LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS • MOUNT PLEASANT AREA

Isabella county local

Primary voter Guide 2010
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation
in government. The League never supports or opposes any political party or candidate.

Primary Election on Tuesday August 3, 2010

P olls are open 7am to 8pm
Information for this Guide was compiled by the League of Women Voters,
Mt Pleasant Area.* Questionnaires were mailed to all candidates in Informatio
n
candidates on
contested races who had filed with the Isabella County Clerk’s Office. running
for nationa
l an
Candidates were allowed 50 words to summarize their background and offices is a d state
vailable at
experience and 75 words to respond to questions. Question 1: Expand on an issue(s) the Michig
an League
Women V of
of importance to you and list your oter websit
www.lwvm e :
Responses were edited by the League ONLY for spelling, punctuation priorities should you be elected. i.org
and adherence to word limits. “Material not available” indicates
responses were not received from the candidate. Question 2: What is your position
regarding the sharing of governmental
Publication of these statements and opinions of candidates is solely services such as fire; police; parks and recreation;
in the interest of public service and in no way is to be construed as an water and sewage treatment among local units of government?
endorsement by the League of Women Voters. The League takes no
responsibility for any of the views or facts stated by the candidates.

CANDIDATES FOR ISABELLA COUNTY COMMISSION - DISTRICT 5

Candidate, Background Information BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE Question 1 Question 2

Michael R. Pittsley Age: 57 Local Business owner

Former Director of Sales and part of the
Republican Management Team for Mid-Michigan
1880 Oakland Drive • Mt. Pleasant, MI Industries
Past Mayor and City Commissioner for
Present Occupation: the City of Mt Pleasant
Owner of Multiple Businesses in Mt. Pleasant Past President Mt Pleasant Rotary Club
Past President Mt Pleasant Jaycees
Graduate of Mt Pleasant Chamber of
Education:
Commerce Leadership Institute.
Central Michigan University
Producing a workable budget within the
financial means of the County. Funding
is continuing to decrease which is mak-
ing it difficult to maintain the essential
services needed in the county. Raising
taxes is not the answer. We also need to
start planning for what we will do when
the economy improves so we are better
prepared for the next downturn so we
do not find ourselves in the situation we
are in now.
As Mayor of Mt Pleasant I suggested and
oversaw the implementation of the Coun-
cil of Governments. I did this so all units
of government in the County would have
a forum to discuss and find solutions for
matters of mutual concern. My hope was
that this forum would lead to the end of
duplication of services that is so wasteful
of taxpayer dollars. By working together
we can provide better quality and more ef-
ficient services.

Chris Zimmerman Age: Mid 40’s I have Bart Stupak to thank for getting 1. Overhaul ICTC. Give raises to the After speaking to Captain Thomas Fors-
into politics. His shameful/disgrace- people who work there; figure out a berg at the Mt. Pleasant police depart-
Republican ful/appalling behavior on the eve of way to have smaller/more efficient/ ment, I’m not opposed to the concept of
P.O. Box 180 • Shepherd MI the health care vote made me realize more ecologically friendly vehi- having police and firemen trained to do
that our government doesn’t care about cles. Establish bus routes. both jobs. He referred me to the city of
Present Occupation: what their constituents want. I’m going 2. Taxes. The number one thing I Kalamazoo, which combined both depart-
to listen to my constituents and make hear from folks is how much we’re ments in 1982. Their force was reduced
Insurance agent, Writer
the county commission more account- paying in taxes. We’ve got to low- from roughly 600 employees then to 300
able. er people’s taxes! today! I’m all in favor of having a leaner/
Education: 3. Road patrol. Re-hire the sheriff’s more efficient government.
Bachelor of Arts, traffic team cops.
Lake Superior State University 4. Cultivate a spirit of collaboration
Major: English Language & Literature with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian
Minor: Public Administration Tribe.

