Primary Election Preview

2020 PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE

Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 1B

64B DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

Greenville attorneys, District Court magistrate face off in judge race ELISABETH WALDON ewaldon@thedailynews.cc

STANTON — Three Greenville-area attorneys will face off in the August primary election for a chance to advance to the November general election and take the bench as Montcalm County’s next 64B District Court judge.

Keeley Blanchard, 38, of Eureka Township; Adam Eggleston, 39, of Greenville; and Tom Ginster, 61, of Greenville are all vying for the top seat in District Court which will be vacated later this year by outgoing longtime Judge Donald Hemingsen.

The top two finishers in the primary will advance to the general election in the non-partisan race.

KEELEY BLANCHARD Keeley Blanchard is a managing member and trial attorney at Blanchard Law in Greenville. She is also the program manager of Michigan’s trial skills simulation training program for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC), where she manages $450,000 in grant funding for that program.

Blanchard believes her multiple leadership roles qualify her for the job of District Court judge — from building a successful law firm in Montcalm County to serving a diverse array of clients to using technology to make her business more efficient.

She helped create an Evidence Boot Camp program for the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and she has been on their faculty team for their Trial College for many years. She is also on the faculty of Trial Lawyers College and developed the curriculum for their first Indigent Representation Seminar.

“During my 15-year legal career, I’ve had trial experience in dozens of serious cases which I have successfully tried to verdict,” she said. “I have tried jury trials not only in Montcalm County but in counties across Michigan and also nationally. My diverse experience gives me a perspective about what is available in other counties that Montcalm is missing out on. My years of trial successes led me to become in-demand to train other lawyers in trial skills.”

Blanchard believes one of the most pressing issues facing the next District Court judge is increased drug use and mental health issues within the Montcalm County community.

“Generally, the first place that a drug user lands when they first begin to have law enforcement contact is the District Court,” she noted. “We need a judge who will make early intervention in drug and alcohol abuse a priority so that we don’t see that drug use continue to translate into more serious criminal activity involving theft and violence.”

“Mental health within our community is another big concern,” she said. “I will make it a priority to bring additional grant funding to our county so that we can increase our participation in mental health and veteran’s courts and look at other ways to divert people struggling with mental health issues into treatment.”

Blanchard also believes District Court budget issues will be a challenge, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic, requiring the judge and staff to do more with less.

“This will occur while the judge is also dealing with a backlog of cases as a result of the court closings,” she noted.

“My management experience will be a great asset in leading the court out of the fallout from the coronavirus crisis.”

Blanchard said her leadership skills and work ethic set her apart from her two opponents.

“I’ve proposed a number of plans during this campaign that will reduce crime, reduce homelessness and positively impact our local economy and county budget,” she said. “My plans would create a positive impact in our community, and not only have I presented detailed information about implementing those ideas, but I’ve also proposed paying for them through grant funding that I would seek by making applications for funding at the federal and state level, as well as from private organizations so that there will be no additional costs to our taxpayers.

“My opponents, on the other hand, have presented plans with very little detail, all of which go against the recommendations of the bipartisan Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration,” she said. “They’ve also failed to discuss how the county will pay for the significant additional cost of implementing their plans.”

Keeley Blanchard of Eureka Township, a trial attorney with Blanchard Law in Greenville, is running for the job of Montcalm County District Court judge. — DN Photo | Cory Smith

Montcalm County District Court Magistrate Adam Eggleston of Greenville is running for the job of District Court judge. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon

Tom Ginster of Greenville, an attorney with Peterson Ginster in Greenville, is running for the job of Montcalm County District Court judge. — DN Photo | Cory Smith If elected, Blanchard’s goals include the following: • “I plan to run the District Court more efficiently and in a user-friendly manner.

I’ve created a BudgetSmart clerk plan that will consolidate the District Court clerk’s office with the Circuit Court clerk and county clerk offices. We’ll move the county to electronic filing and increase efficiencies in the office, which will allow all of the offices to provide public-facing services during all regular business hours.”

• “I plan to expand the programs available within our courts by taking the time to apply for grant funding that is available at the federal and state levels, as well as from private foundations. This would allow me to implement a first of its kind Job Court designed to give probationers the skills required to get and keep a job following their release from incarceration. It would also allow us to increase our participation in specialty mental health, recovery and veterans courts. I won’t ask the county taxpayers to fund any of the court’s specialty programs and will work hard to bring more money and resources to serve the citizens of our county.”

• “I plan to implement a permanent Eviction Prevention Program. The CARES Act has provided funding for a temporary eviction prevention program to be implemented in each District Court across the state. This program will connect tenants with existing services that

will allow them to stay in their homes, and permit landlords to get paid. This will prevent the increase in crime and the economic instability that comes along with homelessness.”

ADAM EGGLESTON Adam Eggleston is the current magistrate for Montcalm County District Court. He believes his specific judicial experience within that court qualifies him for the bench, along with his experience in three phases of the court system — prosecution, defense and magistrate.

“I have been a defense attorney, prosecutor and assistant city attorney which allows me the unique perspective of seeing all sides of a case,” he said. “I currently serve the court in its most important and essential functions, such as conducting arraignments in all criminal cases, handling search warrants and setting bond conditions to keep our community safe and protect rights. I am familiar with the inter-workings of the court. I know what can and cannot be changed. I serve on three specialty courts and I have established an eviction diversion program in the 64B District Court.”

Eggleston believes the most pressing issue facing the next District Court judge will be dealing with fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

“I anticipate there will be little to no money available for independent grant programming and we need to expect fi-

nances to be tight across the spectrum,” he said. “There are also many issues with drugs, but all we can do at the court level is to support rehabilitative programs, such as recovery court that I am already involved with. I also believe it is necessary to work with other courts within the circuit to help get people the necessary treatment as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“We’ll also need to ensure the pendulum does not swing too far in the direction of letting people off easy for criminal activity,” he added. “Because of bail/bond reform and COVID-19, outside forces have kept many criminals from going to jail. This makes our community less safe. We need to ensure justice for both the accused and victims of crimes. But we cannot allow our system to drift in a direction that would unfairly prioritize either side of the spectrum. I have worked hand-in-hand with the jail throughout the COVID-19 crisis to try to keep our community as safe as possible during these restrictions.”

Eggleston said his experience and ability to work with all aspects of the court system sets him apart from his two opponents. He noted his campaign is being supported by all Montcalm County prosecutors, retiring Judge Hemingsen, local police unions, most local defense attorneys, State Rep. Jim Lower, former State Sen. Judy Emmons and numerous other local officials.

“They’re supporting me because of my vision and experience,” he said. “I know firsthand that pie-in-the-sky talking points about combining our courts or getting ‘free grant money’ sound nice on paper, but won’t work in our courtroom. All judges that would be affected are opposed to combining our courts for a variety of good reasons. But perhaps most importantly, the District Court and Circuit Court are legally separated.”

Eggleston also cited his work ethic during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as efforts he made to implement technology to streamline court hearings in response to the pandemic, including remote access to District Court and hosting court hearings via Zoom.

“I have worked with community partners from EightCAP, DHHS and legal aid to establish an eviction diversion program,” he said. “I have met with local leaders to help start a veteran’s court before being shut down by COVID-19. I have worked with community partners such as pretrial services and Michigan Works to help enhance our existing probation and pretrial release services. I worked around the clock to make sure the legal functions of the court never quit or slowed down during the shutdown. While I don’t have control over the court staff or our hours, I did take it upon myself to greatly increase my workload and hours to make sure our community and citizens’ rights were protected during that time. I was the point of contact and picked up where everyone else had to leave off.”

If elected, Eggleston’s goals include continuing to bring the court fully into the 21st century “in a way that will actually work.”

“I have led the charge,” he said. “I have the firsthand experience to know what we can improve and what is controlled by the State Court Administrative Office.”

Eggleston’s goals include entering all of District Court’s information entered into the LEIN tracking system.

“This will allow police to be able to do their job more effectively and keep our community safer,” he said.

Eggleston would also like to end all pre-set bonds.

“I want every arrest reviewed by an independent judicial figure to ensure that the rights of the accused are preserved and protected, but also to make sure the relative threat of each individual offender is considered,” he said. “We’ll put proper safeguards in place to ensure violent criminals are not released through a revolving door back into the community.”

TOM GINSTER Tom Ginster is an attorney with Peterson Ginster in Greenville. He has 25 years of experience as a civil litigator, assistant prosecuting attorney and special assistant to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office. He has administrative experience as the former acting director of Michigan’s Office of Drug Control Policy, where he led a staff of 26 people while evaluating and distributing more than $45 million in federal grants to multi-jurisdictional drug teams, law enforcement agencies, community groups and schools.

For eight years, Ginster was former

Continues on Page 2B

This supplemental section of the Daily News provides a look at local contested primary races and ballot proposals for the Aug. 4 election.

For a complete list of candidates visit your county clerk’s website or michigan.gov/sos.

Page 2B | Saturday, July 25, 2020

MONTCALM COUNTY CLERK

Longtime clerk faces primary challenge from public sector veteran ELISABETH WALDON ewaldon@thedailynews.cc

STANTON — The longtime Montcalm County clerk is facing a challenge to her bid for a seventh term.

Kristen Millard, 52, of Sidney Township has been the county clerk since 1997.

She has a total of 31 years of experience working in a county clerk’s office — more than 23 years as the elected Montcalm County clerk, plus eight years as a deputy clerk in Ionia County.

Millard is being challenged for the seat by Meg Mullendore, 51, of Montcalm Township who works as executive director of the Montcalm Alano Club in Greenville; owns Mully Consulting; works as support staff for the owners of the Clifford Lake Inn in Stanton; and works for EDUStaff which provides substitute teachers for school districts in Montcalm County.

Both women are running as Republicans, meaning the decision will be made in the August primary election because no Democrats are running.

Millard was named Clerk of the Year in 2015 by the Michigan Association of County Clerks (MACC), served as president of the MACC in 2019 and previously served as co-chair of MACC’s Legislative Committee and chair of the Council of Election Officials for MACC and the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks.

“The very specialized qualifications I possess are leadership, experience and knowledge,” Millard said. “These are very important leadership qualifications because legislative changes affecting both county and local clerks are happening constantly. These changes affect not only clerks but our constituents and voters. It is so important to have an experienced, knowledgeable county clerk, with proven leadership that can help guide our legislators on how the bills they are introducing, and voting on, impact our counties and constituents.”

Mullendore has spent more than two decades in the public sector, which she says has offered her multitude opportunities to be involved with decision making. She says she has a successful track record of writing and being awarded millions of dollars worth of grants from federal and state government and private organizations.

“I am able to navigate and understand statutes relative to municipal organizations, understand the various roles each department has and I have an in-depth understanding on oversight on a municipal entity in areas ranging from human resources, planning to records retention, resolution v. policy v. Michigan Complied Laws,” Mullendore said. “I also have the advantage of having been looking in from the outside at Montcalm County government for the last several years and understand and appreciate the various struggles the county has and continues to go through. I come in with fresh ideas and ‘outside the box’ thinking. I utilize the five C’s: Customer Service, Communication, Cooperation, Collaboration and Consolidation daily.

“I respect that the position is a public position that represents the county and that any actions, inactions or behavior by me would reflect upon the position and therefore I don’t put myself in a spot where it could have or leave a negative opinion of the county clerk,” Mullendore added.

According to Millard, the most pressing issue currently facing the Clerk’s Office is funding and staffing.

“The Board of Commissioners significantly reduced my staff in 2017 by 2.5 employees,” Millard said. “That is a

Montcalm County Clerk Kristen Millard of Sidney Township is hoping to be re-elected to her seventh term as county clerk. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon

Meg Mullendore of Montcalm Township is running for the job of Montcalm County clerk. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon 58% reduction in staffing — yet increased our fees which increased our revenues.

The cuts were so drastic that the Vital Records/Elections office was left with only myself and my chief deputy to run a very, very busy office that generates a significant amount of revenue for the general fund.”

The Vital Records/Elections Office has only been open three days per week since October 2017 due to county budget cuts.

“There are many times the office is run by just one person because the other person is away from the office for meetings, appointments, sick time or on vacation,” Millard said. “None of the behind-thescenes work could get done if the office were open to the public five days per week.

Behind the scenes work includes issuing CPL licenses, mailing CPL renewal letters, preparing marriage licenses, processing voter registrations, processing elections filings, preparing election notices, assisting local clerks with election-related issues, testing voting equipment, administering campaign finance laws and maintaining the files, performing election audits, training all election inspectors, preparing jury lists, filing death and birth certificates and more.

“Now that the county’s fund balance is growing and we are in a stable financial position again, according to county’s auditors, the Board of Commissioners need to allocate the funds to put another full-time person in the Vital Records/

Elections office and increase our parttime position to full-time in the Circuit Court office,” Millard said. “The public deserves to have the clerk’s offices adequately staffed and able to serve them five days per week.”

Mullendore said the most pressing issues facing the Clerk’s Office are “re-establishing the public’s trust and integrity of that office due to many issues over the last 24 years, working to rebuild and strengthen bridges with other departments and the Board of Commissioners that have been damaged, making sure that the annual schedule of meetings is completed at the first BOC meeting in January and start having the office open five days a week — immediately.”

Millard said her experience and knowledge about the clerk’s office and county government set her apart from Mullendore.

“There aren’t classes that teach you about the duties of a county clerk or how to perform the duties of the office,” Millard said. “The county clerk’s office is the most diversified county office and is governed by 596 different statutes that fall into four major divisions: clerk of the Circuit Court, registrar of Vital Statistics, chief election official for the county; and clerk to the Board of Commissioners.

It takes years to learn all of the different functions and duties and there is no other way to learn these duties other than hands-on experience. My opponent pos-

sesses none of those qualifications and had no hands-on clerk’s office experience or practical knowledge of the clerk’s duties or responsibilities.”

Mullendore said her lack of being a longtime politician sets her apart from Millard.

“I am not a lifelong politician who has forgotten what being a public servant is and how your credibility can damage and cast a negative light on the office in which you serve,” Mullendore said. “Additionally, I am not coming in with any type of hidden agenda. I saw and heard of the issues in that office and have taken action to be a remedy. My governmental background and advanced training in a number of governmental areas allow me to come into the office with less of a learning-curve and able to hit the ground running due to the municipal exposure I’ve had in overseeing all aspects of a full-service municipality, human resources, planning, recreation police, fire, water, sewer, ambulance. I have a wealth of knowledge on how things need to be done both properly and legally. I am willing to share my tools with everyone in the county so it can become a more cohesive unit, with common goals and objectives.”

If re-elected, Millard said her goals would include updating the technology of her offices.

“If there is anything we learned through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that we need to streamline our online services,” Millard said. “We have implemented several new online services for our constituents so they were able to have access to their vital records and file their court documents during the county’s closure due to the Stay Home Order, but we need to go even further and focus on e-filings in Circuit Court.

“The Board of Commissioners have never dedicated funds for imaging or microfilming any of the county clerk’s records, even though I made requests for it starting in 1997, so everything we have is in paper form and every vital record on file has a permanent retention period,” Millard added. “We are physically out of room. To try to free up physical space we need to eliminate paper and one way to do that is to move to paperless court files.

If re-elected, I pledge to work with our Circuit Court judges, the Supreme Court and the State Court Administrator’s Office, and the local bar association to move towards e-filing and go paperless in our Circuit Court.”

If elected, Mullendore’s main goal would be reopening the Vital Records/ Elections Office to five days a week.

“As a public servant you need to make sure you are allowing your clients/customers as much access as possible,” she said.

Mullendore also wants to prepare an addendum to the county’s records retention policy for approval by the Board of Commissioners that would allow vital records to be digitized.

“Instead of having to go off-site to retrieve a document, staff could simply pull it up on a computer, print it off, sign/date and seal the document and provide it to the customer,” she said. “Ideally, I would want to work with other county departments who also have records that they must keep in perpetuity so everyone would be able to capitalize on the digitalization, as typically the more volume you have the lower the price per unit becomes.”

Last but not least, Mullendore wants to combine the clerk’s Circuit Court Office and Vital Records/Elections Office into one.

“The merging of the two offices was supposed to have taken place over two years ago at the court complex building, but still has not happened,” she said.

Greenville attorneys, district court magistrate face off in judge race Continued from Page 1B Michigan Gov. John Engler’s criminal justice policy adviser, in which he worked with police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and victim rights advocates statewide. Ginster has served on the training faculty of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, as well as on the Michigan Sentencing Commission and Governor’s Traffic Safety Commission.

“Decisions made by our District Court judge impact countless lives,” he noted. “Our District Court is the first line of defense to sort out guys that make a one-time mistake from those who eventually kill or seriously injure someone if they’re not stopped.”

Ginster believes reducing alcohol- and drug-related deaths is one of the most pressing issues facing the next District Court judge.

“The Michigan State Police annual drunk driving audit reveals that in the past two reporting periods, covering 24 months, 37 people lost their lives on Montcalm County roads,” he said. “Dozens of others were seriously injured. In comparison, Ionia County had 15 fatalities over this same period.”

Protecting women from domestic abusers is also a priority for Ginster, who previously served as staff for a former lieutenant governor’s domestic violence and homicide prevention task force, in which he delivered upon the testimony of domestic violence survivors from throughout Michigan. He also participated in drafting domestic violence legislation, which he says was comprehensive and became a model for the nation.

