Local candidates for office talk politics

By the Glen Arbor Sun staff

When locals go to the voting booths on Tuesday, November 4, they’ll have to choose between Democratic and Republican candidates for office in six races (not including the presidential Obama-McCain horserace) — from a U.S. Senate seat down to a village treasurer and three competing for two village trustee spots. That’s an unprecedented number for these woods.

To preview these races, and to keep our readership abreast of the 13 candidates, and the issues they deem important, we’ve conducted interviews via email, asking them six intentionally general questions. You’ll find synopses of their answers here, and the answers in their entirety on our website, www.glenarborsun.com. Almost all of the candidates, we’re happy to report, took the interviews to heart and provided thorough, thought-provoking answers.

The candidates are: Republican Jack Hoogendyk Jr. and Democratic incumbent Carl Levin for U.S. Senate; Democrat Andrew Concannon and incumbent Republican Dave Camp for U.S. House of Representatives, District 4; Democrat Dan Scripps and Republican Ray Franz for Michigan State Representative, District 101; Democrat David Marshall and Republican Dan Semple for Leelanau County Commissioner, District 6;
Democrat Cheryl Manning and Republican Carrlin Waldenmyer for Empire Treasurer, and Democrat Ken Hurlin and Republicans Kent Kelly and Bill Thompson for two Glen Arbor Trustee positions.

The six questions we asked were:
What are the two or three biggest issues you’d like promote in this upcoming election?
What are the biggest challenges Michigan (or your region) faces, and how can they be overcome? How can the region create more jobs?
How should the region respond to the current energy crisis and climate change crisis?
Should consumers change their practices?
Name a couple valuable lessons you’ve learned from your political career?
Why have you chosen your party affiliation? And in what direction do you see your party going in years to come?

Republican Jack Hoogendyk, Jr. challenging Democratic incumbent Carl Levin for the United States Senate
Hoogendyk:
• Jobs and the economy are the most important. What can be done at the federal level to bring Michigan back to its position of leadership in the United States as a place to go to find a good-paying job? I believe we need to lower the corporate tax rate from 35 to 12.5 percent, which would match the lowest in the world (Ireland).
• Domestic energy supplies. We need to immediately embark on an aggressive schedule of “harvesting” our own supplies of oil, gas, coal and nuclear power to free us from our dependence on foreign suppliers. At the same time, we should encourage development of new, alternative, renewable sources of energy.
• Taxes are too high, the state is over-regulated, and the labor policies in Michigan strongly discourage investment by new or existing manufacturing companies into Michigan. Much of this needs to be addressed at the state level. Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the country. We need to put Michigan back to work.
• By lowering taxes on employers, easing stringent regulations and letting Michigan become a right-to-work state.
• Consumers are doing their part. They are becoming more responsible all the time, but we live in a region where it is necessary to drive to get places. Re: climate change, I believe the climate change we are observing is largely natural and not caused by human activity.
• If I have one regret, it would be that I did not try harder to work across the aisle with my Democratic colleagues. I learned that government has become much more complex than it needs to be. We should have a part-time legislature that is on a calendar and deadline.
• The Republican Party most closely matches what I believe, however, it has drifted from its original mission. I think the party will begin to move back toward its mission of less government, low taxes and individual responsibility.

Levin:
• I’m focused on jobs and Michigan’s economy. We need policies that bring good jobs to Michigan and keep the ones we have. Government needs to give greater support to our manufacturers through loans for re-tooling and tax incentives for new technologies and by enforcing fair trade so our companies can compete on a level playing field against foreign competitors who have the support of their governments. We need to take action to protect consumers from the outrageous energy prices that are caused in part by excessive speculation, and we need to invest in renewable energy sources and technologies to help break our dependence on foreign oil. We also need to end abusive practices of credit card companies, which too often charge outrageous interest rates and penalties.
• We need to get people back to work in good-paying jobs, and we need to make sure that existing jobs continue to provide families with financial security. I’ve proposed, with Democrats in the Michigan congressional delegation and the Governor, an American Manufacturing Initiative (AMI), which would go a long way towards helping our state’s economy. It would assist our automakers to re-tool and create incentives to focus on next-generation technologies like plug-in hybrids and fuel cells. AMI would increase support for manufacturers that are so important in Michigan, but which have been left behind by unfair trade agreements and an administration that has turned its back on manufacturing in America. I would also take a first step towards reining in health care costs for our manufacturers, as we also fight for affordable, universal coverage.
• Michigan’s infrastructure and talent base — from manufacturers to university researchers and scientists — give us good opportunities to create jobs in advanced manufacturing, new technologies, alternative energy and the defense industries. We need a federal government that cares about manufacturing in America. We need to invest in strong schools and in affordable college and technical training, both for our students and for workers who have lost their jobs, and we need to help our manufacturers re-tool to build new, high-demand products like advanced hybrid automobiles.
• My work as Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has shown that excessive speculation in energy markets has increased the cost of a barrel of oil, perhaps by 25-30 percent. I’m working on passing additional legislation to crack down on those speculators. We’ve already closed the “Enron Loophole” to put a cop back on the beat to combat excessive speculation in natural gas markets. We especially need to be focused on everything we can do to take advantage of the emerging market for alternative sources of energy by promoting them through tax, regulatory and fiscal policies.
• Listen to the people you represent. Say what you’ll do, and do what you say.
• I grew up admiring President Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat who helped get our country out of the Great Depression, led our nation through World War II, and stood up for workers who weren’t getting fair wages and the elderly who couldn’t support themselves. The spirit of FDR, which is fighting for working families, lives on in the Democratic Party today, the party committed to progressive policies to lift up our nation’s working families, as well as smart management of our economy and a strong foreign policy.

