Election preview: Goldmann, Van Doren face Wittenbach for GOP nod for county board seat
Republicans in the central and northeastern part of Lenawee County have a choice of three candidates for the county board of commissioners in the Aug. 2 primary election.
Incumbent Chris Wittenbach is faced by challengers Kim Goldmann and James Van Doren for the District 9 seat. The district includes Adrian Township's Precinct 1 and all of Clinton, Franklin and Macon townships.
Democrat Jeff DiCenzo is unopposed in the district's Democratic primary.
There also are contested primaries among Republicans in the county's 4th, 6th and 7th districts. Those were profiled in earlier stories.
Candidates who are unopposed in the primary are Republicans David Stimpson of Tecumseh, Dustin Krasny of Cambridge Township, Nancy Jenkins-Arno of Clayton and Ralph Tillotson of Adrian Township, and Democrats Jeff DiCenzo of Adrian Township, Andrew Winckles of Adrian, Karol "KZ" Bolton of Adrian and Bill Swift of Tecumseh.
The Daily Telegram provided questionnaires to the candidates in the contested races. The following are the responses from Goldmann, Van Doren and Wittenbach.
Kim Goldmann
Occupation: Realtor.
Government experience: None as of yet.
Volunteer/community service experience: involved with dog rescue for over 30 years and other animals in need as well.
Why are you running for the county commission? To be a conservative voice for the people of my community,
How will you make yourself available to constituents? I would always answer calls, emails or any other form of communication
Why should people vote for you? I feel that people in District 9 could benefit from having a set of fresh ears to listen and perhaps a different point of view that reflects our community.
Note: Goldmann did not answer some questions.
James Van Doren
Age: 74.
Occupation: Consultant to Lenawee Now.
Spouse: Pamela.
Government experience: Former chair of Lenawee County Board of Commissioners, Franklin Township Planning Commission.
Volunteer/community service experience: Former Sand Lake Volunteer Fire Department member for 35 years — chief for 22 years, Boys and Girls Club board, Community Mental Health board, Sage Foundation trustee, Michigan Works board, 911 emergency telephone board, Michigan Association of Counties board, Bixby Hospital board and St. Elizabeth finance council chair.
Why are you running for the county commission? There needs to be more interaction with constituents on their ideas and desires of the process for moving Lenawee County to the future. To make the commission more transparent and responsible to the voters.
What do you think is the main challenge facing the county and what should be done about it? The main challenge is creating an atmosphere of trust and honesty. Not to be retaliatory to people who have different ideas and ask questions as to whom, why and what they are doing. This community has always worked together to keep our county at the forefront of great places to live, work, play and worship. Let’s bring that harmony back in place by electing commissioners to office that will bring that back as a top priority — that would be my goal!
How will you make yourself available to constituents? I am always available by my cellular number, email or a visit. I also want to make commission meetings more available for people to attend whether that be electronically or by consensus on different times and days. This is 2022 and there are just so many ways to make commission meetings more available for people to attend.
Why should people vote for you? I am hopeful my record of working to make Lenawee County a better county through my involvement in the fire service, economic development, numerous community not-for-profits and charitable boards along with a richly deep-seeded love for our community will cause people to look at electing me as a proven resource for honesty, integrity and transparency compared to our current commission.
Chris Wittenbach
Name: Chris Wittenbach .
Age: 72.
Occupation: Retired teacher/current county commissioner for District 9.
Spouse/kids: Wife, Gail; two children, seven grandchildren.
Government experience: Twenty years elected teacher union representative, four years Clinton Township Board, four tears Clinton Township supervisor and 11½ years county commissioner.
Volunteer/community service experience: Thirty years coaching in various positions for Clinton Community Schools, tournament director of the Lenawee County All-Star Wrestling Meet, Wrestling Hall of Fame, 10 years Salvation Army board, and 10 years on the Lenawee County and Republican Party scholarship selection committees.
Why are you running for the county commission? Having taught American history and government for 30 years, I always felt it was important to serve in some capacity whether it be at the local, state or federal level. I would like to serve for a seventh term and continue to promote positive growth for Lenawee County.
What do you think is the main challenge facing the county and what should be done about it? As always the main challenge is money and how best to use it. Commissioners must meet and prioritize money available for projects.
How would you make yourself available to constituents? I am always available to the constituents through a phone call or email. I am also available for an in-person meeting should a constituent request one.
Why should people vote for you? I feel I come to this position with many years of experience and honesty. Having lived in Lenawee County (Clinton) for 40-plus years, it’s important that the county continue to grow in a positive way.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Goldmann, Van Doren challenge Wittenbach for Lenawee County board seat
