Q&A with Tony Ansorge (Republican), District 1, running unopposed
District 1 represents southern Elmwood Township, in Leelanau County’s southeast corner
From staff reports
Glen Arbor Sun: Please name three top goals you’d like to accomplish as County Commissioner
Tony Ansorge: 1) Significantly reduce County’s the $8.8 million unfunded debt liability. The County owes much more than it has in reserves, and I would like to see this debt reduced. 2) Implement County policies to begin addressing the lack of affordable housing. There have been multiple studies showing the need for more affordable housing, and we have seen businesses close because they cannot hire because of a lack of housing for workers. I believe that the County could provide a leadership role in reducing some of the already identified governmental obstacles to housing. 3) Have the County push for greater high-speed Internet access. Much of the County lacks even the availability of High-Speed Internet at any price, let alone affordable pricing. Access to High-Speed Internet is fast becoming a requirement for business, education, and tourism (besides the obvious desire by residents). The County could and should take the position of encouraging (and requiring where possible) private providers of High-Speed internet to expand throughout Leelanau County.
Glen Arbor Sun: What should the Commission do to support economic development and jobs in Leelanau County?
Ansorge: Besides acting to increase access to affordable housing and high-speed internet, the County should insure that our other infrastructure is competitive so as to attract and retain business. While the Road Commission does a good job of maintaining our existing roads, we have not dedicated the resources to planning and expansion. As an example, M-22 in Grelickville already has traffic backups – and will be completely gridlocked within 10 years. Without a plan, this gateway bottleneck into Leelanau County will negatively impact every resident, visitor, and business in the County. We need to plan to address known problems with our infrastructure, whether it is transportation, energy, or communications.
Glen Arbor Sun: How should the Commission help solve the problem of too little affordable housing in the county?
Ansorge: The Commission could set policy to reduce the governmental regulations which impact affordable housing. We already have had a township refuse to make even a minor change to zoning to encourage affordable housing because “if it isn’t important to the County, why should we worry about it?”. The County can’t solve this problem by itself, but we could have our planning department recommend minor zoning changes (which have worked in other locations) to the townships to help increase affordable housing. Even if we don’t make a lot of big changes to start with, we could at least try a small change – and see what impact it may have. We should at least try to address this problem, and reducing government regulation is where the County can make a difference.
Glen Arbor Sun: Many area businesses struggled to find enough employees during the high tourism season — and some curtailed their hours, as a result? How can the Commission solve this riddle?
Ansorge: This problem is, in my opinion, primarily related to the lack of affordable housing. If people can’t find affordable places to rent or buy, then they cannot move here to take available jobs. We need a mix of both rentals and homes to purchase to address both the seasonal and long-term housing needs. We have a GREAT location, and people would love to move here to work – if they could afford it. The County can set policy to help reduce the governmental regulations which restrict the availability of more affordable housing.
Glen Arbor Sun: What can county government do about Sugar Loaf, which was once Leelanau’s largest employer but has been closed for 16 years? Can the Commission do more to empower the construction code authority to take legal action under the resort’s current “owners”?
Ansorge: Sugar Loaf is a mess because it is a closed business. It will stay closed until it makes economic sense for the business owners to either sell or repair. Right now, the tax write-offs as a closed business evidently make more economic sense than selling or repairing. The only way to change this is to change the economics to the business owners by making it more expensive to keep it closed. This can be done by starting to impose economic fines for the code violations at the site. Since it is always easier to enforce code violations as a municipal civil infraction rather than criminal offense, giving the prosecutor another tool for enforcement makes sense. I don’t believe that most code violations should be a criminal offense anyway. If it turns out that enforcement of a civil ordinance begins to get out of hand, the ordinance could be changed to rein-in unfair prosecution. I support the enactment of a municipal civil ordinance IN ADDITION to the existing criminal statutes, so that the BOTH economic and criminal pressure could be applied to the owners to either sell or repair. These actions would apply to any property owner, not just Sugar Loaf, but this would be the fastest way to instigate change at Sugar Loaf.
