Traverse City Record-Eagle

Election 2007

November 4, 2007

Editorial: Many decisions to make in the coming election

Voters have a lot of decisions to make Tuesday, including deciding the direction of Traverse City schools and the Traverse City commission for possibly years to come.

The following is a roundup of Record-Eagle editorial endorsements in key races.

TRAVERSE CITY SCHOOL BOARD

Among seven candidates vying for two seats, four stand out -- Marjorie Rich, Chris Thompson, Kirt Kilbourne and Chuck Curtiss. Of those four, the Record-Eagle endorses Chris Thompson and Marjorie Rich.

Chris Thompson is a banker who would bring energy, passion and clear thinking to the board. He backs a long-range plan to address dwindling enrollment, which he says more than offsets any savings from recent school closings. Thompson is forceful and candid, qualities this board sorely needs.

Marjorie Rich is concerned about what she sees as a lack of transparency at the board and upper administrative levels and worries about dwindling enrollment. She favors magnet schools, offerings like language "immersion" programs and every-day kindergarten with the option for full- or half-days.

TRAVERSE CITY MAYOR

Incumbent Linda Smyka, who has served four years as mayor, is being challenged by Michael Estes. The Record-Eagle endorses Michael Estes.

The 57-year-old Estes, who owns a private investment company, says Smyka has failed to provide needed leadership in her four years as mayor.

He says he will concentrate on lowering taxes, reducing police and health care costs, creating an infrastructure plan and encouraging development outside downtown. He thinks future parking decks should be stand-alone city projects.

If voters want leadership, Estes is their candidate.

TRAVERSE CITY COMMISSION

Five candidates -- including two incumbents -- are running for three four-year terms. The Record-Eagle endorses Ralph Soffredine, Jim Carruthers and Barbara Budros.

After 21 years as city police chief, Ralph Soffredine knows the city well. Soffredine said he is ready to adopt more of a leadership role and be more willing to ask tough questions. That's good news. To be effective, he needs to be a voice of both experience and show-me skepticism.

After years as the city's most vocal critic, Jim Carruthers is ready to assume a leadership role and become a voice for many residents who feel disenfranchised. He helped lead the parking deck bond proposal opposition last year. He needs to continue asking "why."

Attorney and Circuit Court employee Barbara Budros has a level head, plenty of experience and a desire to make the commission more accountable. Budros said a pet peeve is the administration's tendency to leap ahead on policy decisions without first addressing the basics.

(Incumbent Chris Bzdok is running unopposed for an unexpired term.)

TRAVERSE CITY SCHOOLS BOND MILLAGE

The 3.1-mill renewal millage is all about bricks and mortar and it is critical for the district's future. We recommend a "YES" vote. None of the money can be used for operations, pay or perks. These are the funds used to fix leaky roofs and buy buses and technology.

BROWN BRIDGE TRUST FUND

Voters are being asked to allow the city commission to tap the Brown Bridge Trust Fund for long-delayed paving work. We recommend a "YES" vote. The proposal would cap the $10.3 million fund at $9 million and use $1.3 million in capital plus royalties over five years for repairs.

BAY AREA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY MILLAGE

BATA is asking voters to renew a five-year, .35-mill operations levy that would raise about $2.2 million in 2008. We recommend a "YES" vote. About half of the 492,000 trips BATA provided last year were to elderly or disabled riders. Not providing the service cannot be an option.

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