A Look at Leelanau County Commission Races (Part 3)
The Ticker continues its look at a very busy set of 2024 Leelanau County Commission races (every seat is up for grabs) with this story. Read previous entries here and here.
Today’s story focuses on candidates running in District 5 (Centerville and Leland townships) and District 6 (Cleveland, Glen Arbor and Empire townships, a tiny chunk of Kasson Township and the village of Empire).
In District 5, incumbent Democrat Kama Ross will face Republican challenger Alan Campbell. In District 6, Republican Mark Roberts is challenging incumbent Democrat Gwenne Allgaier.
The Ticker asked these candidates a series of questions via e-mail. Their responses are below.
District 5
Kama Ross
Please tell us about your personal and professional background.
I currently serve as the District 5 Commissioner representing Leland and Centerville Township residents. Until my retirement in 2021, I served as the District Forester with the Leelanau, Benzie and Grand Traverse Conservation Districts. Before that I served a similar position in several other Northern Michigan Counties, and as a Natural Resources/Environmental Educator. My first service opportunity came after graduating from MSU with a forestry degree, as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay. Service has always been a huge motivation throughout my life. In addition to serving as a Commissioner, I provide volunteer leadership in many local artistic, environmental and civic organizations. I have three grown children living on three different coasts who I am extremely proud of and who, in turn, are proud of my service to the county we all love.
Why should voters choose you?
It has been a privilege to work collaboratively with fellow commissioners and leaders within the community to address key issues of importance to our community. I strive to be an active listener with all constituents and represent all views in order to build a more resilient and sustainable future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I am a pragmatic leader, working respectfully with my colleagues to set positive policies, balanced budgets and represent the priorities of county residents. My re-election will build on my two years of county government experience will continue my prudent oversight of our tax dollars. I honor the work of our county employees and elected officials, and I pledge to be open, do thorough research into issues and ask tough questions to best support the high quality of county services we all rely on.
What are the most important issues facing the county?
Hiring a permanent Administrator to help provide stability to our vital county departments. It’s been a long two years trying to clean up the mess created in May 2021 by the previous Republican majority board-we are almost there.
Maintaining balanced county budgets without raising taxes that reflect the priorities of county residents. This supports our county staff and elected officials to carry out the high quality services we all rely on. Setting the budget needs to be transparent and reflective of our shared goal of efficient and effective county government.
To close the divide in our community. Too many believe that we have more to fight over than celebrate together. County leaders need to model honesty and integrity everyday. We need commissioners that are well-informed on issues and open to all viewpoints of the residents they represent.
Alan Campbell
Please tell us about your personal and professional background.
My personal and professional life has always been closely connected. For years, my wife Debra and I co-owned the Leelanau Enterprise, where our son Cody did his homework after school. While I contributed to the paper’s success, Deb deserves much of the credit for its growth in a challenging market.
After selling The Enterprise, I planned to semi-retire, but I still enjoy writing. My weekly column highlights Leelanau’s remarkable people, and my award-winning series, 'Conservation Legends of Michigan,' is featured in Michigan Out-of-Doors Magazine.
I hold a degree from MSU, owned a business for 35 years, and have been an active volunteer. I’m passionate about outdoor access for people with disabilities and conservation. I’ve served on the Michigan Press Association board, the Passing Along The Heritage Foundation, and as chair of Kids Fishing Day, promoting conservation and youth engagement.
Why should voters choose you?
Leelanau needs effective leadership. Our county has seen alarming turnover in key positions like finance and human resources due to a lack of direction from the current board. This 'brain drain' highlights deeper issues of mismanagement, with abrupt departures reflecting dissatisfaction.
The board mishandled replacing a capable county administrator, opting for an unrealistic hybrid role of financial officer and administrator. My opponent acknowledged the urgency but still voted to delay the process due to personal commitments and campaigning.
If elected, I’ll prioritize Leelanau, strictly follow the Open Meetings Act, and eliminate conflicts of interest. I’ll focus on ensuring efficient, responsive government that serves the community—not personal ambitions.