“I propose a ‘rocket docket’ for alleged domestic abusers,” he said. “The longer these cases remain on the docket, the

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greater danger to the victims and more opportunity for the abusers to pressure the victim to drop charges.”

Ginster believes his experience sets him apart from his two opponents.

“I’ve been a prosecutor in a big county and a small one,” he said. “I have been an attorney in private practice, learning first-hand the burdens and priorities of Montcalm County families, farms and small businesses. I was the acting Drug Czar for the State of Michigan, I wrote the criminal laws for Gov. John Engler’s administration for eight years and I’ve tried well over 100 trials in front of juries, both in State and federal court.

“As a former career prosecutor, I believe in law and order and the rule of law.

I believe judges should narrowly interpret and apply the law and Constitution, not make the law. I believe every single life is precious, that every person is cre-

Vote Aug 4

ated in the image of God and have dignity — which is why as a judge, you have a responsibility to rule impartially, with wisdom and to treat every person fairly.”

If elected, Ginster wants District Court to pay for itself and generate a surplus for taxpayers; protect women from domestic violence at all stages of the court process; and significantly reduce alcohol and other drug-related crashes, injuries and death by implementing a day-report and monitoring program.”

“People in Montcalm County work hard and they expect their judges to work hard as well,” he said. “I will uphold the tradition of a strong work ethic by our judges. I believe we can make the District Court even more efficient, and I give you my word: as your judge, I’m going to try more cases than any judge in the region.

More cases being heard mean fewer plea bargains and swifter justice.”

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Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 3B

MONTCALM COUNTY DISTRICT 9 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Incumbent commissioner challenged by retired teacher ELISABETH WALDON ewaldon@thedailynews.cc

A farmer who listens to his constituents as passionately as he speaks out is being challenged for re-election to the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners by a former school teacher who’s campaigning for “cultural change” at the county seat.

Adam Petersen, 37, of Montcalm Township was first elected to the District 9 seat in 2018.

He manages Taylor Hops Farm, owns Petersen Farms and is a co-owner of LA Welding.

Petersen is being contested for re-election to his second term on the county board by Shad Morgan, 49, of Sidney Township who is retired after teaching history, government and economics at Central Montcalm Public School for the last 26 years.

Both men are running as Republicans so the District 9 decision will be made in the August primary election. District 9 includes Montcalm Township, Sidney Township (minus the village of Sheridan) and Douglass Township south of Briggs Road.

Petersen was named vice chairman of the Board of Commissioners in the second year of his two-year term. He is known for being one of the more vocal commissioners on the board on a variety of issues.

“I’ve put in the time to become well-versed in county issues,” Petersen said. “I have prided myself on the fact that I will not let anyone put in more time and effort than I do.”

Morgan, who has a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University, believes his experience in coaching sports, teaching students and negotiating contracts for Central Montcalm Public School are among his most valuable assets.

“I am running for county commissioner because I be-

Shad Morgan of Sidney Township, a retired Central Montcalm Public School teacher, is running for a chance at being the District 9 representative on the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners. — Submitted photo lieve in democracy,” Morgan said. “For democracy to work effectively, people need to have choices amongst candidates. I have no agenda, no ill will toward the board or ax to grind with the commissioners. I believe we need to move forward and not repeat past mistakes.”

Petersen and Morgan agree that finances will be the most pressing issue the county board faces in the coming year.

“First and foremost is the state revenue sharing for the next fiscal year,” Petersen said.

“With the pandemic costs, we

Adam Petersen of Montcalm Township is hoping to be re-elected to his second term as the District 9 representative on the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon

have no idea what money, if any, will be coming from the state.”

“This year is going to be tricky with the possible loss of some revenue sharing from the state — notice that I said possible loss,” Morgan said. “No one really knows as of yet, and there is a good possibility that federal funding will offset any revenue loss. The county also has a pretty hefty fund balance that they can dip into as well. I don’t want to say there will be no need for cuts at the county level, but I believe those cuts

can be minimized.”

If re-elected, Petersen said his goals would include continuing to be fiscally responsible and the county continuing to receive clean audit reports.

“I’d also like to see to it that the board becomes within good standing of our citizens and regain some of the trust that has been lost by things that happened in the past,” Petersen added. “We owe it to our people and ourselves to be the best that we can be — a solid foundation in this shaky world we live in.

Overall I just hope to do the job

at the level I’d like to see it done if I weren’t in the seat I am in.”

If elected, Morgan said he would like to accomplish three things in his first term: “Open up communication and build trust between the board, department heads and elected officials; adequately fund all county departments to acceptable levels while maintaining sound county finances; and create a five-year strategic plan or goal for the county.

“In short, a vote for me is a vote for a cultural change at the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners,” Morgan said.

Petersen said Morgan should be honored for all the years he’s spent inspiring today’s youth and young adults; however, he believes his experience sets him apart from Morgan.

“I’ve been here, I’ve done this job to the best of my abilities while always keeping the voices of my district in the forefront of my mind,” Petersen said. “I’ve listened to the people and voted the way that I was guided to do. I’m a civil servant that will never forget who my real bosses are, the great citizens of District 9.”

In comparison, Morgan believes his “vision of what a commissioner should be” sets him apart from Petersen.

“I believe that the culture at the Board of Commissioners needs to change,” Morgan said.

“Not everything has to be adversarial.

“I believe the commissioners, department heads and elected officials should meet periodically to discuss where the county is heading and how to keep Montcalm County moving in the right direction. The ultimate goal is for everybody to work together in order to run Montcalm County effectively and efficiently. Departments should not have to compete amongst each other for funding. The departments and the board need to trust each other and work together for the people of Montcalm County.”

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Page 4B | Saturday, July 25, 2020

ENDORSED BY:

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Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 5B

IONIA COUNTY SHERIFF

Incumbent faces pair of challengers KAREN BOTA

kbota@thedailynews.cc Ionia County Sheriff Charlie Noll will face two challengers on the primary election ballot Aug. 4.

Doug Gurski from Portland and Robert Rickert from Belding are running against Noll from Belding for the top position at the Ionia County Sheriff ’s Office. All three candidates for the fouryear term are running as Republicans.

There’s no Democratic opponent in the November election so the primary winner will be the sheriff.

DOUG GURSKI A substitute teacher for the Portland and Ionia school districts for the last four years, Gurski, 62, also has been a licensed professional investigator, formerly known as a private investigator, in the state of Michigan since 2010.

Gurski is running for sheriff, because he believes with all that law enforcement agencies are facing in the public spotlight, some changes are needed.

“We need to bring transparency to the forefront. We need to be more proactive in addressing the issues before they happen instead of reacting to them,” Gurski said. “I strongly believe this starts with listening to the needs and concerns of our citizens with (an) open mind, thinking outside of the box, instead of (a) ‘This is the way things are done’ approach.”

That change must begin inside the sheriff ’s office, “because their voice counts,” he said. But it also will include the voices of the citizens the department serves.

As a former law enforcement officer, chief judge of Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal government, administrator, business owner, educator and trainer of criminal justice programs, Gurski said he brings the skill set needed to effectively run the sheriff ’s office. He says his management style would bring a “fresh new approach” to how each member of the department can play an active role in shaping policies, procedures and programs within their work environment.

“This alone is a vital key to encourage employees to do their best, be productive and instills a passion for the position they are entrusted to uphold,” Gurski said. “If the sheriff respects those who work for him and feel listened to, they will respect his leadership and their role as deputies.”

Being an outsider looking in is what sets him apart from his opponents, as well as a style that welcomes every employee’s input, he said.

“I would elicit their vision for the department and encourage their involvement to make improvements,” said Gurski. “Working together with those on the front lines just makes sense.”

Taking that same management style outside the department and including input from business owners, farmers, government and private service agencies, along with that of citizens, will enhance the sheriff ’s office’s ability to function effectively when it comes to keeping the public safe.

“Issues need to be addressed, and as sheriff I will make that my main priority,” Gurski said.

If elected, he plans to build “an effective administration” designed to serve both the department and the residents of Ionia County.

“In every election cycle, there are candidates who outline what they will do or what they have accomplished.

Too often some administrators are minimalists and do just enough to call it good,” Gurski said. “A true leader delivers above and beyond, goes the extra mile. He looks ahead, has a vision for a better way. He brings with him the passion and drive to see it to completion.

This is called under-promising and over-delivering.”

Gurski said training of personnel is another priority, and he has a plan to keep deputies up to date in that. Training should be done consistently, to build their confidence and so they can do their job with excellence, he said.

“This can be accomplished inner department and with the cooperation of other agencies from surrounding counties facing budget restraints,” he added.

One of Ionia County’s biggest issue is illegal drug use, and Gurski plans to address it aggressively “from day one.”

If he can get that issue under control, he thinks that most of the other issues will be manageable.

“On Aug. 4, I want to be the leader chosen to lead the sheriff ’s department, knowing this is not about me; it is about the citizens who live here,” said Gurski. “Together, we can and will make a difference.”

CHARLIE NOLL Appointed as sheriff in December 2018 when Sheriff Dale Miller retired, Noll, 46, has now spent 19 months in the position. He hopes to continue to serve as sheriff “to represent and be responsive” to the needs of Ionia County citizens.

Noll is proud to have dedicated his career as a member of the community and of the Sheriff ’s Office for the last 24 years, and he remains committed to continuing to lead the agency “with the highest of standards and professionalism.”

“I believe I bring to this Constitutional Office the valued skill of experience, vision, leadership, and integrity that you, the citizens of Ionia County, demand and expect from their Office of Sheriff,” Noll said. “I have demonstrated this as your current sheriff, and pledge my commitment to continued leadership and ‘quality of life’ through the services provided by your Office of Sheriff.”

The Sheriff ’s Office faces new challenges every day, requiring “exceptional leadership” to navigate through each one for the best outcome for citizens, Noll said. He says as the only candidate with two dozen years of service to citizens, he has hands-on experience, advanced leadership training, and a lead-by-example philosophy.

“These are challenging times, and I will ensure the sheriff ’s office continues to connect with the community by always striving toward improving professional standards and best practices to better serve and protect the citizens of Ionia County,” he said. “The relationships I have fostered throughout the county with state, county, township and local leaders create the foundation of preparedness needed to positively move Ionia County in the right direction.”

Noll plans to continue his focus on services that strengthen community

Continues on Page 16B

Doug Gurski, a substitute teacher and professional investigator from Portland, is running for a four-year term as Ionia County sheriff. — DN Photo | Karen Bota

Charlie Noll of Belding, who was appointed Ionia County sheriff in December 2018 to fill the unexpired term of Sheriff Dale Miller, is running for his own four-year term. — DN Photo | Karen Bota

Robert Rickert, a U.S. Air Force veteran from Belding who also worked in the Ionia County Jail, is running for a four-year term as Ionia County sheriff. — DN Photo | Karen Bota

IONIA COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS

Ionia County voters to select new register of deeds KAREN BOTA

“The remonumentation program is also an essential part of keeping Ionia’s land records properly recorded, and I plan to work with the grant program to make sure we are in compliance with the state of Michigan in our endeavors,” Lake added.

Lake said her 18-year tenure as chief deputy register makes her the “top choice” for register of deeds.

“My knowledge, experience and dedication to the residents of Ionia County set me in first place in the list of candidates seeking election to the position of register of deeds,” Lake said. “I look forward to continuing my employment with Ionia County and working to make our Register of Deeds Office the best we can offer to our residents.”

kbota@thedailynews.cc Voters will choose between two Republican candidates for the Ionia County register of deeds on the Aug. 4 primary ballot.

One candidate for the four-year term has experience in county government; the other has experience in state government and the private sector.

Rhonda Lake of Orleans Township and Will Wagner of Ionia are each hoping to succeed current Ionia County Register of Deeds Diane Adams, who is retiring this year.

The Register of Deeds Office records, files, maintains and retrieves all documents relating to real property in Ionia County.

RHONDA LAKE In May 2002, Rhonda Lake was offered the job of chief deputy register of deeds in Ionia County.

“I accepted the challenge and have worked here serving the public these past 18 years,” Lake said. “I would like to continue serving the communities and people of Ionia County in the position I am trained for.”

As the chief deputy register, Lake has been in charge of running the office in the absence of the register, which she believes has given her the needed experience and knowledge to successfully manage the office as register.

“I am familiar with all aspects of the day-to-day events that are carried out in the Register of Deeds Office,” Lake said. “I am qualified and have performed the duties of the register many times throughout my career with Ionia County.”

With an associate degree in the arts with a double major in business management and administration from the University of Phoenix, Lake says she

Rhonda Lake of Orleans Township, the chief deputy register of deeds in Ionia County for 18 years, is running for her retiring boss’ job of Ionia County register of deeds. — DN Photo | Karen Bota

Will Wagner of Ionia hopes his experience in the private and public sectors will convince voters that he is the most qualified to serve as the next register of deeds for Ionia County. — DN Photo | Karen Bota

has the skills needed to make “confident decisions” for the office.

“I care about preserving the condition of our previously recorded historical records, (and) I am dedicated to recording all new documents and keeping them safe for years to come,” Lake said. “I want to make the Register of Deeds Office a place where people feel comfortable to visit when they have a need to process land records in Ionia County.”

If elected, Lake said she will focus on making the transition in leadership from Adams to herself a smooth one.

“I am grateful to have worked all these years with Diane Adams, as her right-hand assistant,” said Lake. “Together she and I have worked on projects together that I would like to follow to completion.”

Lake said she plans to use the Automation Fund to keep the office upto-date on the most current technology available to enhance the ability to provide records for the public. She also hopes to implement a credit card system that is affordable to the public to record and purchase document copies from the office.

WILL WAGNER Currently, the operations manager at Voss Lighting, Will Wagner, 34, previously worked as a legislative aide in both the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate.

Wagner said he is running for register of deeds for two reasons. One is that widespread, private property ownership is “a unique and special aspect of the founding of our nation.

“These rights must be preserved, and I value the significance of the Register of Deeds Office in Ionia County that continues this important legacy,” he said. “It is essential to have accurate records to maintain individual property rights, and I would be honored to be in the position of safeguarding those rights.”

The second reason is because Wagner values the historical aspect of the office.

“I have a passion for preserving historical documents, and it would be a privilege to continue to maintain the

Continues on Page 16B

Page 6B | Saturday, July 25, 2020

Endorsed and Supported By: Montcalm County Leaders cite experience, integrity, and vision in push for voters to Support Eggleston’s Candidacy

Attorneys who interact with the court, on both the prosecution and defense side, all agree that Adam is the best candidate for the position of Judge. Not because either side is going to have the upper hand, but because they know he will oversee a fair and impartial process that ensures justice for all in our community.

PROSECUTORS Christopher Hekman

Tammi Shaw

Shannan Kane

PAST AND PRESENT CITY ATTORNEYS

DONALD HEMINGSEN

JUDY EMMONS

ANDREA KRAUSE

Former State Senator

State Representative

Montcalm County Prosecuting Attorney

“I’ve been impressed with Adam’s knowledge of our legal system. As Magistrate, he’s already helped lead major improvements to our local court system. He’ll make an excellent Judge and serve with integrity,”

“Adam has a unique combination of experiences.

He also has a passion for public service and a vision to bring our court system to the next level. I’m proud to support his campaign,”

“As Prosecuting Attorney, I have a front row seat to our court system.

I believe Adam Eggleston has the integrity and knowledge to be our next District Court Judge.

