Election 2024: Candidate Q & A – Kate Jerman

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)

View all candidate responses here, and read on for thoughts from Kate Jerman, 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?

Kate Jerman, Republican, Township Trustee position.

Why are you running for this position, and what qualifications do you bring to the role?

I want to be a part of the leadership team that is assisting all OMP residents to achieve their needs. I bring over 20 years’ leadership experience in large consumer packaged goods companies. Providing direction on navigating change and growth opportunities for today, tomorrow, and 25 years from today while still preserving their heritage.

Have you served on any Peninsula Township committees or boards, and if so, which ones?

I have not served on any Peninsula Township committees or boards.

How long have you lived on the Old Mission Peninsula?

I have lived on the OMP for three years.

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 short-term vision would be for Peninsula Township to see a healthy transition away from an adversarial approach to a solutions-based mindset to help all residents with their requests. As we start to change the mindset of all residents that Peninsula Township is there to support them with their requests with full transparency, then we can start to plan for the long-term vision of allowing businesses and taxpayers to flourish within our community.

As someone who works full-time with a large fruit processor in Elk Rapids and comes home to be a full-time farmer, maintaining the natural beauty of the OMP is vital. The foundation of the OMP is rooted in agriculture. Early agriculture included potatoes, cherries, and apples. Within the last 50 years, grape vines were added to the list of crops grown on the Peninsula.

Do you support large scale developments such as “Peninsula Shores,” formerly known as “The 81 on East Bay”?

I support finding working solutions to navigate the ever-changing landscape of our community, while also finding ways to preserve this slice of heaven that we call home.

How will you ensure community transparency in Township finances, meetings and decisions?

Simple, clear, and consistent information that is provided to all residents. Ensure that the information is easily accessible and ensure that all meetings are scheduled during hours that support working residents.

How do you plan to make a difference on the Old Mission Peninsula? What are your top priorities?

I plan to make a difference through my consistent leadership. That means creating an environment where we can have healthy discussions on what is best as it pertains to processes, rules, and ordinances with a singular focus on what best serves our residents.

Citizen Engagement

How can Peninsula Township encourage citizens to become more involved in Township issues, attend meetings, etc.?

Have open doors that allow residents to engage with the township without having to set up a meeting. Open door policy will encourage residents to approach the Township more frequently with their needs.

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?

If we start to do what was outlined in the question above, we can generate more volunteers.

Do you support holding periodic town hall meetings where citizens can have back-and-forth discussions with Township officials?

This is a key component to creating an environment where residents feel as though they have an opportunity to freely engage with the Township. We need more of this consistently.

Do you support an open-door policy at the Township where walk-in visits are allowed?

The Township must get back to a truly open-door policy so that the first impression that all residents get when entering the Township offices is welcoming and inviting.

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?

Often a high turnover rate is an indicator of broader organizational issues. At the end of the day, team members want to be seen, heard and valued. When they are not, they leave. People are what makes any organization successful, and bringing in the right people is vital.

A thorough review of the culture within the Township will help align the organizational values and the behaviors that are being rewarded, as well as behaviors that are being disregarded.

Which parts of the Township budget do you believe could be cut or eliminated?

A full financial review must be completed before I can accurately respond.

Will you adhere to due process, or will you make decisions based on circumstances and relationships?

Making decisions through a due process is the only effective way to generate quality results.

Do you support or oppose moving to a charter township and why?

From the research that I have conducted, I do not support moving to a charter township.

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?

The Township offices need to be open more frequently to support the needs of all residents. Operational hours should be reviewed and updated as needed.

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?

Permit fees and process times to complete these requests need to be reduced.

Master Plan, Ordinance and Enforcement

How will you address residents/applicants who refuse to follow the ordinance? How will enforcement take place?

We need to get back to having conversations with residents first and foremost, not taking the approach of sending violation letters. Through this, many issues can be resolved well before fines are submitted.

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?

The Township needs to be stewards of how to handle conflict resolutions, and this will directly impact residents. If residents have positive experiences when a conflict is addressed, this will change their mindset moving forward. We need to clarify the issue causing the conflict, see both parties involved in the conflict to speak with each other, and arrive at a solution that is acceptable to everyone involved..

Have you read the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, and do you understand the procedures for adopting a Master Plan and amending a zoning ordinance?

I have not read the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act currently.

Will you follow the zoning ordinance as written, or will you make exceptions where convenient?

First and foremost, we need to make sure that we are following zoning ordinances as written and not as interpreted.

