ELECTION 2020: 2 challenge Skibbe for township supervisor
Bruce Honeycutt
ters have three options for township supervisor, one of whom is a write-in candidate.
On the ballot will be current township Supervisor Nathan Skibbe, a Republican and Democrat Bruce Honeycutt, a captain in the township fire department.
The third candidate, Kirk Malcomson, is the former township building official. He’s running as a write-in, meaning his name will not appear on the ballot.
The election is Nov. 3. The supervisor serves as the chief executive of the township.
Skibbe was elected in 2016 and said he inherited a burdensome financial situation, failing infrastructure, and an office with outdated technology, which made work for employees and constituents frustrating and slow.
Nathan Skibbe
He said he has been able to make needed changes and intends to continue to do so.
Skibbe said he is proud of what he has accomplished and stands behind his record, but he does express some regret that he wouldn’t be able to fulfill the one of the promises he made while running four years ago.
He said he intended to put an end to the ongoing water and sewer rate litigation with the City of Alpena, but has learned the issue is more complex than what he realized while campaigning. He said it is important that a fair deal is reached, and that it needs to be one that looks out for the water customers in the township.
Skibbe said he believes the issue can be settled soon and the city and township still have a good relationship.
“Resolving the water issue with our partner in the community was the tallest task when I came into office,” Skibbe said. “Maybe I had a little overenthusiastic optimism, but there is still optimism to this.”
Kirk Malcomson
The water litigation has been going on since 2014.
Honeycutt said improving the relationship with the city and having better lines of communication is critical to putting an end to the costly litigation.
“It has been seven years and there is no way that shouldn’t be settled,” Honeycutt said. “I will sit down with the city again and hammer out a deal. We don’t need to pay the lawyers any more. There is no reason two entities can’t get together and solve this problem.”
Malcomson said he intends to work with
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(Continued from page 6) the city and other municipalities in the area to “make Alpena great again.” He said his experience in working with municipal governments will serve him well in all facets of being supervisor, including during future negotiations with the city.
Over the last four years, some residents have said that the township lacks transparency and there is a hostile work environment at the office.
Skibbe said his staff works together as a team.
“I always heard about how tumultuous of an atmosphere and working conditions are, and, as far back as 2013, there has been strife, seen or unseen, with the fire department,” he said. “I know I have worked diligently with all employees, but I can’t change maybe one or two people who aren’t happy for the greater good. As of right now, the working conditions are probably the best they have ever been.”
Honeycutt said he didn’t want to comment on what it is like to work under Skibbe’s authority because he wants to run a clean campaign, but he believes a change is needed.
“My philosophy is to do the right thing, and I don’t think a lot of that is going on,” Honeycutt said. “I have seen stuff over the years that, to me, shows we need to have something for the township.”
Malcomson, who was fired this month by Skibbe and the township Board of Trustees for misconduct, said he is not running against his boss because of that. He described the work environment in two words:
“It’s hostile,” he said. “I’m not the problem, but I want to be a part of the solution. It is time for people to stand up for your township, wake up, and if you don’t care about it, keep going with the same old, same old.”
Nathan Skibbe
AGE: 41
RESIDENCE: Alpena Township
OCCUPATION: Township supervisor
ELECTED EXPERIENCE: One term as township supervisor
FAMILY: Married, one child
Bruce Honeycutt
AGE: 52
RESIDENCE: Alpena Township
OCCUPATION: Alpena Township firefighter
ELECTED EXPERIENCE: None
FAMILY: Married, two children
Kirk Malcomson
AGE: 60
RESIDENCE: Alpena Township
OCCUPATION: Former Alpena Township building official
ELECTED EXPERIENCE: No
FAMILY: Married, seven children
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- Bruce Honeycutt
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- Nathan Skibbe
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- Kirk Malcomson
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