I fully support him,”

Montcalm County District Judge

“I am proud to announce my support for Adam Eggleston as our next District Court Judge. His ability, integrity, and experience will combine to make him an excellent District Court Judge,”

JIM LOWER

Jim Mullendore

G.R. Pete Frye

Tom Siver

DEFENSE ATTORNEYS Michelle Lyons John Raven Randy Norton

Megan Hunter Michelle Cooper Monica Tissue-Daws Jourdan Rasmussen

Diane Longoria Ryan Villet Kyle Strobridge

Eggleston is also overwhelmingly supported by:

Police Officers Labor Council

Michigan Police Officers Association of Fraternal Order of Police Michigan

Command Officers Association of Michigan

COMMUNITY MEMBERS Ted Flynn Joanne Vukin Adam Eller Charlie Braman Karen Braman Nancy McComb William Grice Gloria Grice Carl Hansen Jim Draper Sue Draper Lois Edgar Amy Miller Brian Miller John Horn Carrie Horn Michael Hurst Ginger Gurecki Laurie Coville Andy Ross Mary Kemler Kohn Michael Walsh Don Allen Cheryl Allen Gail Hohbach Janice Mascho Eric Giles Mandi Giles Lori Dehnert Toni Burgess Maureen Wolverton Marc Wolverton Cathy Schermerhorn Scott Coville Carolyn McPherson Austin Bean Jen Bean Ryah Shaw Travis Rogers Penny Ritter Jessica McCain Scott McCain Jason Black Dave Clifford Michele Ehle Ed Ehle Karen VanRiper Phyllis Shilling Lori Williams Kate Aittama Bruce Aittama Andy Brooks Stacey Peterman Lori Braman

Rob Braman Jackie Kemler Jennifer Iteen Lee Iteen Mark Cole Charlie Mahar Jaye Christensen Matt Ryan Robert Christiansen Joni Christiansen Dan Basom Jane Basom Kari Buskirk Lois Simpson Stacey Senn Matt Longest Sara Longest Ben Wood Krista Wood Dan Lyndrup Jan Lyndrup John Kearney Sue Kearney Kelly Skarl Justin Colby Chris Clingenpeel Beth Clingenpeel Nels Hansen Dorene Holt Mandi Bellows Ed Lingeman Casey Lingeman Lee Lindquist Scott Lindquist Esther Combs Martin Combs Abby McGowan Chad Barber Jeff Trimper Jane Trimper Jason Christensen Heather Johns Deb Kuczynski Steve Kuczynski Shauna Thompson Troy Thompson Tom Coville Mandy Coville Brenda Sova Tom Sova Tarry Everingham Don Lance Chad Coville Rylie Coville

Betty Kellenberger Brianne Lodholtz Jeffrey Lodholtz Carrie Hallihan Brett Hallihan Terry Harriman Cheryl Rosso Doug Willemin Laura Willemin Mike Fitzpatrick Brandon Stowell Jeremy Steere Tabitha Steere Mark Lehman Patrick Hill Susan Hill Brendan Mahar Courtney Brokaw Tony Brokaw Lori Vanhoose Ryan Villet Karen Villet Ed Doyle Jeni Williams Michael Kotenko Kelly Dines Steve Snyder Cindy Hill Chuck Hill Kevin Packard Brenda Packard Brandy Bunting Nancy Jenks Kevin Jenks Scott Bates William Smith Amy Smith Manda Quigley Missy Studley Lisa Rogers Eric Hansen Nicki Hansen Samantha Wright Heath Wolverton Angie Sattler Kari Buskirk Jared Wright Krisitn Rowley Alicia Sexton Denny Sexton Amber Guerreiro Sue Aagaard David Ellis William Garlick

Brian Blomstrom Olivia Blomstrom Wayne Dillon Adam Coon Chris Johnston Chris Wetherington Sarah Wetherington Mechela Anderson Shane Dennis Michele Dennis Kris Kolbe Amy Kolbe Shelley Misner Stephanie Huested Amy Hancock Alex Hancock George Knight Jarad Stone Kristin Kilduff Morgan Sanders Brad Hansen Jerry Knight Dawn Hancock Jerry Hancock Jason Grice Steve Winnie Dana Ryan John Ryan Rachel Porter Andrew Porter Garrett Ryan Mike Kamps Marilyn Kamps Wayne Waldron Mary Waldron Terry Ryan Linda Ryan Jo Anne Anderson Dave Peters Teresa Peters Rod Roy Sherry Roy Joyce Braman Jason Eggleston Chelsa Eggleston Travis Braman Patti Braman Matt Braman Ron Cooper Karene Cooper Tom Worden Barb Worden John House II Pat Bucholtz

Marcia Braman Todd Braman Deanna Braman Kathy Platt Bill Willison Pat Willison Tom Smith Ann Smith Red Petersen Esther Petersen Dan Chesebro Jeff Gilmore Kathy Buskirk Terry Buskirk Ruth Coston Sampson Coston Lori Coston Mercedes Millard Josh Millard Trevor Wright Debbie LeFever John Russell Sanfod Coston Kristen Coston Jamie Bozung Mark Bozung Shelly Springborn Tammy Vandenburg John Vandenburg Gladys McComb Craig Wondergem Bruce Anna Nancy Anna Jamie Rogers Trevor Rogers Rachel Kilduff Jason Barnes Becky Steere Dave Steere Tina McConnell Tiffany Kohn Lynette Durnell Gary Valentine Travis Carr Kylee Buskirk Steven Schutter Andrea Edelman Vlad Edelman Joelle Black Julie Ward Jim Lingeman Michael McFarland Kati Harmon Jeanne Studley

Mike Studley Jenean Kane Jim Eggleston Nicole Eggleston Neca Ehle John Tuinhoff Jessica Burggren Jake Burggren Mari Wise Carol Barber Kathy Kieffer John Kieffer Brian Brecker Danny Alexander Angela Alexander Kathy Gerlach Matthew Case Joanna Corder Ransom Corder Lori Brace Janelle Morgan Shad Morgan Brad Stone Tim O’Brien Amy Tasker Sue Ringleka Sonja Rasmussen Chris Bracey Jason LaFramboise Mary LaFramboise Becky Blackmer Shelley Belt Rob Belt Andrew Powell Heather Dillon Nick Kieffer Andrew Welch Chris Ryan Dan Ryan Kris Eggleston Ken Dwight Tara Todd Dawn Miles John Powell Johnny’s Whitetail Taxidermy Don’s Towing and Recovery Green Thumb Garden Care Lawn and Home Maintenance And Many More

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Adam Eggleston, 128 S. Lafayette St. Greenville, MI 48838

www.EggforJudge.com 273185

Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 7B

70TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

5 square off for spot on Republican ticket CORY SMITH

csmith@thedailynews.cc As Rep. Jim Lower, R-Eureka Township, completes his second two-year term in the House of Representatives as Michigan’s 70th House District while choosing not to run for re-election, five Republican candidates are hoping to rise above their peers and land on the November ballot.

On Aug. 4, voters will choose between Gregory Alexander, Christopher Comden, Pat Outman, Arturo Puckerin and Martin Ross to challenge lone Democratic candidate Karen Garvey of Alma in November’s general election.

The 70th District includes all of Montcalm County and a portion of Gratiot County.

GREGORY ALEXANDER Gregory Alexander, 54, of Stanton describes himself as a nonpolitical candidate. He has worked a variety of jobs, including at Greenville Trailer Sales, Action Service, 10 years at Hitachi Magnetic, 23 years at Montcalm County EMS, eight years with the Road Commission for Montcalm County and 14 years as an American Heart Association instructor of CPR. Alexander is also a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard 1073rd maintenance company. He is a 1984 graduate of Central Montcalm High School and also attended Montcalm Community College.

Alexander is confident his local roots — having lived 50 years in Montcalm County — give him a proper perspective of what the residents of the county want in a representative.

“I have been the commander of the Stanton American Legion Post 452 for four years now. I am very community-oriented, volunteering all the time,” he said.

Alexander said if elected, he would place a focus on area veterans.

“We lose an average of 22 veterans a day to suicide (nationally) and I’ve lost a couple of friends to this,” he said. “If we can have sanctuary cities for (illegal immigrants and refugees) where everything is free, why can’t we do the same for our veterans that are homeless and dealing with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)? It’s time to drain the swamp.

I’m not a politician, never have been, so let’s put a non-politician in office. We the people, for the people. I am one of you, a hard-working American.”

CHRISTOPHER COMDEN Christopher Comden, 44, of Vestaburg has spent most of his adult life working in administrative roles for non-profits and is currently teaching at a Catholic High School in Saginaw.

Republican candidates for the 70th House District include, clockwise from top left, Gregory Alexander, Christopher Comden, Pat Outman, Arturo Puckerin and Martin Ross. — Submitted photos Christopher said he is running as a “true conservative” and as a “true representative,” believing that, above all else, it will be his responsibility to represent and vote based on his constituents’ desires — not the wants of lobbyists or party leaders.

“The reason I am running for state representative is because I believe that both the Republican and Democrat parties are failing at listening to their constituents,” he said. “The Republican politicians have been running on a conservative platform and then not holding true to the values they propose after they’ve been elected.

It’s time to vote for candidates who will stay true to conservatism and actively work to represent those in their district instead of those who donate to their next election.”

If elected, Comden said his main areas of focus would be on roads, healthcare and insurance, K-12 education, eliminating regulations, controlling higher costs of education, corrections and farming.

“It is time to stop electing men and women who follow the lead of a few politicians and instead vote for those who are ready to represent the voters,” he said. “Do you want your representative to answer to you or to a few party leaders that other people voted for? Do you want someone to be truly conservative and do what’s best for those in their district and the state of Michigan instead of what’s best for donations for their next campaign?”

PAT OUTMAN Pat Outman, 26, of Six Lakes works for Outman Excavating, as well as on his family’s cattle farm. If elected, he would be in the same seat his father, Rick Outman, held for six years before being elected to the Michigan Senate.

Pat said he’s hopeful to represent the voice of constituents from Montcalm and

Gratiot counties.

“The voice of people in our area is actively being silenced right now. The governor has unilaterally declared herself all-powerful and believes she can govern on her own,” he said. “This is not how our system of government is designed to operate. Whether you agree or disagree with the actions the governor is taking, the way our government is running right now does not include the voice of the legislature. This has to be corrected through any means possible. In order to have a republic, the legislature has to be relevant to the process to ensure constituents’ voices are heard.”

Outman said in operating his family’s small excavating business and farm, he believes that venture into small-business management would serve him well in the State House.

“I know firsthand how the actions of the government affect how businesses operate. Whether it’s an overreaching regulation or a new tax structure, the actions of the government have a huge impact on our local economy,” he said. “By bringing a business perspective to the Michigan legislature, I will hold our government more accountable to be less wasteful and run more efficiently. I also have legislative knowledge and experience from working within the Michigan House of Representatives and seeing firsthand the role of a state representative. With that firsthand knowledge and experience, I’ll be ready to hit the ground running from

day one and serve as an effective advocate for our area.”

Outman has several goals he would like to accomplish if elected.

“Once we get the economy turned around, one of my main priorities is to put in place a long-term road funding plan without raising taxes. We need to prioritize spending within our state budget to meet this goal,” he said. “I also want to continue to address the skilled trades shortage in Michigan. Currently, we have thousands of skilled trades vacancies within our state. As a member of a small business within the skilled trades, I understand how hard it is to find workers with the right skill sets. Ensuring a more skilled workforce will help our economy thrive.

Outman said he will also fight for the rights of the unborn, the Second Amendment and basic constitutional rights.

ARTURO PUCKERIN Arturo Puckerin, 36, of Greenville, is executive director of the Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Partnership, a community action agency that works to improve the lives of low-income people.

Puckerin said in running for office, his story is all about “the American Dream.”

“I am 100% pro-life and I will sponsor and introduce legislation pursuant to our unified efforts to ultimately overturn Roe V. Wade, and I am proud to see that

Continues on Page 8B

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

RE-ELECT

KRISTEN

MILLARD

Republican Incumbent For Montcalm County Clerk

EXPERIENCED:

23 Years Experience as Montcalm County Clerk 8 Years Experience as Ionia County Deputy County Clerk 31 Years Experience in 8th Circuit Court, Elections & Vital Records Successfully Managed 102 Elections as County Clerk

KNOWLEDGEABLE:

2015 Michigan Clerk of the Year 2019 President and former Legislative Chair of Michigan Assoc. of County Clerks Leadership Montcalm Graduate

I am a lifelong resident of Montcalm County, a graduate of Montabella Community Schools and Davenport College of Business. l am a mother of two Central Montcalm graduates, and a grandmother to four, with a fifth on the way. I have deep community roots and have served as president and secretary/treasurer of many local organizations, including but not limited to: Stanton Youth League, Central Montcalm Sports Boosters, the former Sheridan Lioness Club and Montcalm County Republicans.

I am asking for your vote on August 4th as my dedication and loyalty to the voters of Montcalm County is strong and proven.

Montcalm County Clerk

Vote

MILLARD for COUNTY CLERK on August 4th!

Paid for by: Committee to Re-Elect Kristen Millard, 2950 Lakeside Dr., Stanton, MI 48888 273379

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

273346

Page 8B | Saturday, July 25, 2020

86TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

2 Dems compete for a chance to run against Albert BRANDON SCHREUR bschreur@thedailynews.cc

Two Democrats will face off in the primary election for the chance to take on the Republican incumbent for Michigan’s 86th District state representative.

Jeff Merritt and Sue Hayes both want to represent the 86th District which covers portions of northwest Ionia and southeast Kent counties, including the cities of Belding, Ionia and Lowell.

The primary winner will take on State Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, who was elected to his current seat in 2016.

Hayes of Grand Rapids did not return repeated messages seeking comment for this story from the Daily News.

Merritt, 55, lives in Caledonia and is self-employed as a Realtor.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Saint Thomas and master’s degrees from both Aquinas College and Ball State University.

Merritt says his interest in helping other people began in his youth while attending Catholic school.

“We, as a school, were always very active in the community

with community service projects,” he said. “As an adult, I have worked as a social worker in the abuse and neglect system, as a teacher for close to 20 years, as a director of alternative education and as a Realtor, working primarily with first-home buyers.

I have always been committed my entire life to a life of public service. I think this prepares me very well to move forward seeking a position as public service.”

Merritt says working closely with people in his various positions has given him a passion for helping those who might be less fortunate or are stuck in difficult situations.

“I am especially wanting to help what was once the middle class and help those who are poor,” he said. “They are the forgotten people and they desperately need an advocate in government.”

If elected, Merritt says he’d focus his efforts to see changes made to wages for workers.

“I fully support the movement towards a $15 an hour minimum wage,” he said.

Merritt would also like to see the Right to Work and Tenure Law both repealed, as he feels both are unfair to the working

class.

“Right to Work seeks to undermine unions and to weaken collective bargaining rights,” he explained. “When teachers lost tenure, it opened the door for school districts to get rid of higher-paid experienced teachers before they could get their full pension and replace them with lower-wage first-year teachers. Getting rid of tenure laws was never about rooting out burned-out teachers who are no longer effective. It was a means to an end. It allowed school districts to get rid of higher-paid teachers and replace them with lower-paid teachers.”

Merritt says he’d also like to be part of a movement to ensure that all residents in Michigan, specifically those living in Flint, have access to clean, safe drinking water.

Having worked in a wide variety of positions and becoming involved in the community, Merritt believes his experience will make him an effective representative for the 86th District.

“I have worked in a service field for my entire adult life,” he said. “I love helping others. It is what gets me up in the morning.”

Jeff Merritt is running as a Democrat in the state representative race for Michigan’s 86th State House District. The Democrat primary winner will take on incumbent Thomas Albert in November. — DN Photo | Brandon Schreur

5 competing for 70th District Republican ticket Continued from Page 7B Planned Parenthood of Michigan will no longer receive more than $4 million in federal funds to care for low-income patients, due to their sinister ‘gag rules’ that prevent the group from providing information to patients about abortion,” he said.

“As a Constitutionalist I am a strong supporter of the Bill of Rights and of course, the Second Amendment, and in our contemporary climate of shooting sprees, chaotic riots and inner-city gun violence, our concealed permits are needed more than ever to protect life and liberty from such conventional challenges. As your state rep, I will do what I can to ensure that ‘red flag’ laws are never at issue again.”

Puckerin is a believer in a limited federal government. He said if he’s elected, he would work to cut taxes, adding that he doesn’t believe in raising taxes “under any circumstances.”

“I’m running for the Michigan House of Representatives because we need en-

hanced strategic planning around our community-needs assessment to advocate for us in Lansing through impactful processes that are felt in our roads and neighborhoods,” he said. “I’m running for the Michigan House because we need a leader who is committed to putting forth common-sense solutions and fresh perspectives in our region and in the Michigan House of Representatives. We need leaders who have seen firsthand the way policies impact people. My experience working with Michigan families, advocating for working families experiencing employment violations and recipient rights in mental health recovery services has given me substantive knowledge of the ways our legislature functions and now I want to make our outstanding system work better for us.”

Puckerin added that if elected, he would work to introduce legislation through his District 70 Economic Opportunity Plan, featuring agricultural enhancements to the livestock permit benefits that provide more flexibility

in inter-county transportation costs for agricultural waste disposal for farmers, Michigan truckers, excavation and construction workers.

MARTIN ROSS Martin Ross, 62, of Bushnell Township retired last year after 40 years with the U.S. Postal Service, the last 28 as postmaster in four different offices.

The pastor of Butternut Bible Church since 2001, Ross said his venture into running for public office is a way to give constituents a choice for someone who is not a “hand-picked representative.”

“It is important to be representative of the district I serve,” he said. “I grew up on my family’s small farm near Fenwick, graduated from Central Montcalm High School and have lived in Montcalm County for over 60 years. For the last 28 years, I met face-to-face with the people here daily as postmaster and listened to their concerns and solved their problems. I am not part of the professional political class but wish to be a citizen legislator as envisioned by the Founding

Fathers, serving as a voice for my neighbors.”

Ross said his qualifications are his life experience and maturity, his record of responsibility and dependability over decades, and his ability to communicate his positions.

“I am the only candidate with a proven record of being in management positions that serve the public over decades, the only candidate endorsed by Michigan Right to Life, and the only one with consistent, conservative political positions for 40 years,” he said.

Ross said he is in favor of outlawing dismemberment abortion, limiting the governor’s powers in time of emergency and upgrading the state’s infrastructure using existing resources.

“I have the public support of township officials from nine townships including four supervisors, five treasurers, two clerks and five trustees. In addition, the former county Republican chair for the last 15 years, the director of our Road Commission and other local officials have endorsed me.”

RESTORING CREDIBILITY

Meg Mullendore

Elect Rhonda Lake

for county clerk

Ionia County ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★of ★★★★★★★★★★ Register Deeds “Not only was she my direct supervisor but she became my friend as well.

Even when Meg had to make the hard decisions, she did so with much thought and care and was consistently firm and fair across the board. I believe the city is in better shape than it was when she came here and now that I have assumed the position of city manager I have a greater understanding of the issues, challenges, and obstacles she faced on a daily basis. She made this sometimes difficult and thankless job look easy. She did that through her excellent communication skills.”

