Supervisor Post Challenged in Clark Township August 5

Linda Hudson

In Clark Township, the August 5 primary election will determine who could be supervisor, as both incumbent Linda Hudson and challenger Gerald Hill are Republicans.

More than 550 registered township voters will also be asked to cast ballots for clerk, treasurer, and two trustee seats. These candidates are running unopposed. Republican Mike Miller is running unopposed for the clerk seat. Republican Katie Carpenter is running unopposed as treasurer. Running for two trustee seats are incumbent Republican Mike Lofdahl and Democrat Gary Wellnitz.

The following candidate profiles were obtained from questionnaires sent by The St. Ignace News; photographs are published if available.

Township Supervisor Incumbent Linda Hudson, a Republican, is married and has some college education, has taken classes in continuing education in community development and governance, and is a certified Master Citizen Planner. She has 35 years experience in retail, including 25 years as manager of a family hardware store. She has been on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 12 years, Mackinac County Economic Development Corporation for six years, Eastern Upper Peninsula Nature Tourism Alliance for six years, Michigan Small Harbor Coalition - Steering Committee, and is a Michigan Townships Association Governance Academy member. She has been on the Clark Township Board of Trustees for four years as a trustee and four years as township supervisor.

Gerald Hill

"My current position as Clark Township supervisor," she said, "is enjoyable and challenging. I find it enormously satisfying to work with our citizens and organizations to achieve important community goals. The Snows Heritage Park is one such project; we'll see completion of the ball fields this summer. Another example is the collaboration of many groups and private individuals who have come together to find a solution for the devastating weed problem that is clogging navigation of our waterways. I want to continue to be a part of efforts that are underway and to see them through to fruition, as well as to meet new challenges ahead and keep Clark Township forward-planning."

Mike Miller

The community, she said, has a struggling economy and Les Cheneaux waters are threatened.

"Fortunately, much momentum and support from many fronts are behind the latter, including local groups and citizens, some state and federal legislators, working in concert to help restore navigation in our bays and channels," said Mrs. Hudson,

"A troubled economy is not unique to Clark Township. I believe that we can take steps to make progress locally. Working with the Chamber of Commerce and other groups, we must focus on creating a viable community economic development strategy, which would look at issues like affordable housing and strengthening our school. We have successfully worked to facilitate improvements to our economic infrastructure with better cell phone reception and access to high-speed Internet. We can improve our competitive advantage to attract growth and new business development with quality of life enhancements like the recreation park and the proposed bike path. Another component in revitalizing our local economy is better defining and presenting our downtown districts. To achieve this, we are researching appropriate vehicles, including the possible development of a Downtown Development Authority that could assist community members and local business owners in achieving as a community what they cannot achieve alone."

Katie Carpenter

Candidate Republican Gerald Hill, 69, is self-employed in contract trucking, bulldozing, and other work. He and his wife, Venitta (nee Harrison), have three children, Gregory, Gretchen, and Kurtis, and five granddaughters. He is a graduate of Cedarville High School, and served in township government for 20 years as supervisor, treasurer, and trustee. He was on the board when the township took over the operation of a privately owned ambulance service. He was the township sewer manager for 11 years and was on the board when the original sewage system was approved for the Cedarville area. While on the township board, projects he was involved with include the Island Eight Bridge, Hill Island Causeway Bridge, Albert Lindberg Airport expansion, and road projects.

Mike Lofdahl

"I have always enjoyed politics and helping people," he said, pointing out he was asked to run again by some residents. "I feel that I have the experience and am qualified to handle whatever should come before the township board."

The township now faces sewer issues, he said, including a lack of sewage treatment for wastewater after it gets to the lagoons.

"I believe," he said, "the effluent should be sprayed in the township wooded area or filtered through sand on the existing land west of the lagoon area."

Enrollment is declining at Les Cheneaux Community Schools, said Mr. Hill, who wonders if township regulations are impacting the drop in students. He proposes discussing the issue with the school board.

"What a great education system we have," he said. "We need Clark Township to grow, and why shouldn't it?"

Township Clerk Incumbent Republican Mike Miller is retired from Ford Motor Company after 34 years. He is married to Rose and the couple have six children and 11 grandchildren. His family has been in the area since 1934, he pointed out. He has been a member of the Planning Commission for three years.

Gary Wellnitz

"I believe and care about our community," he said. "I pride myself in have a 'CS' (common sense) degree. Some decisions that are made are cut and dry, others take study and investigation, but primarily they all take common sense.

"I do not have a problem with making decisions that need to be made. We are facing numerous issues in our township, with the economy as bad as it is and inflation rising at a fast pace. I have learned over the years that you cannot spend more than you take in. We live within our budget at home, and in my opinion, government should be the same way.

Mr. Hill said he and his wife are very involved in the community and appreciate all the area has to offer, including the recreation park and area organizations.

"I will do my best to focus on what we have," he said, "and strive to make it better."

