TRAVERSE CITY -- Funding for emergency services, passing a new zoning ordinance and a proposed electrical substation continue to dominate the political landscape in Elmwood Township.
Nearly every candidate in contested races on the township's Aug. 5 primary ballot cited at least one, if not more, of those topics as the most-pressing issues facing the township in southeastern Leelanau County.
In all, 16 candidates are running for four challenged offices in Elmwood, including supervisor, clerk, treasurer and trustee.
Voters last year twice rejected a millage request to increase taxes for the township's fire services. Candidates raised a variety of possible solutions, from creating a fire assessment district to using the general fund.
A fire district would be the most cost-effective approach, incumbent Supervisor Derith Smith said.
"There's no doubt in my mind that a fire district is the most appropriate way," said Smith, 53, adding that it would allow the township to adjust the fire levy on an annual basis.
But challengers don't necessarily share her views.
Jack Kelly, 55, a zoning administrator and planner with Kalkaska County, would assemble a citizen panel to draw suggestions from a variety of voices.
And John Naymick, supervisor from 1984 to 2000, thinks those services should be prioritized during the budget process. Naymick, 57, also said revenue collected from a still-unfinished township marina expansion could help fund them.
Other issues raised by candidates include a desire for less ambiguous zoning laws and a contentious substation proposed near the intersection of Bugai Road and M-72.
The township's zoning ordinance needs to be clarified to protect the township from litigation, incumbent Clerk Connie Preston said.
Preston, 43, added that a proposal being reviewed by the planning commission could be ready by the fall.
Loopholes in the current law helped the disputed Wolverine Power Cooperative substation take root "when that really isn't the vision of most of the residents," said Diane Hubert, 67, a clerk challenger who works with the Great Lakes Children's Museum.
Treasurer challenger Wendy Barker hasn't decided how she feels about the substation.
"It's a love-hate relationship," said Barker, 40, a stay-at-home mother of three. "There's people who really want (it) and there's people who really don't want (it), and there aren't very many people in between."
Incumbent Treasurer Debbie Street, 53, said funding emergency services is one of her priorities, especially because "I've had so much input about people who (are) really struggling."
She would like to put two millage proposals before voters that separately deal with operations and equipment, as well as draw from the general fund.
Seven people are in the race for four trustee spots. Zoning and emergency services also were a priority for some candidates.
The township will need to consider sharing fire services to maintain them for the long term, challenger Nancy Doughty said. She wasn't sure whether a fire district would be appropriate.
"In many ways, it makes very good sense," said Doughty, 74, a retired minister. "I don't know whether that's something that the board would seriously consider."
John Richards, 44, a consulting engineer, said the general fund might need to be tapped to fund emergency services if the public continues to reject millages.
Challenger Erik Saxon said one of his goals is to get the new zoning ordinance enacted.
"Elmwood's current zoning ordinance is a conflicted and confusing dinosaur of an ordinance that exposes the township to horrendous legal liabilities," said Saxon, 53, who owns a graphic design company.
But incumbent Trustee Terry Lautner, 51, doesn't think the proposed ordinance is the best solution, describing it as "not very friendly to the property owners."
"That just promotes sprawl and an unwise utilization of our land resources," he said. "It's devastating to the commercial farmers."
Incumbent Trustee Paul Walter wants the government to be representative of everyone and not what he says is "a group of insiders."
"I'm just trying to serve the township," said Walter, 52. "I'm not trying to serve my self-interest or anyone else's self-interest."
Likewise, challenger David Darga, 56, decided to run after he noticed a lack of concern toward outside views among past boards.
"There should not be different cliques or groups," said Darga, owner of Harbor West Yacht Services. "We're here to serve everybody."
Trustee candidate Mary Barrows did not comment.
Two Democrat candidates, supervisor candidate Donald Barrows and trustee hopeful Donald Gallagher, will also appear on the November ballot.
Staff writer Melissa Domsic contributed to this report.
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