6 candidates seek 3 trustee seats on Blissfield Village Council: Part 2

BLISSFIELD — Six names are on the Nov. 8 ballot vying for three open trustee seats on the Blissfield Village Council.

Incumbents Michael Gunter, Barbara McHenry and Timothy Watters are being challenged by Eric Rogers, Laurel Scott and Bob Valdez — Blissfield’s current village president who is not seeking reelection to that post but is looking to remain on the village council in the role of trustee. The trustees serve four-year terms.

Polls for the Nov. 8 election are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Blissfield voters will be able to vote in person at the Blissfield Township Fire Department, 299 E. Adrian St., on Election Day. Absentee ballots are available from the township clerk’s office.

The Daily Telegram previously profiled James Eitzen and Matthew Knoblauch, the two candidates running for Blissfield village president, in a separate story.

The Telegram also profiled Gunter, McHenry and Rogers in a separate story. Today’s story includes the questions and answers completed by Scott, Valdez and Watters. The following are their responses, lightly edited for clarity.

Laurel Scott

Age: 50.

Occupation: Homesteader/attorney.

Spouse/kids: Cohabitating partner, Matt Knoblauch; son, Isaac, 21, daughter, Anita, 19.

Volunteer/community service experience: Former Peace Corps volunteer.

Why are you running for this position? I’m running out of a sense of duty, as opposed to desire. If the only people who run for office are the ones who love being in charge, we will have authoritarianism. Good government happens only when freedom-loving people volunteer to serve. It was my turn to do my part.

What do you think is the main challenge facing the village of Blissfield and what should be done about it? The biggest problem is the astronomical water/sewer bills, which are double the average for the state. In researching the problem, I keep coming up against a gross lack of information. I’m not sure what is being hidden by this eyebrow-raising absence of transparency. When I get in there, I will conduct an audit, interview relevant officials and publish a thorough report with recommendations as soon as practical. At this time, it appears that the most practical thing to do is downsize the facilities, which are much too large for the village and are contributing to excessive maintenance costs.

What do you see is the primary role of village government? The village council is there to do what the people cannot do on their own: spend extra time reading reports, interviewing experts and otherwise researching various matters so that decisions can be made based on more information than the average citizen has time to review. The council acts in the best interest of the majority of the constituents, always being careful not to sacrifice the rights of the individual for the wants of the majority.

Why should people vote for you? The council needs new people. It is a club of insiders who don’t share information publicly (e.g. the embezzlement scandal), spend taxpayer money with little to no regard for how it hurts working families and create rules everyone else has to follow but them. Recently, I saw a current trustee using a leaf-blower in violation of ordinance 123.001(f). I told him he was violating an ordinance; he did not care. Yet, village government is quick to send police out to anyone else violating an ordinance. We need to reduce the number of ordinances, eliminating any the trustees are themselves not willing to follow.

Bob Valdez

Age: 64.

Occupation: Retired, state of Michigan.

Spouse: Kathy.

Volunteer/community service experience: Various village events such as Beer on Tap, Yuletide and helping when needed.

Why are you running for this position? I am running to continue the positive direction of the current council. I know I have made a difference since being elected. The Blissfield Aquatic Center was completed, wastewater treatment renovation project began, and I was instrumental in the hiring of the new village administrator, treasurer, clerk, DDA/Main street director and receptionist.

What do you think is the main challenge facing the village of Blissfield and what should be done about it? Infrastructure, which includes the completion of wastewater treatment plant, as well as replacing old lead pipes in homes and replacing old water lines. The state has a large amount of money from American Rescue Plan Act for these projects through grants and low-interest loans. We need to be applying for as many as possible with help from our state representatives.

What do you see is the primary role of village government? The primary role of the council is making decisions and policies needed for the village on behalf of the citizens. Citizens need to realize this is not always easy or pleasant, but it is necessary.

Why should people vote for you? I have experience because I’ve been on council for 10 years. I have developed personal relationships with state officials that have benefited our community. I’ve served on boards with the Michigan Municipal League which has given me the opportunity to network with other elected officials. Finally, I’m not afraid of voting on difficult issues, such as the current embezzlement case, which has been controversial. This hasn’t pleased some citizens, however, I represent all the citizens of the community.

Timothy Watters

Age: 54.

Occupation: Pastor, logistics manager.

Spouse/kids: Wife, Esther; two daughters, three grandchildren.

Volunteer/community service experience: I am pastoring the Blissfield Bible Holiness Church and have been for 23 years. I am the president of the Bible Holiness Youth Camp in Anderson, Indiana, and have been for 17 years. I am a member of the Lenawee County Conservation League.

Why are you running for this position? I am running to continue serving the community. Integrity is important, not only in word, but actually being honest in all decisions. I would like to see the completion of the wastewater treatment plant project. The village needs manufacturing businesses that would create jobs for our community.

What do you think is the main challenge facing the village of Blissfield and what should be done about it? With the required/necessary upgrades to the water plant and wastewater treatment plant, it is a great challenge to the council in keeping the rates affordable. Both plants need to be self-supporting. I believe the council ought to be considerate of the citizens when discussing the current and future rates. The River Raisin requires various treatments to maintain a safe water supply to our village residents. The village needs to attract more businesses to generate revenue for these accounts.

What do you see is the primary role of village government? The role of the village council is responsibly working with the village administrator, village staff and village department heads in providing services within the village that maintains a community environment. Also, listening to the village residents’ concerns and addressing them. Without the residents, we do not have a village. Also, to keep a balanced budget for the village.

Why should people vote for you? I have been attending council meetings since 2014. Due to an open seat on the council, I was appointed by the council in September 2021. I have been able to attend all the meetings since being appointed. As a logistics manager, fiscal responsibility is a priority. Working within the budget allows us to operate the village responsibly. I was born and raised in Blissfield and have lived here for 52 years. Blissfield is a family-oriented community, and I would like for it to remain so. A family-friendly environment is an attraction for people to move to or remain in Blissfield.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: 6 run for Blissfield Village Council: Gunter, McHenry, Watters