p

rovi

ded

IMLAY CITY — Imlay City Christian School is taking orders for Uncle Peter’s Pasties until Feb. 25. The pasties will be available for pick up at the school on Thursday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A variety of pasties are available. The cost is $6 each, $32 for a half dozen or $60 for a dozen. To place an order by Feb. 25, call the school at 810-724-5695 or email office@iccschool.net.

Pastie orders being taken

FRESH QUALITYINGREDIENTSBAKED DAILY

• Freshly Brewed Coffee• Donuts • Bread • Danish • Cakes

• Cannolis • Cookies • Eclairs• Hand Dipped Ice Cream

PACZKI FRESHLY MADE - FEBRUARY 16TH

ORDER EARLYClassic Flavors

$1.75 Each • $9 Half Dozen • $17 Dozen• Apple • Apricot• Blueberry• Buttercream• Chocolate Buttercream• Cherry

• Custard• Chocolate Custard• Lemon• Prune• Raspberry• Strawberry

Specialty Flavors$2.25 Each • $11 Half Dozen • $20 Dozen• Cannoli • Maple Bacon Custard• Dulce de Leche...NEW FOR 2021!

102 N. MAIN ST. • ALMONT(810) 798-2171

PACZKISNorth Branch Bakery

4098 Huron Street • North Branch810-688-2757

Made Fresh!TAKING ORDERS FOR . . .

• Custard• Raspberry• Blueberry

• Lemon• Strawberry• Original Prune

Stop in for your

PACZKI’S

Hardware

VINCKIER FOODS

4545 N. Van Dyke • ALMONT798-2004

Visit us at vinckierfoods.com

Store Hours • 7 Days a Week • 7 am to 9 pmEBT Bridge Card - WIC - In Store Bakery -

Hot & Cold Deli - Party Trays - Fruit Baskets - Beer, Wine & Liquor - All Michigan Lottery - Daily Lotto

10 pump Gas Station!

$349 $449

Place your order today for Fat Tuesday, February 16th!!!• Blueberry • Raspberry

• Lemon • Cherry • Strawberry • Apple

• Buttercream • Bavarian • Cream Cheese

4 ct. 6 ct.AVAILABLE NOW

PACZKI'Sare here...

in all yourfavorite flavors!

$4194ct.

Fronney's Foods3433 Capac Rd. - Capac

810.395.2272

Stop in today at...