Election 2024: Candidate Q & A – Julie Alexander

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 am publishing them here on the Gazette in the order they’re received.

The candidates are listed below. If there is a link on their name, you can click through and read their responses, or view all candidate responses here. If there is no link, that means I haven’t received their responses.

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)

Read on for thoughts from Julie Alexander, 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 Julie Alexander, and I am running for Peninsula Township Trustee. (Editor’s Note: As noted above, Julie is running as a Democrat. -jb)

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

I love the quality of life we share in this amazing place. I want to give back to my community which my family has been part of for four generations. The Township Board has an essential role in maintaining the rural character we all love, and I want to do my part. My tenure on the Planning Commission has provided valuable experience and perspective on the challenges our community faces.

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

I have served on the Planning Commission for three years and the Shoreline Committee. These experiences have helped me understand our community’s needs and allowed me to collaborate with many residents on difficult issues that we face.

How long have you lived on the Old Mission Peninsula?

I have been a summer resident for 60 years and became a full-time resident in April 2021 after retiring from a career as a science educator.

What is your vision for Peninsula Township in 10, 20, 50 years? Do you support maintaining the rural character of the Old Mission Peninsula?

The Township’s value, both in the sense of our property values and in our quality of life, is strongly tied to the rural character here. Those values are the reason most of our citizens decided to settle here and why they stay here. Development is inevitable, but thanks to our now completed Master Plan, we have a guide for managing development in such a way that it preserves the rural character while maintaining our property values.

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

While I feel that development is inevitable, it can be managed within the scope of our Master Plan and with an updated set of ordinances so our rural character is preserved.

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

I believe that the Township should have all facts open and accessible to its citizens, except in cases where confidentiality is essential.

While there have been several discussions about the Township violating the Open Meetings Act, there are occasions where going into closed session are warranted or even mandated by law. Among them:

• To consult with legal counsel regarding trial or settlement strategy in connection with specific pending litigation, but only if an open meeting would have a detrimental financial effect on the municipality’s litigating or settlement position. [two-thirds roll call vote]
• Certain personnel issues

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

My priorities are:

• To work to ensure a transparent government that is consistent and accessible to all residents, and to look for more ways to encourage citizen engagement.
• To be sure that the Township government is a responsible steward of the tax dollars paid by the residents, and ensure that all have a voice in how they are spent. We need to find workable solutions for our budgetary issues. The Township commissioned a report to help shed some light on areas where our expenses can be streamlined. In looking for solutions, we must work together with residents to develop plans that are fiscally responsible but still meet the needs of our community. This could be merely a restructuring of what is already here, or looking at alternative forms of governance.
• Resolving the winery lawsuit. This lawsuit has taken a huge toll on our community and is polarizing and paralyzing. It is in the hands of the judge now, but is my hope that we can come to a resolution that works for both sides.

I hope to make a difference by providing EVERYONE a voice. There are many important issues before the Township right now. As our population has grown, so too have our expenses. We need to look at and objectively evaluate all solutions to this problem.

Citizen Engagement

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

Regular communication with citizens is the best approach so that people know what is happening and feel engaged.

Currently, the Township uses a website and publishes a bi-annual newsletter. It may be helpful to look at updating our website more frequently, or at other communication tools, perhaps an online platform that can send out regular eblasts to those that sign up for them. These eblasts could contain information about Township happenings, community needs, and volunteer opportunities. Another such tool could be a robocall or text alert system available for those who sign up for it.

There are many opportunities for citizen engagement in study groups and committees; however, meeting times are often during the day, which may not allow many community members to participate due to their work schedules and family commitments. It is important to hold town hall meetings or public forums on topics of large public interest that will allow more people to participate.

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?

Volunteer opportunities could be advertised through the website, local papers such as Old Mission Gazette and The Ticker, as well as the Township website. Perhaps a page that lists volunteer opportunities.

We may need to look beyond our current model of enlisting volunteers and look for grant opportunities to compensate volunteers.

Programs that other municipalities employ are:

• Adopt a park program – a great way to encourage local businesses and civic organizations to volunteer for simple projects such as weeding, watering trees or building a fence.
• Old Mission Peninsula School could also participate in certain projects such as identifying and helping to mitigate invasive species of plants at a park. This would give students a sense of ownership and perhaps engage their families as well.

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

Yes, absolutely.

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

Township staff has generally been accommodating of walk-ins, but we need to bear in mind that they have jobs to do, and should have the option of asking for a scheduled return visit if a question or issue will take considerable time. Perhaps it could be worked into the schedule for walk-ins at certain hours once or twice a week. Having a full-time supervisor will be helpful, as well as the addition of a Zoning administrator to the staff.

(Editor’s Note: At this week’s Township Board meeting, Tori Wolever was appointed as Planning and Zoning Administrator, and will be working closely with Director of Planning and Zoning Jenn Cram. -jb)

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?

We need to make sure our staff’s efforts are recognized, and that we provide adequate support staff so that key staff members aren’t chronically working overtime to get work completed.

We also need to be looking at ways to streamline the processes used by staff to improve their effectiveness, such as amending ordinances to make certain processes become administrative rather than requiring a special use permit. The consultant report looking into how the Township functions will hopefully have some recommendations that will streamline some processes.

Allowing staff to come in later on days when they will have evening meetings may also be a consideration so they are not putting in too much additional time. The recent addition of a zoning administrator will hopefully alleviate some of the workload for our current planner.

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

The Township recently engaged a consultant to address this very question. Their findings will be one important data point in this question, but we also need to hear from citizens and Township staff as we develop strategies to reduce costs. There is still a lot more we need to know before we can make sound decisions.

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

Due process. Period.

