News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena Muncipal Council candidates, from left to right, Danny Mitchell, Mike Nowak, and Mark Hunter answer questions during a League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan forum on Wednesday at Alpena Community College.

ALPENA — The three candidates running for a pair of seats on the Alpena Municipal Council took part in a League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan candidate forum Wednesday at Alpena Community College.

The forum provided the candidates — incumbent Mike Nowak and challengers Mark Hunter and Danny Mitchell — an opportunity to introduce themselves to the public and answer questions from those who attended. The election is Nov. 5.

The questions were centered around city issues, such as a proposal for paid parking downtown, Mich-e-ke-wis Park development, and the city’s ongoing litigation with Alpena Township over water and sewer rates the city charges the township.

Each candidate opened with a brief introduction before the questions began and also had a chance to try to sway voters with a short statement at the end of the event.

Each hoped the forum helped them share their positions on city issues and earn votes in the process.

Mark Hunter told the crowd of about 35 he believes it is in the best interest of the community to have someone like him on the council, because he said he will listen to residents and act upon their wants and needs.

“I am a person who is out in the public a lot and seen by many people every week,” Hunter told the crowd. “I’m happy to talk to you, and you don’t have to make any special reservations to see me, and I’m really interested in knowing what people are saying and what they want from their city. I believe in openness and transparency, because you need to know, and deserve to know, what your government is doing and why it is doing it.”

Nowak said that, since he was elected eight years ago, he has made it a point to be transparent and get residents’ thoughts and opinions about issues. He said he hosts coffee hours, where he meets with constituents, as well as uses social media to update them. That is something he pledges to continue if reelected during the Nov. 5 election.

“I’ve worked at that very hard for the last seven years, and I continue to want to be your voice,” he said. “And it is actually a privilege to serve on your council, and I thank you for giving me that opportunity, and I ask for your support in the upcoming election.”

Mitchell said he moved to Alpena from the Upper Peninsula to be a full-time grandparent and added that he feels an obligation to do more for the community in which he lives. He said there is a role in local government for almost everyone, and he encouraged people in the audience to become more involved.

“I want to be your voice on council and make sure your desires and needs are brought before it,” Mitchell said. “I appreciate all of you, and for coming out to hear us, and would thank you very much if you support me.”

Before the candidate forum began, a member of the League read the ballot language for a proposed hike to the property tax that pays for Dial-a-Ride Transportation. The city is seeking an increase from 0.65 mills to 1 mill which will be used for operations of the transportation service in the city. The hike would cost the owner of a $100,000 house about $17.50 per year in additional taxes.

The city will hosting a special public information meeting on the millage request at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.