• Experienced • Knowledgeable • Dedicated

~ William Marx, City Manager/Police Chief, Buchanan Michigan

Hello friends and neighbors, I’m Rhonda Lake and am working toward becoming the new Register of Deeds in Ionia County. I have worked as Chief Deputy Register of Deeds for the past 18 years. This position has given me the Experience and Knowledge to successfully manage the office in the best way possible to meet the needs of the public. My degree in business management and administration provides me with the skills needed to process land records in compliance with the State of Michigan. I care about maintaining the condition of our historical documents and keeping them safe for years to come.

Vote August 4, 2020 to Elect Rhonda Lake Register of Deeds Together we can share a Register of Deeds office that works for everyone.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Rhonda Lake, 1932 Belding Rd, Orleans, MI 48865

★★★★★★★ “I believe she will bring honesty, integrity and unity to the office of county clerk.” ~ Gary Valentine, Greenville Dept. of Public Safety Sergeant, Retired

★★★★★★★ • Collectively has spent well over two decades in the public sector, primarily government or NGO which has offered her a multitude of opportunities to be involved with or being the decision maker; • Understanding the complexity and nuances of a governmental entities and departments; • 100% supporter of our Armed Forces; • Bachelor’s degree in science and Master’s degree in Public Administration; • You are either part of the solution, or you are part of the problem; TOGETHER WE CAN BE THE SOLUTION • Right is right and she does the right thing even when it’s not popular; • Understands the complexity, regulatory/statutes, and nuances of a Governmental entity and the various organizational departments; • Says what you need to hear not what you want to hear, and sometimes you may not like it; • Adamant about using the 5 C’s: Cooperation, Consolidation, Collaboration, Communication and Customer service daily; • Her integrity and character are two things she takes pride in and understands she is the only one who can damage them; 273351

273322

Paid for by Friends of Meg Mullendore for Montcalm County Clerk, PO Box 342 Greenville, MI 48838

Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 9B

3RD DISTRICT UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

5 GOP candidates hope to replace Amash CORY SMITH

csmith@thedailynews.cc As U.S. Congressman Justin Amash, L-Cascade Township, announced his decision earlier this month not to seek re-election, six candidates are hopeful to occupy the open seat in Congress.

A field of five Republican candidates — Lynn Afendoulis, Joe Farrington, Peter Meijer, Thomas Norton and Emily Rafi — will be narrowed down to one when voters take to the polls at the Aug. 4 primary election.

The winner will then run against lone Democratic candidate Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids in the Nov. 3 general election.

The 3rd District includes all of Barry, Calhoun and Ionia counties, northern Kent County and the cities of Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids, and Eureka Township in Montcalm County.

LYNN AFENDOULIS Lynn Afendoulis, 61, of Grand Rapids Township is serving in her first term in the Michigan House of Representatives for the 73rd District, but has set her sights on Washington, D.C. “As a state representative, I have seen how critical it has been to know my communities by being in them, by talking to and engaging with the residents, businesses, organizations, and municipalities that define and create them,” she said. “I love that part of the job — truly knowing my communities so I can effectively represent them. Our current congressman, Justin Amash, looks at the job differently. He has a constituency of one — himself — and represents his own needs and views, not the views of the people.”

If elected, Afendoulis said she will put the interest of her constituents before those of her own.

“I will go to Washington to represent the people and I will spend my time in my communities making sure I know the will and needs of the people and the district, from Marshall to Portland, and from Grand Rapids to Battle Creek,” she said. “It’s what I do in my state seat and what I’ll do in Congress. And I will make sure our West Michigan values and voice are heard in the halls of D.C. and that our needs are known, considered, and met.”

Afendoulis also credited her career before entering the realm of politics in preparing her to take on a bigger role.

“I had a nearly 40-year career in the private sector, starting as a newspaper reporter in the 1980s and working for 26 years in various capacities for a large manufacturing company,” she said.

“And I have had decades of community leadership, sitting on and chairing boards and initiatives and doing what I could to make West Michigan a better place for having lived here. Having dipped my toe in legislative waters, I know what it takes to bring people together to get good legislation done and would be able to hit the ground running in Washington, D.C.” Afendoulis wants to make the country as appealing as it once was to her grandparents.

“I am the granddaughter of legal immigrants who came here for the American dream. They learned the language, built homes and churches, worked hard, sent their children to school and their sons to war, and flew the flag of their new homeland proudly,” she said. “I want to fight for the America that lured

Republican candidates for the 3rd District United States House of Representatives include, clockwise from top left, Lynn Afendoulis, Joe Farrington, Peter Meijer, Thomas Norton and Emily Rafi. —Submitted photos my grandparents; for the constitution and freedoms they loved. I will fight for the very fabric of this nation. I will go toe-to-toe with the squad so that we have voices as loud as theirs defending the beauty of this nation, not seeking to dismantle and shred it.

“I will work with President Trump to bring back the economy, strengthen our borders and our immigration laws, stand up to China, defend life and our right to bear arms, and promote and ensure the greatness of America for today and for generations to come.”

JOE FARRINGTON Joe Farrington, 42, of Lyons is the owner of the Lyons Bar. After having served as an elected official in local government as a village trustee, he’s aiming to make a bigger impact.

Running as a self-described “fiscal conservative, social moderate,” Farrington points to his previous work history, which includes working as a finance director and a school teacher before purchasing the Lyons Bar in 2013, as helping to give him a well-rounded view of the needs and wants of his constituents.

“I don’t see folks such as myself, or my customers, represented in Congress, especially in West Michigan. As a working-class Republican, I believe in the abolishment of unnecessary regulations, gratuitous taxation, and the preservation of the Second Amendment. We work long-hard hours with calloused hands. We beat our bodies to exhaustion. We hunt, fish, spend time with our families, and we enjoy a good burger and ice-cold beer. We deserve a lot more than an absentee congressman with a perfect record for looking out for his best interests,” he said.

Farrington believes a working-class Republican is necessary to root out special interest groups.

“We do not need millionaires and billionaires representing the 3rd District. They have never had to work paycheck-to-paycheck or worry whether or not their health insurance was going to cover the cost of a hospital stay,” he said. “Vote for your best interests — working-class interests — not for the best interest of the super-wealthy.”

Additionally, Farrington said he would work across the political aisle.

“At this moment in our political state that we currently have there’s a lot of bad behavior going on, on both sides of the fence. I think we need to just bring it down to where we have a little sensibility, people that are more pragmatic and less divisive,” he said. “There’s a direction in which we should be go-

ing, that we are currently not going in. We’re not on the correct path, as a nation. We need to switch the course of direction. More so than anything, I think we need to start having conversations, as opposed to just fear tactics and rhetoric to pit one another against each other. That’s counter-productive for our country.”

PETER MEIJER Peter Meijer, 32, of Grand Rapids is the grandson of Fred Meijer, founder of the Meijer supermarket chain.

From 2008 to 2016, Meijer served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was deployed to Iraq from 2010 into 2011 as an intelligence advisor.

“Growing up in West Michigan, I stocked shelves at our family store and learned the values of hard work, integrity and responsibility. These responsibilities led me to serve in Iraq as a sergeant and they bring me here today,” he said. “My service didn’t end when I left the Middle East. I served my country and now I want to serve my community.

I’m running for Congress because our politicians spend their time trashing each other online, coming up with excuses and pointing fingers. We should expect more from the people who represent us.

“I have a lot of ideas to take to Washington,” he continued. “We need to secure our borders. We need to bring our troops home from senseless wars and we need health care to not bankrupt families, with education within reach.”

Meijer said his platform is 100% prolife, from “conception to natural death.”

He said if elected, he would be a proud defender of both the First and Second Amendments.

“The First Amendment is first for a reason, and we must preserve the freedom of religion and assembly. No government rule, law, or policy must force an individual or church to violate their closely-held religious beliefs,” he said. “The Second Amendment to our Constitution states that, ‘the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed’ for a reason. I proudly support the Second Amendment and exercise my own right to keep and bear arms, and I will strongly defend this right against any infringement.”

Meijer said he would also work to keep the federal government’s role “as limited as possible,” when it comes to governing.

“Our division of governance between state and federal control is one of the greatest strengths of our country.

In our diverse nation, one-size-fits-all government simply doesn’t work,” he said. “As a principle, decisions should be made at the lowest level of competent government in order to make those decisions as responsive to the needs of the people as possible.”

THOMAS NORTON Thomas Norton, 37, of Ada describes himself as an “America-first, conservative veteran” running for Congress as a Republican.

Norton said he believes in the concept of the “American Dream,” because he’s personally lived it, growing up on his family’s farm, learning and using those values to then go from infantry soldier in Afghanistan to small business owner and top salesman for a national company.

Norton said he was inspired to run for public office in the village of Sand Lake, serving as a village trustee and then as village president. He believes concerns of area veterans have gone unheard and he’s worked to co-found the West Michigan Veterans Ranch that focuses on suicide prevention and financial help for veterans, while working with them to find a new purpose in life.

“So many people in this country have died fighting for our freedom. My family has had someone serve in every major war since the revolution,” he said.

“It is a family tradition that I followed by proudly serving my country in 1-126 Cavalry Regiment. I have developed a passion for our veterans and their families.”

Norton said if elected, the last thing he would do is abandon veterans.

“For a start, send our military to war only as a last resort. When we must, provide them with full support to win,” he said. “And when people get back, do not abandon them. I promise, if elected, veterans will find a friend in my office

Continues on Page 12B

4TH DISTRICT UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

2 Democrats vie for November shot against Moolenaar CORY SMITH

csmith@thedailynews.cc As Republican incumbent John Moolenaar of Michigan’s 4th Congressional District looks ahead to the November general election, two Democrats are vying to land a spot on the ticket in the Aug. 4 primary election.

Anthony Feig and Jerry Hilliard will compete in the primary, with the Democrat winner facing Moolenaar on Nov. 3.

Michigan’s 4th District includes Clare, Clinton, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Isabella, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Osceola, and Roscommon counties, the northern portion of Shiawassee and most of the western portion of Saginaw counties, as well as all of Montcalm County with the exception of Eureka Township.

ANTHONY FEIG Anthony Feig, 51, of Mount Pleasant works as an associate professor of geography and environmental studies at Central Michigan University.

“We are at a watershed moment in our nation — not just a moment of a lifetime, but of a moment of history,” Feig said.

“Now is the time to actively and honestly address the issues we face. We have to have a representative in Washington who understands the specific issues facing their constituents. In the 4th District, these issues include: supporting communities and workers as we contain COVID-19, access to quality, affordable healthcare, protecting our water and environment from PFAS, creating jobs and supporting businesses, and supporting teachers and education.”

Feig said his career as a professor has led him to take an “evidence-based approach” to finding solutions, one he would utilize in public office as well.

“As a teacher, I know how to listen with care, how to speak with respect, and how to inform. I believe our elected officials

Anthony Feig, left, and Jerry Hilliard are the Democratic primary election choices to face incumbent John Moolenaar in the general election. — Submitted photos should behave the same way,” he said.

“We need more scientists and teachers in Congress, fresh perspectives to address the unique problems we are facing. Many folks in the Fourth District feel that Washington has forgotten us, but our government can work for the people if they are represented by someone who listens and faithfully carries their voices to Washington. In these divisive times, we are ready for a new patriotism — a love of country that is rooted in compassion, hope, and lifting up the common good. This is what binds us together as proud Michiganders and Americans.”

Feig described his political agenda as one being a “significant change from the status quo” while placing a new focus on the needs of the 4th District.

“It is time to end the divisiveness in government and work towards a better and brighter future for our communities.

Partisan bickering has come to be expected in these times, but Washington lawmakers need to start behaving like responsible adults. I will be loyal first and foremost to the people I represent,” he said. “I plan to be present and publicly available. I will be easy for people to contact, and people won’t have to be screened in order to talk to me.

This means that sometimes I will get an earful from people who disagree with me, but I have a duty to listen to those folks, too.”

If elected, Feig said he would place a concentration on making it easier for county transportation authorities to access federal assistance to increase services in rural communities, as well as introduce healthcare legislation that would focus on ensuring rural care networks stay open, closing the gap between private insurance payouts and medical payouts, while lowering the Medicare threshold to at least 60.

JERRY HILLIARD Jerry Hilliard, 70, of Mount Pleasant works as an adjunct faculty in economics at Lansing Community College.

If elected, Hilliard said he would work to bring more balance to how Michigan is treated in the eyes of the federal government.

“Michigan is a donor state which means most years we send more money to the U.S. government than we receive in return,” he said. “We need someone to advocate for a fair return from the federal government.”

Hilliard said he believes his experiences in both working as an educator and be-

coming involved in politics make him well suited to serve as a representative of the 4th District.

“I am an economics instructor. I am highly educated. I have been active in Michigan Democratic politics for a decade,” he said. “I have been a county party chair and vice chair. I have lived in the 4th U.S. Congressional District of Michigan most of my life and I am dedicated to helping people in our congressional district and the state of Michigan.”

As a longtime resident of the 4th District, Hilliard said he believes he understands what it is the constituents of the district seek from Washington, D.C. “I have worked tirelessly to meet the people in the 4th Congressional District.

I took 2018 and I am taking 2020 off from my economics teaching duties and cut back the number of classes I teach in 2017 and 2019 to take part in events such as the Danish Festival in Greenville in 2017, 2018, and 2019,” he said. “I am enthusiastic about middle class economics, which demonstrates that a strong middle class is a key to economic stability. A part of rebuilding the middle class is to make our healthcare system affordable and accessible for all citizens. Unfortunately, our country is near the last of developed countries in all categories related to childbirth, maternal care, post and prenatal care and more. It is too expensive to birth a child in the U.S. so much so that when there are complications with the birth families often are forced into bankruptcy and for these reasons and others I favor Medicare for all.”

That specific focus on the middle class is something Hilliard said he will not lose sight of.

“My top goal is to rebuild the middle class because people are moving out of Michigan in part because we are about the 30th of all the states in wage rate rankings when in the 1970s we were well into the top 10 highest wage states in the nation,” he said.

Page 10B | Saturday, July 25, 2020

MONTCALM COUNTY BALLOT PROPOSALS

Montcalm County voters to decide millages on Emergency Services, veteran affairs BRANDON SCHREUR bschreur@thedailynews.cc

Montcalm County residents will be asked to decide two countywide millages in the primary election— one of which is a new millage, the other a renewal.

One proposal is for the Montcalm County Department of Veteran Affairs for a new millage that would levy up to the amount of 0.25 of 1 mill ($0.25 per $1,000 of taxable value) for five years.

The other proposal is a renewal for ambulance and medical first responder services at Montcalm County Emergency Services that would continue to levy the constitutional tax rate limitation on general ad valorem taxes of 0.75 mills ($0.75 per $1,000 of taxable value on such property).

As required by state law, a small portion of each proposed millage may be captured and retained by Downtown Development Authorities in Crystal, Edmore, Greenville, Howard City, Lakeview.

VETERANS MILLAGE Montcalm County Commission on Aging Director Ryan Dreyer, who also oversees the Department of Veteran Affairs, said the millage request would last from 2020 through 2024 and would generate approximately $476,054 in its first year, if approved by voters.

The money, Dreyer explained, would help the department stay afloat given that it is currently relying solely on grant funding.

“The County Department of Veteran Affairs has been around in some fashion since 2014 and has always operated under the umbrella of the Commission on Aging. It has always been a grant-funded operation,” Dreyer said. “What this has meant is that there has never been a fulltime employee of the County Department of Veteran Affairs until October 2019, when the Commission on Aging was able to hire a full-time case manager. That allowed our county veteran service officer to devote his full-time attention to veteran services.”

The grant funding that the department is currently operating on has become unreliable, according to Dreyer.

“In fiscal year 2019, the funds did not arrive until April 2019. The grant funding was a casualty of the state budget process for fiscal year 2020 and was not restored until December 2019,” Dreyer explained.

“This unstable funding source jeopardizes the future of the Montcalm County Veterans Affairs Department. All it would take

A renewal for ambulance and medical first responder services for Montcalm County Emergency Services will be on the primary election ballot. The proposal would continue to levy up to 0.75 mills. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon to eliminate the department at this time would be for the funding source to dry up.”

Dreyer said approving the millage would help give the department stability in being able to continue offering services to local veterans — including assisting veterans when filing for benefits claims, processing burial assistance requests, providing transportation for medical appointments and giving out emergency financial help to veterans in need.

Funding from the millage would also allow the department to offer services to peacetime veterans. “(Peacetime veterans) enlisted in the U.S. Armed Services during a non-wartime period, but were nonetheless prepared and willing to go to war, if necessary,” Dreyer noted. “Peacetime veterans are currently exempt from assistance through the Soldier and Sailor Relief Fund. Additional funding would also potentially allow us to provide relief funds for emergency dental care for county veterans, as dental care is often not covered

by Veterans Affairs benefits. Additional funding would allow us to pursue support group meetings for veterans as well.”

Dreyer hopes people will keep the county’s veteran population in mind when voting.

Jerry Hilliard OUR candidate for Michigan’s Congressional 4th District

LET’S REBUILD THE MIDDLE CLASS ELECT JERRY HILLIARD FOR OUR FUTURE! I am Jerry Hilliard and am running for OUR 4th District Congressional seat. My campaign is about US, not me.

I am running as a public servant not to enrich myself.

My main goal is to rebuild OUR middle class in the 4th District, and OUR United States! A strong middle class creates opportunities for the economically distressed to rise out of poverty while simultaneously creating stronger markets for the business community to sell to. A strong middle class is a win-win-win.

