A Look at Leelanau County Commission Races (Part 1)
Now that we've cleared the primary season, Leelanau voters can turn their attention to the Nov. 5 general election.
The Ticker reached out to candidates to learn more about them and why they believe they deserve voter support. Today's story looks at candidates running in District 1 (a portion of Elmwood Township) and District 2 (portions of Elmwood and Bingham townships). Later features will focus on other contested races.
In District 1, Republican Tim McCalley will face Democrat Rick Robbins. The seat was most recently held by Jamie Kramer, who resigned.
In District 2, Democrat Scott Perry is running against Republican Mark Walter. This seat is currently held by James O’Rourke, who is not running for reelection.
The Ticker asked these candidates a series of questions via e-mail. Their responses are below.
DISTRICT 1
Tim McCalley
Please tell us a little bit about your personal and professional background.
My wife and I proudly call Elmwood Township our home, where we've lived for the past six years. Having lived in northern Michigan for nearly 40 years, we have raised our families in Grand Traverse County. Professionally, I spent 25 years as an air-traffic controller and supervisor at Cherry Capital Airport, during which I embraced values such as teamwork, trust, camaraderie, problem-solving, decision-making, and adherence to rules. These principles continue to guide me today, and I hold those years close to my heart. I am also a dedicated volunteer at my church and have been actively involved in Project Gifts for Kids through the “Keys to Freedom” Ministry. This program helps inmates with children during Christmas. Santa’s helpers from the ministry work hard to prepare for the "Gifts for Kids" celebration, ensuring that children receive gifts from their incarcerated parents. The program provides a sense of connection and support during the holidays, which can be especially emotional for families separated by incarceration.
Why should voters choose you?
I am compelled to run for the County Board of Commissioners in District 1 because I am deeply concerned about the crushing financial burden on our residents. Skyrocketing taxes, inflation, and the cost of living are squeezing the budgets of families, seniors, and small businesses. It’s time for relief. My overarching mission is to return your hard-earned dollars by reducing county taxes and fees. I will also make promoting transparency and ensuring accountability in government a top priority. As a champion for families, I’m committed to policies that support our most valuable resource—our children. I believe a strong economy is the backbone of a thriving community, and I’m committed to delivering solutions that put more money back in people’s pockets and support local economic growth. Preserving Leelanau County’s breathtaking natural beauty is a sacred trust. I’m steadfast in my commitment to responsible stewardship of our lakes, forests, and farmlands. We must ensure that our county remains a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family for future generations.
What are the most important issues facing Leelanau County?
Leelanau County faces many important issues, but they all converge on creating a stronger community through a robust economy. Here are my key focuses:
1. Economic Growth: A thriving economy strengthens our community. I will champion policies that attract new businesses, support existing ones, and drive local growth.
2. Financial Relief: I will work to reduce county taxes and fees to alleviate the financial strain on families, seniors, and small businesses. Lowering these costs will help keep more money in your pockets amid rising expenses.
3. Lowering Taxes and Limiting Government: I’ll focus on reducing county taxes and fees to ease the financial burden on residents. Additionally, county government must operate efficiently and remain open to public scrutiny.
4. Family Values: I am committed to policies that support our families and make Leelanau County a great place to raise children.
5. Protecting Rights and Freedoms: As a champion of liberty, I will ensure our county government upholds the Constitution and protects individual rights.
6. Affordable Housing: I will work with developers and community partners to simplify regulations and create housing solutions that benefit everyone.
Rick Robbins
Please tell us a little bit about your personal and professional background.
I am a native of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Co. I was raised on my family farm. After my career in county government. I became a small business owner for over 23 years. One successful business being legal support services for legal field. The second being Robbins Farm LLC serving the agriculture industry serving clients statewide. I am the proud parent of 3: Brandon, Taylor, Josie.
Why should voters choose you?
Grand Traverse County 2002-2003 - Parks and Recreation Board. 2020 elected County Commissioner District 1. During the term I served on BATA Board, Leelanau County Committee, Financial, Jail Study Committee, Construction Code. On many occassions I was the swing vote for motions vote by BOC. I vote on the issues. After thoroughly reviewing the facts and science and listening to ALL the people of Leelanau Co. I volunteer/donor for Habitat for Humanity providing assistance to the Waves project a development that is being built in District 1 I will be donating my services for snow plowing and lawn care and a futute playground area.
