Meet the candidates for Charlevoix County Commission
CHARLEVOIX — Residents of East Jordan and Charlevoix have candidates vying to represent them at the county level.
In the upcoming Aug. 2 primary election, there are two contested races for Charlevoix County commissioner and one new unopposed candidate. The races are in the 4th district, which includes the City of East Jordan and South Arm Township, between Republican candidates Robert Draves and Joshua Chamberlain and in the 6th district, which is the City of Charlevoix and Charlevoix Township, between Republican candidates Annemarie Conway and Cheryl Potter Browe.
In the 3rd district, which includes the townships of Wilson, Boyne Valley, Hudson and Chandler, Pat Harmon is a new candidate running unopposed. He will be replacing Ronald Reinhardt, who is not running for reelection.
The Charlevoix Courier reached out to the candidates to learn more about who they are and what they plan to do as commissioner if elected.
District 3
Pat Harmon
Q: Introduce yourself
A: My name is Patrick Harmon and I’m 60 years old. I’ve been on the Charlevoix County Road Commission for 36 years, 25 of those years I was the manager. I am a long-standing NRA member. I have considerable experience in negotiating contracts, risk management, insurance liabilities, workers compensation, purchasing of equipment to name a few. I am also familiar with the county geographically.
Q: How long have you lived in the community?
A: I grew up on the farm that my dad was born and raised on in Boyne Valley Township. I graduated from Boyne Falls High School and live in Wilson Township.
Q: Have you ever run for public office before?
A: I’ve never held an elected position.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: I’m running to continue the good work that the current county board has been providing the citizens of Charlevoix County. I have worked closely with the current county board members and township officials throughout the county and have established good relationships. When the current board member in District 3 decided to retire he recommended I take his place since we were both familiar with the district as well as countywide needs.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the county today? What could the county government do better?
A: There are several issues and challenges facing me and my district that also affect the county as a whole. Road conditions and how to finance road improvements are very important. Land development pressures, protecting the environment, employment, housing costs and the lack of workers are also challenges. In some way I would say that maintaining the good quality of life we enjoy here in Charlevoix County would be the ultimate goal.
As to the question of what the county could do better, I would point out the county is doing quite well, especially financially.
Q: What are the county’s greatest strengths? What is the county doing well?
A: The board clerk and the treasurer have been exceptionally good at managing finances and running good services without deficit spending.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected?
A: As to my priorities, I would work to continue the current county wide road millage which over the past 13 years has built and paved 60 miles of main county roads. That millage is expiring in a couple of years and needs to be renewed. I would actively oppose any legislation at the state level that would create a gas tax holiday, which is something currently being considered. Any reduction in road funding would have a negative effect on our county’s road system. When you cut funding, you cut services — we should be going forward not backwards. As a final thought on road funding, there is the issue of electric cars and how we fund our public road system going forward.
District 4
Robert Draves, incumbent
Q: Introduce yourself
A: I am Robert Draves Jr., 72 years old, married to wife Pamela 50 years this November. I grew up in St. Clair Shores. Graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, one of the five U.S. Federal Military Academies. I graduated with a BS degree in engineering, a U.S. Coast Guard Marine Engineers License to sail any waters with Unlimited Horse Power. I was commissioned an Ensign USNR, leaving the service as a Commissioned Line Officer with the rank of Lt. Commander. I spent 50 years operating Cedar Rest Resort, at the same time 20 years in a leadership position as assistant superintendent of the Advance Steam Plant in Boyne City. My wife and I owned and operated the Jordan Cleaning Center in East Jordan for 22 years, and the Charlevoix Car Wash in Charlevoix 20 years until 2012.
Q: How long have you lived in the community?
A: My wife and I have continuously lived in South Arm Township since our marriage in 1972. Before 1972 I helped my grandparents operate Cedar Rest 1964 to 1967.
Q: Have you ever run for public office before?