VOTE TO REBUILD OUR MIDDLE CLASS! • • • • •

Lives in Mt. Pleasant Graduate of Harrison High School Earned MBA from Uof M-Flint Earned MA in Sports Administration Earned BS in Education from CMU

“Montcalm County has one of the largest veteran populations in the local geographical area, while simultaneously spending a lesser amount of money per-veteran than most neighboring communities,” he said.

EMERGENCY SERVICES MILLAGE There are approximately 100 licensed professionals using 12 ambulances, 12 rescue services and a technical rescue trailer to respond to nearly 10,000 emergency calls per year in Montcalm County.

Montcalm County Emergency Services Director Eric Smith is hopeful voters will renew a millage that helps his department ensure those vehicles are fully equipped and reliable in times of need.

If approved, the millage renewal would last from 2021 through 2024 and would generate approximately $1,424,473 in its first year before Headlee rollbacks and would provide funds for the acquisition, maintenance and operation of ambulance and medical first response services and equipment.

Smith said he believes the most important thing for voters to know is that this millage request is a renewal that has been approved by voters several times in the past.

“While the legalese language is very confusing and I would say misleading, it is simply a renewal,” Smith said of the ballot language. “Nothing more, nothing new.

“It is also very important for the voters to know that, even though the millage is currently approved at .75 mills, only .6 is levied,” he added. “The current year’s anticipated collection is $995,000. We have always promised to be good stewards of people’s money and never take more than we need. We can currently get by with only .6 mills, so we only levy .6 mills. Even though the voters have authorized .75 mills, we keep our promises.”

Thanks to the millage, Smith says the department is currently able to offer medical first responder service at no charge to the county.

“Part of the rescue division is the technical rescue team as well,” he explained.

“In addition to the medical first response, the technical rescue team is trained and equipped for confined space rescue, high angle rescue (rope rescue), trench collapse, farm rescue, search and rescue and other out-of-the-ordinary rescue situations. The millage allows us to provide these services for free as well.”

The ambulance service does have a small fee, Smith says, but it’s a service that would either be unavailable or substantially more expensive without the millage.

With the millage being responsible for much of the department’s equipment funding, Smith says the millage was able to help the department amid the coronavirus pandemic this year.

“Because of the longstanding community support, we were fully prepared for COVID,” he said. “Our PPE supply was never in jeopardy, so all of our frontline workers were all safe and protected. Because of our longstanding community support, our ambulance fleet allowed us to outfit two of our trucks to be COVID trucks, to best protect the community and use those trucks to transport known or suspected COVID patients, while using the non-COVID trucks to transport nonCOVID patients.

“The millage also helps to ensure staff is all trained to the latest, best practices in medicine and certified in all of the specialty classes (trauma, cardiac, pediatrics, neonatal, etc.) so they are ready for whatever emergency they may encounter,” he said. “All the training in the world isn’t very valuable without the equipment necessary. The millage helps to ensure all of the needed equipment is available, well-maintained and ready when needed.”

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Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 11B

IONIA COUNTY BALLOT PROPOSALS

Ionia County residents to vote on 911 surcharge, senior millage renewal KAREN BOTA

kbota@thedailynews.cc When Ionia County voters head to the polls on Aug. 4, they’ll be asked to decide whether to approve two countywide proposals that will appear on the ballot.

One is an increase to the 911 operating surcharge; the other is a millage renewal and restoration proposal for senior citizens services.

911 OPERATING SURCHARGE The 911 operating surcharge is currently $2.30 per device per month. Ionia County 911 is seeking a surcharge increase of up to 70 cents per phone device per month, for a total surcharge of up to $3 per device per month. At the full 70 cents, the increase would cost no more than $8.40 per year.

Ionia County 911 is the only emergency answering and dispatch center for police, fire, medical first responder and ambulance services in the county.

Not many residents know that all funding for Ionia County 911 operations comes from local and state surcharges, according to Central Dispatch Director Jim Valentine.

A surcharge based on devices used to contact 911 is fairer than a millage, which is based on property value, according to Valentine. As Berlin-Orange Fire Chief and local farmer Matt Bennett told him once, “Dirt doesn’t call 911.” “(For a millage) they’re paying on their acreage. This is a more fair way to run a 911 center; it’s technically a user tax,” said Valentine. “It’s the (telecommunications) side of citizens’ use that is funding 911 operations.”

Of the center’s typical operating budget of almost $1.5 million, 84.5% comes from the local surcharge — currently $2.30 a month on each landline, cell phone and VOIP telephone system —14.5% comes from the state of Michigan from funds it collects in cellphone bills and shares with 911 dispatch centers, and 1% comes from the same fund to offset dispatcher training costs.

“We get no county general fund money, no property tax or millage money, and we don’t charge any city, village or township anything (for 911 services or dispatching their police and fire departments),” Valentine said. “Our income is strictly the surcharge.”

That surcharge pays for 911 personnel, costs associated with the building, computers and servers, telephone services, equipment maintenance and support, and new technology and stateof-the-art services to county residents such as Smart911, TEXT to 911 and technology to accurately locate a cell phone caller to 911.

“Our operating expenses continue to creep up, so we will have less dollars each year to undertake additional major projects,” Valentine said.

The proposed 70-cent increase will help pay for replacing radios for fire departments across the county “to get them on the 800 (MHz) radio system like police and ambulance are” for full interoperability between all agencies, Valentine said. “None of them can afford to replace everything they have.”

He estimated that the project will cost more than $1 million for radio equipment and upgrades. If the surcharge is approved, Valentine and fire chiefs will start planning the project in the fall.

“It’s a relatively inexpensive way to fund a government operation. We’re asking for less than the price of a cup of coffee per month increase,” Valentine said.

Future capital project update and replacement projects also include upgrading the 20-year-old building backup generator, and modernizing the dispatch consoles and cables, which are “a wiring quagmire on the dispatch floor,” he said.

Ionia County Commission on Aging Director Carol Hanulcik, right, and Nutrition Director Lisa Insley stand outside the Commission on Aging building in downtown Ionia. County residents will vote Aug. 4 on a millage renewal to support services to local seniors provided through the agency. — DN Photo | Karen Bota

Dispatchers at Ionia County 911 answer calls for assistance and dispatch the appropriate first responders.

Voters in the Aug. 4 primary election will decide whether to support a 911 operating surcharge of up to $3 on phone devices, which includes an increase of up to 70 cents per device per month. The surcharge provides almost 85 percent of the center’s operating budget. — DN Photo | Karen Bota

get memorial contributions, we get gifts from the community and we fundraise nonstop,” Hanulcik said. “But the senior millage is that foundation of support for our agency. It’s crucial.”

The Ionia County Commission on Aging was created in the late 1970s. The senior millage was first passed in 2002, and that’s when the agency started to get on “sound financial footing, according to Hanulcik.

“I can’t stress how important it is for us to renew that millage, especially right now,” she said. “(With COVID-19) a lot of people think we’re closed, but we never stopped delivering services for one second.”

Much of the services provided during the coronavirus pandemic have been related to nutritional support because seniors either couldn’t or were told not to leave their homes. Seventy new clients for recurring meals have been added since March, according to Hanulcik.

When the pandemic first hit, the agency had to close down its kitchen.

Staff purchased frozen meals, which cost $2 more per meal than kitchen-prepared food, but it allowed them to continue to provide meals to the individuals who needed them.

“The senior millage touches every program we provide. … With the economy as it is, a lot of people hurting, a lot of different agencies hurting, we’re not sure where that funding’s going to be next year, and the year after that,” Hanulcik said. “So it goes back to that senior millage, and how important that is for us to continue to provide services.

It is even more important than it was before.”

The senior millage is based on the taxable value of a home. In Ionia County in 2019, the average home was valued at $118,000, according to Hanulcik. A millage of .5 mills on that home’s taxable value of $59,000 would cost the average homeowner $32.45 a year.

Last year, the agency served 74,000 meals through Meals on Wheels and 10,000 congregate meals at its six Friendship Luncheon sites across the county; and provided more than 7,000 hours of in-home services by home health aides, homemaker aides and respite service providers, and “several thousand” transportation trips to medical and dialysis appointments, errands and activities. The commission on aging also provides support groups and educational programs for caregivers. “$32.45 is a really good value,” said Hanulcik of the average cost of the millage. “You get a lot for it.”

The Commission on Aging also provides opportunities for social interaction, which studies show are as important to seniors’ well-being as nutrition is. Due to the pandemic, many of those programs are suspended, but when they resume, the center will be bustling again.

“This is, normally, as a senior center, where seniors can get together with friends and peers and have a little socialization to stay connected to their community and to each other,” Hanulcik said. “It really helps people improve their quality of life and their health as well. It brings everybody together as a community to look after each other.”

Part of the agency’s mission is to help people remain in the homes of their choice and support them so they can remain where they want to be. The alternative to providing services to seniors in the community is residential care in a facility, she said.

“When people reach an age when they can’t take care of themselves anymore, you put everybody in a nursing home. Studies show no one wants that, and it’s going to cost taxpayers a lot more money because that is the most expensive level of care,” Hanulcik said.

“It’s massively more expensive than keeping people in their homes.”

e c n e r e f f Major projects completed previously include a $500,000 upgrade to the dispatch radio console, which was at the end of its life, in January 2016 (Valentine just finished paying for that project this year); and a $140,000 E-911 IP telephone system upgrade to current and future technology standards in August 2019.

A $160,000 replacement of the 1998 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to Next Generation 911 standards — “the backbone of dispatchers” — is scheduled to go live in November. The dispatch system will allow CAD to CAD communication, so Ionia County and Barry County dispatchers can back each other up when a major incident, like a bad crash on the freeway, “swamps” one center with calls, or when a dispatcher goes homesick and it will take time for the replacement to arrive, Valentine said. Calls can be answered by the other center, and notes and time stamps entered into the records system.

“With the upgraded 911 system, we’re now in the position to roll out futuristic possibilities, whatever the future holds … the future being the next five to eight years,” Valentine said. “We’re now in the position to take care of all that without major infrastructure changes.”

But then there is the eight-year-old phone system that is beyond provider

support, and within two to three years upgrades to the console will be needed.

He’ll have to upgrade to expand capacities to record “the multitude of talk groups,” which is an expensive proposition: $200,000 or more.

“It’s just never-ending,” Valentine noted.

SENIOR CITIZENS SERVICES The senior citizens services millage is a renewal of the current .5 mill or 50 cents per $1,000 on the taxable value of property. The millage had been reduced to .4981 by required millage rollbacks in the Headlee Amendment, so in addition, approval would restore the .0019 mills reduction for a return to the previously authorized total millage rate of up to .5 mills.

The senior millage is “the cornerstone” of the Ionia County Commission on Aging’s ability to provide services to area seniors, providing about half of the agency’s annual budget of almost $1.6 million, according to Director Carol Hanulcik.

“We get funding from a lot of areas: the Area Agency on Aging (of West Michigan), the Michigan Department of Transportation. We charge fares for transportation, we send out letters for donations, we ask for cost shares, we

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Page 12B | Saturday, July 25, 2020

CARSON CITY-CRYSTAL SCHOOLS MILLAGE

Voters to decide whether to renew operating millage BRANDON SCHREUR bschreur@thedailynews.cc

CARSON CITY — Those living within the Carson City-Crystal Area Schools district will decide whether to renew a longtime operating millage proposal in the primary election.

Included on the Aug. 4 ballot for those within the CC-C district — including residents in Montcalm, Gratiot, Ionia and Clinton counties — is a proposal to renew a millage for five more years.

“The proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its full revenue per pupil foundation allowance and runes millage that will expire with the 2021 tax levy,” the proposal reads.

The operating millage funds are spent on a variety of operating costs that includes maintenance, transportation, salaries, repairs and several other items,

Voters living in the Carson City-Crystal Area Schools district will decide whether to renew a long-time operating millage proposal on Aug. 4. — DN Photo | Brandon Schreur according to CC-C Superintendent John Sattler.

“It’s all part of the general fund,” Sattler said.

The millage renewal, which is set to expire with the 2021 tax levy, would last from 2022 to 2026.

According to Sattler, the 18 mills ($18

on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) does not tax a primary residence, meaning it would only apply to non-resident homes and businesses.

Sattler says a renewal would continue to ensure a quality education for all students attending the district’s schools.

“Voting yes would mean that CC-C can keep and grow our current and future academic programming,” Sattler said.

If renewed, the millage is expected to generate approximately $1,353,987 in revenue that the school district would then collect.

CC-C Area Schools Board of Education President Gregg McAlvey is hopeful voters will renew the millage as the district continues to navigate through a field of unknowns regarding the fiscal year budget in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I would say with the uncertainly of what the state is going to do in regards to school funding, it is more important than ever that our communities support the school,” McAlvey said.

COON SCHOOL MILLAGE

Ionia’s Coon School millage renewal on the ballot ELISABETH WALDON ewaldon@thedailynews.cc

BERLIN TOWNSHIP — Residents of Berlin Township will be asked to decide a millage renewal for Coon School in the primary election.

Coon School is located at 6679 S. State Road in Ionia in Berlin Township’s district 3.

The millage renewal would allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills ($18 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for 20 years (2021 to 2040) on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school

district to receive its full per pupil foundation allowance. A remaining .5 mill increase (50 cents on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) would also available to be levied to restore millage lost as a result of a reduction required by the Headlee amendment and would only be levied to the extent necessary to restore that reduction, according to the ballot proposal.

If approved, the millage is expected to generate $119,606 in its first year.

“Local operating millages are very important to school districts in any given year, but particularly in light of increased operational costs to address impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ionia County Intermediate School District Superinten-

MONTCALM COUNTY TOWNSHIP PROPOSALS BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP • Belvidere Township Refuse Millage: Shall the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution be increased on all taxable real and tangible personal property in the Township of Belvidere, in an amount not to exceed 1 mill ($1.00 on each $1,000.00 of taxable value) for a period of 14 years, 2020 to 2033 inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for refuse pickup in the Township of Belvidere; and shall the Township levy such millage for said purpose; The estimate of the revenue the Township will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the 2020 calendar year is approximately $80,000?

DOUGLASS TOWNSHIP • Douglass Township New Additional Millage 0.60 Mill for Township Fire Protection Operations, Services and Equipment: Shall the limitation on general ad valorem taxation within the Township of Douglass imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution be increased for the Township of Douglass by up to 0.60 mill ($0.60 per $1,000 of taxable value), for a period of four years, 2020 to 2023, both inclusive, subject to reduction as provided by law, upon all taxable real and personal property within the Township?

The purpose of this new millage levy is to provide funding for fire protection operations, services, and equipment in the Township. If approved, it is estimated that the levy of 0.60 mill will provide revenue of $46,774 in the first calendar year of the levy.

EUREKA TOWNSHIP • Eureka Charter Township Proposition for Renewal of Police Protection Millage: This proposition will allow Eureka Charter Township, Montcalm County, Michigan, to continue to levy the previous voted increase on general ad valorem taxes of one mill, to provide funds for Police Protection and Police Equipment in Eureka Charter Township. Shall the expired previous voted increase in the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Eureka Charter Township renew, at the previous voted increase, up to one (1) mill, ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value; example – a property with the taxable value of $50,000 would be taxed $50.00), thereby levying up to one (1) full mill, for the years 2020 through 2025, inclusive, for additional police protection and police equipment in Eureka Charter Township, which will collect in the first year an estimated total of $148,680.12?

EVERGREEN TOWNSHIP • Evergreen Township Millage Proposal for Fire Services: This proposal will allow Evergreen Township to levy an additional (new) 0.50 mill on all taxable property within the Township for a period of four (4) years to provide funds to operate fire services. Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property within Evergreen Township be increased by 0.50 mill for a period of four (4) years, 2020 through 2023, both inclusive, to finance fire services in Evergreen Township? Approval of this proposal would permit a tax of $0.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value on all taxable property within Evergreen Township. This proposed millage is subject to applicable constitutional tax limitation provisions at the time of the levy and will not exceed the above-stated limitation rate. It is estimated that this proposed millage would, if approved and levied, result in the authorization to collect $37,229.43 in the first year.

HOME TOWNSHIP • Home Township Millage Renewal Proposal One and Half Mills (1/5) for Township Road Maintenance: Shall the expired previous voted increase in the tax limitations imposed

under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Home Township, of 1.5 mills ($1.50 per $1.000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to the original voted 1.5 mills ($1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) and levied for 4 years, 2020 through 2023 inclusive, for funds for road maintenance in Home Township, raising an estimated $94,524 in the first year the millage is levied.

MAPLE VALLEY TOWNSHIP • Maple Valley Township Fire Protection Millage: Shall the previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec 6 of the Michigan constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Maple Valley Township be renewed at one mill ($1.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for the period of 2021 through 2030, inclusive, for the purpose of maintaining the Maple Valley Township portion of the existing Lakeview Area Fire District; and shall the Township levy such renewal in millage for the said purpose, thereby, raising in the first year an estimated $66,000.

• Maple Valley Township Road Maintenance Renewal: Shall the previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec 6 of the Michigan constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Maple Valley Township be renewed at one mill ($1.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for the period of 2021 through 2030, inclusive, for the purpose of maintaining the roads within Maple Valley Township; and shall the Township levy such renewal in millage for the said purpose, thereby, raising in the first year an estimated $66,000.