What are the most Important issues facing the county?
The most pressing issues include creating a more efficient government, fostering transparency, and preserving our natural resources. Practical initiatives, like starting 'Friends' groups for parks and introducing a memorial bench program, can boost community engagement. I’m also working with the MDNR to enhance Kids Fishing Pond’s habitat.
To improve transparency, I propose a kiosk at the County Building for posting meeting notices and permit submissions. We should embrace our agricultural heritage by making the cherry our official county fruit, hopefully inspiring state legislation.
As your budget watchdog, I’ll fight to keep taxes low and ensure responsible spending. Homeowners have faced a 14% tax hike over three years, while the county’s spending increased at more than double that rate. I’ll prioritize fiscal accountability and better governance over adding more bureaucracy.
District 6
Gwenne Allgaier
Please tell us about your personal and professional background.
I moved to the TC area after graduating from the University of Michigan - I camped at the State Park in TC while I found a job and a place to rent. Unfortunately, I had to leave 4 years later to go to grad school. I eventually married a man who also loved it here, and we retired here 20 years ago. I have two brothers and sister’s in law, two children and 3 grandchildren here - a blessing for all of us. In my business career I was in management and in sales at Michigan Bell/Ameritech. In my forties I went back to school for a Master’s degree and became a counselor. What else has prepared me? After a long life of experience in business, raising a family and being part of a community, I was ready to serve on the County Commission, and look forward to finishing our work here on the Board of Commissioners.
Why should voters choose you?
I have 4 years of experience on the Board of Commissioners, and that experience is critical right now as we will have a new Administrator in 2025. Before becoming a Commissioner, I attended meetings for 9 years…..effective decision making on our BoC is important to us, as citizens. I do not believe my decisions on the Board should be partisan, our actions and votes should reflect our concern for the well being of us all. I have always believed that we, as a human family, can do more for ourselves together, than we can alone. My votes on the Board of Commissioners are based on what is best for the common good - and the budget.
What are the most important issues facing the county?
We will have a new Administrator - we need experienced Commissioners to help she/he integrate into our County and staff. We need to complete our work on broadband coverage - one more federal grant is needed to cover citizens in the southwest part of Leelanau. We need to do succession planning, as a number of our excellent employees are nearing retirement. We need to take advantage of grants, which bring our State and Federal tax dollars back home to work for us. We need affordable housing so our County and local workers can live here and be part of our community, and so our children can raise their families here in Leelanau. Lastly, I fervently hope that we can keep partisan politics out of our decisions - our job is to use our tax dollars wisely to serve all of us, and make our lives better here in Leelanau.
Mark Roberts
Please tell us about your personal and professional background.
I will bring more than 20 years senior management experience in the pharmaceutical and medical industry. I have been responsible for successfully managing large budgets exceeding $20 million. My educational background includes advanced degrees in organizational development and organizational management. I have held Executive positions including: Organizational Development, Sales Management, Sales Training, Leadership Development & Training, Change Management Implementation & Training and Talent Acquisition, Training and Utilization.
Why should voters choose you?
I am committed to keeping Leelanau County a beautiful, safe and financially healthy place for all to enjoy. If chosen to represent the good people of Leelanau County, I will do everything in my power to provide the experienced leadership needed to address the current board a commissioners (BOC) mismanagement and out of control spending by putting the county back on the path of prosperity.
What are the most important issues facing the county?
I am running for Leelanau County Commissioner not as a politician, but rather, as a very concerned citizen. The current tax and spend BOC is leading us down the path of financial insolvency and higher taxes. It has created the type of workplace culture that has led to an 80% county employee turnover rate. It has mismanaged the search for a new county administrator to the extent of spending nearly $1 million in the recruiting process. The BOC is in desperate need of members who have strong business acumen and leadership skills. These are some of the reasons members of our community asked me to run for county commissioner.