Chippewa Valley school board candidate withdraws from race due to family reasons – Macomb Daily

One of six Macomb Township residents running Thursday for a seat on the Chippewa Valley School Board has dropped out of the race.

Rita Zielinski announced her withdrawal in a video message posted on Facebook and in a letter on her candidate website, electritaz.com.

“On August 18, my family was presented with an opportunity that would radically change our lives,” Zielinski said in the video. “After a week of feeling uncomfortable about ‘stepping away’ from my campaign, we decided to seize this opportunity and put our family’s future first.”

“Unfortunately, this opportunity would require us to relocate outside of the Chippewa Valley School District, making me ineligible to run for a seat on the board. This decision was not an easy one given the time, research and motivation I have invested to be a driving force for change in our district.”

Zielinski, 49, is married to Frank Zielinski, a lieutenant with the Grosse Pointe Farms Department of Public Safety. The couple have one daughter. On her campaign website, she describes herself as a “Christian woman, a Chippewa Valley School District mother and a 10-year resident of Macomb Township.”

According to his video message, Zielinski returns all financial contributions made to his campaign with a “humble heart.”

“Whether the opportunity presented to my family materializes or not, I cannot withhold money or votes when there is a possibility that I may not be able to fulfill my commitment,” she said in her letter.

Because she withdrew after the Nov. 5 ballots were printed, Zielinski’s name will still appear on the ballot.

After the election, the Chippewa Valley School Board has the potential to be radically different than it is today.

Two longtime members – George Sobah and board vice chair Denise Aquino – announced they were resigning from their positions.

Three others are in the running for higher office.

Shannon King and Bruce Wade are running for Clinton Township Board of Trustees, and Robert Wojtowicz is running for the Michigan House of Representatives.

According to the Macomb County Elections Department, the other Chippewa Valley candidates are Donald Kuntz, Talitha Mahome, Lewis Miles III, Terry Prince and Monica Radyko. All are from Macomb Township.

They are competing for two positions with six-year terms.

The Chippewa Valley School District, with 14,500 students, includes the northern part of Clinton Township and much of Macomb Township.