• Maple Valley Township Fire Equipment Reallocation to Road Maintenance: Shall the previous voted tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec 6 of the Michigan constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Maple Valley Township be reallocated from Fire Equipment millage to Road Maintenance. This will increase the current road millage by one mill ($1.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for the period of 2021 through 2030, inclusive, for the purpose of maintaining the roads within Maple Valley Township; and shall the Township levy such an increase in millage for the said purpose, thereby, raising in the first year an estimated $66,000.

PINE TOWNSHIP • Pine Township Fire Millage Proposal: Shall Pine Township impose a one (1) mill ($1.00 per $1000.00 of taxable value) in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution, a renewed millage following the expiration of the previous approved fire millage which expires in 2020, and levy it for five (5) years, 2021 through 2025, for fire protection? If approved and levied, a one (1) mill increase will raise an estimated $64,000 in the first year the millage is levied.

SIDNEY TOWNSHIP • Sidney Township Proposal for Renewal of Fire Safety Services Millage: This proposal will allow Sidney Township to levy an additional (renewal) 0.50 mills on all taxable property within the Township for a period of five (5) years to provide funds to operate fire safety services. Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property within Sidney Township be increased by 0.50 mills for a period of five (5) years, 2022 through 2026, both inclusive, to finance fire safety services in Sidney Township? Approval of this proposal would permit a tax of $0.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value on all taxable property within Sidney Township.

This proposal millage is subject to applicable constitutional tax limitation provisions at the time of the levy and will not exceed the above-stated limitation rate. It is estimated that this proposed millage would, if approved and levied, result in the authorization to collect $33,902 in the first year.

IONIA COUNTY TOWNSHIP PROPOSALS NORTH PLAINS TOWNSHIP • North Plains Township Road Maintenance and Improvement New Additional Millage Proposal: Shall the constitutional total tax rate limitation on general ad valorem taxes in the Township of North Plains be increased by 1.0 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) for three (3) years, 2020 through 2022, inclusive, and shall the Township of North Plains levy such new additional millage annually on all taxable real and personal property to provide funds for improving and maintaining public roads in North Plains Township, thereby raising an estimated $28,500 in the first year of the levy? All or portion of the revenues from the millage will be disbursed to the Ionia County Road Department or its successor for public road improvements and mainte-

nance within North Plains Township.

ODESSA TOWNSHIP • Odessa Township Millage Renewal Fire and Ambulance Services: Shall the expired previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Odessa Township of 2 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced to 1.9576 mills ($1.9576 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at 1.9576 mills ($1.9576 per $1,000 of taxable value) and levied for four (4) years, 2020 through 2023 inclusive, for Odessa Township fire and ambulance services, raising an estimated $238,115 in 2020, of which a portion will be disbursed to the Lake Odessa Downtown Development Authority?

dent Ethan Ebenstein. “Funds generated from the millage have been discussed by the board of education to purchase additional resources and materials to help individualize instruction as well as limit the spread of germs. Staff hours will need to be increased to support the implementation of CDC recommended protocols and sanitization. Additionally, upgraded building security features have also been examined.”

According to Coon School’s website, it is a K-5 public school that offers a modern day education with an old-world twist, with multi-age classrooms filled with technology. There school has one teacher and two para-pros in two classrooms and base our teaching on the Michigan Standards

for Mathematics, the Michigan Standards for English Language Arts, and on Michigan’s Grade Level Content Expectations for Science and Social Studies. The school was established in 1866, after a local family (named Coon) donated the land for the school.

“This is a renewal — not an increase — of the non-homestead operating millage levied on all properties, with the exception of primary residences who do not have to pay this tax,” added Ionia County ISD Finance Director Jamie Carnes.

“Without the successful approval of this millage, Berlin Township S/D #3 would lose $119,000 or approximately 75% of its revenue.”

3rd District Continued from Page 9B 24 hours a day. I will never turn down veterans or their families in need and will not give up working for their cause and support.”

Norton said he’d also work to reform health care, taking government out of the mix.

“We need to get the government out of the health insurance business and focus on elevating doctor/patient relationships,” he said. “Using that as a foundation brick, we need to lower the costs of healthcare and reduce unnecessary third-party involvement.

Tax relief is very needed in the area of healthcare. I am also asking third district constituencies with similar ideas to share them, as I want to draft (or co-sponsor) a bill in the first year of Congress, if elected, to address the issue of accessing low-cost, quality healthcare.”

Additionally, Norton said he would work to provide tax relief to his constituents.

“In my first year in office, if elected, I will attempt to co-sponsor a permanent tax relief to everyday citizens and permanent residents to equal the permanent tax relief the corporations have received,” he said. “In the end, people should be equal to corporations, not only when they donate money for political campaigns, but also when they pay taxes. I will also work to co-sponsor a bill for a balanced budget amendment without an individual tax increase.”

EMILY RAFI Emily Rafi, 40, of Battle Creek is a business transaction attorney, operating her own private practice for the past 12 years, representing banks and commercial real estate developers in a wide range of transactions, litigation and bankruptcy proceedings.

Rafi said broad legal education and years of experience practicing federal law have prepared her with the background needed to comprehend and draft legislation on the federal issue regularly legislated in Congress.

“I believe it’s important to represent the constituents of our district in Congress because we have not seen effective representation for 10 years and change in leadership is needed. As an attorney, I have successfully represented and advocated for the needs of individuals and businesses. Our district is ready for leadership that listens to constituents and then delivers results,” she said. “With 20 years of Federal Law experience in a wide range of areas I am equipped with the skills needed to be an effective representative for the voters of our district.

I am the only candidate in the race who has agreed to a term limit in Congress and put forth a 10 point ‘Voter Contact’ specifically setting forth the goals I will work to achieve if elected to Congress.”

Rafi believes her experience in working with federal law places her above her fellow Republican candidates in being the right choice.

“My opponents will have to spend years learning and getting up to speed on laws I already know. This is a waste of taxpayer dollars and will result in ineffective representation,” she said.

If elected, Rafi said she will work to establish her “Voter Contract,” with those goals including: upholding the constitution and individual liberties, decreasing taxes and balancing the budget, reducing the cost of health care through increased competition, reducing the cost of higher education and infrastructure and rebuild the economy by creating more jobs and new opportunities using the full potential of the Small Business Administration program.

Vote Greg Alexander for State Representative 70th District on August 4th!

I will be committed to helping and serving our GREAT community if I am elected, the people's voice will be heard through me I am PRO: Second Amendment | I have been to many rallies and protests to prove it Agriculture | I have worked on dairy farms and owned my own horse ranch Small Business | I had my own horse/breeding ranch for eight years and have been with the American Legion for 19 years Veterans | Our veterans are being left behind and need help. Did you know, an average of 22 veterans per day lose the battle to PTSD? About Me: • I am a community oriented, blue collar guy, not a politician • 23 years with Montcalm Co. EMS • 8 years as a mechanic at the Montcalm Co. Road Commission • 6 years with the color/honor guard • 4 years as the Commander of the Stanton American Legion • Was part of the 1073rd Army National Guard Paid for by Committee to Elect Greg Alexander, 4512 E. Stanton Rd., Stanton, MI 48888

273363

Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 13B

VOTE

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FOR JUDGE TUES, AUG. 4TH

THE MOST QUALIFIED & EXPERIENCED

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THE ONLY CANDIDATE WITH REAL PLANS

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

A FRESH APPROACH TO OUR COURT

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THE BEST CHOICE FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGE Learn more about Keeley at www.SMARTJUSTICE.net

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Keeley Blanchard • PO Box 843 Greenville, MI 48838 • !!!"#$%&'()*'+,-".-'

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Page 14B | Saturday, July 25, 2020

LOCAL TOWNSHIP CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES Candidates in contested township board races in Ionia and Montcalm counties were asked the following questions: 1. Name, age and city/village/township of residence?

2. Current employment (or former employment, if retired)?

3. What qualifications do you have that would effectively serve and benefit your district if you are elected to this position?

4. What sets you apart from your opponent(s)?

5. What goals would you like to accomplish during your term, if elected?

Here are their responses: IONIA COUNTY DANBY TOWNSHIP TREASURER (primary winner will face Teresa Hillis, a Democrat, in November) 1. Erika Hoppes, 39, Danby Township (Republican).

2. State of Michigan (LARA) analyst.

3. My employment background has given me over 15 years of banking experience. Several of these years were spent working directly with townships to maximize their return on investments. I have served Danby Township since 2016. Most recently, I am serving as a member of the Planning Commission and a Erika member of the Board of Review. My Hoppes position on the Board of Review has allowed me the opportunity to build a relationship with the current township assessor.

4. I have a genuine interest in the success of Danby Township and the quality of life the township provides residents. I have always taken an interest in actively serving within my community. Whether serving on the board or volunteering as a coach to our community’s youth, I am happiest when serving those around me.

5. If elected, I will strive to maintain transparency to the residents of Danby Township and work hard to maximize return on investments. I look forward to building positive relationships with Danby Township residents. The departing treasurer has successfully served the residents of Danby Township for several years, my goal is to build on and continue the great job she has done.

Elizabeth Nurenberg (Republican): No response.

1. Margo Schafer, 37 years old, Danby Township (Republican).

2. The Daily News.

3. I have 10 years of experience working at our local credit union, 21 years of customer service and a degree in business administration.

4. My years of financial experience, I welcome the opportunity to serve in the financial sector again.

I also have deep family roots in the township, with many family mem- Margo bers still living in the township.

Schafer 5. To streamline any processes that may need updating with my financial expertise. I will listen to our community members to ensure their voice is heard.

RONALD TOWNSHIP CLERK Loree Reed (Republican): No response.

1. Arthur Pelon, 64 years old, lifelong Ronald Township, Ionia County resident (Republican).

2. Self-employed prior to retirement. Currently Ronald Township clerk and chairman of the Ionia Conservation District Board of Directors.

3. I am a graduate of Michigan State University’s Great Lakes Leadership Academy. I have completed two Department of Homeland Arthur Security courses, National Incident Pelon Management System and National Response Plan. Also, an accredited Michigan Department of State Election Official. Leadership experience that benefits our township include serving eight years as president of the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, four years as president of the Michigan State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, two years as the Michigan Delegate in Washington, D.C., for the National Association of Conservation Districts, two years on the NACD Farm Bill Task Force in Washington, D.C., and four years as president of the Western Michigan Rifle and Pistol Club.

4. The experience and training from 30 years on the Township Board (27 years as clerk) should be considered.

I realize that we are a small community that relies on state shared revenue and less than 1 mil of property taxes to provide our services. The burden and challenge of distributing a small community budget fall on the Township Board. Our current board excels in meeting that challenge. I have received several awards, including NWTF Conservation District Partner of the Year (National Award), MACD Director of the Year and NWTF Wild Turkey Woodlands Award for Michigan. I am a Life Member of the NRA, Life Member of the North American Hunting Club, Life Member of the Western Michigan Rifle and Pistol Club, Silver Life Sponsor of the NWTF, Member of the Ionia Fishing and Hunting Club and Ionia Moose Lodge Member.

5. I would like to see our current programs continue that we furnish to our residents; three brine treatments for our secondary roads, our clean up voucher program available to every household, our contractual ambulance service, support for our cemeteries and support for our Fire Department to the fullest extent possible. I would prefer to maintain our current excellent staff of Election Inspectors and Board of Review Members. I would also like to expand our search for professional grant writers that can research and apply for state and federal grants that may be available for our township. I support the continuation of local township government and will always be a strong advocate for the conservation and protection of our township’s natural resources.

EASTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) Cynthia Cotter (Republican): No response.

Erik Krieger (Republican): No response.

1. Lon MacLachlan, 73, Easton Township (Republican).

2. Part-time driver for Ionia Dial-A-Ride. Retired after 30 years in public health (25 years at the Ionia County Health Department) and eight years at Kent County Department of Public Works.

3. I presently serve on the Board of Directors at M1 Credit Union and have been on various committees and the board of M1 for 25 years. I am a member of the TPA Fraternal Order of Eagles, Ionia Moose, Knights of Columbus and SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Involvement in these organizations has allowed me to deal with a variety of issues and problems.

4. Experience and involvement in the various organizations cited above have enabled me to deal with people on issues, people problems and policies.

5. Fair and equitable treatment of individuals regarding long- and short-term solutions to issues for the betterment of the township. Keeping in mind the financial stability of the township at all times.

1. Don Rittersdorf, 54 years old, Easton Township (Republican).

2. I am employed by Petersen Oil and Propane as the district manager for the Ionia location.

3. I have 22 years of management experience, as well as 24 years with serving Easton Township. I am aware of the needs of the township, the concerns of the residents, and how to best serve them while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Don 4. Experience — I have served as Rittersdorf trustee for Easton Township for the past 24 years.

5. My goal is to represent the entire township equally and to see the township remain safe, healthy and prosperous for all constituents.

OTISCO TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 1. Francis L. Mason, 68, Otisco Township (Republican).

2. I have been involved in farming my whole life. I have owned and operated Mason Orchards since 1987. I have worked at Belding Area Schools for over 30 years. Fifteen of those were as a bus driver, retired in 2017. All 30 years I have worked as a game manager for fall and winter sports. Also, I have been an MHSAA registered official for 25 years.

3. I have served on the Otisco Francis Township Planning Commission Mason and Zoning Board of Appeals for 24 years. This gives me the experience it will take to serve as supervisor.

4. I have 24 years of experience serving on township committees. I have worked with both past and current Otisco Township elected officials. It is important to know the history of events, issues, policies and procedures when serving as supervisor. I will make myself available to the citizens of the township by keeping regular hours at the hall. As a retired man and with my knowledge I have the time to serve. I think it is important to keep our township a place where people are proud to live.

5. I believe it is important for citizens to elect people who are familiar with the area they will serve. Citizens want their township officials to be fair, upfront, hardworking and approachable. One goal I have is to make sure that we are organized and ready when issues are brought to us. I will work to support the goals that are in our Master Plan. Through the jobs that I have had and the service I have given to Otisco Township, I have learned that I use common sense when making decisions that are best for the entire township. I know that I don’t make promises I can’t keep or statements I can’t back up.

Desmond Pike (Republican): Declined to participate in the questionnaire.

OTISCO TOWNSHIP TREASURER 1. Paula Byrne, 54, Otisco Township (Republican).

2. Healthcare Outsource Network.

3. Eight plus years experience as Otisco Township deputy treasurer, Otisco Township deputy supervisor and Board of Review experience.

4. Lifetime resident of Otisco Township.

5. To make changes within the treasurer’s office to better the Paula residents of Otisco Township.

Byrne 1. Cara Johnson, 45, Belding, Otisco Township (Republican).

2. Current elected treasurer for Otisco Township.

3. Four years of educational training courses specifically related to the treasurer position. Experience working with the banks for investment purposes. I have worked closely with Ionia County, the Road Commission, Planning Commission and many other agencies to further Cara grow the township and benefit the Johnson residents.

4. Experience. I have been the current treasurer of the township board for four years now. I am dependable and dedicated to help the residents with any issues and do what is right for the township.

5. My number one goal is the roads. Since being elected, I have been passionate about making sure the roads in Otisco Township are kept up. I would also like to work on more modern technology for the township, being able to accept credit card payments, projector screen during meetings for the public to see documents and real-time updates on the website.

OTISCO TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) Joseph Borek (Republican): No response.

1. Gib Brown, 41, Otisco Township (Republican).

2. Assistant pastor, Ashley Baptist Church.

3. I have served similar positions on multiple non-profit boards and was in charge of a half-million-dollar budget for over five years. I have been an active member of Otisco Township for most of my life.

4. My family has been an integral part of the community for nearly a hundred years. I have a college Gib degree and am nearing completion Brown on a master’s degree. I am known for my helpfulness and integrity.

5. I am a big supporter of the farmers in our area and would like to see our roads improved. I would also like to see more businesses open or increased jobs in our community.

1. John Feuerstein, 70, Otisco Township (Republican).

2. I’m a self-employed cash crop farmer.

3. I have experience in local government as I previously served on the Keene Township Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission. For over 10 years, I served on the Ionia County Soil Conservation District. These experiences, as well as being a steward of the land, give me a unique perspective to benefit John the residents of Otisco Township.

Feuerstein 4. My depth of life experience sets me apart from my opponents. From being drafted into the Army, to taking over the family farm growing corn, soybeans and alfalfa, I have experienced and adapted in several situations working with all walks of life with varying personalities and situations.

5. Goals that I would like to accomplish include running township business efficiently and timely to benefit all residents of Otisco Township.

Shane McDonald (Republican): No response.

IONIA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) (primary winners will face two Democrats, Sheri Lynn and Joseph Pecks, in November)

Mark Barna (Republican): No response.

Susan McCoy (Republican): No response.

Aric Pitchford: (Republican): Declined to participate in the questionnaire.

MONTCALM COUNTY BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 1. John W Anderson, 73, Belvidere Township (Republican).

2. Self-employed at Killer Bee Printing.

3. Four years on the Belvidere Township Board as supervisor, four years on the Belvidere Township Board as a trustee. Over 49 years of business ownership experience.

Over 38 years of various boards.

4. I have spent the last four years as supervisor on the Belvidere John Township Board. Previous four years Anderson as trustee on the Belvidere Township Board. Currently the liaison to the Fire Department. I believe my business and prior boards experience.

5. To discern the best use of township funds and spend wisely as a board. To find a solution to issues that occur. I will listen and work to solve any questions that arise. I will get back to anyone who contacts me.

