|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
July 30, 2002Northern agenda: Candidates in Leelanau focus on jail, court- Voters will also decide variety of proposals for millagesBy STACEY SMITHRecord-Eagle staff writer LELAND - Voters in Leelanau County will settle three Republican contests for the county commission in the Aug. 6 primary. Only one of the three races involves an incumbent. Commissioner Richard Schmuckal in District 1 faces a challenge from William Bunek of Lake Leelanau. As a result of redistricting, the county has an additional commission, bringing the total to six. In the newly configured District 4, Mary Tonneberger and Robert Weaver are vying for the seat. Tonneberger was, until recently, chairwoman of the township planning commission. Weaver is a former county commissioner. In District 2, Kenneth Dezur and Mark Walter are opposing each other. Two major issues that challenged the current county board will face the new board: - The new law enforcement center. - The courthouse question - should it be remodeled or relocated. The current commission has purchased 43 acres of land in Suttons Bay Township for a new $7 million law enforcement center, but there are still a number of issues concerning county facilities that need to be addressed, candidates said. Construction on the center is expected to begin next spring. One of those issues is money, Weaver said. He was the board's finance chairman during his previous time on the county board. He said he is concerned that the cost of the jail, coupled with the cost of renovating or moving the courthouse, will force the county to either ask voters for more money or cut non-mandated programs. Walter also said he is concerned with the amount of money being spent on the facility and wants to make sure it is built correctly the first time so there are no additional expenses involved. Others, like Bunek, think the courthouse should be placed with the jail. Schmuckal said he would like to see both the jail and courthouse built in Lake Leelanau. To move the county seat would require a vote of two-thirds of the voters. Although the jail and courthouse were the main priority for many of the candidates, there are other issues facing the county. Both Tonneberger and Bunek said septage spreading, the use of alternative systems and other sewage-related problems will remain major issues for the next two years. Leelanau County issued a temporary moratorium on new holding tanks earlier this year while a committee looked at potential ordinances for alternative treatment systems. One township in the county, Centerville Township, enacted an ordinance regarding the spraying of septage pumped from septic and holding tanks onto vacant farmland. The township ordinance is more restrictive than state regulations governing septage spraying. Tonneberger said continued growth faced by the county will keep these issues in the spotlight over the next few years. Leelanau's population jumped from 16,527 in 1990 to 21,119 in 2000. The candidates said that growth made farmland and open space preservation, growth management and septic issues are crucial. Three current commissioners, chairperson Jean Watkoski, Bob Hawley and Melinda Lautner, are running unopposed in District 1, 6 and 7, respectively. In District 5, Thomas F. Evans, is running for the seat being vacated by first-term commissioner Bob Pisor, who said he is not running again because he is discouraged by the board's lack of progress on new county facilities. Although Robin Vilter Snider's name will appear on the ballot as a Republican challenging Evans, she has said she changed her mind about running. DISTRICT 2 (parts of Bingham and Suttons Bay townships) Kenneth W. Dezur -Age : 75 -Occupation: Retired service tech from Detroit Edison and Sears Mark Walter - Age: 38 -Occupation: Lt. commander of Pugsley Correctional Facility DISTRICT 3 (Suttons Bay village) Richard A. Schmuckal* - Age: 62 - Occupation: Retired account executive from Ameritech, Christmas tree farmer William J. Bunek -Age: 50 -Occupation: Self-employed electrician DISTRICT 4 (Northport, Leelanau Township north of Suttons Bay) Mary P. Tonneberger - Age: 65 - Occupation: Retired marketing research executive Robert S. Weaver - Age: 48 - Occupation: Farmer COUNTY PROPOSALS - Road maintenance renewal: A half-mill for two years. - Senior citizens: 0.275 of a mill for six years to fund senior citizen services TOWNSHIPS Bingham - Fire/rescue renewal: 1.2 mills for five years for the Suttons Bay/Bingham Fire and Rescue Department - Fire/rescue millage: A 0.3 mill increase for five years for advanced life support, vehicle replacement and the Length of Service Awards Program Glen Arbor - Bond proposal: $1.76 million for 25 years to erect, equip and furnish a new public safety building. Estimated millage levy in first year is 0.52 of a mill Leelanau - Police services: 0.28 mill for three years - Facility & road improvements and equipment: 0.4 mill for four years Leland - Supervisor: Republican race to fill unexpired term of Gary Bardenhagen Harry R. Larkin Stephen P. Mikowski - Fire/rescue operations: Renew 0.35 mill for three years - Fire/rescue equipment: Renew 0.35 mill for three years Solon - Fire/ambulance: Half mill for two years for fire and ambulance operations Suttons Bay - Fire/rescue renewal: 1.2 mills for five years for advanced life support, vehicle replacement and Length of Service Awards Program - Fire/rescue increase: 0.3 mill for five years for advanced life support, vehicle replacement and Length of Service Awards program ROAD COMMISSION - John J. Popa (R) - Robert T. Roubal (R) |
|
