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Election season is upon us! I’ve sent out a list of questions to all the candidates running for office in Peninsula Township, and I’ll be publishing them here on the Gazette in the order they’re received. Candidates include:
Supervisor: Kelly J. Clark (R), Maura Sanders (R)
Clerk: Rebecca W. Chown (D)
Treasurer: Katie M. Clark (R)
Trustee (4 positions available): Sheila Johnson (unaffiliated), Kate Jerman (R), Mark Luea (R), J.P. Milliken (R), David K. Sanger (R), Fred Swaffer Jr. (R), Julie Alexander (D), Warner Queeny (D), Armen B. Shanafelt (D), Isaiah S. Wunsch (D)
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View all candidate responses here, and read on for thoughts from Mark Luea, who is running for the position of Township Trustee.
About You
What is your name, party affiliation, and what Peninsula Township office are you running for?
My name is Mark Luea. I am running as a Republication for Township Trustee.
Why are you running for this position, and what qualifications do you bring to the role?
I have run two independent pharmacies for 39 years and know how to work within a budget. I believe I can do an excellent job and accomplish this goal.
Have you served on any Peninsula Township committees or boards, and if so, which ones?
I have never served on any board or committee.
How long have you lived on the Old Mission Peninsula?
I have lived in the township since 2017.
What is your vision for Peninsula Township in 10, 20, 50 years? Do you support maintaining the rural character of the Old Mission Peninsula?
My vision for the township in 10, 20 and 50 years is to maintain the rural atmosphere.
Do you support large scale developments such as “Peninsula Shores,” formerly known as “The 81 on East Bay”?
Large scale development should be based on each individual application.
How will you ensure community transparency in Township finances, meetings and decisions?
Transparency is crucial and will be a priority at each meeting.
How do you plan to make a difference on the Old Mission Peninsula? What are your top priorities?
My top priority is to balance the budget by settling all lawsuits.
Citizen Engagement
How can Peninsula Township encourage citizens to become more involved in Township issues, attend meetings, etc.?
I encourage all citizens to participate in the meetings, where all will be given a chance to be heard.
Peninsula Township relies on volunteers to help with public services, such as well-maintained parks and serving on Township committees and boards. How can the Township increase this pool of volunteers?
Encouraging volunteers for projects will increase as the good neighbor policy increases.
Do you support holding periodic town hall meetings where citizens can have back-and-forth discussions with Township officials?
Not answered.
Do you support an open-door policy at the Township where walk-in visits are allowed?
Not answered.
Township Administration
The Township has experienced a high level of turnover in the Planning department during the past decade. How can the Township improve staff retention?
Staff retention can be achieved through honest discussions of current events.
Which parts of the Township budget do you believe could be cut or eliminated?
Not answered.
Will you adhere to due process, or will you make decisions based on circumstances and relationships?
Not answered.
Do you support or oppose moving to a charter township and why?
I do not support the idea of a charter township since it would give too much power to the board regarding tax increases.
Regarding hours at the Township office, do you support moving back to a five-day work week of seven-hour days, 9 to 5 or 8 to 4, with an hour off for lunch?
Not answered.
Would you support lowering application permit fees, dropping the cash requirement for escrow funds, and allowing a bond in lieu of cash at applicant’s choosing?
Not answered.
Master Plan, Ordinance and Enforcement
How will you address residents/applicants who refuse to follow the ordinance? How will enforcement take place?
People in violation of local ordinances shall be dealt with according to the laws in place.
In areas where the Township’s operational budget is already strained, how can the Township address more resident complaints, allegations of non-compliance, and public nuisance issues?
Not answered.
Have you read the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, and do you understand the procedures for adopting a Master Plan and amending a zoning ordinance?
Not answered.
Will you follow the zoning ordinance as written, or will you make exceptions where convenient?
Not answered.
What elements of the Master Plan do you feel are lacking most?
The development of the Master Plan is critical and deserves our utmost attention.
Wineries and Winery Lawsuit
Had you been on the Township Board during the WOMP v Peninsula Township settlement discussions, how much Township money would you have given up to the wineries?
Not answered.
If Township insurance does not cover all the damages claimed by the wineries in the winery lawsuit, how do you feel about OMP residents having to personally pay for those damages?
Not answered.
Regarding the Wineries:
- Should they be allowed to have unlimited weddings? Not answered.
- Should they be allowed to operate full-service restaurants? Not answered.
- Should they be allowed to be open until 2 a.m.? Not answered.
- Should they be required to support OMP farmers via collaborations and/or using locally-grown produce? Not answered.
Overall, what are your thoughts on the winery lawsuit?
Settling the wineries lawsuit should be fair and just for both parties..
OMP Farmers
Do you support ordinances that help OMP farmers thrive, such as food processing kitchens, workshops, cooking classes, farm tours, larger roadside stands and more?
OMP farmers should be allowed to increase the revenues by any means that are reasonable.
How will you assist young farmers looking to start their business or sustain existing farms for young farmers?
I support the endeavors of new farmers to the area.
Do you believe in the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program? Do you believe that a PDR conservation easement should place limitations on the future commercial use of a property?
I do not support any ordinance that would increase the tax burden of our citizens. A balanced budget is the solution.
Do you support an OMP farmer’s market and/or a local artists/artisan market?
Not answered.
Taxes
In your view, what will Township governance look like if the AxMiTax ballot initiative passes?
Not answered.
Do you support a Parks Millage to maintain and improve Township parks?
I do not support any ordinance that would increase the tax burden of our citizens. A balanced budget is the solution.
What are your thoughts on the Headlee Rollback?
Not answered.
Other Township Issues
Should there be a public vetting of candidates as to whether they are each in compliance with the Township?
Vetting of candidates should be left to the individual voters.
Do you think Bluff Road should be fixed and re-opened? How would you go about making that happen?
Bluff road should be considered when finalizing the master plan within the township budget.
What is your opinion of short-term rentals on the OMP? Should they be allowed? Do you operate a short-term rental on the OMP?
I do not operate a short-term rental. Short-term rental duration should be discussed and voted on by the board.
What is your opinion on additional residential buildout on the OMP?
Additional residential building out should be included in the master plan as agreed upon by the constituents.
How would you address the desire for more commercial activity by some residents and the lack of commercially-zoned property?
All commercial activity should be conducted on commercial property. Rezoning of property to commercial status should be allowed on the merit of each individual project.
Do you support a non-motorized pathway similar to the TART Trail throughout the Old Mission Peninsula?
A tart trail should be considered once the budget is balanced.
How would you make that happen when a trail cannot cross farmland due to farming rules and regulations?
I support a study to evaluate this concern. Perhaps it could be achieved by restrictive easements.
Should Peninsula Township seek collaboration with our regional partners such as the Michigan Department of Transportation, Grand Traverse County Road Commission, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE)?
I recommend working with all local and state agencies to achieve the proper balance that the residents require.
Do you support the proposal of a new fire station to replace Fire Station #1 in Mapleton?
As long as fire station one is safe and up to date, further spending would be decided by the board.
Would you support a new community center?
A new community center may be supported once the budget is balanced.
Final Thoughts
Any other comments you’d like to add?
This township has been poorly run for many years. Common sense is on no board member’s mind since they relish in multiple lawsuits.
The current board members are drunk with power and their only focus is how can they maintain that power regardless of protests by the constituents.
I will take all opinions into consideration when making tough decisions. I’m not a power hungry politician, just a pharmacist who wants a better community for my grandchildren to live in.
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WELL PLAYED Mr Luea! Your thorough, thoughtful, and transparent responses are very enlightening for voters. I can really see the same brought to the board! Keeps us begging for more!