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

I do feel the Township needs to look at ways to improve the function of the government. The consultant engaged to look into improving the effectiveness of our government will have some recommendations. I would like to see this report, as well as get ample citizen input, before commenting further.

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?

I’d like to hear from citizens on this. I would support whatever best serves residents. Our current schedule does accommodate those needing to work, as Township offices are open 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Another consideration is that our staff has many evening meetings, and they are already putting in many extra hours.

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?

In principle, I’m all for streamlining processes, but the costs to the Township must be considered. While I do not want fees to be onerous, there is a cost to the Township that must be covered, and that should be borne by the applicant.

Master Plan, Ordinance and Enforcement

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

The Township does not have a large budget for enforcement. If an offending party fails to come to compliance, our options are limited and we are required to depend on the courts. This is an area where we need to come up with a better plan. We will need to consider the costs of whatever solution we agree upon.

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?

We need to serve the needs of Township residents. Doing so will entail increased costs, but I believe other areas of Township government can be streamlined to save us money. We are fortunate that we now have two officers covering the Peninsula.

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

Yes.

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

Zoning ordinances need to be followed as written. Where exceptions are warranted, there is a mechanism in place for an appeal through the Zoning Board of Appeals. If a specific ordinance is problematic, we should work to amend it.

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

I feel like our Master Plan is generally sound. What I would like to see now is a mechanism in place for making our vision a reality. I would like to see a standing committee developed that includes Township Board members, Planning Commission members, community residents, and other stakeholders to work together to form an action plan for each of the 12 areas outlined in the Master Plan.

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?

Because these settlement discussions could continue, for strategic reasons they need to be absolutely confidential, and because I would be a part of them if elected, I’m uncomfortable saying what I might or might not be willing to accept as a settlement.

I hate having to give this response because I believe so strongly in government transparency, but to say what I would do (or would have done in the past) could compromise the Township in any future settlement talks.

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?

I think it is horrible, but that is an unfortunate possibility if the Township loses the case.

Regarding the Wineries:

• Should they be allowed to have unlimited weddings? No.
• Should they be allowed to operate full-service restaurants? No.
• Should they be allowed to be open until 2 a.m.? No.
• Should they be required to support OMP farmers via collaborations and/or using locally-grown produce? Yes, that was a key reason why they were allowed to operate here.

Overall, what are your thoughts on the winery lawsuit?

I’d like to work for a solution that benefits both the wineries and residents. I believe that it is possible, and I am frustrated that it hasn’t happened already.

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, absolutely.

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

We need to give young farmers more opportunities to generate revenue through low-impact agritourism, and make permitting easier and less costly. I feel that the price of land is making it more difficult for younger farmers to get started, and I would welcome opportunities for the Township to team up with other agencies and explore grant opportunities to assist them.

I am concerned that young farmers may be priced out of the market when it comes to purchasing land, and I hope we can find creative ways to help them.

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?

Yes.

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

Yes, I think this is another way to help our local farmers. There would be many details to work out, but with the formation of our new agricultural committee, I am confident that this would be an area that could be addressed.

(Editor’s Note: Interviews for the new Agricultural Advisory Committee are taking place at the Township Hall on Monday, Oct. 14, 2 p.m. -jb)

Taxes

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

This initiative would be devastating for townships, eliminating much of their revenue and thereby eliminating critical services that protect the health welfare, and safety of residents — for example, fire and police protection.

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

There is currently a study underway to look at multiple options for improving the Township’s revenue/expense ratio. Our parks need more funding, but before seeing the determinations and facts revealed from that study, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions about whether increased parks funding comes from expense reductions elsewhere or other forms of raising revenue like grants.

Township Clerk Becky Chown and others have done a wonderful job pursuing grant opportunities to fund initiatives at our parks, and they should be commended for their efforts.

What are your thoughts on the Headlee Rollback?

See above. Let’s see the determinations from the current study to evaluate options for improving our revenue/expense ratio. I am not in favor of rolling the Headlee amendment back at this time.

Other Township Issues

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

Yes.

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

I’d like to see it fixed and re-opened, but this is largely a county issue that the Township Board doesn’t control. I do not see this happening unless the residents of Bluff Road can come to an amicable agreement with the Road Commission.

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 and have never operated a short-term rental. I don’t believe they are compatible with the character of the Township.

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

We need to manage buildout to minimize the impact it has on the Township’s rural character – the reason most of our residents came to live here. While development is inevitable, it should be managed carefully to maintain the rural character we all love. PDR is a great tool to limit build-out.

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

If commercial activity can be conducted so it has minimal impact on residents and the character of the Township, great.

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?

As a person who often rides my bike along Center Road, I support looking at avenues to improve safety for bikers and motorists. However, we also need to consider the needs of farmers who drive farm equipment along our roadways and keep people safe from chemical hazards in orchards.

Our Non-Motorized Committee has been at work for a very long time on this issue, and I am happy to say I recently learned they have received two grants to help make a multi-modal trail a reality. Their work should be commended, and I look forward to seeing the process of making this project a reality.

This is just one instance of many hardworking people who are passionate about a project, working together to allow a project to move forward and save the Township revenue.

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)?

Of course.

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

Chief Gilstorff has a great vision for our fire department and has done a wonderful job here. I am in support of examining the options for the new fire station vs. renovating the existing fire station, in light of our current budget constraints, and seeing which is more practical.

Would you support a new community center?

Residents’ opinion appears to be strongly against a community center. So, as it stands now, I would not support it. But if residents’ sentiments change, I’d go with what citizens want.

Final Thoughts

Any other comments you’d like to add?

The job of Township Trustee requires someone willing to go deep into the issues. The people who are elected by our residents need to have sound reasoning, experience and desire to listen to all sides. I can get that job done, and I hope that our residents will vote for me.

Also Read…

2024 Primary Election Results – Peninsula Township

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