A Look at Leelanau County Commission Races (Part 2)
Now comes the second in a series of stories focused on races for the Leelanau County commission. Read the first story here.
Today's story looks at candidates running in District 3 (portions of Bingham Township, Suttons Bay Township and the Village of Suttons Bay) and District 4 (a portion of Suttons Bay Township, all of Leelanau Township and the Village of Northport). Later features will focus on other districts.
In District 3, Democrat Lois Bahle will face Republican William Bunek. The seat is currently held by Douglas Rexroat, who is not running for reelection. In District 4, Republican James White is challenging incumbent Democrat Ty Wessell, the board's current chairman.
The Ticker asked these candidates a series of questions via e-mail. Their responses are below.
DISTRICT 3
Lois Bahle
Please tell us a little bit about your personal and professional background.
I am a 4th generation resident of Suttons Bay. During my working life, I volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce, served on the Village Planning Commission and the County Planning Commission. I was a founding member of the Leelanau Trail, now part of the TART trail system a wonderful asset for our residents and visitors. Currently I serve on the Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation, working on the committee to create a County Housing Plan. I serve on the Solid Waste Council working on the new State required Materials Management plan to increase recycling and add composting of organic materials. I am an enthusiastic member of the Energy Task Force advocating for clean renewable energy to reduce our carbon footprint. And, I am a member of the Suttons Bay/Bingham Foundation advisory board, a fund under the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. I am a Rotarian and I enjoy volunteering and service to my Community.
Why should voters choose you?
I won a recall election against Mr. Bunek. This was the result of his words that “if a vote, a public vote is taken, and we think it’s wrong, it’s our job as a constitutional republic to nullify it.” 9/14/21, Leelanau County Commission Executive Board Meeting. This was his attempt to reduce the Early Childhood mileage to zero in the budget. We can’t afford to return to this attitude in leadership of County Government. During my service on the Commission, I was the critical vote to enact the Septic Inspection Ordinance to protect our clean water. I have continued to attend Commission meetings and make positive public comments. I also attend meetings in my local community and have never encountered Mr. Bunek at a Suttons Bay meeting. I am engaged with the Community where I live and with the broader issues demonstrated by my involvement with the local school, my non profit and volunteer friends.
What are the most important issues facing Leelanau County?
The housing shortage is critical for the inclusion of young families in our community, our essential workers and teachers, employees for our small businesses. I have worked on the Leelanau Housing Action Committee since it began in 2017 and now the LTEF committee to create a Leelanau Housing Plan to chart the way forward with opportunities for County Government to be involved. We need 2,300 housing units by 2027 and this will take constructive ideas and involvement at all levels of government, non profit and private support.
Climate Change is also a critical issue. Climate scientist have been very clear: carbon pollution from fossil fuel is changing our climate and elevating the risk of weather disasters, as we watch the second hurricane headed for the Florida coast. Oceans are warming, glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising. We can’t afford to ignore the changes and all need to act in efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. I will continue to advocate for renewable energy and efficiency in decisions at county government.
William Bunek
Please tell us a little bit about your personal and professional background.
Youth hunt mentor 2024, Youth baseball league umpire and fishing guide for my grandchildren. Current member and Finance Chair of the NRAA with their $16 million budget and $120 million expansion project. I have been 13+ years on the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners, during which we privatized the Leland campus and Maple Valley Nursing Home. I have been a Bingham Township Planning member for 12 yrs. where I became a MSU certified planner and helped craft the first Agri-tourism ordinance in Michigan. I have been a Business Owner in Leelanau County for 40+ yrs. as a Licensed Builder and Electrical Contractor. I’m happily married, 49 yrs., with 8 grandchildren & 4 living in the county. Grand Knight @ St. Michael St Gertrude Knights of Columbus. Founding member & 10 years President, Leelanau Whitetails, local quality deer management group. Graduate, Grand Valley State University, Cum Laude.
Why should voters choose you?
Vote for Will Bunek because:
1. He will make decisions based on the greatest common good!
2. He knows taxes and regulations negatively impact the economically disadvantaged, seniors on fixed incomes, orchardists, farmers, and business owners. The only money government has is what it takes from you.
3. He is willing to make difficult decisions.
4. He believes in: God, Family, Country & Leelanau County: in that order.
5. He will safeguard individual freedoms and rights.
What are the most important issues facing Leelanau County?
