Newly Elected Representatives Seek Tourism Growth, Resource Preservation
Mackinaw City
By Paul Gingras

Ronald Wallin, who was elected Mackinaw City village president Tuesday, September 11, said he will bring his political experience and educational background in economics and education to bear in making decisions to help guide the village. Mr. Wallin returns to office after a 21-year absence, having served as village president from 1978 to 1986.

For many politicians, the desire to serve stays with them, he said, and after many years out of office, Mr. Wallin said he still has ideas to offer the village.

A third-generation Mackinaw City resident, he told The St. Ignace News that he has a strong grasp on the needs and desires of the community and its visitors, and, as president, he seeks to help the business and residential communities of Mackinaw City work together for the common good. Both are composed of good people who must maintain an equal commitment to the village and its school system, he said.

Mr. Wallin plans to push for the preservation of land on the Straits of Mackinac, which he cited as important to residents and critical to gaining return visitors to the village. To prevent excessive development, Mr. Wallin proposes setting up a municipal fund for buying waterfront property.

Capitalizing on the beauty of the area has been addressed by the Mackinaw City Village Council during his absence, and as the new president he intends to help continue the trend, he said.

In his analysis of the strengths of Mackinaw City, Mr. Wallin compared the economic realities of Chicago and Detroit.

Chicago, which has maintained waterfront access and is known as a waterfront city, is doing well, he explained, while Detroit, which has not emphasized this natural feature, is faced with economic deterioration.

Key to the prosperity of the village is generating input from the community and council members on local issues, he said, adding that the strength of Mackinaw City is that we are a small town and have access to each other.

While he will be outspoken on many issues, he encourages constructive criticism and intends to respond to the will of the people. He believes that residents and business people must be prepared to change with the times because, he said, It is getting mighty competitive out there.

New Village Trustee Belinda Mollen is a local businesswoman and president of the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce.

I like to be involved in the community, she told The St. Ignace News, adding that she sought a village council position as a way to expand her service to Mackinaw City.

Originally from Cheboygan, Ms. Mollen has made the village her home for the past 14 years. She has a son who lives in the village and a daughter who lives in Duluth, Minnesota.

Ms. Mollen did not run for office with a specific agenda in mind, she said, rather, she would like to have the voters guide her service and tell her what they would like to see done in the village.

They know where to find me, she said.

In her view, the chief strengths of the village include its location on the Straits, the wide variety of businesses geared to tourism, and the areas natural resources, which she cited as the councils duty to protect.

Now part owner of the Barnett- France Insurance Agency, Ms. Mollen has been involved in the insurance business for about 25 years. She expects the problemsolving skills she has developed as a business person to help her make decisions on the council.

In preparation for her service as a trustee, Ms. Mollen has attended council meetings in recent months.

New trustee Matt Yoder is a local skilled tradesman who said he would like to focus on using sound information when making community decisions. He has lived in Mackinaw City his entire life, and noted that he and his wife are both long-time community members. Mr. Yoder has family inside the village and on the fringes of town. His mother lives in Mackinaw City, his brother and sister live on the edges of Mackinaw City, and he has a sister who lives in Carp Lake. He noted that he owns several properties, including rental homes in the community, so he is heavily invested in the area.

Like Ms. Mollen, Mr. Yoder said he did not run for office with a particular agenda in mind. He wants to ensure that the information that comes before the village council is complete and in depth. If not, he will push for better information, he told The St. Ignace News.

Mr. Yoder emphasized that solid information is critical for making good choices of behalf of the community.

When the public approaches the council with specific requests, he said he will do the best he can to vote with majority interests in mind.

Mr. Yoder has attended several village council meetings.

It is interesting to see how the process works, he said.

Like other council members, Mr. Yoder believes tourism is the village s main strength. That, he said, is what we need to focus on.

He noted a lack of job opportunities in other sectors.

A Mackinaw City High School graduate, Mr. Yoder has worked with the public as a plumbing and heating worker for 18 years. He works for Controlled Elements Plumbing and Heating and maintains a plumbing contractors license.

Incumbent Jeff Hingston, who won the largest number of votes for a trustee in this election, noted that being a council member is a matter of community service, and a high honor.

Mr. Hingston said his position will enable him to work on unfinished business on the council. He seeks to make sure the village maintains a balanced budget and that residents get the most from the taxes they pay for village services.

He wants to create a village business license to address consumer complaints in Mackinaw City that have escalated for the past five years.

Mr. Hingston has owned The Candy Corner Windjammer Gifts for 27 years. Local business experience and his experience in civic organizations helps him make informed council decisions, he said.

This will be Mr. Hingstons second consecutive term but he also served for two terms in the late 1970s and early 1980s, was a member of the Downtown Development Authority for 11 years, and served as president of the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce.

Akey Mackinaw City strength is its small, quaint nature, which harnesses tourism as its major trade, so the council must address the needs of tourism, he said. Geographically, Mackinaw City has much to offer that many communities do not have, Mr. Hingston said.

Mr. Hingston considers the areas small school system another important strength.

The business community encourages economic growth, he notes, but he said the type of growth can determine the communitys future. He favors computer technology to heavy industrial factories.

Hotels and retail businesses will certainly continue to be a major part of the business community, he said, but as a board member, he hopes the help the council work with the Economic Development Corporation to diversify the businesses in the village.

The council should be open to anything that improves the community, he said, while protecting the integrity of the existing business and residential communities.

A village resident all of his life, Mr. Hingston has several family members in the area, including a stepson and a daughter-in-law, whose children are growing up in the village. Mr. Hingstons stepson manages The Candy Corner and his son manages the 4 Kids toy store in Mackinaw Crossings. Mr. Hingston has a daughter who lives in Petoskey and a daughter who lives in Grand Rapids.

Clerk Elizabeth Clemens and Treasurer Patricia Peppler could not be reached for this story.