1. Armon C. Withey, 73, Belvidere Township (Republican).

2. Retired from ConAgra Foods.

3. Trustee of Belvidere Township, president of Montcalm Township Association, member of Montcalm Planning committee, college degree in accounting.

4. Making friends at deferent levels of government.

5. Growing local businesses and getting new businesses to our Armon economy and provide additional Withey jobs for citizens. Improve our roads without tax increases.

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) Carolyn Kelsey (Republican): No response.

Andrew Reynolds (Republican): Declined to participate in the questionnaire.

1. Bennett “Ben” Reynolds, Six Lakes, Belvidere Township (Republican).

2. Semi-retired, currently working part-time at High Grade Materials, Six Lakes.

3. I’ve worked at the same location for 40 years, 20 as a truck driver and 20 years in a management position, managing two businesses for the same company.

4. I’ve lived and worked in Belvidere Township almost my Ben entire life. Now that my family is Reynolds grown and my work responsibilities have slowed done, it’s a good time for me to give back to the community. As a manager for two businesses, my background in business and customer service puts me in a good position to help our community.

5. To see our township be a fiscally sound and responsible community. Spending money where it needs to be spent, and saving where we can. We have to keep in mind what is best for the whole township and not just certain areas or people.

1. Patrick Stuller, 76, Belvidere Township (Republican).

2. Owner of Pigeon Creek Crafts since 2003.

3. 31 years in law enforcement, full and part-time. Foreman for Bierlein & Companies for 15 years.

After retiring from Saginaw County Sheriff’s Department, I returned to Bierlein & Companies as a foreman for four more years. Army veteran 1962-1965.

Patrick 4. Leadership qualities, capable of Stuller running a successful business. Good communication skills.

5. Would like to build a good rapport with the township residents and the township board.

CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) 1. Sherry Kutt, 66, Crystal Township (Republican).

2. Michigan Department of Corrections, retired 2016, 21 years of service.

3. I was appointed to this position in December 2018 to fill a vacancy.

Since that time, my efforts have resulted in repairing the sidewalk on Lake Street, leasing the beach in 2019 and revitalizing the pickleball court at Noll Park. I initiated a process of seeking a cost-effective way Sherry to repair the 1962 portion of the Kutt Community Center roof to prevent further damage to the building. Being elected as trustee would allow me to continue work on this project as well as other community improvements. I bring a working knowledge of government and protocols to be followed to this position. I have several years of experience writing policies and procedures outlining standardized processes when obtaining bids for products or services. I will bring that knowledge to the board to establish administrative policies that will increase efficiency as well as reduce costs. Establishing policies will assist the current and future boards in obtaining competitive bids. When a product or service is needed to maintain township property I am very thorough and persistent. I do the necessary research, obtain answers and when possible provide a variety of options that would be more cost-effective to address the issue. I follow through until the project is completed.

4. I have over 18 months serving successfully as a trustee on the board. I regularly talk with residents and seek their input on how we might improve our township or what concerns they may have about the township. I look for ways we can improve safety and enjoyment for our citizens and to create a more inviting atmosphere for visitors. I am always interested in finding ways that will better our community, help local businesses and boost the economy. I work hard to be transparent and have no conflicts of interest. I spent 15 summers on Crystal Lake and have been a full-time resident for over 3 years. I bring historical knowledge of Crystal Township as well as an ability to envision the future.

5. The Crystal Township Board is responsible for the safety, health and enjoyment of our residents and visitors and these are my top priorities. I will continue to review how the township spends the residents’ tax dollars and make decisions that benefit the township as a whole. I will work to establish administrative policies to standardize and simplify our processes not only for the current board but future boards. This will provide a structure and more transparent process for boards to follow. I will continue to work to preserve all property the township currently owns and encourage the board to be more proactive, instead of reactive, in its maintenance. I will also look at ways the

township can utilize the property we have to generate income or benefit residents and visitors alike. I feel it is important to not only look at what is best for the current community but also to preserve it for future generations.

1. Seth Andrew Lane, age not provided, Crystal (Republican).

2. Part owner of Crystal Box Office Theater.

3. I think I am a problem solver, I can identify a problem I feel needs to be fixed and do it in a cost-efficient manner.

4. I think all of us want fiscal responsibility open communication and total transparency. I think all who run for town council want to Seth Andrew see Crystal grow and prosper. I am Lane fairly new to Crystal and I think I bring a fresh perspective to see things and opportunities others might be overlooking. Others see an old building I see opportunity. Running the theater I know what it’s like to make hard decisions and difficult choices. Because we have always done things this way doesn’t work for me and I want to bring the town forward.

5. It will be exciting to see Crystal grow. Renovate the old school into a cost-efficient town hall everyone can be proud of. Seeing the Crystal beach being built. Watching the docks go in. Working on zoning that will protect individual freedom while still allowing Crystal to grow.

My goal would be to be able to do this staying in budget benefiting Crystal and not raise taxes!

1. Roger Martin, 60, Crystal Township (Republican).

2. Retired State of Michigan supervisor and former business owner in Crystal Township 3. Having lived in this community for years, I have strong, established, positive relationships with many people of this community. I have participated in the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

4. My family and I have resided in Crystal Township for over 29 years. I have been an active member of this community through regular attendance of township meetings and having awareness of current and previous township agenda related issues and topics. I have experience with managing difficult decisions, setting priorities, and effectively working with others for positive resolution.

In business and through my work experience, I strongly believe that by being approachable, being present in the community, being a good listener, and providing follow-through is an essential element for success.

5. My interest lies in contributing to the good of this township. I would like to establish effective avenues to address community concerns/issues by establishing various committees that would encourage participation and increase the representation of all taxpayers within Crystal Township by providing people with a voice.

1. Diane E. Rydahl, 53, Crystal (Republican).

2. Co-owner/developer of Fairway Farms LLC. 3. I understand the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, see the potential, and have a vision of how we can work together to continue to grow/develop our community. As in the past, I will use my public relations skills to continue to advocate for both residents and businesses. I value and understand Diane how vital local businesses are to the Rydahl community.

4. Since my family owned the Crystal Golf Course for over 70 years, I gained a love for the community at a very young age. My husband and I became fully invested over four years ago when we chose Crystal as our primary residence & the location for our new business, Fairway Farms LLC Driving Range & Fairway Bungalow Vacation Rental. I participated/participating in the following: three township committees and currently chairing the Park Redevelopment Project Committee; engaging and collaborating with community and statewide stakeholders, develop and enhance community programs opportunities and policy; Crystal Township committees that seek to find solutions to our community needs; Crystal Community Center Committee which met for over a year to give the township board ideas/options for the present elementary school/community center. Facilitated two outside companies to speak to our committee about the process, procedures, and planning for development and funding for a project of this magnitude. From these groups, the committee selected Kingscott to be presented to the Township; and advocated for the placement of American flags on Crystal Township’s Main Street in 2018.

5. The development and implementation of a township master plan. This will allow the township to move forward with goals and objectives to create opportunities for our community as well as the abilities to apply for economic development grants at the state level. Protecting the Township’s greatest asset, Crystal Lake will also be one of the goals I set for myself and the township.

EUREKA TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 1. Les Lillie, 63, Eureka Township (Republican).

2. Retired from Road Commission for Montcalm County. Currently, code enforcement officer for the City of Greenville. Hobby farmer.

3. I have served on Eureka Charter Township board from 2000 until 2008 with being supervisor from 2004 until 2008. I currently serve on the Planning Commission just being appointed to my third term and being chosen as vice chairman Les this term.

Lillie 4. I feel my years of service to Eureka Charter Township make me the better choice and I also follow a number of family members that also served in a number of positions for Eureka Charter Township. My father was a trustee from 1987 until his death in 2001. My mother served as treasurer and deputy treasurer for over 35 Years. My grandfather was supervisor from 1968 until his death in 1977.

5. I would like to continue building a good working relationship with the City of Greenville and continue an aggressive upgrade to our township roads. I would like to thank those in advance for supporting me in this election.

1. Darcia Kelley, 66, Eureka Township (Republican).

2. Currently, I am the director of Community Hope Christian Counseling Center. Previously I worked as marketing manager for GE Consumer Finance. I also taught in the Business Department at Montcalm Community College for 20 years.

3. Qualifications that I bring to the office show that I have a proven record of servant leadership.

Master’s degree in management, Darcia Cornerstone University. Former Kelley trustee for Oakfield Township Board for multiple terms. Grant writer for area township fire departments. Desire to serve our country at the township level and do what I can to help residents of the township achieve goals. Successful business leader in the local community and in a global business 4. What sets me apart from my opponent is my education and continued proven ability to lead in a diverse envi-

Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 15B

LOCAL TOWNSHIP CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES ronment. I have successfully taught business principals to all ages at the Community College and successfully used those principals in my own career. I am currently leading a business to serve those in our community while keeping the agency financially solvent during these changing times. Business decisions have been made by me to effectively lead here in the township and in previous positions I held at GE Consumer Finance Division. I also seek to work as a team player and will continue to work together with each elected individual that serves on the Eureka Township Board.

5. Some of the goals I would like to accomplish during this upcoming term are: Assist businesses to promote long-term growth in the township; help facilitate the building of additional affordable housing by working with developers; use existing funding to continue to improve our roads; and maintain our sound budget and financial standing EUREKA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (4 seats open) (primary winners will face Linda Weger, a Democrat, in November) 1. Jeremy Austin, 44, Eureka Township (Republican).

2. I’m a licensed contractor, constructing residential homes.

3. I have eight years on the board now and so there is experience in this position. I’m a common sense and straight-shooting guy and that is greatly needed as a township official. Being transparent is always at the top of my list.

4. What may set me apart is that I try to make my vote count for the safety of our residents first. I also believe in the liberties and freedoms of our residents. I am against burdensome regulation that serves only to frustrate our residents. I try to encourage our residents to come and participate in our meetings.

5. One goal I have to raise awareness of those things that are causing almost double the fatal accidents that we have compared to other counties around Montcalm.

I believe bringing facts to the residents’ attention, could reduce that issue. I do realize that not all the accidents that happen in Montcalm are actually residents. There are many passing through our county, but to be informed will only help.

Tim Johnson (Republican): No response.

1. C. Brad Kelley, 59, Eureka Township (Republican).

2. Work at High Grade Materials, Greenville. Have been employed there over 30 years 3. Experienced township board member in Oakfield Township and currently two terms in Eureka Township. Well known for my integrity, dependability, caring individual and trustworthiness. Ability to get along well with others and be a leader asked. Open to working with diverse C. Brad groups and can relate well to all age Kelley groups 4. What sets me apart from others that are running for office is my willingness to be a servant leader. I am here to work for the people of Eureka and not here for just my own agenda. I have eight successful years of service on the Eureka Township Board and look forward to continued service to my community. I make sure I do needed research on all issues that come before the board so I can have an informed and fair vote on issues brought before the township.

5. I would like to see the township have a good working relationship with the City of Greenville. Would like to see continued growth in our township with a balanced budget. Keep a high standard of law enforcement and fire protection for our community.

1. Kristen Lower, 28, Greenville, Eureka Township (Republican).

2. While currently on a career sabbatical to raise our three children, I am a Licensed Veterinary Technologist (LVT).

3. I hold a Bachelor’s of Science from Michigan State University.

I worked my way through school gaining many years of experience working for small business owners. I have seen the difficulties employers Kristen face while operating their business- Lower es and also challenges presented by local restrictions and policies. During the past few years, I have spent countless hours discussing community politics and becoming familiar with local levels of government.

I bring a different perspective to the board and hope to represent the views of young families in our community.

4. I am the youngest candidate seeking a trustee seat, and also the only one with a young family. I believe I would bring a fresh voice and energy to the table, with new ideas to help bring positive change to the community.

5. One of my primary goals is to stay out of the way of small businesses. I would like to encourage entrepreneurial growth in our community and try to help businesses navigate our local government to give them the best chance at success. I also would like to see a community-wide recycling availability/opportunity and possibly a unified trash service for the entire township.

Like many of you have experienced, our home-owners insurance premiums recently increased due to a drop in the insurance rating of our local fire department. I will investigate possible solutions to improving the quality of our local fire department and water accessibility in the township. Lastly, I want to continue the atmosphere of cooperation and goodwill among board members, and keep our budget in the black.

1. Elaine Pendrick, 84, Greenville, Eureka Township (Republican).

2. I am retired. I worked at Greenville Public Schools as a secretary for over 20 years.

3. I have lived in Eureka Township for 62 years and have watched our area grow. When I worked for the school district I was known for being a well-organized person, could handle any task that I was asked to do, and I learned how to deal Elaine with difficult people. I have a lot of Pendrick experience in dealing with people in a businesslike and fair way. I have been on Eureka Township Board for 12 years, so feel very qualified to continue.

Several of my accomplishments: Marty Posekany and I applied and received for our play yard in the back of the hall from the Greenville Area Foundation. I was responsible for starting our yard waste program in the township.

4. The wisdom I have due to my age. I feel it is important to have a variety of ages on the board.

5. Because of the growth that is happening in our area, I would like us to work well with the City of Greenville to our area an even better place.

EVERGREEN TOWNSHIP TREASURER Annette Fountain (Republican): No response.

1. Doreen Ann Tissue, 62, Evergreen Township, Sheridan (Republican).

2. My former employment was at Montcalm County DHS.

3. My qualifications that I have that would effectively serve and benefit my district are a combined 40 years of experience with clerical/ office administrator/treasurer/legal secretary which includes working with the public, computer experience, accounting experience working with BS&A software and more. Also, experience working with Doreen confidential information.

Tissue 4. I thoroughly enjoy working with people.

5. The goals that I would like to accomplish during my term would be to work efficiently with the assessor, trustees, township supervisor and township clerk and also assist the Evergreen Township Office to continue to grow.

I am willing to learn new technology as it continues to change in order for me to do my job more efficiently.

FAIRPLAINS TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR Jay Edwards (Republican): No response.

1. Thomas Sova, 62, Fairplains Township. (Republican).

2. Retired 3. I have 12 years of experience serving in local government, while also serving six years as the Montcalm Townships Association president.

4. Although I don’t really know my opponent very well, while serving as Fairplains Township supervisor I have established a good working relationship with our county officials, other townships and members of our community.

5. To complete electronic cemetery records and keep township business running smoothly.

FERRIS TOWNSHIP CLERK 1. Teri Brecht, 52, Ferris Township (Democrat).

2. Currently employed at Sparrow Carson Hospital. Completion of a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration in December 2020.

3. In my current position at the hospital, I record minutes, organize meetings, host meetings, organize trainings and work with many organizations. I have multiple years in customer service. I enjoy team-focused roles. I am proficient Teri in technology and verbal skills.

Brecht 4. I am currently working as the Ferris Township clerk and I am enjoying learning all the aspects of this position and the community members I am meeting.

5. My goal is to learn more about our township, the people who live here and learn/advocate for what is best for our community.

1. Kathleen Gibson, 67, Ferris Township (Democrat).

2. Currently, I’m semiretired, self-employed as co-owner and accountant at Jacks SawMill. I also serve year-round as a volunteer coordinator with AARP Foundation TaxAide.

3. I earned my BSBA in accounting from Central Michigan University.

Before I left to become a full partner in the sawmill, I held the position of inventory control at the Home Kathleen Depot; before college, customer Gibson service rep with GTE. I volunteer as the local coordinator, instructor, and tax counselor with AARP Foundation TaxAide, working with the Montcalm County Commission on Aging, Montcalm County DHHS and United Way of Montcalm and Ionia Counties.

4. I would go back to honoring published office hours, for consistency and the convenience of township residents, cemetery researchers, historians, and township officials. The treasurer must help taxpayers understand their tax statements, who to contact to take action in case of problems or errors. With my training, I would be able to assist when called upon in the absence of the treasurer.

Online Zoom meetings held at the township could be advertised better; meetings easily accessed, along with the meeting agendas as well as the final decisions reached. I can help the township become more technology-based, with an expanded website, making resources accessible to more residents, by being open to changes, and using the skills I’ve acquired volunteering. Our cemetery procedures need some updates, including the completion of digitalizing plot records. As a volunteer for Find A Grave, I believe my interest would be helpful in assisting individuals in purchasing cemetery plots, understanding the cemetery rules or helping resolve problems that arise, as well as maintaining and correcting records. Elections are going to look a lot different in the future. As clerk, I would use my training in setting up layout, equipment, workers, acquiring PPE and other safety measures, for the safety of taxpayers and workers alike. I understand the need for accuracy and being careful with how township dollars are spent. Changes to the Small Business Personal Property tax took some of the tax burdens of our own business, but the exemption for small businesses also reduced the available funds for our township.

5. Montcalm County plat map online shows Ferris Township owns five parcels: Ferris Township Hall, Ferris Township Cemeteries on Crystal Road and E. Klees Road, and three lots on Lake Stevens. I could help with utilizing Michigan Township Parks Grants to upgrade the cemetery for possible use as a park, possibly paved trails, that would enhance funerals, and encourage walking and bike riders.

Searching for Ferris Township Cemetery brings up tiny E. Klees Road Cemetery, instead of the main cemetery on Crystal Road. I would like to see some action on those issues. Except for years as an Air Force spouse, I grew up and again live on Douglas Road near the edge of the township.

I would be proud to serve as Ferris Township Clerk. Thank you for your vote.

MAPLE VALLEY TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 1. David Kraft, 67, Trufant (Republican).

