Schaedig

ALPENA — Tracie Schaedig hasn’t run for public office before, but she has spent months gearing up for her run for an Alpena Municipal Council seat by educating herself on local issues and local government.

She said she has stayed current on city issues, attended meetings, and talked to residents about what they would like to see happen in Alpena.

Schaedig is one of five people who will be on the ballot Tuesday trying to claim a pair of open seats on the council for the next four years.

Schaedig said she decided to run for council because she loves the city, and surrounding area, and wants what is best for the people who live in it, or visit and vacation in the city. She said she may be a rookie in politics, having never run for public office before, but she is already taking the responsibility of representing the people seriously and will work hard to keep them safe and make sure their money is spent responsibly.

Among the most pressing needs for Alpena, Schaedig said, is a need to provide more support for police, especially special units in the area like HUNT, to combat crime and slow the flow of narcotics that come into the area.

Schaedig said the crimes that have been committed in Alpena the last few years should be a wake-up call for the community and neighboring municipalities. She said the lawlessness can’t remain unchecked, and she is ready to work with the other council members and police to make the area safer.

“Drugs and serious crime seem to have increased in the past few years which has impacted us to our cores,” she said. “We need to come together as a community to set up neighborhood watches, give more funds to specific task forces within the police department to cut the drug activity, update and reinstate the DARE program back into Alpena schools, give more support to programs like Families Against Narcotics, and support rehab programs. We need to keep our streets safe for our children and future Alpena.”

The city may soon reconsider legalizing the sale of recreational marijuana in the city, after it voted to opt out of Proposal 1 after it passed in 2018. Schaedig said she wants to talk to law enforcement officials to get their thoughts on the issue and more importantly, listen to the residents on the matter and vote accordingly.

Putting an end to the current water and sewer litigation between the city and Alpena Township must be done soon, Schaedig said, and a way to create more housing for young families and seniors needs to be addressed.

The litigation over water and sewer rates has been ongoing since 2014, and Schaedig said enough money has been put into it, and it must be resolved, without large water rate increases to customers.

“Having this continued litigation between the city and township ties up funds, which we could be investing elsewhere,” she said. ” We have also seen an increase in our fees and rates resulting in more money coming out of our pockets. Ending this issue should decrease the cost for its customers, our residents.”

Schaedig said housing is a tricky issue and understands the city and other leaders from local governments would likely need to work with private developers to produce more suitable housing and she would be willing to help in bargaining or discussions.

A lot of work has been done to city parks near downtown, and along the shoreline of Lake Huron and the Thunder Bay River, but, Schaedig said there are other parks, such as McRae Park on Alpena’s northside, that need improvements so they are safe for the children and family who utilize them. She said the ball fields at McRae are in rough shape and trying to find funds to improve them will also improve the facility.

“Have you sat on the bleachers at that field or knelt down and ran your hand over the hard compacted dirt our sons and daughters are sliding on while playing ball? I have,” she said. “Our dugouts are unsafe, our drain and sprinkler system needs work, and we need clay on the infields so our children enjoy the game that could keep our kids away from drug activity and crime.”

She said the parking issue downtown also needs to be addressed, because as the city grows, it will only become more of a problem.

“Let’s face it, no one is thrilled when they get a parking ticket or when they can’t find somewhere close to a local business to park,” Schaedig said.

The Schaedig File

∫ NAME: Tracie Schaedig

∫ AGE: 31

∫ FAMILY: Married, eight children

∫ EDUCATION: Three years at Ashford University in elementary education

∫ ELECTED EXPERIENCE: None

∫ OCCUPATION: Assembly Technician for Reacher Manufacturing