Q&A with William Bunek and Dean Robb, District 3

Incumbent Bunek (Republican) is challenged by Robb (Democrat) in District 3, which represents greater Suttons Bay and Lake Leelanau

From staff reports

Glen Arbor Sun: Please name three top goals you’d like to accomplish as County Commissioner

William Bunek: 1) Keep county fiscally solvent 2) Pay down unfunded liabilities 3) Keep taxes as low as possible; allow citizens to keep their own money

Dean Robb: 1) Support broadband access countywide. 2) Move toward a more active economic development position. 3) Being very conservative with taxpayer dollars but supporting seniors, local farmers, natural resources.

Glen Arbor Sun: What should the Commission do to support economic development and jobs in Leelanau County?

Bunek: Support & encourage the Chamber of Commerce. We will continue to help the elderly to stay in their homes through COA & MSDA grants

Robb: 1) Take steps to create a viable job market for our young people so they don’t need to leave to find good jobs. 2) Be supportive of local farmers & small business.

Glen Arbor Sun: How should the Commission help solve the problem of too little affordable housing in the county?

Bunek: Encourage local zoning to work toward reducing the size of lots & encouraging builders to build apartment buildings in villages. Encourage local businesses to build housing for their employees. Encourage business owners to take advantage of existing Iocal housing facilities I.e. Leelanau School dorms available in the summer

Robb: A good start would be to appoint a committee of experts in the housing field to get ideas and see what might work best! I am very supportive of our citizens being able to afford to live and work in the same community.

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?

Robb: First of all, I feel this problem should be solved by business owners themselves and IF they see some way the County could be helpful to bring it to us, rather than the other way around, but Leelanau County does have a large population of intelligent retired people from all walks of life that I’m not sure are being utilized in ways that might be helpful to local business owners should they be interested in sharing ideas and problem solving.

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”?

Bunek: Regarding Sugar Loaf property: Leelanau County is currently pursuing available court action concerning the building conditions. Sugar Loaf is under private ownership and the owner does pay his taxes. Is it the responsibility of the county to mandate property owners that they maintain their property to the satisfaction of their neighbors?

Robb: This is a complicated matter but Leelanau County Commission should do anything in its power to help end the current tangled mess, and create a clear path to a viable purchaser interested in re-opening this much loved and missed ski / convention center / restaurant/ hotel resort. Sugar Loaf should not be a health hazard or danger to our citizens or visitors.

Glen Arbor Sun: What environmental issues are most important to you? What role can the Commission play in protecting our natural resources?

Bunek: All environmental issues are important to me including natural resources. The citizens of L C have voted to have hazardous waste & other recycling in the county. It is the duty of the BOC to oversee the funding of this entity, which we are continuing to do.

Robb: Water Quality! From Lake Michigan to Drinking Water! What role can the commission play in protecting our Natural Resources? Work with organizations like For Love of Water (FLOW) and Northern Michigan Environmental Action Countil (NMEAC) and all organizations that are working to protect all of our natural resources.

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?

Bunek: How would Leelanau County benefit from the shut down of pipeline 5? What would this pipeline shutdown do to the economy of the state of Michigan especially the upper peninsula? hat would be the new way of transporting this oil? How costly would it be and who would pay for it? Would the new means of transportation be more dangerous than the current pipeline?

Robb: I am very supportive of the shutdown of pipeline 5! The County Commission voting to support the shutdown is simply a strong voice saying we want to protect our Great Lakes from a potential disaster! This costs the county and it’s taxpayers ZERO. I see no good reason to vote against anything that has zero cost and would protect Lake Michigan and our natural resources! Our entire tourism industry is based on our natural resources!

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?

Bunek: The Flint water situation is a tragedy and very unfortunate. The emergency management system is a last resort solution. Where were the city council and the mayor & the other government officials when this was happening? The local officials need to make the tough decisions so that state government doesn’t step in.

Robb: Locally we learn how permanent disasters happen when elected officials don’t pay attention!

I don’t like the whole Emergency Manager law. I just don’t feel it is right to overturn what the voters decided, however by law, it is Governor Snyder’s right to remove elected officials and take over.

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?

Bunek: Stick to the facts. Leave emotions and feelings out of the discussion.

Robb: I will find common ground in working with all people across all party lines.

When issues are in our own backyard we must work together to solve problems for the good of everyone and forget “party politics”.

Glen Arbor Sun: What’s your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Leelanau County?

Bunek: My favorite place in Leelanau County is my home or ice fishing on Lake Leelanau.

Robb: Bahle Farms.

Glen Arbor Sun: Anything more you’d like to add?

Bunek: I hope and pray that this election is a success for our County and Country.

Robb: As an Attorney I moved to Suttons Bay in 1971 to Farm and lawyer. I have dearly loved Leelanau County and it will personally be my honor to represent all the good people of District 3 should you choose to elect me. Thank you.