2. Die and machine designer, lifelong farmer.

3. The ability to look and listen to all sides before forming an opinion.

4. My age — I have watched a lot of people do this job. I have seen what they did right and wrong.

5. Make sure everyone is treated equally and fair.

David Kraft Michael Larsen (Republican): No response.

1. John Schwandt, 50, Trufant, Maple Valley Township (Republican).

2. Co-owner of County House Assisted Living and the Maple Valley Market. I also work for Carr Farms in Lakeview.

3. I have been involved in different aspects of the township for over 15 years. I am currently serving as chairman of the Planning Committee, where we just updated our master plan. I also serve on the board of review as chairman. I have served the community for over 15 years on the fire department, currently serving as a lieutenant.

I helped with the merger of Coral and Trufant becoming

Maple Valley Fire Department. Then, more recently, with the joining of the Lakeview District Fire Department. I’ve also served six-plus years on the board at Community First Federal Credit Union and worked within the township for many years on the road committee, the complex committee and others. I am also responsible for the renting of the John old bus garage for storage each year. Schwandt My time served as trustee and then as appointed supervisor makes me very familiar with the workings of the township and with the decision-makers within the county.

4. Many years of volunteering and serving the citizens of Maple Valley Township. Being self-employed, within the township, I have always made it a point to be available, accessible and inviting to everyone. You can always contact me by phone — text (231) 349-1943 — or email countryhouseafc@yahoo.com or in person. I make it a point to always respond back as soon as possible. Growing up in Trufant and working at my Grandfather’s elevator in Coral has made me very familiar with both villages and the people. My time on the fire department and township board has put me in good communication with many local, county and state officials (fire departments, EMS, police, board of commissioners, road commission, etc.)

5. My main goal is to improve communication. I will lead by example and get everyone on the board to reply back to residences in a timely manner. I would like to develop a five- to 10-year plan for road maintenance and improvements. I will keep working to improve our ordinances in accordance with our master plan and get back to improving our cemeteries. Talking with other township officials, I would like to see what other things we can do together to improve services and make things more cost-effective.

MONTCALM TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) (primary winners will face Steve Sprague, a Democrat, in November) Brian Cousineau (Republican): No response.

1. Edward J. Hansen, 38, Montcalm Township (Republican).

2. Volunteer fireman for Montcalm Township for 14 years. Family owned and operated farmer my whole life. School bus driver for Greenville Public Schools for four years.

3. Family man with good Christian faith. My knowledge of Montcalm Township and its residents. I am a member of the ZBA and have knowledge of our township ordinance.

4. I have always wanted to get involved in helping my township.

Edward Running for township office allows Hansen me to get further involved in the direction the township may take.

5. To share my knowledge of Montcalm Township and to help investigate and solve any situation that will develop and handle them with informed discussion.

1. Tim Rau, 70, Montcalm Township (Republican).

Note: Tim Rau’s name will appear on the primary ballot but he is moving out of the township and thus is no longer running for re-election.

2. Retired 3. Qualifications of any candidate would be a basic understanding of parliamentary procedures followed by the ability to effectively communicate with fellow board members and the residents that Tim they represent while being respect- Rau ful and understanding. Honesty and transparency should always be the core the foundation of anyone that is accepting the responsibility of being the spokesperson for the constituents of their district.

4. The value that was the driving force for myself during my term as trustee was putting people first and getting out and actually talking to the people while truly listening to their concerns. All too often it is the special interest groups that get the attention even though in many cases these special interest groups do not reflect the values and desires of the silent majority. I truly hope that whoever is elected as trustee to our township will continue to stand up to special interest groups that do not respect the values of our community.

5. My wife and I have recently made the difficult decision of putting our home up for sale. We have genuinely loved living on a lake in this area and have been fortunate enough to meet several people here that we can and will continue to call our friends. We will not be relocating within Montcalm Township, so I will not be running for reelection. Unfortunately, the primary ballots are already printed, with that said, I would like to officially endorse Ed Hansen as the Republican candidate for trustee.

PIERSON TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 1. Dan Buyze, 68, Pierson Township (Republican).

2. I am now retired. I worked at Steelcase for 28 years and held various positions in supervision and management within the Logistics/ Distribution Department. In 2005, I retired from Steelcase and worked until last year as an independent transportation rep and logistic consultant.

3. Aside from my supervisory and management positions at Steelcase, Dan I have the following experience: I Buyze led the effort to get the state to investigate PFAS contamination in the township. Now I am a member of the Governors MPART Citizens PFAS Advisory Work Group representing Montcalm County. Chair for the Pierson Committee of Community and Economic Development. Contributor to the updated Pierson Master Plan.

President of the Big Whitefish Lake Association. Member of the Pierson Township Sewer Advisory Committee.

Former member Kent County 641 Solid Waste Planning Committee (1990s). Former board member West Michigan Environmental Action Council (1990s). Former president of the Big Whitefish Lake Association (1990s).

4. I have a proven record of building coalitions within diverse groups and special interests to agree toward a common goal. As a member of the PFAS Citizens Advisor Workgroup, I am a main liaison between the state, industry and Township Board to ensure contamination plume boundary identification and subsequent clean-up plans are on track to ensure resident health and water resources are protected. Led the effort to create the first sewer district in Pierson Township. Led the effort to create the first lake management program within Pierson Township.

Member of the State Forum to control the mute swan.

5. Make township functions process-oriented that will improve customer service, create sustainable practices and create a disciplined means for decision making.

Protect the environment. We have many beautiful lakes, large forest areas and wetlands, all of which need our stewardship to protect from invasive species. Ensure we protect our groundwater. Maintain the “character” of the township through controlled growth to protect our farming culture while also providing business growth opportunities. Provide recreational opportunities for residents.

1. Bill Van Til, 73, Pierson Township (Republican).

2. For 43 years I worked at American seating in a variety of areas, retiring in 2011. Since 2017 I have served on numerous committees for Pierson Township. Parks and Recreation, zoning and the planning committee. On Jan. 2, 2019, I had the honor of becoming a supervisor for Pierson Township when the previous supervisor retired and I was unanimously selected by the board Bill to take his place.

Van Til 3. These last two years as supervisor have given me a wealth of knowledge and how townships are run. I have attended conferences and many Michigan Township Association sessions to gain more knowledge. My time as supervisor has been challenging and rewarding. I would love to be able to continue to serve the people of Pierson Township as their supervisor.

I am a true Republican and I desire to serve the entire township to the best of my ability.

4. My experience as current supervisor, serving on township committees and living in Pierson Township for 50 years shows I am truly committed to the welfare of Pierson.

5. Pierson is a small township and we are dealing with state budget cuts. The board is responsible for budget oversight. In this term, I would love to continue to serve the people of Pierson with complete transparency and continue to monitor and ensure township finances are used to benefit the entire township.

PIERSON TOWNSHIP TREASURER 1. Kathy Hyrns, 66, Pierson Township (Republican).

2. I was elected Pierson Township’s treasurer in 2016. Former owner/ operator of Family Hair Design for 33 years that I retired from in 2018.

I was also an advocate for The Association For Children’s Mental Health for the 1990’s-2000.

3. I have a history of being in the business world and working with the public for over 40 years. I have valued experience in the last Kathy four years as treasurer of Pierson Hyrns Township. I have settled each March with the county treasurer to the penny. The tax files, investments and monthly reconciliation audit reports verify my understanding of my fiscal responsibilities. I was able to securely invest our township funds to earn over $9,000 worth of interest last fiscal year to help reduce the burden on our taxpayers. I am experienced with our government software that we use (BS&A). I have a knowledge of the history and needs of our township. My dad Ken Mulholland served as a trustee in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

My grandmother Bertine Mulholland donated the land on Cannonsville Road where our Township Hall is located.

I’m a person of integrity. I support and am thankful for our United States Constitution. I’m conservative both fiscally and socially and I am a passionate supporter of life, the 2nd Amendment, veteran’s causes, hunting, fishing and farming, small business and environmental issues. These are very near and dear to my heart as my husband was a veteran of the Vietnam War and succumbed to the effects of Agent Orange in December 2019.

4. My experience is what sets me apart. My 33 years as a business owner/operator.This current term of serving as a member of the Township Board. Being the treasurer that understands and adheres to the statutory requirements of the office. I personally love meeting and serving the residents of Pierson Township and I would appreciate the opportunity to serve four more years as your treasurer. I am just a phone call away to help our residents or point them in the right direction to get their questions and concerns answered.

5. I will continue to hold officials and employees accountable for how our tax dollars are being spent. My short term goal is to keep Pierson Township fiscally solvent during this time of the pandemic and the uncertain times when having to make budget cuts due to our loss in state revenue sharing. Long term goals are to continue a relationship of public trust and to see Pierson Township grow and prosper for future generations to come with a safe environment.

1. Dora Schroeder, 54, Pierson Township (Republican).

2. I am retired from Continental Airlines.

3. I have 30-plus years of accounting related experience. Including tax preparation, budgeting, and managing cash flow. These core competencies along with my knowledge of township government operations, interpersonal skills and leadership abilities will serve my township well.

Dora 4. I understand the importance Schroeder of having a competent local person as treasurer to not only act as the collector of taxes but be the bank for our township funds. My experience has taught me how important healthy communication is in building relationships and trust. I will use this experience to create working and personal relationships not only within our township and county but with other local townships and businesses as well. I feel our township deserves financial competence, strong communications skills and integrity from the treasurer’s office. I understand local issues and believe it’s crucial to be available at the township offices for all our citizens needs on a consistent and regular basis. I would like to open the treasurer’s office more than the currently held hours to give people more availability to their local elected officials. My vote as a board member will be with taxpayers’ dollars in mind!

I will encourage citizens to participate in meetings, voice their concerns and be heard! I am listening!

5. I have a passion for community service! I believe elected officials should not only work hard at their statutory duties but go above and beyond. Become involved in the community they serve. Endorse local businesses’ and support community members. I hope to gain support on having more community outreach programs and community activities. I currently serve on the Community and Economic Growth Committee, where we recently cleaned up local roadsides. I also participate in the local farmer’s market and am leading the effort to build a local community garden. Currently, I maintain the Pierson Township Hall’s garden beds, removing the cost of paying an outside gardener during these times of hardship! I am ready to serve the citizens of Pierson Township with pride, dignity and the respect our residents deserve.

PINE TOWNSHIP TREASURER Rachel Pitcher (Republican): No response.

1. Misty VanGessel, 39, Pine Township (Republican).

2. Multi-unit team leader/office manager/tax return preparer.

3. I have good communication skills and I am community-minded.

I have knowledge of the property tax system in the State of Michigan.

I have been an office manager for 15 years and I work well with people. Misty 4. I am dedicated to serving the VanGessel residents of the township.

5. I will do my best to always be available to the township residents and communicate in a timely manner.

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Ionia County sheriff Continued from Page 5B safety and build collaborative relationships to address drug abuse and substance recovery, traffic safety and caring for victims of crimes. He plans to continue school partnerships with sheriff ’s employees working closely with school administrators to create a safer environment for both students and staff; and senior citizen partnerships to provide seniors and their families with training in fraud and abuse, welfare checks and watch programs, and opportunities for services that better address their needs and quality of life in the community.

Noll also intends to continue confronting increased substance abuse, particularly opioid addiction, in the community, working with all the stakeholders to seek “significant initiatives” that reduce the harm of drug misuse, and looking at how the sheriff ’s office can be a catalyst for that change, he said.

“We will continue to be focused on being responsive and supportive to vic-

tims of crime. We will continue to focus our police services based on trust between the members of the Ionia County Sheriff Department and the community we serve,” Noll said. “It has been stated before, and cannot be stated enough, that being responsive to the community and understanding the connection between the Ionia County citizens and the public safety efforts of my department will be the ‘bridge-building’ that brings the best result for Ionia County.”

Noll has three main goals for his agency, if elected. The first is for his office to prioritize and dedicate department operations to quality of life for the citizens.

“Through services provided and communication with our community, your sheriff ’s office is and will be focused on all quality of life standards,” he said. “This means the Ionia County Sheriff ’s Office is conscious of the well-being of its citizens and will foster our services with expectations and guided values and goals to preserve and provide services that ensure quality of

life.”

Second, as the elected chief law enforcement officer of the community, Noll said he must prioritize his constitutional duty to stand up for freedoms under the law and the duty to protect the public from those who participate “in wrongdoing and lawlessness.”

“My mission for our department is to fulfill these duties of enforcing the law, serving the courts, and managing a safe and secure jail by operating your sheriff ’s office using sound budgetary efficiencies, creating a high trust culture, respect, dignity and a commitment to excellence,” he said.

Third, Noll said he is committed to continuing the substance abuse services, mental health services, and Michigan Works services currently provided in the jail. He also has taken steps to start a Sheriff ’s Office Committee to evaluate, research and educate regarding the need for a new facility in the future.

“Preparing for what is ahead is key to being successful and building a

stronger community for Ionia County,” he said.

ROBERT RICKERT Retired from the Ionia County Sheriff ’s Office, Rickert, 59, currently is employed at Lowe’s.

Rickert believes there needs to be changes made at the sheriff ’s office to improve the relationship between the agency and the public.

As a lifelong resident of Ionia County and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, nine years as a reservist on the Belding Police Department and 22 years working in the Ionia County Jail, Rickert thinks he is the candidate who can best make those changes.

“I am a good listener, and I would be willing to meet with the public to discuss any concerns they would have,” he said.

If elected, Rickert said he would focus on improving communication, improving training for all officers and do the best he can to stay current on both.

Ionia County register of deeds Continued from Page 5B records of the first settlers of Ionia County, along with everyone who has lived here since,” he said. “My ancestors’ land transactions are recorded there, and many of your ancestors’ records are recorded there, too.”

Wagner said his positions in the private and public sectors have provided him with qualifications important to the role of register of deeds, such as an understanding of the importance of consistent, excellent customer service.

“It is essential to treat the person on the phone or the person who walks through the door as the highest priority at that moment,” he said. “Customer service is important in any industry, but it is paramount in a government office that is funded by and established for the benefit of the people it serves.

The purpose of government is in part to make its citizens’ lives quieter and more peaceful. This is a mindset I would bring to the Register of Deeds Office every single day.”

In his current position overseeing the day-to-day operations of a sales and distribution warehouse and managing a staff similar in size to that of the Register of Deeds Office, Wagner also has dealt with a variety of personnel

issues.

“I have seen employees grow and succeed, but I have also had to deal with performance issues that ended in termination,” he said. “Overall, I offer the leadership and diverse experience necessary to succeed as the register of deeds.”

Wagner has “the utmost respect” for Adams and her dedication to this office, and he would strive to build upon her legacy, he said. His first goal would focus on maintaining accuracy in the recording of documents.

“Ionia County’s citizens shouldn’t have to be concerned that a clerical error might create problems and land disputes in the future,” he said.

Wagner said he also would continue the timely processing of paperwork.

While government offices have a reputation for “dragging their feet,” his office would be marked by “a timely effort in all work.”

Finally, Wagner plans to find ways to highlight the history of the land records of Ionia County, including using social media to create greater awareness of the county’s history and partnering with historical and genealogical groups across the county to help others explore their personal heritage.

“Our past is essential to our future.

This supplemental section of the Daily News provides a look at local contested primary races and ballot proposals for the Aug. 4 election. For a complete list of candidates visit your county clerk’s website or michigan.gov/sos.

History should be studied and learned from,” Wagner said. “We can’t ignore

Vote

M

PAID FOR BY GINSTER FOR JUDGE PO BOX 333, GREENVILLE, MI 48838

Ionia County

We need your help!

YES 911

VOTE YES on August 4th

Support your 911 Center!

FLIP THE BALLOT OVER

AND VOTE YES!

►►►►►►►►

The surcharge increase is for Operations, Equipment and Facilities and will allow us to continue to provide new technology for our residents such as Smart911 and TEXT to 911.

A planned future project is to up-grade radios for the Ionia County Fire Departments.

WHEN VOTING, BE SURE TO FLIP THE BALLOT OVER AND

VOTE YES FOR 911.

Ionia County 911 is seeking a surcharge increase up to $.70 (seventy cents) per device, per month; from $2.30 per device, up to $3.00 (an annual increase of up to $8.40 PER YEAR). Ionia County 911 does not receive property tax or county general fund, and no local communities are charged for dispatching services.

QUESTIONS Why increase the surcharge?

ANSWERS Current income remains flat, while operation costs increase.

Continue upgrades of critical 911 equipment.

Max. Cost increase per year?

Up to $8.40 per device.

Will this raise my taxes?

NO, this is not a property tax.

When would this begin?

July 1, 2021

Don’t forget to flip the ballot over & vote YES!

►►►

See more information on our Facebook page: Citizens for Ionia County 911

Paid for with unrestricted funds by the Citizens for Ionia County 911. P.O. Box 196, Ionia, MI 48846

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what has shaped our communities to bring us to where we are today.”

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Alan Cropsey Former Deputy Attorney General & Chairman, Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee

“Tom Ginster will be an exceptionally well qualified conservative Judge who upholds the laws and our Constitution. I strongly encourage his election as District Judge.”

Judge Christopher Murray Michigan Court of Appeals

“Tom Ginster will be a terrific judge for residents of Montcalm County. He is smart, hard-working and appreciates the situation of those coming into district court. Yet, he understands the limited role judges play in our system of government, and I am confident he will apply the laws as written.”

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