Township Treasurer Incumbent Republican Katie Carpenter, 37, has been a senior loan officer, an office manager, and a general manager for an area hotel. She has been married for three years to her husband, Jonas. The couple has a 22-monthold daughter, Ava. Mrs. Carpenter was graduated from Holland High School and attended Albion College. She has taken seminars and management training classes during her previous

employment and now attends programs sponsored by the Michigan Townships Association to stay informed on current statewide township issues. She has served on the Chamber of Commerce board and was treasurer for the Les Cheneaux Islands Area Tourist Association.

"Through my 17 years of combined experience in fields of business management, accounting, tax preparation, residential mortgages, and now serving as Clark Township treasurer," she said, "I have the necessary tools to continue to provide accountability, competency, communication, fairness, and openness to the Clark Township board. I also have a clear understanding of how important it is to have accurate numbers to work with when managing public funds.

"I believe in the importance of citizens and elected officials working together to identify and achieve community goals and objectives. Communication, openness, and operating from a proactive stance are critical to this process."

The township, she said, needs to be creative to attract year-around employment to the area.

"I believe we need to be creative in finding ways to attract business and industry to our area, which leads me to one of the major issues facing the township board, the updating of our zoning ordinances. I believe the updating of our zoning ordinances will greatly impact the future of our community. For example, if zoning is either too restrictive or too permissive, it could adversely impact our ability to attract new business or industry to our area. I feel it is important for us to protect the natural beauty and resources of our unique area, but I also believe we need to be able to create a sustainable and prosperous local economy."

Township Trustee (two seats) Incumbent Republican Mike Lofdahl, 57, has been a teacher at Les Cheneaux Schools for 34 years. He and his wife, Carol, have five children. His parents are Lawrence and Pat Lofdahl of Cedarville. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Northern Michigan University. He is a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and a former member of the Clark Township Planning Commission.

"Having been selected two years ago by the other members of the township board to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of a trustee," he said, "I feel that I have found my way of contributing. As I have learned the duties and grown into the role of trustee, I have found that one of my main functions has been to explain and interpret to people what exactly the board is doing, and why.

"There are always rumors and false ideas concerning board activ- ities," he said, " and it is satisfying to provide accurate information as to what is being done. I also appreciate the opportunity to represent the views of a wide constituency.

"I believe," he said, "that being a lifelong resident and a fifth-generation descendent of one of the early settlers of the Les Cheneaux area gives me a unique perspective on the general concerns and values of a wide variety of citizens. Because of this perspective, I have tried my best to make decisions that will do the most good for the most people. If reelected, I will continue to work toward this goal."

The new master plan and zoning ordinance, said Mr. Lofdahl, will help the community prepare for future generations.

"Intelligently improving the waterfront and protecting the waterway of Les Cheneaux," he said, "are issues that I consider to be of utmost importance. Many of our residents, both year around and summer, are here because of the allure of our beautiful bays and channels. Much of our local economy centers around the use and enjoyment of the water, and we must always be looking for ways to maintain and improve this valuable resource.

"Approving and implementing the new master plan and zoning ordinance," said Mr. Lofdahl, "is also important. We need expert planning to guarantee that our quality of life as a town and as individuals is protected into the future."

Candidate Democrat Gary Wellnitz, 50, has been an industrial arts teacher at Les Cheneaux Community Schools for 23 years. He and his wife, Shelly, have two sons. Cory, 20, is stationed in Mobile, Alabama, and is a petty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Jacob, 18, is a student at Lake Superior State University, enrolled in the environmental science program. Mr. Wellnitz has a Bachelor of Science degree in manufacturing and construction technology and he has a master's degree in education administration and community leadership. Also, he is a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

"I feel it is important for people to give of themselves in any manner they are able to do so," he said. "We are continually facing many challenges within the community and it takes many dedicated people to deal with these issues and keep progress on track. We are blessed in this community to have many people giving their time and talents toward the betterment of our unique area and I wish to stand with them and help.

"I have been an active participant in our community and have raised a family here and feel that I bring energy and insight to our township board. It takes many giving citizens to make a community work and expand properly, and I will be proud to take on the challenge."

The new master plan, he said, should be developed so it does not inhibit tasteful growth, although it should protect the water, natural beauty, and heritage of the community.

"We need to keep our standards high," said Mr. Wellnitz, "but be willing to accommodate business ideas and ventures that fit our vision for the area, that are tastefully done, and provide desperately needed jobs for our young people. Along that same line of thinking, our township needs to regulate, but allow for the rebuilding and development of nonconforming structures, homes, and landmarks. This will enhance the beauty and safety of our area as well as provide an economic base for our construction and building material businesses.

"Our township leaders," he said, "have done an excellent job protecting our environment and finding funding to help with that effort. Balancing the preservation of resources with development is an ongoing battle that we cannot afford to lose. Our waters, shoreline, woods, and open spaces are what make this area so special and we must continue to be good stewards of them."