1. Leadership and decision making are lacking on this Board of Commissioners. The County has not had a permanent administrator since Deb Allen resigned in February of 2024 because of lack of support from the BOC.
2. Leelanau County has lost 8 department heads since Democrats took control in 2022. This bleeding of experience and talent needs to stop. The audited budget has increased 26% over the last 2 years with 2 employees in 2022 receiving over $9000 raises. Again in 2024 the same employees received 11% additional raises. This will make union contract negotiations difficult.
3. Finding an effective administrator is paramount to stabilizing the budget and employees. Infrastructure is being neglected while favored employees and pet projects are being funded.
DISTRICT 4
Ty Wessell
Please tell us a little bit about your personal and professional background.
Father, husband, grandfather and active community volunteer. Retired educator (teacher, administrator & college professor). Northport Lions. Leelanau Rotary. Board member - Leelanau Township Community Foundation, Community Mental Health and Benzie-Leelanau Health Department. I enjoy community volunteering, reading, family, walking and boating. I work hard and value relationships with others. I have a history of advocacy and service. As a long-time educator, I have learned how to use my problem-solving and modeling skills to resolve issues and promote civility, collaboration and compromise. In addition to having a commitment to advocacy for those in Leelanau who need our help -- families, small businesses and seniors, I have the skills and personal commitment necessary to work with community partners to develop a culture of efficiency, customer service, innovation and collaboration. I am a convener, listener, and learner. I recognize that the process of making decisions is sometimes as important as the decision itself.
Why should voters choose you?
I work hard and am committed to representing all residents. I understand the prerequisites for being a part of a highly functioning board. I have a history of advocating for fiscal responsibility, civil discourse and respectful decision making, I listen more that I talk, do my homework, and I have been a part of a Board that has balanced the budgets, supported the staff, avoided debt, paid down the retirement system, adopted a successful septic code, and promoted customer service. I have worked closely with community partners, promoted a ‘Code of Conduct’ for commissioners, worked hard to connect unserved residents with access to fiber, supported law enforcement, and valued being a steward for our facilities and parks. A vote for me is a vote for a commissioner who takes pride in our county, goes to meetings prepared, values transparency, exhibits strong leadership and non-partisanship, builds partnerships with community, and values relationships.
What are the most important issues facing the county?
In 2021, the Republican majority acted to create two new departments without discussion, a defined planning process, stakeholder support or consideration of cost. The current board, working together, is almost there. We must successfully complete the transition. We must protect what makes Leelanau such a special place. We need to demonstrate fiscal responsibility, keep taxes/fees low, and support the needs of farmers and families. We must protect our environment, provide the services that residents need, and seek opportunities to work with community partners. We must deliver on the duties assigned to County governments by the State Constitution, avoid debt, maintain facilities and support the Sheriff, Prosecutor, Courts, Clerk, Register of Deeds, Treasurer and departments. We must work toward succession planning for staff, complete the Administrator search, finalize the fiber project, implement the Rehman recommendations for Finance reorganization and keep partisan politics out of our decision-making. We must model responsible/respectful decision-making.
James White
Please tell us a little bit about your personal and professional background.
I have had decades of experience managing people, resources, time and money. I have managed and led small groups of people and large organizations with dozens of employees/soldiers. I have had direct responsibility for multimillion dollar budgets and have overseen projects that cost millions of dollars as well. I have produced great results in reducing costs, increasing productivity, improving profitability and delivering great service and products. I have built high performing and successful teams. I have also succeeded as an entrepreneur building my own successful business with individual clients. These experiences will ensure I have a positive impact on the Board of Commissioners. I have been married to Diana Bartos for 33 years, and have two grown sons and two grandchildren.
Why should voters choose you?
They should choose me because I will try to reduce their tax burden, spend their money wisely and frugally, improve the management of the county government, and communicate openly and effectively with them to ensure their issues are addressed.
What are the most important issues facing the county?
Taxes are too high and driving the cost of living beyond the means of too many people, especially young families. Spending at the county level is out of control and the Board of COmmissioners is exceeding its mandate by pursuing pet projects to the detriment of the majority of county residents. The Board of Commissioners is doing a terrible job of managing the government and is interfering in the efficient operation of the government. That is poor leadership. So, in my opinion those are the biggest issues: addressing high taxes which are driving the cost of living too high; spending that is wasteful and squandering county resources; and poor leadership which is causing confusion and chaos in the county government.
Photo, clockwise from top left: Bahle, Bunek, White, Wessell