Election 2022: County Commission District 7 race features Lautner vs Flanagan
From staff reports
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners District 7 race features Republican incumbent Melinda Lautner, who has served on the body for more than 25 years, vs challenger Nancy Flanagan, who won a crowded Democratic primary that saw her win one more vote than the second runner-up.
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 Lautner and Flanagan responded to our questions.
For incumbents: What is something you’re proud of that you have accomplished on the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners?
For non-incumbents: Why are you running for the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners?
District 7, Melinda Lautner (R) incumbent: I am very proud of the approach I’ve taken on every issue that has come before the county board. I have always looked for the least costly way of providing mandated services. Following county policies and making sure that the tax payers are represented.
District 7, Nancy Flanagan (D): I’ve been observing Leelanau politics for a dozen years or more. And I think we can do a better job of using the resources we have in this county—from exquisite natural beauty to skilled employees—to improve life in Leelanau. The Board of Commissioners is a critical pivot point for important change.
Explain your party affiliation.
D7 Lautner: I run Republican because I am fiscally conservative.
D7 Flanagan: Recently, my opponent mused that ‘politics are not what they used to be.’ I agree with that statement—although I’m sure our perceptions of why and how politics have changed would be very different. At one time, it was possible to reach across the aisle, to find common ground on big issues, but the nation has grown increasingly and bitterly divided. As I look at both parties’ approach to governing—human rights, respect for the rule of law, climate change, defense of democracy—I find myself aligned with Democrats on all the big issues.
What are your thoughts on the Commission’s new septic inspection ordinance? What other environmental initiatives would you pursue as Commissioner?
D7 Lautner: I do not believe a county wide septic ordinance was necessary. It will be a solution looking for a problem. I offered an amendment that was a solution to the problem, but did not have enough support. We have many organizations in our county that are experts in this field.
D7 Flanagan: I am strongly in favor of the new septic ordinance. It’s way past time—49 states and many Michigan counties already have septic regulation, and we are particularly vulnerable, surrounded by fresh water and dependent on our inland lakes. This dependence—water is our economic engine—is the reason we also need to be paying attention to Line 5, as well.
I recently attended a hearing in Centerville Township around the proposed addition to Leelanau Pines, and it was clear how Leelanau townships are completely interdependent around issues of lake health and invasive species, traffic management, noise pollution and dark skies, as well as concerns for the watershed. I was impressed by speakers’ expertise. We have research-based solutions for environmental issues.
What are your thoughts on growth in Leelanau County—both population and infrastructure? What role should the Commission play here?
D7 Lautner: All population and growth control is under the control of local townships. The county can provide good policy, and a well oiled inspections department.
D7 Flanagan: Growth is inevitable, given trends in climate migration and living surrounded by the country’s largest source of fresh water. I think the Commission needs to get out ahead of these trends, making and encouraging local policy that controls and manages growth, and preserves our rural character as well as environmental health. We need to look and think forward—both for our lakeside resort communities as well as our agricultural interior.
What role should the Commission play in supporting early childhood education and childcare in the County?
D7 Lautner: The number of children 0 to 5 is staggeringly low. We are presently spending thousands of dollars per child involved in the early education programs. I do not believe we should additionally tax our residents for day care too.
D7 Flanagan: The Board has already heard from voters on this: they want early childhood programming and affordable, safe childcare options. The Board should continue to fund programs at levels approved by voters, and support the creation of new programming, while monitoring these programs for evidence that they are successfully addressing community needs.
What can the Commission do to support local workforce housing?
D7 Lautner: Leelanau county has a partnership with Housing North, Habitat for Humanity, and with our treasurer through Brownfield redevelopment. We have worked with townships to reduce lot sizes among other things. Accessory Dwelling Units may end up being another piece of the puzzle.
D7 Flanagan: The Commission can promote a conception of workforce housing that invites long-term settlers to the community: affordable homes for young families and workers who can improve the local economy with new businesses and skills, and send their children to local schools. There is a need for affordable long-term rentals, as well. We want this to be a place where people want to both live and work.
The Commission can look at regulatory barriers and facilitate common policy around short-term rentals. We don’t want to become a place that loses neighborhoods to short-term rentals. All avenues for increasing the right kinds of housing—a challenge in a county as rural as Leelanau—should be explored. Fortunately, there are a number of organizations already working toward this goal—the Commission can become a kind of sounding board for diverse solutions in solving our housing needs.
What are your thoughts on the recent reorganization of the County Clerk’s duties and the addition of two new county government departments?
D7 Lautner: The restructuring of finance and Human Resources was key to future Succession. We had one department head in charge of three departments. This made sense many years ago when it was moved under the Clerk. While there were no issues in quality of work since it has become too demanding. Too much to ask one person to do. Elections, court work and finances have become much more complicated in resent years. I am confident that the new departments will succeed.
D7 Flanagan: A wasteful decision. It’s always a questionable idea to reorganize a complex workplace that’s functioning well, and doing it without the knowledge and expertise of those already working there makes it worse. It was an insult to people who have served us well—and the reasons for the decision were never clearly explained to the public.