James S. Moreno Age: 62 Elected to the Mt. Pleasant City Com-

Democrat
1015 Andre Ave. Apt. A • Mt. Pleasant, MI
Present Occupation:
County Commissioner, Salesperson for
Midwest Pet Food Company
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Central Michigan University,
Health Promotion in a Corporate or Hospital Setting.
Business Associate Degree, Computer Information
Systems, Mid Michigan Community College
mission from 2001-2007. City Hall
moving into the Borden Building, sale
of old City Hall, hiring a new city man-
ager and Access to Adventure trail are
accomplishments I am proud of. I have
now served one year and six months as
District 5 County Commissioner.
Highest priority is to ensure Isabella
County embraces the new knowledge
economy, transforming into a commu-
nity where creative young people want
to come and not leave, retirees would
appreciate, local businesses will expand,
cultivating our parks and amenities, de-
veloping an Entertainment Authority
with concerts and festivals for revenue,
fund Rural Broadband development, cut
our expenses through energy audits and
conservation . Cooperate with the other
governmental units and educational in-
stitutions for common good.
Proposed reduction of state revenue
sharing next year, decreases in tax rev-
enues dictate sharing these types of
services for efficiency. An example of
this is the Community Development/In-
spections Department of the county do-
ing building inspections in Clare County
which I voted for. This is bringing in
revenue possibly keeping staffing up.
We may have the opportunity to pick up
this type of service in some neighbor-
ing units of government like in Midland,
helping us both out.

Ron A. Roby Age: 56
Democrat
201 E. Bennett Ave. • Mt. Pleasant, MI
Present occupation:
Social Worker, Writer, and Genealogical
and Historic Researcher
Education:
Johannesburg-Lewsiton Area High School graduate;
A.A. from Kirtland Community College; B.S. in Ed.,
Central Michigan University; M.S.W., the University of
Michigan; continuing education through daily life
Social worker for Community Mental
Health, hospice and home care; educa-
tor; board member of Catholic Family
Service, Foster Grandparent Program
and Goodrow Fund; charter member of
Mt. Pleasant Historic Society and A-
ONE; community volunteer; nine years
on Mt. Pleasant City Commission; six
years on Isabella County Commission.
Common Sense in government is the
most important issue, including work-
ing with, not against, members of other
political parties, boards and governmen-
tal units. In the current economic cli-
mate, it’s of utmost importance to pro-
vide citizens with services that meet the
needs of the most for the least expense,
with the inclusion of all members of the
community, all ranges of abilities and
incomes, to provide a safe and afford-
able environment for all.
This has always been important to me.
Governmental units should provide the
best for the public without having “turf
wars.” If two units can provide two great
water plants, together they can provide
one that’s excellent. Units should work
for the good for all people, for equality of
services and costs; for example the cost
of police protection should be shouldered
fairly, without Mt. Pleasant paying more
than similarly urban areas of Union Town-
ship.

continued on back.
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CANDIDATES FOR ISABELLA COUNTY COMMISSION - DISTRICT 3

Candidate, Background Information BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE Question 1 Question 2

Ronald Ives Age: 55 Graduate Central Michigan University

Major Business Administration
Republican
9685 E. Deerfield Rd. • Shepherd, MI. Worked in industry, alcohol/drug re-
habilitation center, directed a shelter,
Present Occupation: started a local church. Served in numer-
ous leadership roles. Presently leader
Senior Pastor
of a multiple staff and 150+ volunteers,
co-leader of a non-profit organization,
Education: and serve on the executive council of
Bachelor of Science, Central Michigan University, Messenger Fellowship Nashville, TN.
December 1978
This may be more of a national or state
than a local issue but I think many of
I would be a strong proponent of shar-
ing services. We would need to be sure
us are experiencing the financial strainthat we adequately serve our community
of taxation. I would be a strong voice but duplication does not seem to make
for financial restraint in government. economic sense. I would encourage us to
The more finances we have at our dis- look at every possible way we can share
cretion as citizens, the more opportuni-services and maintain quality. I realize this
ties we can provide our families. would take working together to find equi-
table ways for the sharing of services but
Priorities: the time invested would be of tremendous
1. To encourage entrepreneurs and value to our community.
small businesses.
2. To help those in poverty (1 of 13
families in Isabella County) have
opportunity and responsibility.