A: I was asked by Joel Evans in 2018 to run for his office and was elected at my first meeting as vice chair of the board. I was elected South Arm trustee, was appointed to the planning commission until such time I was the township zoning administrator continuing as trustee until I was elected county commissioner in 2018; reelected and held that seat until I legally could not hold both seats. I stepped down from the township board to hold the county commissioner's seat for East Jordan and South Arm Township.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: I am running for reelection to continue my work as a board member, ensuring that Charlevoix County does not end up like several of the counties in Northern Michigan, not able to provide needed services to our county residents without additional millages needed to provide state mandated services. The commission is working with private organizations to provide affordable housing opportunities with no burdens on the taxpayers. It’s easy throwing money at a problem and expect the taxpayers to subsidize programs for a feel good soundbite. We are currently working on a project that could be, if successful, patterned in East Jordan. I am currently on the boards of North Country Community Mental Health, Regional Substance Abuse Board, DHHS, Michigan Association of Counties, and liaison with the Grandvue board. I was a founding member and vice chair of the Jordan Valley E.M.S. Authority, bringing a great service to the communities that the authority services. I have held leadership positions most of my life feeling the need to serve and give back to the people and communities I’ve lived in.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the county today? What could the county government do better?
A: The biggest challenges facing the county board is maintaining a positive cash balance in these unprecedented and uncharted times, requiring experienced board members with life experiences because the consequences of our decisions will affect us all. At the same time one has to keep highly dedicated employees when it is common to jump ship for 25 cents more per hour. That said it is critical that board members have a good handle of budgets and their consequences.
Q: What are the county’s greatest strengths? What is the county doing well?
A: The county has encouraged and promoted a first class walk and bike path system the last 10 years, along with supporting the county park system that is available to all county residents. The commissioners encouraged a vote for countywide road maintenance. It was a great success these last years and we’re asking the voters to renew this program as help from Lansing is limited.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected?
A: My top priorities in the next term would be to develop a successful program with the private sector to build affordable homes in Boyne City, which has been in progress for some time, then duplicate that program in East Jordan and South Arm Township. It’s not glamorous, but being able to maintain a solid county budget helping the cities and townships with their needs along the way. For any commissioner to accomplish these or other priorities, one must have experience working with city, township, state, or national leaders. Leadership is not learned in a book or by knowing someone. It comes by doing and helping people accomplish their goals and missions in life.
Joshua Chamberlain
Q: Introduce yourself
A: My name is Josh Chamberlain and I'm 39 years old. I am a maple syrup producer and a small business owner for 20 years. My wife Maegan and I own The Maple Tree ice cream shop in downtown East Jordan. We have six kids and they all attend East Jordan Public Schools.
Q: How long have you lived in the community?
A: I was born and raised in Charlevoix County and I'm a fifth generation resident and my kids are sixth.
Q: Have you ever run for public office before?
A: I have not held any elected office, but I was appointed to the South Arm planning commission five years ago.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: My community has inspired me to run after listening to their concerns about our district. Times have changed and new ideas need to be looked at for the current and future generations to come. Our community has seen many changes in the last 20 years and it's going to take new ideas to turn us around.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the county today? What could the county government do better?
A: Our district has seen a drop of 42 percent enrollment in our school systems since 2002. This leads to nearly $5 million in lost revenue for our schools every year. Add to fewer young adults in our workforce for our small businesses. Places like Grandvue have been forced to shut down halls due to staffing and multiple other smaller businesses have double digit job openings. Housing is the biggest issue talked about inside my store. The past few years we have seen the price of housing skyrocket! We need to work with the county, city, and township planning commissions to look at changing zoning policies. The county could do a better job if they prioritize land planning for year round housing. Again, work with our county, cities, and township planning commissions. We have witnessed sharp decline in adults under the age of 40. This has led us to where we are at today with so many job openings around our county. The county needs to listen to them and not be afraid of change. Change may be tough for some to understand, but it is needed for us to start growing our community again.
Q: What are the county’s greatest strengths? What is the county doing well?
A: Our year round residents are amazing! When things get tough or someone struggles, I have witnessed how our community comes together! This is why I love our community. We also have such a natural beauty to our area. With lakes, rivers, hiking/biking/snowmobile trails, and all of our other outdoor activities, it's no wonder why people love to come here. Our county has done an amazing job for our parks and recreation. This is a very important part for our area. It brings so many people to our area. Even locals have utilized parks for family reunions or taking a weekday to camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, and other outdoor activities. We have also seen a great support in broadband, helping many rural residents have fast and reliable internet access!