Democrat Andrew Concannon challenging Republican incumbent Dave Camp for the U.S. House of Representatives

Concannon:
• The economy; Trade; Healthcare.
• Our greatest challenge is to halt the ever-increasing shedding of quality manufacturing jobs. I believe that Michigan has several advantages over other states, which will allow us to reinvigorate our economy.

In particular, I believe that we have a unique opportunity to increase jobs in the sector of renewable energy. We have the capability of harnessing energy from wind, sugar beets and other bio-fuel sources, which other states do not. In addition, we have the labor and facility infrastructure in place for quality manufacturing. Not only are we well positioned to accommodate manufacturing of any type given our infrastructure; in addition, we are uniquely positioned to utilize our waterways as a transportation system for the large components (windmill components for example) necessary for the manufacture of renewable source energy generation equipment.

As a corollary to creating new jobs, we must do a better job to protect the jobs that we still have by reworking- and actually enforcing- trade agreements that send our jobs overseas with little in return.
• I believe that businesses will create jobs in response to incentives. Therefore, I would — in contrast to my opponent — invest in tax credits for renewable source energy to incentivize businesses to not only power their current manufacturing processes with renewable energies but to also manufacture the equipment which will be needed as new sources of energy emerge.
We can — and should — turn Michigan into a green jobs corridor.
• My opponent has voted against charging royalties to big oil companies taking oil from the Gulf of Mexico and recently voted against tax credits for renewable source energy companies that would compete against the oil companies. We need a new response to our energy crisis. As I have outlined above, I believe that we not only must invest in renewable source energy as our main source of power generation but we must transition away from gasoline-based automobiles soon. This means that the auto companies — who have been utilizing renewable fuels for their new vehicles in South America and Asia — must utilize that same technology in North America.

I believe that, as a society, we need to begin to implement changes to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels before the ever decreasing supply causes even further price escalation to the point where Michiganders simply cannot afford to heat their homes or fuel their cars.

• My political career as a candidate consists only of this run for elective office. I have learned during this campaign that there are many different sides to the issues and I have learned a great deal from those who have differing views on the issues that I may have.

• I am a Democrat because I believe that it is the party that best recognizes that opportunities to excel need to be afforded to all Americans, not merely some of them! This is precisely why the economy has flourished when the Democratic Party has held the White House.

Camp:
• Jobs, jobs and jobs. And that means addressing the economy, energy costs and health care. While Michigan’s economy has been reeling from losses in the auto industry and older manufacturers, there have been some bright spots — especially in the alternative and renewable energy industry. This shows we can create jobs in Michigan. But to do so we must reform the way Lansing and Washington do business. I believe we must reform health care, lower energy costs, open new markets and enforce our trade laws, lower investment taxes and invest in our workers and in research and development if Michigan and America are going to get back on track.

• On the energy front, I have been pushing alternative energy in the auto industry for more than a decade simple because transportation makes up 70 percent of our oil consumption. We are now just beginning to see the impact of alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles. But that is only part of the solution. As a country we must commit to using domestic oil and gas before buying these products from overseas; we need to continue to promote conservation and renewable energy; we need to increase the number of refineries in this country and look at utilizing old military bases to cite these facilities; and, we need to build more power plants —that is, everything from solar and wind to coal and nuclear.