Roger L Trudell Age: 67 I was a financial institution manager

during my 40+ years of county resi-
Republican dence. Presently I’m District 3 commis-
400 Schoolcrest Drive. • Shepherd, MI sioner, holding the position since Janu-
ary 2005.
Present occupation:
County Commission, District 3 As commissioner I participate on the
Finance Committee, the Planning Com-
mission, the Parks and Recreation
Education: Commission, and chair the Inter-gov-
Northwood University, BS in Management ernmental Committee and the 911 Gov-
erning Board.
Good financial management and contin- Governmental services should be shared
ued participation on the Finance Com- whenever feasible.
mittee are extremely important to me as
we strive to maintain county services During my chairmanship of the Inter-gov-
for our residents. ernmental Committee, we have worked
to open up communications between the
County administrators and the Com- county, city, and Union township. Cooper-
mission must work together to find new ation between units partially solved down-
ways of maintaining a viable recycling town parking issues with the city and also
program and a strong parks and recre- resulted in the return of substantial dollars
ation system for county residents. from the Union township DDA into the
county general fund.
I am also interested in improving our
overall delivery of services to resi- I expect continued cooperation that will
dents. benefit all three constituencies.

CANDIDATES FOR ROAD COMMISSION - 6 YEAR TERM

Question 1: What unique experience qualifies you to hold Question 2: What criteria will you use to prioritize the
this office? various road projects throughout Isabella County?
Candidate, Background Information BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE Question 1 Question 2
Steve J. Jackson Material not available Material not available Material not available
Republican
Terry L. Turnwald Material not available Material not available Material not available
Republican

CANDIDATES FOR ROAD COMMISSION - Partial term ending 12/31/2010

Question 1: What unique experience qualifies you to hold Question 2: What criteria will you use to prioritize the
this office? various road projects throughout Isabella County?
Candidate, Background Information BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE Question 1 Question 2
David L Livermore Jr. Age: 45 Served 3 years on the Road Commis- Experience working with MDOT con- Usage, phazer rating which is used to de-
sion Board. Small Business Owner with tracts & business management experi- termine the condition of the road.
Republican construction background. Experience ence.
8060 W. Airline Road • Weidman, MI 48893 with contracts and State of Michigan
MDOT contracts.
Present Occupation:
Small Business Owner/Electrician

Education:
Some college

Roads and Highways Maintenance and Repair Millage Proposal

For the purpose of funding construction improvements and repairs to highway, road, street, bridge systems in the County of Isabella, including its cities and vil-
lages as apportioned according to Act 133, Public Acts of 1968, shall the Constitutional limitation upon the total amount of taxes which may be assessed in one
(1) year upon all property within the County of Isabella, Michigan, be increased by 2.0000 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of eight (8) years
(2011-2018) inclusive?

(If approved and levied in full, this millage will raise an estimated $3,315,893 for construction improvements and repairs to highway, road, street, bridge systems
in Isabella County in the first calendar year of the levy based on taxable value. In accordance with Act 133, Public Acts of 1968, the millage will be distributed to
the Isabella County Road Commission, the Cities of Mt. Pleasant and Clare, and the Villages of Lake Isabella, Shepherd, and Rosebush. As required by law, a por-
tion of the millage may also be disbursed to the Downtown Development Authorities of the Cities of Mt. Pleasant and Clare, and Union Township, the Mt. Pleas-
ant Tax Increment Finance Authority, and the Clare Local Development Finance Authority.)
YES [ ] NO [ ]

District Library Millage Proposal

O n l y f o r v o t e rs n ot cu rren tly in Ch ippewa River D istrict Library
Shall the following areas of Isabella County (Broomfield Township, Coe Township, Coldwater Township, Rolland Township, Sherman Township, and remaining
portions not already in the library district of Chippewa Township, Deerfield Township, Denver Township, Fremont Township, Isabella Township, Lincoln Town-
ship, and Nottawa Township) join the Chippewa River District Library with locations in Mount Pleasant, Rosebush, Shepherd, Winn, Blanchard, and Weidman
and the Chippewa River District Library, County of Isabella, Michigan, levy an amount up to 1.75 mills ($1.75 on each $1,000 dollars of taxable value) against all
taxable real and tangible personal property in the above listed areas for a period of nine (9) years, 2010 to 2018, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for
all district library purposes authorized by law. The estimate of the revenue the District Library will collect if the millage is approved and levied by the Library in
the 2010 calendar year is approximately $1,100, 678.
YES [ ] NO [ ]