Matthew Witte, Meghan Van Dame challenge Ralph Tillotson in Lenawee County District 8
Two candidates are challenging the current longest-serving Lenawee County commissioner for the Republican Party nomination in District 8.
Ralph Tillotson of Adrian Township has represented District 8 for almost 25 years. This year, Meghan Van Dame and Matthew Witte, both of Raisin Township, are running against Tillotson in the Aug. 6 primary election to represent the district, which covers Raisin Township and the eastern part of Adrian Township east of Wisner Highway and south of Robbins Road.
No Democrats filed for the position.
The Daily Telegram sent questionnaires to the candidates, and their responses are printed as provided, though they may have been edited for clarity or truncated if the answers exceeded the given word limits.
Profiles of the candidates in District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5 and District 7 have been published. Those and District 8 are the districts with contested races in the primary.
In-person voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. Early voting for all precincts in District 8 will run from July 27 to Aug. 4, including weekends, at the Human Services Building, 1040 S. Winter St. in Adrian. Those hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
County commissioners elected in November will serve four-year terms. That is a statewide change with this year's election. The terms begin Jan. 1.
Ralph Tillotson
Age: 81
Occupation: Farmer, auctioneer and real estate broker.
Spouse/kids: Wife, Virginia; sons, Mark, Keith and Kevin
Government experience: Lenawee County commissioner since 1997; served on the county's Personnel/Ways and Means, Accounts Payable, Human Services, IT an Equalization, Physical Resources, and Rules and Appointments committees as well as Ag Advisory, Community Mental Heath board, Region 2 Planning Commission, county planning commission and Lenawee Public Transportation Authority and other sub-committees.
Volunteer/community service experience: Charity auctions for Lions Club of Blissfield; Civitan Grand Giveaways for Adrian, Monroe, Ann Arbor and Plymouth; Civitan member; Lenawee County Fair board, 4-H livestock leader; Junior Livestock board; fundraiser for Lenawee Christian School and Addison schools; started the sausage supper fundraiser for the Porter Center which ran for eight years.
Why are you running for this position? To continue to give the citizens of Lenawee County and my district services that will make their lives safer and easier and give voice to the people in my district. There are times you feel no one is listening to your concerns. I am and I will continue to be available to you.
What do you think is the main challenge facing the county, and what should be done about it? Our job as a county commission is to pay the bills. As the people in my district know, I am a very conservative on financial issues. With the cost of everything rising, we are going to have to get creative to find solutions that won't put any further financial burden on our taxpayers. We need to continue to support our law enforcement personnel and make sure that they have what they need to keep Lenawee County safe. That costs money, which does not grow on trees. (Editor's note: answer truncated.)
Why should people vote for you? As a farmer and taxpayer, I am a conservative on spending your tax dollars. My experience on the commission has taught me it doesn't matter what party you belong to, the decisions made must be for the good of the people I represent. I welcome and am available to take your calls and letters on issues or problems you might have. I believe in listening to all voices as it is a great tool before making decisions which could affect your family and your way of life.
Meghan Van Dame
Age: 38
Occupation: My husband and I are proud owners of several local small businesses, and I also serve as an administrator for Weed Man Lawn Care.
Spouse/kids: Husband, Dan Van Dame; two sons: Jacob, 5, and Matthew, 4.
Government experience: I currently serve as a precinct delegate and have previously held a position on the executive committee for the Lenawee County Republican Committee.
Volunteer/community service experience: Every year, we collaborate with Share the Warmth during their annual coat drive at Adrian Dry Cleaners. We gladly accept all donations, sorting and cleaning them free of charge for those in need. Previously, as a member of the executive committee for the Lenawee GOP, I dedicated numerous hours to volunteering for various events and projects across the county.
Why are you running for this position? I'm running for Lenawee County commissioner to champion community needs, foster economic growth, prioritize transparent governance and strengthen our school systems. With a steadfast dedication to public service and a vision for a brighter future, I aim to improve the quality of life for all residents of Lenawee County.
What do you think is the main challenge facing the county, and what should be done about it? We must do more to bolster our support for small businesses, including our vital farming community, and strengthen our partnerships with local schools. It's crucial to attract new businesses, support local entrepreneurs and create job opportunities that will boost our local economy. By investing in infrastructure, improving education and training programs, and cultivating a business-friendly environment, we can make Lenawee County a hub of innovation and growth. Additionally, improving community services and addressing critical issues such as affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, mental health services and public safety will ensure that all residents can thrive.
Why should people vote for you? As a Republican candidate for Lenawee County commissioner, I bring a commitment to fiscal responsibility, strong community values, support for local control of our resources, and practical solutions to our county’s challenges. With a background in business management and a focus on transparency, I'll prioritize efficient taxpayer dollar use and advocate for economic growth, job creation and employee retention. I aim to preserve traditional values while adapting to our growing community's needs. Your vote supports a leader dedicated to a prosperous future for all.
Matthew Witte
Age: 62
Occupation: Retired research engineer/scientist.
Spouse/kids: Wife, Vivian; two sons; and rest in peace my dearly departed stepdaughter.
Government experience: Apart from being a delegate for two years and having taught at several public universities, I do not have any prior leadership experience in the government. My township trustees and supervisor know me well.
Volunteer/community service experience: Since 2021, I have been leading citizen efforts locally and statewide to restore local control of our elections.
Why are you running for this position? The last 40 years of my life were focused on career and raising a family. After the 2020 election, I realized we all must exercise our civic responsibility. We are government by the people, and my best fit is with the county commission. I am truly in it for Lenawee!
What do you think is the main challenge facing the county, and what should be done about it? The primary challenge of many counties, including Lenawee, is to maintain independence and local control of our own interests. Influence from the state and federal governments continue to put pressure on our abilities to act independently and in our own best interests. We are best able to determine our own interests at the local level. By putting the right people onto the board of commissioners, we can all work together to forge our own destiny.
Why should people vote for you? My skillset is well suited to the county commission. I recently retired from a 40-year engineering and research career. Having earned a doctorate in systems engineering, I will bring a much needed technical perspective to the county commission. My career experiences included proposing, approving and managing multimillion dollar projects. The Lenawee County budget in 2024 will be around $37 million. My goal would be to assure that county-level fiscal decisions are made following sound engineering judgment.
— Contact reporter David Panian at dpanian@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @lenaweepanian.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Preview: Tillotson vs. Van Dame, Witte for county commissioner
