Election 2022: County Commission District 5 race features Kama Ross vs Alan Campbell

From staff reports

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners District 5 race features Democrat Kama Ross, a conservationist and retired forester for the Leelanau, Benzie, and Grand Traverse Conservation District, against Republican Alan Campbell, a newspaper reporter, publisher, and owner of the Leelanau Enterprise for more than 40 years. The seat was previously held by Democrat Patricia Soutas-Little, who is retiring. Soutas-Little helped spearhead the Commission’s effort to support early childhood education and broadband Internet in Leelanau County.

Democrats currently control the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners, 4 seats to 3, after Lois Bahle won a special recall election earlier this year. Will Democrats hold control, or will Republicans regain power? We asked the candidates about: their accomplishments on the Board (for incumbents), or why they are running for the Board (for challengers); their party affiliation; their thoughts on the County’s new septic inspection ordinance; their thoughts on growth in Leelanau County; the role the Commission should play in supporting early childhood education and childcare; support for workforce housing, and the recent reorganization of the County Clerk’s duties and the addition of two new county government departments. All seven Democrats responded to the questions; four of seven Republicans responded.

Both Ross and Campbell responded. Read their answers below.

Why are you running for the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners?

District 5, Kama Ross (D): My goal in running is to help bring people together to work on real issues that improve the quality of life for all, and to support resilient communities throughout Leelanau County.  I am a conservationist at heart, which means that I want to help conserve and restore a sense of common purpose, and inspire others so we feel enabled to better address our most daunting problems together.  I will seek collaboration with all private and public agencies and organizations to help create positive, but conservative growth.

District 5, Alan Campbell (R): It sounds corny, but to help. Community service has always been important to me. Should residents see fit to elect me a new chapter will begin.

Explain your party affiliation. Why are you a Democrat or Republican?

D5, Ross: I believe that the County Board of Commission should be non-partisan because the issues the board serves do not have any relationship with political party.  I did chose to run as a Democrat because the local party is more in line with my beliefs and values and the core group of volunteers advocate for democracy and that feels right to me. I understand my role is to represent all voices equally and I will strive to unite us in a common goal of service to our neighbors.

D5, Campbell: We believe the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored. We believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability. We believe in free enterprise and that encouraging individual initiatives has brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

What are your thoughts on the Commission’s new septic inspection ordinance? What other environmental initiatives would you pursue as Commissioner?

D5, Ross: The time-of-transfer septic ordinance was long overdue and is a great step forward in protecting and conserving our natural resources which is vital to a healthy, resilient future.  The BOC will need to support the Health Department to implement the ordinance well.  Collaborating with federal, state, and other environmental organizations we should exemplify good stewardship practices in our county parks and help educate the public concerning new climate change challenges that are ahead of us.

D5, Campbell: I believe the septic ordinance was a big answer to a smaller problem. While the protection of lakes was the focal point, the ordinance did not stop there. There is no need to require septic inspections on high ground in Leelanau County. The issue has been emotional and contentious for decades, and is now behind us.

What are your thoughts on growth in Leelanau County—both population and infrastructure? What role should the Commission play here?

D5, Ross: As a Forester, I will bring my science-based approach to problem solving, making sure that the sustainability of our natural resources is at the center of all decision-making and that positive, but conservative growth within the county means sustainable use of all our natural resources.  The Commission should encourage growth of a diverse population that will keep our schools, businesses and local communities strong and resilient.  The BOC should be a leader in providing widespread broadband internet and cell service, quality childcare and parenting support, and attainable housing to help keep our county vibrant.

D5, Campbell: During my lifetime Leelanau County has changed from a hidden gem to an online auction. It seems everybody wants a piece of Leelanau. All this notoriety puts pressure on both the everyday lives of folks from Leelanau, and our valuable resources.

Perhaps it’s time to rethink our approach to growth. At one time the common thought was that we need “high tech” jobs to keep young people working here. Now those high tech jobs are here but not in commercial buildings. They are spread across the peninsula in the homes of residents — some full time, some part time. When I talk to people, they are more worried about housing prices than attracting jobs or people to Leelanau County.

What role should the Commission play in supporting early childhood education and childcare in the County?

D5, Ross: The BOC should continue to support the excellent Early Childhood Program created by the successful millage campaign that will facilitate, coordinate, and create more quality programs and services throughout the County for children and their families.  Having raised three children in a similar Northern Michigan community, my decades of serving as a 4-H Leader, and my strong education background, I would enjoy serving on the Early Childhood County Committee.

D5, Campbell: Leelanau County has embarked on a social experiment in early childhood development that is only in its third year.

Let’s let that settle. While similar programs have been tried throughout the country to ensure good child rearing, results have been mixed. The overlying reason for the county to tackle childhood development has been well stated. The often-repeated mantra is that 90 percent of brain development occurs before a child reaches 5 years of age.

What can the Commission do to support local workforce housing?

D5, Ross: The BOC’s Housing Action Committee should advocate for policies, identify new tools and funding options and collaborate with developers, non-profit agencies like Housing North, Habitat for Humanity and Community Land Trust, the Land Bank Authority, and utilization of Brownfield properties, and Accessory Dwelling Units. Working with township officials to pass Tax Increment Financing policy, limiting Short Term Rentals, expanding duplexes/small apartments in a creative combination of new construction and repair of existing homes, may provide the housing we need.

D5, Campbell: Affordable housing will continue to be a long-term problem. But we can fight back. I wholly support the work of the Housing Action Committee, which has been around five years. Its biggest progress has been through the county Land Bank, which has made tax-reverted properties available for nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity and Housing North that in turn provide places to live for families in need. It’s the volunteers in these programs and organizations — and others such as faith-based Freedom Builders under its executive Skip Brown — who are the true heroes in this effort.

What are your thoughts on the recent reorganization of the County Clerk’s duties and the addition of two new county government departments?

D5, Ross: I believe the creation of the two new positions was carried out improperly and with the lack of a transition plan for implementation, they are experiencing difficulties in carrying out their duties effectively and efficiently.  I value the work of our county employees and will provide oversight to ensure that these individuals carry out their respective responsibilities maintaining the high standards established by the Clerk’s office which always earned excellent audit reviews.

D5, Campbell: Leelanau is blessed by the dedication and longevity of our clerks. We’ve had only two since 1979, and they’ve been good ones. Unfortunately, the process to remove authority entrusted in the clerk’s office and establish the new positions was disrespectful to clerk Michelle Crocker, who should have been asked for input. That said, I do support moving financial and personnel responsibility away from an elected position that has the potential to be filled by someone unfamiliar with those duties. The new positions should be evaluated as others in government: efficiency, level of customer service, willingness to solve problems, other factors.

It’s important to note that Leelanau County government has grown by leaps and bounds in the past year, adding three new positions. Payroll also has increased with across-the-board, unbudgeted, mid-year raises and bonuses given even as negotiations were underway for a new union contract with Sheriff’s deputies. This could cause financial difficulties ahead.