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2 nontraditional candidates seek PI board seat

ROGERS CITY — Voters in District 1 of the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners will decide on a new commissioner in the November election.

Incumbent Robert Schell decided it was time to step down and allow someone else to take on the role.

Schell’s decision has allowed Democrat Wayne Vermilya and Republican Nancy Shutes, both of whom have views beyond the traditional two parties, the chance to take over the open seat.

SHUTES

Shutes spent about three decades in Denver before deciding to reitre and move back to Michigan in 2005. She said the Presque Isle area is one of the state’s best-kept secrets.

As a resident in Bearinger Township, Shutes served the community in a variety of roles. She taught at a residential treatment center for about eight years and in 2008 ran for township clerk because she was unsatisifed with a township board decision regarding her property.

While she was running for clerk, all but one member of the township board resigned and appointed the candidates they were running against to the board.

Shutes said it was an exciting opportunity, and she served as township clerk for over four years, including a brief stint as acting chairwoman when the township supervisor was recalled.

She has also been active with the Cheboygan Tea Party Patriots and the Onaway Tea Party, making a point to attend county board commission meetings in Presque Isle and Cheboygan to keep up with what was happening in the community.

She said her time on the township board gave her a lot of experience and made her aware of the difficulties of serving on a local government board.

“I think my background in education and counseling really helped as the clerk,” Shutes said.

Shutes’ campaign handouts state that she is a Libertarian-leaning Republican who is for low taxes, individual rights and less government.

“I don’t plan on changing a whole lot with the county commissioners,” Shutes said, “but I am hoping a voice that is different might spark some change.”

She said a lack of finances in Presque Isle County is an area of concern and cutting back may help avoid overtaxing residents. Shutes said a current property tax proposal for repairing county buildings has previously been on the ballot and was voted down. She said she knows there has been some concern with the condition of the courthouse and there is a need for repairs, but there may be other avenues that can be explored instead of raising taxes.

“I think the public is telling them, ‘You got to find a way to fix these problems without making us continue to pay,'” Shutes said.

She stressed that many of the residents are either retired or young, trying to find a way to remain in the community, but more taxes would only make doing so more difficult.

Shutes also expressed concern about making hasty decisions for the community, pointing to current discussions on wind turbines and increasing internet speeds by installing new poles. She said she feels further discussions should take place before such changes are made.

VERMILYA

Onaway native Wayne Vermilya is no stranger to the role of county commissioner, having served on the board from 1994 to 2002. He was also on the Allis Township board for 11 years and served as chairman for the township Planning Commission.

During his time in local government, he also served on the Environmental Affairs Committee for the Michigan Association of Counties and was part of the steering committee that worked to establish the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. He said he knew it was going to be an important addition to Northeast Michigan, preserving the area’s maritime history.

Vermilya said his work as chairman of the Onaway Ambulance Board was an especially important piece of his governmental work. He was chairman when it transitioned to a full advanced life support ambulance. He said it took a lot of work, but it was an important change for the community.

“It’s been very successful, and probably the one thing I am most proud of having been involved with over the years,” Vermilya said.

While he is the registered Democrat, Vermilya ran on the Green Party ticket the last two times he ran for commissioner, and he said he still aligns himself with that party.

“I believe in their governing philosophies of ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy, and non-violent, consensus-building decision-making,” Vermilya said. “I think those are core principles of what government should do.”

If voted to serve District 1 on the board, Vermilya said there are a variety of things he would like to focus on, including roads. He said he would like to maintain a better relationship with the county Road Commission.

Vermilya said the future of Onaway’s airport will require some serious decision-making in regards to whether or not it will remain open. There has been some discussion by the current board about selling it, partly because of maintenance issues.

He said Black Lake and the Alverno Dam are also issues that will need to be watched on a long-term basis in order to maintain the lake, which he called an important part of the local economy.

One of the biggest upcoming issues, Vermilya feels, is the countywide proposal for a half-mill tax for a 20-year period to maintain, rehabilitate, construct, furnish, and equip county property. He said that, whether it passes or not, the board will need to be particularly conscientious about money coming in and out.

“If the voters approve it, you need people on the board that can handle municipal budgeting,” Vermilya said, “and understand all of the issues surrounding spending that money.”

If it doesn’t pass, he said the board will need to be able to know when to say ‘no’ and how to prioritize the budget.

“I’ve accomplished a lot, and I hope people recognize that,” Vermilya said. “Even if they don’t agree with what I have done in the past, wouldn’t they rather have someone like me on their side?”

Kaitlin Ryan can be reached at kryan@thealpenanews.com or at 358-5693.

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