Glen Arbor Sun: What environmental issues are most important to you? What role can the Commission play in protecting our natural resources?
Ansorge: We are fortunate to live in an area rich in natural resources and beauty. This is why so many people live and visit here. While we all need to do our part to protect our natural resources, I do not advocate that the County take over local zoning decisions that dictate local character. We do not have the level of expertise and resources at the County level already being provided by the state and federal government, nor can we afford to duplicate enforcement of those regulations. The County should continue to emphasize protection of our natural resources, and continue to refer enforcement of zoning issues to the townships, and other enforcement issues to the state or federal agencies.
Glen Arbor Sun: The current County Commission voted (twice) against a resolution to shut down the Line 5 oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. Where do you stand on this issue, and why?
Ansorge: The County Commission has no regulatory power over pipelines, nor do we have the knowledge or expertise to determine if there are safety issues with any pipeline. While many people and groups believe (as is their right) that Line 5 represents too big a risk and should be shut down, any complaint about any pipeline in the state is more properly made at the state and federal level – where they have the expertise and power to make a change. The County Commission should not be making any determination on ANY issue without the facts, and I don’t think anyone really knows the facts about Line 5 right now (that is part of the complaint against Enbridge). If individuals or groups want to force action by their elected officials on this topic, I suggest that they communicate their concerns to those elected officials who can actually investigate and take meaningful action on this issue. That would be Governor Snyder at the state level, and President Obama at the federal level.
Glen Arbor Sun: What lessons should local government learn from the Flint water crisis? Where do you stand on Gov. Snyder’s hallmark initiative, and the state legislature’s law, that put power over Flint decisions largely in the hands of a state-appointed emergency manager?
Ansorge: The lesson for local government from the Flint water crisis is that communication is vital. Communication failure is the root cause of the Flint water problem. State officials didn’t communicate with local officials. Local officials didn’t communicate with water operators. Nobody communicated with citizens. Decisions were made without input from others, and the problem cascaded into a fiasco and public health nightmare. Local employees need to be able to raise issues to managers, and report potential problems to state officials without fear of reprisal. Local officials need to listen to both employees and citizens, and actively report issues to the state and citizens. State officials need to be available and open to issues, and everyone needs to inform and listen to the citizens. The Flint water crisis was not caused by the emergency manager law, but by a failure of communication by both state and local officials. The best strategy to avoid any complications caused by an emergency manager, is to get and keep your local finances in order to start with – so that there is no need for an emergency manager to do things you should have already been doing.
Glen Arbor Sun: Politics has reached pitiful new lows this election season. Both presidential candidates are viewed unfavorably; and one of them has made a habit of insulting women, minorities and the handicapped. What, specifically, can you do to promote civility in politics?
Ansorge: It would be unrealistic to expect that people will never disagree. But you can disagree without being disagreeable. The Commission has an existing policy of not allowing personal attacks, either between commissioners or by members of the public during meetings. I support that policy, and pledge to do my best to be professional in my dealings as a commissioner. If we, as commissioners, set an example and collectively share the responsibility of reminding others of the proper rules of civility, perhaps – just perhaps — we can address the problems facing us based on the facts, and not the personalities involved.
Glen Arbor Sun: What’s your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Leelanau County?
Ansorge: Like many others, my wife and I love Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We have hiked every designated trail in the Park, many trails multiple times. I hunt in the Park as well, and taking visitors to the Park is always on the top of their list of places to see. Otter Creek is a particular favorite.
Glen Arbor Sun: Anything more you’d like to add?
Ansorge: While I don’t have an opponent in November (so my chances of being reelected would appear favorable), I encourage people to ask me questions and provide me input on issues. All County Commissioners have their contact information listed on the County website, and I believe we are all open to hearing from the people of Leelanau County. If you want to know more about me personally, checkout my website: TonyAnsorge.com.
