ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – In just over one month, several Delta County commissioners will face challengers in the August 6 primary election, which will determine the names voters see on the November ballot.
In District 1, Delta County Commissioner and Board Chair John Malnar is running for his fourth term.
“The first election, I won when I ran,” Malnar said. “Then the second election, I lost. My ten townships begged me to come back and run again.”
In his three terms, Malnar says he has proven, and been recognized for, his dedication to the county.
“I am probably the only living commissioner that actually received an award from the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC),” he said.
He says that recognition and his efforts to build up the local workforce are pillars of his platform.
“Mainly, your county commissioners, they handle county business,” said Malnar. “The first term, I was really trying to get kids into construction. We went to schools; I had several construction people with me. It worked out very well. I hit that really hard and it did help because there are some younger kids coming up through the ranks.”
Malnar’s opponent in the primary is Sandra Skiba of Maple Ridge Township, who calls herself a “regular person” with a passion for politics.
“I’m a mom, I’m a wife, and I’m a grandma who loves my great-great-grandchildren that I don’t know,” Skiba said. “Everything I do today is for the future. Over the past three years, I’ve been paying attention to local politics and I said to my husband, ‘How can we complain even about how our county’s being run if we don’t step up to make a difference ourselves?'”
If elected, Skiba says her priorities would include energy independence for the U.P., safe and affordable housing, increasing revenue without raising taxes, and caring for veterans, as well as their spouses and children.
“My husband, he’s a 100% disabled combat veteran,” she said. “We would go into the Veterans Office and I’d say, ‘With all due respect, I understand our veteran is the most important here, but what about the families?’ because often I would feel alone. It would be nice to see some of those programs a little more active in our community.”
Skiba says her goal as commissioner would be to act as the people’s voice.
“I strongly believe that the people need to be heard,” she said. “The people need to be represented. I’m here to represent all of the people.”
Malnar says his record makes him the right choice for District 1 voters. Skiba says she would be a “breath of fresh air” for the board.
“I think I am the most experienced, I have the knowledge, and I use my head,” said Malnar. “It’s being at MAC meetings, understanding how a commissioner works, having ethics, trust, and being honest.”
“I do respect my opponent’s position as the current commissioner,” Skiba said. “However, I feel that that passion and drive is not there. I feel that I bring an energy, a passion, a message that is needed in Delta County.”
On Friday, July 5, WZMQ 19 will have interviews with the candidates for the Delta County District 2 Republican primary.
