Editor's note: Contested primary election races for the Marquette County Board will be featured this week in a series of articles, appearing in district number order.
MARQUETTE - Incumbent Democrat Harvey Wallace will face Democratic challenger Don Potvin in next Tuesday's primary election for the District 2 seat on the Marquette County Board.
The term of office is two years. The winner of the primary will face off against Mike Quayle, who filed to run as a non-partisan candidate in the November general election.
The candidates were asked to provide some information about their backgrounds and respond to two questions, with specific word limits.
Wallace described his background this way: "My wife Mary and I came to Marquette 32 years ago when we both went to work at Northern Michigan University. I am the head of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. I was first elected to the county commission in 1998. Since 1988 I have also served on the Marquette County Board of Health. My involvement with public health has led to positions of leadership in state and national governmental health organizations."
Potvin said he, "Served in the U.S. Air Force; graduated from Northern Michigan University (1958). Married Jo Ann Greig of Iron River. Raised three children. Worked as a brakeman on the D.S.S. & A Railroad while in college and afterward. Employed as an Insurance adjuster and later managed the NMU Bookstore. Operated the University Students Store. Built or remodeled, added properties on Third Street. Starting the Quick Stop Bike Shop was an early investment."
The candidates were each asked why voters should vote for them.
Wallace said, "As a Marquette County Commissioner, I am proud of my voting record of positive and progressive decisions in all the following areas of governance. The county commission is required to operate with a balanced budget which has been done every year without raising taxes or raiding our fund balance. I was first elected to the commission just as we began the work to rebuild K.I. Sawyer. The policies we developed helped attract businesses to the area with family-sustaining jobs. This work has been successful and must continue.
"We have also been asked to take positions on controversial issues. The Kennecott Eagle project has many supporters and others who want it to just go away. I believe that the new Michigan mining safety legislation is the strongest in the nation and will result in a mining operation that will bring many jobs and benefits to the county.
"I have represented the commission on the county board of health, the Pathways board (community mental health), and the Medical Care Access Coalition (providing basic health care for the uninsured). Marquette's position of leadership in public health helped pass the statewide ban on smoking in public places, which resulted in increased business for local bars and restaurants and clean air for all.
"Finally, our work to improve services to our senior citizens has resulted in a total reorganization of the way money is distributed to the county's senior centers. All centers have enjoyed increased funding and improved services."
Potvin said, "I am properly educated, experienced and having considerable business knowledge and varied experiences. I have had the pressure and success of having businesses that have survived the test of time.
"Experiences that are important to being able to serve are: three times elected to the Marquette County Board and twice elected to the Marquette City Commission. Helping to raise three children through college and into productive endeavors is comforting to me and is part of what I am.
"Some of the ways that I have served the Marquette community aside from elective office are:
"Den leader of Cub Scouts, member of Marquette Charter Advisory Committee, Junior Hockey coach and officer of the board, promoted and built the largest change room in the original Lakeview Arena, committee member and repeated contributor to many local hockey tourneys including our showcase Midget Invitational Tourneys.
"I was instrumental in securing city approval to begin the Marquette Transit Authority and served as its first chair. This ultimately developed into the Marquette County Transit Authority. When on the county board I was a representative on the newly-legislated Health Dept., I was privileged to be chairman of the old Acocks Facility.
"Appointed to membership on the Marquette County Landfill Authority and served on the Board of the Marquette, Alger, Delta and Schoolcraft Mental Health Board. This experience contributed to a lot of good experiences necessary to again serve as a county commissioner. I believe I have a strong feeling of empathy for the needs and wishes of my constituents."
The candidates were asked to list the top three issues they are interested in pursuing on behalf of constituents if elected to the board and why.
Wallace responded by saying, "The top three issues facing the commission are as follows: first, continuing to operate within a balanced budget without the need to raise taxes; second, continue to attract new business ventures to all areas of Marquette County with policies designed to help those businesses get established and grow; third, maintain an appropriate level of health and human services and public safety operations.
"The first and second issues are closely related. Because commission policies have encouraged the growth of new and established business in the county, especially at Sawyer, we have enjoyed annual increases in our taxable base. Businesses bring jobs as people move into the county, buy homes, and shop at local stores. Many counties downstate have seen large decreases in their taxable base as industries have left the state. In Marquette County we have been blessed with a healthy business climate.
"The third issue represents the important responsibility of local government to serve the health and safety needs for its citizens. When we opened the new jail facility at the former state minimum security prison, we provided the criminal justice system with the capacity to guarantee that those who break the law will go to jail. The future of our health and human service programs will be shaped by the national health reform legislation. Retiree health benefits have been a major cost to local government agencies. That has to change."
Potvin said, "The first priority of my time on the board would be to totally and finally stop the retire-rehire program of the county board. (Secondly), discuss and seek ways to stabilize the county activities and budget in light of diminishing revenue sharing and grants from higher levels of government. The board has been very successful and fortunate in getting these non local tax dollars. However, the good times are perhaps gone and we must learn to live within our means. I pledge no new taxes without public approval. (Third,) remain fiscally responsible to avoid the need for added taxes. We should seriously consider extricating the county from being responsible for the operation of K.I. Sawyer. It appears that the airport portion of K.I. Sawyer is necessary.
"However, the new board should initiate talks with Sands, West Branch, and Forsyth townships that hopefully would lead to the townships accepting more responsibility for that part of Sawyer within their townships. I believe that the county board would do well to perform the mandated duties of a county and carefully avoid any long term commitments of activities of choice without direction from the tax payers to Marquette County."
Both candidates are residents of Marquette.
John Pepin can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. His e-mail address is jpepin@miningjournal.net.
