A 2016 Primary Candidate Forum Without A Cause, Pt. 2

[XLFD]

In the 'better almost late than never' category, here's the part two of an article presented a couple of weeks ago in A 2016 Primary Candidate Forum Without A Cause, Pt. 1, which implied there would be more about the other county candidates who presented their cases.  One day before the election of August 2nd where their fates will be determined, here are the rest concerning county contests, including recaps of the races in Mason County's Fourth District, Surveyor, and clerk positions.

The uncontested county races were featured first, with incumbents introducing themselves to the public from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th districts (6th and 7th were absent), Treasurer Andy Kmetz, Register of Deeds Diane Englebrecht and Drain Commissioner Tim Riffle (the county sheriff and prosecutor spoke at the beginning, as noted previously). 

These people were all incumbents.  What statement does it make when the only races that seem to have more than one person running for it are for seats that have an official 'retiring' for one reason or another?  It is true for all races in Mason County other than the County Surveyor and for the Third Ward of Ludington, and that's out of twenty races.  The perception is clear in the county that incumbents are almost impossible to unseat.  This is not good for democracy, and makes it more difficult to remove those from office that have outlived their usefulness or are just plain corrupt.

District Four Mason County:

In retrospect, this race features perhaps the finest caliber of candidates among the three participants.  If you like experience, you have Lew Squires who lost to state candidate Curt Vanderwall when they restructured the county's districts and is trying to get back to the Show now that Curt's moving on to bigger things.  If you like a local with an exemplary military service record who moved back to the family farm after bending his sword to a plowshare, then Jordan Martz may be for you.  If you are more into efficiency, energy, eagerness, and earnestness, you have Jennifer Doggett.  See their backgrounds and bios here.

The distinct demeanor of each also came through in their six questions.  Squires typically would show his comprehension of the question, and competently present his point in a clear fashion.  Martz' political inexperience was equally reflected in the convoluted answers he provided that centered on a couple of main ideas, outside the range of some of the questions.  Doggett often converted the questions into simpler motifs where her strengths could come into play, doing so fairly successfully. 

The first question on courthouse safety displayed this.  All were for it in one way or another, if they could fund it from their budget.  The difference was in how they answered.  Martz was for re-appropriation of other funds.  Doggett offered types of programs (metal detectors, security) and see what is the better use of money.  Squires pandered to the county commission and administrator, commented on the budget and how some money could be used for a security system. 

Jordan Martz, Jennifer Doggett, and Lew Squires, left to right

The next question dealt with zoning, Squires advocated sensible zoning, Martz wanted a middle ground in zoning, and Doggett wanted zoning to assist businesses to move into the area rather than restrict those businesses from considering it. 

The next question was also on zoning, looking to find the candidates opinions on how to balance the farming and industrial business in the county.  Doggett looked to get expert opinions if the balance between the two seems off.  Martz said Agriculture needed to be protected.  Squires reminded us that the county was in great financial shape but needed more economic development. 

All would be against a Planned Parenthood facility moving into the county, Squires and Doggett expressing their own beliefs against abortion, while Martz intimated it.  Which led to the last question about whether they would support Trump for President as the standard bearer of their party.  Martz said he would because he believes career politicians are not the way to go.  Squires said he supports the Republican platform and movement, and if Trump is their choice, he will support him.  Doggett admitted that Trump often scares her, but also admitted that the alternative is much worse at this point.

If you live in the Fourth District, you have a tough choice.  The novelty and doggedness (that's a compliment) of Jennifer Doggett impressed me the most.

County Surveyor

The race between incumbent John Schulke and Rex Pope (pictured left) should merit a little more than a mention of their experience and qualifications, but this proved the most contentious battle of words during the night. 

Pope is claiming that the original section 'corners' (of acreages) were originally surveyed and marked in the early 1800s, often with wooden posts that have deteriorated over time, some without being resurveyed and replaced with more durable markers.  He would use the 'corners' that are known to be good, and doing the surveying to make sure property markers are in the right spots.

Schulke said those are important and should be restored, he just hasn't made it a priority.  Pope noted that with 'proper leadership' those corners can be finished and move forth to the next phase of surveying.  He feels that the county has been doing nothing constructive over the last three years in verifying the county's corner monuments. 

Pope says he has forty years of experience, is a spry 59 year old compared to Schulke's 68 years, and definitely has some energy for what he's campaigning on.  He seems the proper choice to get the things he wants done completed.

County Clerk

The county clerk position is being sought once again by Cheryl Kelly (appointed incumbent) and Mary Alway.  When Jim Riffle retired from the clerk position to become the county drain commissioner, a county panel chose Kelly over Alway.  In the rematch with more than a thousand times as many electors than there were appointers, Alway hopes she can impress them more. 

The four questions asked to the clerk showed that these two had almost the same ideas about no-reason absentee votes, straight ticket bans, and the fact that there is nothing in their respective experience and qualifications that do not make them ideal for the position.  Kelly going as far to tout her 18 months of experience in the appointed clerk position a couple of times.  Read more of their experience and qualifications here Mary Alway and here Cheryl Kelly.

The main difference is that Alway wants the office to be more visible and approachable, while Kelly is happy telling us that they now take credit cards in payment (without telling us that many filing fees have went up at about the same time).  For these reasons, I would say that Alway should be heavily considered, also keeping in mind that Cheryl Kelly was already working at the courthouse and the pick of county insiders who made the process unnecessarily secretive. 

Last Call

Please vote responsibly tomorrow, using your own metrics to uncover what you want best in the candidates and the proposals.  If two or more candidates seem equally matched in your opinion, use  extra synapses to figure out which would have the better (or conversely, worst) effect on you and decide accordingly. 

The new millage for the Rural Fire Authority is one of those where you may fall either way depending on how you view your current fire service, but the three city proposals should not be as tough.  Neither of these will positively affect you unless you are Ludington City Manager John Shay or benefit somehow from him being effectively unaccountable. 

[Willy]

Thanks for the information X and your dedication to bring some truth forward about the current candidates. I don't know any of these folks personally but your post helps to determine who can be expected to competently fill the office they are seeking.

[Brad]

Agree.  Thank you X for all updates and insight.

[XLFD]

Glad I could help, because often I have noticed the differences between candidates in a primary election is almost imperceptible, and the questions asked in forums like this should look to distinguish those differences.  The choice of questions from the COLDNews and Chamber, as noted in the previous article and in the title, seemed geared not to do this. 

Instead of asking the Republican field twice whether they would support Trump in the general election, they could have asked the more probing question in the same vein like this:  "The Republican Party recently whittled down a field of 16 presidential candidates down to one.  Of those 16 candidates, who did you support and identify with best and why?"  Being that the 16 candidates covered the whole spectrum of the party, we could have found out their underlying philosophy of what makes them a Republican.

Democrat, Republican, get out there and vote!