Leelanau District 4 Commissioner Ty Wessel addresses key issues facing County

From staff reports

Today we’re featuring Leelanau County Commissioner, Democrat Ty Wessell (District 4, Northport), who is running unopposed this election. We asked Wessel the following six questions.

Sun: What are three hurdles facing Leelanau residents that you think the County Commission should address?

Wessell: During the past six years, I’ve worked with fellow Commissioners on a number of critical issues including partnerships with non-profits, responsible fiscal oversight, safety, economic development, environmental protection, changing County demographics, broadband expansion, support for young families/seniors and affordable housing. I plan on continuing to work on these important issues, but the ongoing challenges are responsible fiscal management, protecting what makes Leelanau County special, and community partnerships to support young families, business owners and seniors.

Sun: What can the Commission do to increase broadband and Internet access?

Wessell: I have been a part of Leelanau LIFT that has worked with businesses, residents and officials to identify Internet needs and possibilities. Armed with data regarding status and needs, we have met with Service Providers (ISPs) interested in expanding and/or establishing services in areas without access. Specific recommendations from the Leelanau LIFT Committee can be found here: https://bit.ly/2SueIBe. We must work with townships to review current zoning ordinances in order to encourage expansion of towers for services to low population areas where the cost of fiber is prohibitive. We must also help ISPs identify unmet needs and help them navigate the permitting and approval process in those areas where fiber is a viable option. The Commissioners recently approved a plan to provide incentives for ISPs interested in using existing towers. We must also assist the ISPs in reaching agreements for space on private towers and identify new tower sites that might be needed. Federal, State and/or private dollars to cover the costs of infrastructure should be solicited.

Sun: What can the Commission do to increase affordable and workforce housing options here?

Wessell: County government cannot single-handedly solve the housing problem, but collaboration with non-profits, investors, and state/federal government can have an impact. We have been focused on the need for increased inventories of workforce and young family housing through the County’s Housing Committee and Housing Task Force since 2016. Progress has been slow but the County efforts have made a difference. The evidence is clear. Land costs, construction costs, zoning restrictions, and regulatory procedures play an integral role in housing shortages. So, too, do the actions, ordinances, and policies of local communities. Without spending significant funds, local governments can help by becoming ‘ready for development.’ We can also work with developers, investors, and nonprofits, consider possible incentives, explore opportunities for reduced costs, and suggest revision in the local zoning ordinances. The County can assist by streamlining development processes, assisting with zoning reviews, and convening the essential stakeholders. I endorse the efforts of the Housing Action Committee and the suggestions in the Committee’s recommendations in the Readiness Checklist. I also support the recent action of the County Planning Commission to partner with Housing North to continue to address housing needs in our County.

Sun: What can the Commission do to protect Leelanau’s environment and mitigate the effects of Climate Change?

Wessell: Since pollution from carbon-based fuels is a major contributor of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, we should work toward becoming a society and peninsula that whole-heartedly embraces energy efficiency and uses clean, renewable energy for its needs. The Commission can contribute by embracing energy efficiency and renewable energy in its future planning, by adopting these technologies for its own operations and by supporting clean solutions at every opportunity. We can also use our influence to both educate and advocate. Additionally, we must responsibly address issues of environmental quality and septic inspections in Leelanau County. We have been unsuccessful in addressing this issue responsibly in the past but it is critical that we consider all options to responsibly respond to this environmental quality and public health issue. I am hopeful that the County Commission can work with the Benzie-Leelanau Health Department to successfully develop an ordinance that would protect our waters and address environmental risks caused by our failure to address this issue in the past.

Sun: What can the Commission do to reach a resolution for Sugar Loaf?

Wessell: Sugar Loaf is a challenge! Options are limited, but we must not give up. There are only three options—make the site safe, clean up the site or support the development of a successful project. I hope that the County Commission can partner with Cleveland Township officials to consider all options. As we continue to hope for a successful business developer, I would recommend that we explore all possibilities for a quick cleanup of the existing site.

Sun: What did you learn from the Commission’s pained efforts to draft an anti-racism resolution? Why was it so difficult to do so? What next steps should the Commission take on combatting racism in Leelanau?

Wessell: It was painful but we are moving forward. A resolution was passed and anti-racism training is scheduled. As an individual and a Commissioner, I must speak out, listen, and be accountable. I must get racism on the agenda and acknowledge racism as an issue. I must promote training and support efforts for workforce diversity. We must adopt a culture that recognizes that silence is complicity. All officials and staff must be expected to speak out against racism, support efforts to diversify the workforce, review policies and procedures and promote formal and informal training programs for staff and community. We must encourage leaders to develop strategies that can improve responses to racism, and provide additional training dollars to the Sheriff’s Department to support adoption of best practices in law enforcement. We must enlist the involvement of community leaders who can help us refute the arguments of those who say that racism is not an issue in our County. We have much hard work to be done.