• In addition to my answer above on the economy and jobs, I would add the lack of affordable, quality health insurance is critical to the future of our state. The real culprit in skyrocketing health care costs is that there are only two providers of health care in America: the government and employers. If you aren’t poor enough or old enough to have the government pay for your health care, or if you don’t work for a large enough business, then in America you aren’t likely to have health care insurance. That is wrong. Every American should have access to quality health care. To do that, we must make health care affordable and personal — not simply reliant on your job or the government; we can lower costs and increase choice by eliminating red tape that allows insurance companies to operate like monopolies; we should utilize health information technology to save lives and money; and, we should apply the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin’s adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

• Investing in technology and infrastructure.

• We all play a role in bringing energy costs down. Conservation is a critical part of that answer, but in reality this is a federal problem that Washington must act on if Americans are going to see lower energy prices.

• Everyone has the right to have their government work for them regardless of age, wealth, party affiliation or any other factor.

• I first became a Republican after working in my father’s small business and watching the demands and responsibility he bore in trying to meet payroll every week.

Democrat Dan Scripps and Republican Ray Franz vying for the Michigan House of Representatives, 101st District (neither is an incumbent).
Scripps:
• Creating jobs & strengthening Michigan’s economy, investing in our schools and protecting the great outdoors.

• The loss of jobs in auto manufacturing and its impact on our state economy is the single biggest challenge we face in Michigan. I think we can turn this challenge into an opportunity by working hard to diversify Michigan’s economy by investing in high growth areas including renewable energy, health care and life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. We also need to invest in education and protecting our natural resources to keep Michigan competitive in the long term.

• Leelanau County and northwest Michigan have wonderful strengths as a tourism destination and in agriculture and agric-tourism, as well as a real opportunity to be a global leader in renewable energy production and design. We are well positioned to add jobs in these emerging economic sectors, and I look forward to serving as a partner in Lansing to make the most of these local opportunities.

• We need to move away from the polluting technologies of the past, towards the cleaner energy sources of the future, and playing a leading role in renewable energy is a central element of this shift. We also need to encourage energy conservation and efficiency. The cleanest energy is the energy that doesn’t have to be produced at all.

• While the challenges facing Michigan affect all of us, too often ordinary people are shut out of the process and are not encouraged to help find the best way forward. As I’ve gone door to door talking to local residents and listening to their concerns, I have learnt first-hand not only of the challenges facing local people, but how we can work together to overcome them. There is no challenge facing Michigan that can’t be overcome by the people of Michigan, we just have to do much more to enable all of us to be a part of the solution.

• I’m a Democrat, and I see the Democratic Party continuing to speak up for ordinary people and working to ensure that as we create prosperity in Michigan, all of us, and not just a select few, have the opportunity to share in that prosperity. I think the Democratic Party will increasingly be the party proposing and implementing ideas to build a stronger future for Michigan on issues ranging from creating jobs, finding new energy sources, investing in education and protecting our natural resources.

Franz:
• Without a doubt — the return of prosperity to Michigan in the form of business and jobs is the single most important issue facing our state. While we have other problems, they pale in comparison and would be easier to deal with when prosperity returns. We accomplish this goal by making Michigan more business friendly with controlled spending, less taxes, less oppressive regulations and affordable energy.

• The biggest challenge that Michigan faces is to get its fiscal house in order both in the short term and the long term. Even as our population continues to shrink, we are spending close to $1 billion more each year. We are also expanding our indebtedness by continuing to issue new bonds, and our unfunded liability is approaching $40 billion and growing. This is an unsustainable scenario. We must set firm priorities and stick to them. We must apply a sound cost/benefit test to all problems, especially new ones. And we must get our legacy costs under control with defined contributions instead of defined benefits.

• We can encourage more job growth by providing a stable, sound state fiscal policy that controls spending. That will lead to less taxes and more growth. We also need to stop adding regulatory burdens onto businesses (like the recently passed competitive wage requirements, and ergonomic regulations) and finally we need to encourage clean, affordable and reliable energy.

• The best way to attack our current energy problems is to encourage more supply. It is more supply that drives down prices and grows our economy. It is a growing economy and prosperity that provides the means, the will, and the desire to protect our environment. We all conserve where possible, but we cannot conserve ourselves into prosperity. It takes growth. As to climate change — we live in Michigan, the home of climate change. It is a crisis? It wasn’t 10,000 years ago when the ice age ended and it isn’t now. It is the natural process of nature, and I’m not so vain as to think we mere mortals can alter all of nature.

