K.Z. Bolton, Gordon Gauss vie for east-side Adrian seat on Lenawee County Commission

ADRIAN — Two candidates are on the November general election ballot to represent Adrian's east side on the Lenawee County Board of Commissioners.

Incumbent Democratic commissioner Karol "K.Z." Bolton faces off against independent Gordon Gauss in the 5th District county commission race. The 5th District covers precincts 1, 2 and 3 in Adrian.

Bolton was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Gauss filed for the race after the deadline to be in the primary election.

Polls for Adrian voters will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Lenawee County Fair & Event Ground. Absentee ballots are available from the Adrian City Clerk's Office at city hall.

The Daily Telegram provided questionnaires to the candidates. The following are their responses, lightly edited for clarity.

Karol J. Bolton

Age: 67.

Occupation: Lenawee County commissioner for 20 years. Previously worked at Wacker Silicones for almost 24 years as a physical testing and heat curable rubber laboratory technician and assistant chemist.

Spouse/kids: Widowed, Dennis. Son, Michael; daughter, Michelle; three grandsons and seven (soon to be eight) great-grands.

Government experience: Appointed and elected to the board of commissioners in 2002 and have proudly and humbly represented the historic east side of Adrian, the city of Adrian, and Lenawee County as a whole. I open our meetings in prayer. I serve on the criminal justice committee as vice chair, chair the rules and appointments committee, and am a member of the personnel, ways and means committee. Previously, I served as chair on the human services committee implementing Lenawee legislative dinners and commission-to-commission talks. I was a member of the physical resources committee. Also, did a study on accident frequency on U.S. 223 in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan State Police and the various jurisdictions along the road. Previously I was a city of Adrian commissioner and served in that capacity for four years from 1998 to 2002. Also served on the cultural commission.

Volunteer/community service experience: Currently: chair of the Lenawee Community Action Agency board and vice chair of the Tri-County (Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale) CAA board. Chair of the five county (Lenawee, Jackson, Hillsdale, Washtenaw, Livingston) Michigan Works Southeast Consortium board. Long-time member of the Lenawee County Planning Commission, Region II Planning Commission and River Raisin Watershed Council — serving as treasurer, and past chair and current member of the parks and recreation commission. Long-time member of the Department on Aging representing the commission and District 5. Also serve on the Lenawee Medical Care Facility board and the Department of Health and Human Services board and the Lenawee County Education Foundation. I wrote the green policy and the animal control ordinance for the county with numerous collaborations. I also host the county commission candidate forums and encourage anyone running for public office to tour Lenawee County with me.

Past: Chair of the East Side CommUNITY Coalition bringing activities to the east side — Friday Nites in the Park, youth jobs for the fair, Neighborhood Watch, youth talent shows, festivals in the park, monthly newsletters, community parades and worked with the city of Adrian on a grant to revitalize and renovate 26 blocks on the historic east side. As chair of the East Side CommUNITY Coalition, our committee was instrumental in researching and put into operation the Boys & Girls Club on the east side. First chair of the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee. Served as chair of Housing Help of Lenawee.

Why are you running for the commission? I am passionate about my community and want to continue to be a strong voice representing the historic east side District 5, city of Adrian, and all of Lenawee County. I am a bridge between these organizations and my community and would continue my devotion to serving you.

What do you think is the main challenge facing the county and what should be done about it? I see two main challenges. The first is to remain flexible and resilient despite what befalls the county. We have had many changes over the last few years — administrator change, courthouse update, COVID-19, the 17-year-old incarceration law that changed, American Rescue Plan Act funds given to us to distribute, Riverview Terrace. All these changes are reflected on our county budget, resources, employee time and planning. Our second challenge is housing. Riverview Terrace highlighted this gap in our county. We need to take a look and make a plan where we can infill, renovate, expand and construct mixed, affordable housing.

What are your thoughts about Project Phoenix? I was in support of the project because of the economic development driver. It was out-of-the-box thinking with future revenue that could potentially fill the service gaps in the community. The facility was flexible, multifaceted that would house indoor/outdoor sports, flex spaces, senior center and more. But with the public concerns and the loss of $15 million in economic development funding, the project is shelved. (Bolton's response was truncated because it exceeded the word limit provided to both candidates.)

Do you feel ARPA funds were spent wisely? Yes. There are many ways and thoughts as to how the funds should be selected and distributed. Our first try was met with resistance from the commission. After a review as to what is allowable and what category the request fell under, the commission as a whole came together and decided what categories we wanted to fund by majority vote. (Bolton's response was truncated because it exceeded the word limit provided to both candidates.)

Why should people vote for you? We, as a county, have a great deal of strengths — compassion, fortitude, imagination, respect, integrity, service, excellence, collaboration, transparency. I want these strengths to endure and as your county commissioner I represent these values. I embrace diversity, equity and inclusion and encourage collaborations. I support environmental initiatives, economic development, housing both in the commission seat and personally. I am proud to be your representative on the county commission and would continue my servitude to you.

Gordon Gauss

Age: Not provided.

Occupation: Retired auto industry corporate executive.

Spouse/kids: Spouse, JoAnn; two adult children, Gordon and Gillian.

Government experience: Rollin Township constable 1976-78; Adrian city planning commissioner 2017-21; Adrian city commissioner 2019-present;

Volunteer/community service experience: A3 Resident Coalition, Adrian Morning Rotary and Adrian Kiwanis.

Why are you running for the commission? The citizens in east Adrian have been underserved and neglected by county government for over 20 years because no one on the commission has advocated for the residents in District 5. As commissioner I will do my best to better represent our community and the citizens who elect me.

What do you think is the main challenge facing the county and what should be done about it? Lack of affordable housing: The county owns many parcels of land which could be sold to developers at attractive prices and with tax incentives enticing them to build apartments to address our housing crisis reducing the homeless population in the county. Economic development: Attract companies that provide high paying jobs for our workers. Provide tax incentives to encourage business investment in Lenawee County. Lack of trust and transparency in county government: Conduct public meetings at times and evenings when more citizens can participate. Meetings should be live and streamed on the internet.

What are your thoughts about Project Phoenix? I am adamantly opposed to spending $90 million dollars for the proposed Project Phoenix in a location that benefits only the county's wealthiest community at the expense of all other county taxpayers. A sports complex catering to club and travel teams doesn’t serve the many financially disadvantaged families of east Adrian District 5, most of whom would be unable to afford the cost of having their children participate on these “pay to play” athletic teams.

Do you feel ARPA funds were spent wisely? No, the funds were not spent wisely or equitably. While costs for additional personnel at charitable and other organizations were eligible for these federal funds the current commission decided to eliminate that category of expenses from consideration. Because of that decision, funding for The Daily Bread, the only organization in District 5 to apply for the ARPA money, had their application rejected and no funds were allocated for the District 5 community.

Why should people vote for you? As an independent candidate, I don’t take my direction from the divisive partisan party leaders who rarely represent the wants and needs of their constituents instead voting for their own agendas. The politicians in Washington are out of touch with the people in the local communities. Having been born, raised and educated in Adrian, I know what our citizens want and need. I have and will continue to be present in east Adrian listening to those who have elected me. I will always vote in the best interests of the residents of District 5.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: K.Z. Bolton, Gordon Gauss vie for Lenawee County commission seat