What are the most important issues facing Leelanau County?
Working with the Board with a new administrator and new and current board members with providing a responsible budget. For services needed to residents of the county. Employee recruitment and retention, in 2025 it is projected that we will lose 10 percent of our long term knowledgable workforce. Maintain the current infrastructure consisting of the Leland Dam, Governmental Center Building, Sheriff/Jail Law Enforcement Center, and our three County Parks.
DISTRICT 2
Scott Perry
Please tell us a little bit about your personal and professional background.
I was born at Munson hospital, son of a TCAPS teacher and a mechanical engineer. After graduating from High school in 2005, I went on to MSU and studied Economics. In the face of the financial crisis, I started my own business, a disc jockey company, 2Bays DJs specializing in wedding entertainment. While my classmates a grade above me were struggling to find serious employment during the hiring freeze of 2008, my business was taking off. I dropped out of college in 2009 to carve out a career in my hometown. Even though I was only a handfull of credits shy of a degree, I knew taking on debt was not the right decision for me when I had a sound business ready to go.
In the years since, I’ve entertained everywhere from Nantucket to LA, but no matter where my work may take me, Leelanau remains the only place I want to call home. I feel called to serve Leelanau as a place that has offered me so much, personally and professionally.
Why should voters choose you?
I am the best choice for this seat because I have the knowledge, energy, time, passion and personality to be an excellent county commissioner. I qualify as a socially liberal, fiscal conservative.
My experience as a business owner in an industry which is exceptionally reliant on seasonal tourism has taught me about the challenges most businesses in Leelanau face. My economics background has taught me about the complexities regarding balancing a budget and navigating taxes. Perhaps most importantly, my personal experiences have manifested a deep affinity for Leelanau and a desire to protect the things we love about our favorite peninsula.
15 years of working weddings has earned me amazing connections throughout our region; helping me be a better problem solver and diminish friction between neighbors. My opponent spent his career as a corrections officer. Leelanau needs more connections, not corrections.
What are the most important issues facing the county?
Treating the housing crisis will be an interesting response to a condition Leelanau has been grappling with for years. Balancing growth with conservation is a complex discussion with no easy answers. Developing a more robust workforce makes dollars and sense. We all love the quaint allure of our lakeshores, but maintaining the peaceful home we adore will take thoughtful consideration.
While knocking doors during the campaign, I have started to understand the challenges seniors on fixed income are facing as the cost of living skyrockets around all of us. Some of my neighbors are faced with the weekly decision to fill prescriptions or buy groceries. Senior services are a critical component of our infrastructure that will likely need more reinforcement as inflation takes its toll.
Finally, I believe my generation needs to prepare to better receive the knowledge from our predecessors. If the county commission continues to be a revolving door of retirees, we will be hard pressed to develop the kind of experienced representatives the county needs in the long term.
Mark Walter
Please tell us a little bit about your personal and professional background.
I am a sixth generation Leelanau County resident and a veteran with 22 years of service with the Michigan Army National Guard. I was deployed in the Global War on Terror from 2003-2004. I am a retired Lieutenant with the Michigan Department of Corrections, where I worked for 30 years. I have been married to Sandra for 32 years and have three adult children. I have a BA degree in criminal justice. I was a Leelanau County commissioner in District 2 from 2002 to 2008.
Why should voters choose you?
I’m a fiscal conservative candidate, which means I believe in limited government and encourage individualism in capitalist achievement with limited government intervention. I served as a District 2 Commissioner from 2002-2008, so I have experience as a county commissioner. I have experience as a member on the Leelanau County Brownfield Authority, the land bank, planning commission, zoning board of appeals, solid waste board, veterans affairs, community corrections board and assorted other boards and committees.
What are the most important issues facing the county?
Three things I’d like to accomplish are: To work with local providers to improve the county’s electric and internet grids. To ensure we optimize available funding to increase safety in our school systems. This ties directly with mental health awareness education within our school systems and public safety offices. And of course, continued emphasis of our fiduciary responsibilities to our citizens by keeping their tax burden down, assisting in their opportunity to succeed.
Photo, Clockwise from top left: Walter, Perry, Robbins, McCalley