ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Tuesday evening, the Delta County League of Women Voters hosted a forum for the three Delta County Commissioners facing a recall election on May 7, as well as their challengers.
Voters had the opportunity to hear each candidate’s stance on important issues, like the economy and housing.
“We need to make this place a destination, the entire county,” said District 5 challenger Matt Jensen. “…When people stop, then they’re shopping locally. When they start shopping locally, then they’re more apt to come back. They’re also more apt to bring their businesses back, which also helps increase the housing.”
“There’s a very good chance that we’re going to have approximately 2,000 general contractors and managers and executives coming to Delta County here shortly,” District 5 Commissioner Robert Petersen said. “We don’t have any place to put them. From what I understand, if we don’t come up with a housing solution for them when they get here, there won’t be a hotel room, a camp spot, a Vrbo left open…anywhere in the county.”
One voter-submitted question concerned whether the County Board’s support for local programs should be impacted by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), which has been a point of debate at recent commission meetings.
“DEI wants equality in outcomes, which basically means the destruction of excellence, of merit,” said District 3 Commissioner Bob Barron. “…It wants to eliminate capitalism. Some of the individuals that push it want to eliminate property rights, rights in general, because the government knows best.”
District 3 challenger Myra Croasdell said, “To me, DEI is just a safe way to make sure that everybody is treated the same. No matter what nationality, what sex, what religion they believe in, disability.”
The candidates also discussed the current image of Delta County to outsiders and what could be done to improve it.
“When we became a sanctuary county, there were those who said they would make us look ghoulish,” District 4 Commissioner and Board Chair David Moyle said. “Yet, Delta County per capita has issued more concealed weapons permits than any other county in the state of Michigan. A good way to come together is to celebrate the fact that differences are good, but the county board has been attacked and it will defend itself.”
“Having five commissioners who can agree to disagree, who give each other the floor and the time to complete their thoughts, having a calm voice, having very articulate speakers as our leaders is essential,” said challenger for District 4 Kelli Van Ginhoven. “I think we’re on the precipice of something great, and we just need those votes on May 7th to make it happen.”
The full candidate forum will be available to watch at lwvdeltacounty.org and the Delta County League of Women Voters Facebook page.
