10/22/2006

Editorial

Here are our choices for Grand Traverse Co. board

It's a watershed year for the Grand Traverse County board.

A majority of voters will be able to choose between a Republican and Democratic county commission candidate Nov. 7, and at least three newcomers — a third of the board — will be elected.

But it's not just statistics. A number of solid, qualified candidates, most of them first-timers, have decided to run this year; that's a sign of an engaged and interested electorate and bodes well for the future.

In two of the five contested races, in fact, two well-qualified candidates who could easily win against lesser competition will face off. It's the county's loss that they can't all serve.

The following are the Record-Eagle's endorsements in the five contested races:

Democrat Donna Hornberger has spent a lot of time in the last year knocking on doors, going to meetings and learning the issues, and she's best qualified to replace former commissioner Tom Kern.

Hornberger said she's concerned about roads and infrastructure, trash and working to create a more open and accessible county board. She would like the board to meet at the same time and place every month and said meetings should be televised.

Republican Bruce Hooper, who defeated Kern in the primary, doesn't seem to be up to speed on a number of key issues. He said the biggest problem on Old Mission Peninsula is dealing with bicyclists.

This is a race featuring two well-qualified candidates. Voters can only choose one, and Republican incumbent Larry Inman deserves re-election. To earn that vote, however, Inman, who has been on the board for 14 years, must provide much-needed leadership on a number of key issues, including the septage plant fiasco, trash and board openness. It's his time to step up.

Democrat Robin James offers energy, passion and a willingness to apply her experience as a small-business owner to county problems. She has good ideas about how the county should do business and would be a consistent voice for change and accountability.

This is another race in which either candidate would serve their constituents well. The fact they have to face off is the county's loss.

That being said, however, Republican newcomer Chris Maxbauer would bring a distinctly upbeat and fresh perspective to county business and gets our endorsement. Maxbauer, with 30 years experience in the oil and gas industry, already has a good grip on how the county does business and says she can make it better. She wants a more open and accountable process and won't be shy about saying so.

Democrat John Nelson is no stranger to area politics and public service. He's the Grand Traverse Baykeeper, he serves on the county's Land Use and Transportation committee and is a Garfield Township planning commissioner. Even if he doesn't win Nov. 7, county residents will still hear from John Nelson.

While both candidates in this race could be counted on to do well on the county board, experience and local knowledge give Republican Larry Fleis the edge. Fleis is a former captain in the Traverse City Police Department and a Blair Township trustee.

Fleis' best assets are his common sense and a strong independent streak. He's not afraid to ask hard questions and question the answers. He'll be at his most effective when he is willing to demand accountability, transparency and even treatment for everyone.

Democrat Phil Scott, who worked more than 30 years is social services, said he believes strongly in bottom-up government and doesn't see a "cooperative attitude" between the county and townships. He said he would push to televise board meetings and change subcommittee meeting times.

Republican incumbent Addison Wheelock Jr., who is in line to become board chairman if he wins re-election, did not respond to a Record-Eagle invitation to meet for an endorsement interview.

Democrat Don Dierkes favors more openness, changing county board meeting times and televising meetings. He said it's time for the county to resolve its recycling crisis, improve follow through on key issues and hold appointees and others more accountable for their actions.

There is no endorsement in this race.