• The most valuable lesson that I have learned is that public service is very rewarding. It takes hard work, commitment, and passion for what you believe in, but the ability to touch lives and have a positive impact is inspiring.

• I am conservative first, and the Republican platform most closely aligns with my beliefs. One of the beauties of this great country is that we can have differences but still be united in our goals for a better life for all. I passionately believe that the conservative principles of controlled spending, less taxes, less regulation and personal responsibility will lead to a better way of life for all of us. I believe we can work with conservative and moderate Democrats to return Michigan to our core principles. These core beliefs will lead to more growth and the return of prosperity — and it will return.

Democrat David Marshall and Republican Dan Semple vying for Leelanau County Commissioner, District 6 (neither is an incumbent).
Marshall:
• Provide good stewardship of our resources. It is critical that Commissioners apply sound judgment and fiscal responsibility when making decisions with the public’s dollars. I will strive to make sure we wisely invest in our infrastructure and promote efficiency in government. We can’t afford to waste Leelanau’s precious resources.

Plan for sound, wise growth.

All we have to do is see the natural beauty that surrounds us to understand why more people want to come to Leelanau County. Our economy depends on that growth. I will work for planned, intentional and sustainable growth that expands economic opportunity while preserving the beauty and integrity of our vast natural resources. The decisions we make today determine what Leelanau will be in the future.

Promote greater cooperation between government, business and residents.
As a local business owner, I know we make the best decisions when we join together. County government at its best works in cooperation with townships, villages and the private sector. We must make sure that county funds are fairly and wisely spent. We have to work together for the future of Leelanau County.

• We need to encourage our economic base (i.e., tourism, agriculture) in a way that causes the least damage to our primary assets (i.e., land and water). That is, the health of the county’s economy is closely tied to the quality and beauty of its land and water. Over and over again I hear from citizens that this is the number one issue of concern, and the number one issue that the Board of Commissioners has not adequately addressed. Public resources should be used to contain sprawl and other unplanned growth, encourage alternative transportation options, and secure our surroundings from pollution and waste. The most important step the County Commission can take is simply developing the political will to do the right thing.

• Attracting the kind of economic development that results in increased job opportunities requires cooperation between the private and public sectors. The issue in Leelanau County is not only the need for jobs (though that is critical), but also the need for economic development that preserves and protects our primary economic assets (land and water). We should, for instance, develop and encourage growth in our towns and villages (i.e., water and sewage facilities, dispersal of public transportation and housing monies, etc.), so that employers and employees alike are naturally attracted to those centers of commerce. If we make it easier and smarter for persons to locate in already-existing population centers, we can then provide the maximum resources to the maximum people, help diminish the tendency toward sprawl and land abuse, and encourage the kind of economic development that results in more jobs.

• As I talk to the people of Leelanau County I repeatedly hear that we are already changing our practices, both because of economic pressures (high cost of gas and other energy, for instance.) and because of a deep belief that we can truly make a positive difference in long-term solutions. We need leadership that understands that clean energy benefits both our economy and our environment. We should prepare so that we are ready to utilize alternative energies when they become viable. We should investigate economic incentives for those who are using cleaner technologies. The people of Leelanau County deserve a County Commission that is committed to thinking ahead — not racing to catch up.

• (1) Careful listening is critical. (2) It is important to bring all parties to the table, not just those who agree with me.

• I believe that hope is more vital than fear to our nation’s future. I believe that inclusion and diversity are more important than conformity. I believe government ought to be more responsive to the needs of its people than it is to the demands of corporate giants. And I believe that it is more important to unite than to divide.

I believe that the Democratic Party best supports this vision and will continue to lead this great country into the future with compassion and wisdom.

Semple:
• I anticipate that Leelanau County will face numerous challenges related to growth, both due to density and due to impact on our quality of life (air, water, night sky, etc.). We also need to have tight control over the cost of government (taxes) as we seek to meet the needs of our community. We need to do this with the idea of maintaining the Leelanau character and quality of life we have all sought out.

• I believe that the best government is local, since we can respond to local needs and challenges in a manner which is optimal for our situation. We will be facing needs of lower cost energy, better services for our retirees, meeting the desire to preserve our farms, and seeking solutions to septic/sewer issues. In each of these, the county government can provide direction and seek state financial and expertise, but I believe we will be best served through cooperative agreements with the county, townships, towns, and engaged citizens, rather than giving the state control.

