By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
BUCHANAN, MI – The Buchanan City Commission will have a new member next month as a result of last week’s election. Incumbents Raquell George and Mark Weedon as well as newcomer John Backus were the top vote-getters in the four-way race for three commission seats.
Incumbent Dan Vigansky came in fourth in the race, narrowly losing to Weedon who had the third-most votes. Tony Houser did not campaign as he is moving out of the city but still garnered 362 votes. Buchanan City Clerk Kalla Langston-Weiss reported that the new commissioners will take office Dec. 1.
The unofficial vote totals had George with 943 votes, Backus with 752 votes, Weedon with 578 votes and Vigansky with 564 votes. George was appointed to the commission in 2024, while Weedon and Vigansky have both served two terms. Weedon is currently the mayor.
George thanked all those who voted for her. “I am incredibly grateful for the confidence the residents of Buchanan have in me,” she said.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with me, support me, and cast a vote,” she added. “I am honored to continue serving the community I love most, and I look forward to continuing the work we have started over the past two years. Let’s get to work.”
Backus also thanked all those who voted for him. He follows in the footsteps of his father, Dale, who served on the city commission in the past.
“I want to sincerely thank all of the candidates who stepped forward and put their names on the ballot, as well as everyone who took the time to support and invest in the future of Buchanan,” he said.
“I’m excited for this next chapter and truly grateful for the opportunity to serve our community,” he added. “I will give it my very best, work hard, and do everything in my power to make Buchanan proud and help make our community even better for generations to come.”
Weedon thanked everyone for their support. He has been serving as the city’s mayor the last two years.
“First and foremost, I’m incredibly grateful to the residents of Buchanan for once again placing their trust and confidence in me,” he said. “Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly.”
“Over the past eight years, we’ve accomplished a great deal together,” he added. “We’ve made significant investments in our infrastructure, strengthened our downtown, improved our parks, and continued laying the groundwork for Buchanan’s future.”
“None of that happens without the dedication of our city employees, fellow commissioners, community partners, and most importantly, the residents who care so deeply about this town,” he said.
“I’m also looking forward to working alongside Commissioner Raquell George and newly elected Commissioner John Backus,” he added. “Elections bring different perspectives and opinions, but at the end of the day, we all have the same responsibility: doing what’s best for Buchanan and the people who call it home.”
“I’ve always believed that good leadership starts with listening, understanding, and genuinely caring about the people you represent,” he said. “That hasn’t changed, and it won’t. We have a lot to be proud of in Buchanan, but there’s still plenty of work ahead. I’m excited to continue that work, build on the momentum we’ve created, and keep moving our community forward.”