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Onaway — Voters in Onaway will have the chance to pick two city council members at the Nov. 4 general election.

The candidates who will be on the ballot are incumbents Andrew Bischer and Roger Marsh, and a new candidate, Larry Knerr.

ROGER MARSH

Marsh has served on the city council for the past four years. This is his second re-election.

“Life is not a spectator sport,” Marsh said when asked why he is running. “If you want things to change you have to get on the field and try to change it.”

The biggest issue facing Onaway is economics, he said.

“Our greatest export is our children,” Marsh said. “They move away because there are so few jobs for them…that’s always a big issue, trying to get more industry.”

When asked what he is proud of accomplishing while on the board, he said there is nothing big that comes to mind, but a lot of little things.

“We’re just muddling by as best we can. We’re doing what we can with what little we’ve got to work with,” Marsh said.

The council has done work to keep the streets clean and keep infrastructure going, he said.

“There were a few things we wanted to get accomplished this year but the ice storm put a stop to that,” Marsh said. “All in all, I think the city’s doing pretty well.”

When asked what he would say to get people to vote for him, he said that everything you need to know about him can be found on a bumper sticker.

“I’m the God-fearing, flag-waving, gun-slinging conservative everyone warns you about,” he said. “Get out and vote, period, whether it’s for me or someone else. Exercise the right that we’ve been given.”

LARRY KNERR

When asked why he is running, Knerr said that the city council needs to be balanced and that he would like to grow the business opportunities in Onaway.

Knerr has served in one other elected position.

“I was the commander of the American Legion post here in Onaway, and I’m now the financial officer,” Knerr said.

Knerr served in the Coast Guard for over 22 years where he earned the rank of master chief.

“I just want to make Onaway better,” he said.

ANDREW BISCHER

Bischer said he has been on the city council for about three years, and is running again to keep his seat.

He said one of the biggest issues that Onaway faces is people trying to bring mobile homes into town. Homes have to be a certain size, and mobile homes do not fit those parameters. There is a mobile home park dedicated to that size of housing.

Bischer said that the biggest accomplishment he has achieved as a member of the city council is getting the grant for the snowmobile trailhead, which is now under construction.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.