What elements of the Master Plan do you feel are lacking most?

A throughout review of the Master Plan will need to be conducted before I can address this question.

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?

I was not on the Township Board during any settlement discussions, therefore it is not appropriate to provide any feedback.

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?

Please provide documentation that WOMP is looking to seek damages from OMP residents. I have not seen this documented, and personal discussions with wineries in this lawsuit do not support this claim. (Editor’s Note: Read more here. -jb)

Regarding the Wineries:

• Should they be allowed to have unlimited weddings? Weddings should be permitted.
• Should they be allowed to operate full-service restaurants? More food options need to be explored.
• Should they be allowed to be open until 2 a.m.? The wineries are not bars, and I don’t believe there is any intention to stay open that late. Finding staff is hard enough as it stands today with current hours.
• Should they be required to support OMP farmers via collaborations and/or using locally-grown produce? I fully support using locally grown produce. As an OMP farmer, I currently use this supply chain to sell our crops.

Overall, what are your thoughts on the winery lawsuit?

The wineries should be able to pursue new revenue generating growth opportunities so they can run a profitable venture. This means offering additional methods to generate revenue (weddings, agritourism, larger meal options, etc.).

The lawsuit needs to be settled so that everyone can move forward. The judge will render his verdict, and everyone needs to accept it and move forward, not look to appeal and continue fighting something that has been going on for far too long.

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?

Yes, I am an OMP farmer, and we are just like any other business. We need to run a profitable venture to continue.

How will you assist young farmers looking to start their business or sustain existing farms for young farmers?

We need to look at creative ways for all farmers to have a healthy EBITA.

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?

The PDR program is complex, but it does allow owners to use their properties in ways to maintain the rural character. An in-depth review of this program should occur so that we can continue to support our residents with their needs.

Do you support an OMP farmer’s market and/or a local artists/artisan market?

Yes.

Taxes

In your view, what will Township governance look like if the AxMiTax ballot initiative passes?

Property taxes need to be reviewed so we don’t have residents that are being forced to move because their property taxes are too expensive.

Do you support a Parks Millage to maintain and improve Township parks?

We should review all possible revenue opportunities to maintain and improve Township parks, not just Parks Millage.

What are your thoughts on the Headlee Rollback?

I am opposed to the Headlee Rollback. Further information from the current board study is needed to review their findings.

Other Township Issues

Should there be a public vetting of candidates as to whether they are each in compliance with the Township?

Currently there is a process to vet candidates.

Do you think Bluff Road should be fixed and re-opened? How would you go about making that happen?

I would need to speak with residents that reside on Bluff Road first to gain their opinion on this subject prior to commenting.

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 one, but I have used STRs with my family, and they are what helped create family memories. We rented a home on the Leelanau Peninsula 15 years ago and fell in love with this area. We should review the pros and cons of this in relation to the OMP.

What is your opinion on additional residential buildout on the OMP?

We need to have a balance for everyone. If we don’t start to find ways for farms to run a profitable business, then more farmlands will sell, and more residential buildouts will occur. Change is inevitable, and we need to find ways to adapt to changes.

How would you address the desire for more commercial activity by some residents and the lack of commercially-zoned property?

We need to look at the changes of Seven Hills as positive. I have received positive feedback from anyone I have spoken with regarding this.

Do you support a non-motorized pathway similar to the TART Trail throughout the Old Mission Peninsula? How would you make that happen when a trail cannot cross farmland due to farming rules and regulations?

Having designated trails that keep people and bikers off the roadway would be wonderful. Enjoy the beautiful scenery that keeps everyone safe.

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)?

Collaboration is key to building a stronger Township.

Do you support the proposal of a new fire station to replace Fire Station #1 in Mapleton?

I would need to have a throughout review of the current infrastructure and condition of Fire Station #1 to comment.

Would you support a new community center?

I would need to review the budget, needs, and ongoing costs prior to supporting a new community center.

Final Thoughts

Any other comments you’d like to add?

Less is more. We need to get back to the basics on the OMP. That means transparency, common sense solutions, following rules and ordinances as they are written and not as they are interpreted.

We need to have more individuals that are willing to sit down and have a genuine conversation where you can agree to disagree. It is possible with the right people for this to occur.

As your candidate for Peninsula Township Trustee, I commit to serve all our residents, property owners, business owners, and farmers with an authentic open-door policy where everyone feels welcome and truly as a neighbor.

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