Two Charlevoix County Commission districts have contested races in Aug. 2 primary
The Charlevoix County Commissioners are all up for reelection this year. However, out of the six districts, only two have a competitive race in the upcoming primary election on Aug. 2. The rest are running unopposed in November.
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District 6
Long-time commissioner Shirley Roloff is leaving an open seat as she is not running for re-election in District 6, which covers Charlevoix city and township.
Anne Marie Conway and Cheryl Potter Browe are competing for the position, with yard-signs already visible throughout the City of Charlevoix.
Conway has been a social studies teacher at Charlevoix Public Schools for 27 years and is a member of the city's planning commission.
“I truly believe that our democratic republic cannot thrive if citizens choose not to be engaged. This is why I have decided to run for county commissioner,” said Conway.
She identified some of the main issues she wants to tackle as housing and year-round employment.
Browe worked for the County of Charlevoix for 32 years, holding the position of chief deputy county clerk for 20 years and the last 10 years as the elected county clerk and fiscal officer.
“I believe my experience and knowledge would be an asset to the county,” she said.
Browe identified two of the major projects she would like to continue to work on as transitioning the former elementary school building into county offices and restoration and reuse of the Beaver Island Lighthouse.
District 4
In District 4 — which includes the City of East Jordan and South Arm Township — incumbent Robert Draves is being challenged by Joshua Chamberlain in the primary election on Aug. 2.
Draves has held the position for four years — this is his third reelection. He was a commissioned Naval Officer in the United States Navy Reserve, and from 1972 to 1992 worked at Wolverine Power Supply as assistant superintendent of the advance steam plant.
He and his wife also operated Cedar Rest Resort from 1972 to 2021 and Jordan Cleaning Center and Charlevoix Car Wash from 1992 to 2012. He is on the board of North Country Community Mental Health and the Substance Abuse Board of Northern Michigan, and is liaison between the county board and Grandview's board of directors.
Chamberlain has been the owner and operator of a lawn service company for several years and on the East Jordan planning commission for five years. "I'm running to strengthen our county by coming up with a solution on workforce housing without using taxpayers money," said Chamberlain. "We are in desperate need of young adults to stay and come to our area to set their roots. Every industry is in need of workers to fill positions."
He currently owns a store called the Maple Tree in downtown East Jordan, featuring ice cream and other maple products. With help from his children, the family-owned small business features "our very own maple syrup made in the Jordan Valley."
Charlevoix County Commission Districts and Demographics
Charlevoix County is divided into six districts, each represented by an elected commissioner.
Currently, Bob Jess represents District 1, which includes Hayes, Bay and Melrose townships.
District 2 is represented by Chris Christensen (chair of the county commission), and includes Evangeline Township and the City of Boyne City.
District 3 is Ronald Reinhardt, including Chandler, Hudson, Boyne Valley and Wilson townships and the Village of Boyne Falls.
District 4 is Robert Draves (vice-chairman of the county commission), including South Arm Township and the City of East Jordan.
District 5 is Scott Hankins for Eveline, Marion and Norwood townships and the Beaver Island townships of St. James and Peaine.
District 6 is represented by Shirley Roloff. She represents Charlevoix Township and the City of Charlevoix.
Charlevoix County has a population of 26,188, including 11,503 households. The median age is 49 with a $55,760 household income, according to Networks Northwest regional county database.
There is a 4 percent unemployment rate and a 12.5 percent poverty rate.
The median home value in Charlevoix County is $166,300 and the median rent is $694 a month.
Contact reporter Annie Doyle at adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Two Charlevoix County Commission seats have races in Aug. 2 primary