• We should be seeking full coverage of the county for high speed Internet. We need to ensure that we have appropriate zoning for business development areas and we need to strive to give job providers opportunity to start businesses with low-cost tax options. We can assist through making easy access to the many area “retired” experts who are well qualified to aid new businesses through advise, training and mentoring.

• I believe that many small contributions to the energy “pool” will be the most effective way of getting ahead on the energy situation. Currently, there is no single solution, but the cumulative effects due to wind, solar, biofuel and hydrogen will yield a much improved energy picture. In addition, changes in consumer energy use patterns will decrease the consumption, also aiding the situation. For Leelanau County, selected use of wind power and possible contributions of biofuels are on the horizon, as well as fewer trips to Traverse City and ride sharing should help lower our costs.

• Every issue has many facets. The best solution is often one in which all parties get some degree of satisfaction.

Unfortunately, change takes longer than it should.
Everyone deserves full respect and attention to their point of view before reaching full conclusions.

Often we can fully agree on the issues. The solutions require much thought, negotiation, and respect.

• I am a trained Electrical Engineer. My training is to use the most efficient methods to problem solving. I have found that the Republican positions are ones that harmonize with my character (most of the time). I do not, however, believe that the County Commission seat is one which needs to be Republican or Democrat, since we are just seeking to solve the needs of our community, and not trying to gain some fictitious power of Party affiliation. I am most interested in achieving good solutions to our unique problems, and do not find solace in “matching” a party related compromise.

Democrat Cheryl L. Manning and Republican Carrlin Waldenmyer vying for Empire Treasurer
Manning:
• Preserving the natural beauty and rural character of Empire Township while accommodating both economic and population growth is the issue. As Empire Township Treasurer, whether the matter on the table is water quality, zoning, development or septic vs. sewer, I would promote extensive research, careful financial consideration, and encourage public input before spending the taxpayer’s dollar.

From a Township perspective, the challenge is to have a good, open, working relationship with the county that coordinates efficient government.

The Township can encourage job growth by NOT creating unnecessary hoops that businesses have to jump through. By NOT imposing unnecessary financial burdens that business has to bear. Rather, the Township can encourage job growth with thoughtful zoning, and by sustaining the expanding financially responsible infrastructure that is commercially friendly.

• Empire Township is already responding to residents’ changing energy needs. At present, there is a plan under review to create an off-road, alternative vehicle path in the Township. This would move slower vehicles off the roads and would create a safe, local alternative traffic route.

Whether in the public or private sector, innovative new energy/transportation options need to be pursued, along with conventional methods, in order to provide consumers the real ability to change their practices in their everyday lives.

• I’ve learned that you need good, local newspapers to get your positions out to the public so that the voter can make an informed decision. The Glen Arbor Sun is doing that, and without dipping into my wallet.

• I am a staunch fiscal conservative. In most other areas, I am progressive. At the Township level, it has been my experience that the Board works together in a nonpartisan manner for the mutual good of the community. In the future, I hope to see the parties moving in this direction.

Waldenmyer:
• I don’t feel that I have any issues to promote as a candidate for Empire Township Treasurer. What I would like to communicate to the residents of Empire Township is that I will do my best to serve you and our community.

• This is a tough one…In my opinion jobs and affordable housing are two of the biggest challenges we face in Leelanau county. A large percentage of county residents work in Traverse City. Many of the businesses in the county are seasonal and don’t create year round jobs, nor do they provide wages that can support the housing that is available. I feel that high building costs, high land prices and high property taxes contribute to the lack of affordable housing. The state can help by creating some tax breaks for the working classes, reducing fuel prices so that people can afford to get to work and heat their homes, and find a way to reduce food costs so people can afford to buy groceries.

• I believe that the region can create more jobs by encouraging and welcoming tourist and seasonal residents in the area. The natural beauty of this area and the National Park will continue to bring many people to the area on a seasonal basis. These are the people that create the demand for jobs in the area. Unfortunately, the tourist season is very short and so dependent on the weather. We need to find ways of bringing people to the area year round. One of the winter activities that I would really like to see back in this area is skiing. And that means the re-opening of Sugar Loaf. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to bring that back. Over the years, Crystal Mountain has done and amazing job.

• I think the region can respond by encouraging and embrassing alternative energies and working to conserve current sources. The alternatives that first come to mind are wind and solar power. Hybrid and more fuel efficient vehicles need to become more popular. Incentives need to be made available to promote these options. Public transportation and car pooling are options that consumers should consider.

