ALPENA — Voters in Alcona and Presque Isle counties will choose county commissioners in the Nov. 3 election.

In Alcona County, three are seeking the District 5 seat on the county board and two candidates are vying for the District 2 seat. In Presque Isle County, two candidates are seeking the District 1 seat on that county’s board.

ALCONA COUNTY

Republican candidate Bill Thompson will run against incumbent Craig Johnston, who decided to seek reelection for the District 2 seat as a write-in candidate after Thompson beat him in the Republican primary in August.

Thompson previously served as a county commissioner from 2008 to 2014. He said people had asked him to run for the seat because they thought he worked well with others.

Thompson is concerned about the county’s budget, but noted “all counties are having problems with their finances.”

“I thought I could maybe bring in some help with budgets,” he said. “I must admit, this year, Alcona did a little bit better, but they’re still running behind.”

Thompson is currently serving as the chairman of Recycle Alcona County Inc., through which he helps organize the countywide cleanup day. He also serves as chairman of the Alcona Quilt Trail Project, and vice chairman of the Alcona County Fair.

Johnston went to college to fly airplanes, but started farming instead. He is the fourth generation in Alpena on both sides of his family and is currently a full-time farmer. He said he originally wanted to be a part of the county and the decision making and the county has been working hard for six years.

Johnston is the current county board chairman but is running on Nov. 3 a write-in candidate. He said he wants to help with schools, improved broadband internet access, and seniors. He also said he wants to keep the budget balanced.

“I appreciate the voters having me there for the time I have, and, hopefully I have proven that I’m good for the county,” Johnston said.

Gary Wnuk, the incumbent District 5 commissioner, was in the engineering field for over 30 years before he joined the county board. He’s been commissioner four times now and feels a connection with the county since he’s been to many township meetings over the years.

His goal is to continue to represent the county the best he can and to keep people connected within the county.

“Keep doing what I’m doing, which is representing the fifth district the best I can,” Wnuk said.

John Terry Small has lived in Alcona County all his life and contributed to many county offices, including the Alcona County Sheriff’s Office and Alcona County commissioner and supervisor positions. He served in the military for four years in between District 5 duties and now owns a real estate business.

Small said commissioners are responsible for keeping financial issues in line as well as creating a healthy environment for employees. His goal is to help the community.

Kevin Boyat Sr. lived in Alcona County for all his life and has lived on the homestead farm raising cattle and his family. He wants to continue to support his community.

Boyat said his main goal is to bring people together and to help get better reception throughout the county.

“If they don’t vote for me, at least get out and vote,” he said.

PRESQUE ISLE COUNTY

Wayne Vermilya grew up in Onaway and went to Ferris State University. He has had 19 years of elected service, including eight on the county board. Vermilya said in an email that both his parents grew up in Presque Isle County.

Vermilya said he wants to restore respect and decency to the board. He said the west end of the county is underrepresented and he has a top 10 list of things he wants fixed, including the Alverno Dam and respecting the position.

“We need to have a respectable county government, and we don’t have it,” Vermilya said.

Nancy Shutes, the incumbent, went to Northern Michigan University and taught in Denver, Colorado for 29 years and was the Bearinger Township clerk for two and a half years before joining the county board.

She is currently in office and plans to continue to save taxpayer dollars if she is elected again.

“I’ve really enjoyed serving my two year term and I look forward to serving at least two term,” Shutes said.