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected?
A: I want to make sure District 4 residents get a fair share of county funding for roads and projects. I also want to prioritize land planning for year road residents to reverse the 42 percent decline in the enrollment in the East Jordan schools. Give hope to those who are struggling to find a home in our district! Our small businesses depend on college and high school age students for their work force during the summer. We must attract young families into our community. My parents are members of the baby boomers and we have seem many move here. We need to ensure there are enough younger adults here to help them in all areas. I know change can be hard, but it will require working as a community to better ourselves. Sometimes it takes new ideas to move forward, and I'm willing to share and work with anyone to help make our community grow!
District 6
Annemarie Conway
Q: Introduce yourself
A: Hello. My name is Annemarie Conway. I am a social studies teacher at Charlevoix Public Schools. I am 55 years old, married to Pat Conway for 24 years, with two sons, Philip and Jake, who both attend the University of Michigan.
Q: How long have you lived in the community?
A: My husband Pat and I have been a part of the Charlevoix community for the past 27 years and presently live in the City of Charlevoix.
Q: Have you ever run for public office before?
A: No. This is the first government election where I am a candidate. However, I currently serve on the Charlevoix Planning Commission, am a teacher sponsor of Charlevoix Junior Main Street, and am very involved in the community.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: I want to use my strengths I have learned as a teacher and see it as an opportunity to serve our community in a meaningful way. I believe the county should act as a conduit connecting the state with our cities and townships. I want to bring people together to solve the issues facing our community.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the county today? What could the county government do better?
A: We need workforce housing that will bring year-round residents to the city and township. Working with the Michigan Economic Development Corp, businesses, the chambers, developers and others to target housing young families can afford. Building a year-round middle class will revitalize all sectors of our society. Also, we need to know what is happening with the purchase and transformation of the county building and former elementary school. What is the budget? Where is the information that explains the end game? Are we using our resources wisely to better our community in a fiscally responsible way?
Q: What are the county’s greatest strengths? What is the county doing well?
A: The county’s greatest strengths are our employees as well as the natural resources that surround us.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected?
A: Housing is certainly an issue we must solve. Revitalizing the Brownfields program so that we may utilize its resources to help accomplish our goals is another priority. Also, expanding the county’s recycling program to meet each community’s need is essential. If elected, I will work to ensure that for each issue facing the county, we connect local leaders with the resources they need to be successful.
Cheryl Potter Browe
Q: Introduce yourself
A: My name is Cheryl Potter Browe and I am 71 years old and the retired Charlevoix County clerk.
Q: How long have you lived in the community?
A: Both my husband and myself were born and raised in Charlevoix.
Q: Have you ever run for public office before?
A: Yes, I was the elected Charlevoix County clerk for the last 10 and a half years with the county.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: I feel that my unique experience of 32 years with the county would be an asset to the county and its citizens.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the county today? What could the county government do better?
A: There are many issues and challenges facing both our community and county. I feel it is my responsibility and duty to find the balance in the county’s responsibilities while being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers.
Q: What are the county’s greatest strengths? What is the county doing well?
A: The county’s greatest strength is their care about the citizens of the county and providing the services to the public that are needed. County government is doing well to keep advised of the community's changing needs and doing all that is possible to accommodate those changing needs.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected?
A: I worked on many projects with my years at the county, on committees, as fiscal officer and as an elected official. Two of my top projects are ones I started before retirement, which are transitioning the former elementary school building into county offices and the restoration and reuse of the Beaver Island lighthouse.
To learn more...
To learn about the Charlevoix County Commission, visit www.charlevoixcounty.org/boc/index.php.
To learn about the upcoming election on Aug. 2 and where to vote, visit www.charlevoixcounty.org/elections/index.php or call the Charlevoix County clerk's office at (231) 547-7200.
More: Two Charlevoix County Commission districts have contested races in Aug. 2 primary
More: Subscribe to get election results first
Contact reporter Annie Doyle at adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Meet the candidates for Charlevoix County Commission