• The primary in August was the introduction to my political career. The most important and valuable lesson that I learned from that experience is that… EVERY VOTE COUNTS. I won the primary by one vote and a recount produced the same results. It has been almost daily that I’ve heard… I almost didn’t vote…it had be a really long day and I just wanted to go home. Or…I was already home when I realized it was election day, so I forced myself to go vote. Or…we had just returned home from a vacation and we were so tired, but we went anyway. Thanks to all of you with similar stories that made the effort to VOTE!!! EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!

• I have chosen my party affiliation beacuse I feel it best fits my beliefs. I certainly don’t fit a “Republican” mold to a “T”. I do have the ability to keep and open mind and consider all options on an issue or a candidate before forming and opinion.

Democrat Ken Hurlin running against Republicans Kent Kelly and Bill Thompson for two Glen Arbor Trustee positions
Hurlin:
• I believe that the following issues are very important to the well being of our community: community-wide support to protect, preserve and enhance our water resources; short- and long-term actions and planning to provide effective, efficient and affordable sanitary systems; we need comprehensive land use planning, in concert with our neighboring townships, and the Traverse area “Grand Vision” to provide for intelligent growth for our community. Planning should include a region-wide commercial zone, affordable low-income housing, a possible local energy generating system and an enhanced public transportation system.

• I believe that our county faces the same challenges we do. The state may be able to help with the planning and possibly with some seed money.

• We can create more jobs and business by creating a commercial ”green zone,” and providing infrastructure, help in generating start-up funds and promoting education programs geared to emerging technology. This should be a joint effort with our adjoining townships.

• I believe the community can respond to the energy crisis by taking the above actions and personally turning up the thermostat in the summer and turning it down in the winter; closing off areas of the house not in use; improving insulation and windows if practical; using the BATA bus — it’s great, faster than you think, you see parts of the county that are new to you, and meet some of your neighbors; practicing “green” driving habits.

• This is my first political effort and I find it both more interesting than expected and more work — but I think that it is worth the effort. I’ve also meet a lot of good and dedicated people.

• I have chosen to run as a Democrat because this party comes closest to what I believe in. I believe in a strong middle class, an excellent public education system, that our constitution is more than just a piece of paper, and in equal rights.

Kelly:
• I’ve been a trustee in the state now for almost 35 years now. I tell people I’m a slow learner. My three biggest issues? We’re trying very hard to make what is here when people come to Glen Arbor still be here in the future. We need to maintain the amenities, natural resources and beauty without ruining them. When you’re dealing with the environment and beauty of the area, zoning and planning restrictions is toeing a fine line. My second issue is to make sure people’s lives are safe when it comes to water and sewage control. We’re very concerned about the sewer system in Glen Arbor. The third issue is making sure people get involved and contribute at a local government level. That’s crucial. If I’m defeated by someone who is more interested or has a better ability to lead, then I’m all for it. If I’m challenged by multiple people, I’m all for it.

• Our biggest challenge is making decisions about a sewer system for the village of Glen Arbor. We have to prepare for it so we know what to do if a failure happens in the septic system. But we need to do it without encumbering the whole township for the problems of the village. People who use the system in the village should pay for it. More than anything, we need to have a plan. That’s what government should do: look to the future and plan for it.

• As to energy use, there have been interesting suggestions circulating about the restroom and garden in Glen Arbor operating on solar energy. In addition, I’ve been working hard on the planning commission to introduce windmills. Our current ordinances prohibit any structures that are over 40 feet high, so I’m researching the entire issue, and I hope to propose to the planning commission an ordinance that calls for windmills. We shouldn’t restrict them; we should allow them. It’s not a question of if they’re coming, but when they’re coming. I’ve told the National Park that they have an incredible opportunity on the high hills south of Empire to install windmills. That would be a great example to the public that they know how to go green. Some individuals in the township also want to put up windmills. We should find ways to allow that.

• The biggest issue I’ve learned in politics is that you need to get people involved. If you’re sitting alone in a board meeting, you’re in trouble. If people aren’t involved, you’d better get out and communicate. The most important thing some people do is to contribute to the community in their own way, and that’s very important.

• I’m not a [partisan] politician. I’ve been a registered Republican for 35 years. But I don’t like politics to enter local issues. That gets in the way of making progress.

Thompson:
I am running for office because I feel that I should give back to my community and this is how I chose to do so. Even the month-to-month issues and unforeseen issues are important and have to be handled. I think this [Glen Arbor Township] board has done a good job in the past eight years and has accomplished much, and I would like to continue.

I am running as a Republican because I believe in the party and don’t believe in the Democrat[ic] party’s socialistic beliefs.