The Nov. 5 election will determine which party controls the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners (BOC), and which policies and initiatives they pursue next year. The Commission is currently deadlocked between three Democrats and three Republicans, with one seat vacant. In District 1, which serves Elmwood Township in Leelanau’s southeastern corner, Republican Tim McCalley faces Rick Robbins, who is running as a Democrat after previously serving on the BOC as a Republican from 2020-2022. In his previous term, Robbins was the deciding swing vote—often siding with Democrats—on contentious issues including septic regulations and funding voter-approved early childhood services. The Glen Arbor Sun reached out to all 14 candidates for the BOC and asked about their positions on issues or initiatives that are key to Leelanau County citizens: namely, affordable housing, renewable energy, broadband access and services for both seniors and families with young children. Our questions, and their responses are below. Today we’re featuring McCalley and Robbins, who are vying for the open District 1 seat.
