District 6 Leelanau County Commission candidates Allgaier, Roberts address housing, clean energy, broadband
Photo, l-r: Gwenne Allgaier (D) and Mark Roberts (R)
From staff reports
The Nov. 5 election will determine which party controls the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners (BOC), and which policies and initiatives they pursue next year. The Commission is currently deadlocked between three Democrats and three Republicans, with one seat vacant.
In District 6, which serves Cleveland, Empire and Glen Arbor Townships, incumbent Democrat Gwenne Allgaier faces Republican challenger Mark Roberts.
The Glen Arbor Sun reached out to all 14 candidates for the BOC and asked about their positions on issues or initiatives that are key to Leelanau County citizens: namely, affordable housing, renewable energy, broadband access and services for both seniors and families with young children. Our questions, and their responses are below. Today we’re featuring Allgaier and Roberts, who are vying for the District 6 seat.
1) What can the county government do to increase the availability of workforce or affordable housing? How would you work with townships or villages to educate them about zoning issues? Would you establish a housing commission that could attract state or federal dollars? Would you consider tax-exempt bonds, or a millage, to create more affordable housing?
2) Do you support the effort to secure grant money for solar panels at the county governmental center? What renewable energy or environmental initiatives should the board of commissioners pursue?
3) What are the next steps on bringing broadband to more Leelanau citizens?
4) Do you support early childhood services for young families? How can the board of commissioners support both early childhood services and senior services?
Gwenne Allgaier (Democrat, incumbent)
Affordable housing: This critical issue is a challenge. We need to find a revenue source – perhaps a tax on STR’s, to assist builders willing to invest in affordable housing. The public needs to be educated about how TIF’s work, as they are an important tool. Our County Planning Dept is advisory only, but can play a role in educating township planning commissions on zoning rules that will encourage/allow smaller homes and/or lot sizes, and other options for more affordable housing.
Clean energy: Absolutely, and I helped establish the Energy Futures Task Force with that goal in mind. It is important to work to bring our Federal and State tax dollars back home to work for us here in Leelanau. We also hope to find grants to add EV chargers at the County Bldg, so eventually a few of our County cars can be EV’s or hybrids, and our chargers can also be a back up for travelers needing a charge.
Broadband: Point Broadband’s work will be 97.5% done by the end of this year, and they will complete their coverage in 2025. Spectrum covered 700 homes in District 6 – 40% more than mandated by the RDOF Grant they received. We still have 200 homes without adequate or any broadband – too many!! There is another grant cycle in 2025/6, called BEAD, which we are encouraging internet providers to apply for to cover the remaining 200 homes. I know how important it is to them and I will keep working to get them the broadband they need!
Early childhood and senior services: I absolutely support our Early Childhood/Parenting Communities program! I listened with joy at our BoC meeting to new parents relating the importance of being supported by other families, their children playing together, being able to ask a nurse questions when arriving home with a new infant, getting support on issues when needed. Our voters support this program, and I will always support their decision to fund this important program for young families.
Mark Roberts (Republican)
Affordable housing: “Affordable housing” is politician code for high density government housing. I have yet to find a member of our beautiful community who is in favor of turning Leelanau County into the next San Francisco, or Chicago. There are plenty examples of government housing all over the country, so we know exactly what that looks like. What actually makes housing affordable is lower taxes, lower interest rates, a booming economy, a strong job market and low cost energy. In other words, getting tax and spend government out-of-the-way of “We the People.”
Clean energy: Building, maintaining and managing government sponsored energy is not the responsibility of the Leelanau Board of Commissioners (BOC). The current BOC is leading us down the path of insolvency and higher taxes. The claim that this multi million dollar solar panel project will save $35,000 a year is completely false. Their calculations do not include the cost of maintenance, repairs and management of the solar panels. Once the true cost is calculated, there is not only zero long term savings, the project will lose money for decades to come. This BOC pet project is unsustainable and will ultimate lead to higher taxes.
Broadband: The current BOC’s multi million dollar Point Broadband project not only comes with government strings attached, it is perhaps the most expensive path forward possible. There are several ways to get high-speed broadband into our communities that will not cost Leelanau taxpayers millions of dollars. In fact, my wife, along with other community members worked together to get high-speed broadband in our area without spending a single dollar of taxpayer money. It seems obvious that the point broadband project is another example of wasteful government spending.
Early childhood and senior services: If manage correctly, Leelanau County early childhood program can provide great benefit to those in need in our community. Unfortunately, it appears that this program needs better leadership. Only about 240 (40%) of the 600 eligible participants have been enrolled. This is a wasted opportunity to help our citizens.
