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 Paul Arsenault will face Democratic challenger Randy Ritari in Tuesday's primary election for the District 6 seat on the Marquette County Board.
The term of office is two years. The winner of the primary will meet Republican Lee Guizetti of Ishpeming in the November general election.
The candidates were asked to provide information about their backgrounds and respond to two questions, with specific word limits.
Discussing his background, Arsenault said, "I have been involved with local government and community organizations for over 25 years. I have served as a county commissioner for 22 years and as a Michigan Works board member for over 20 years.
"Additionally, I am chairman of the Six County Employment Alliance, an organization that works with the unemployed and underemployed to provide training and job search assistance. I have been a self-employed business owner for the past 30 plus years."
Ritari said he is, "currently the sitting clerk at Marquette Township. I have been a resident of Marquette County for all my life and I currently work for
the city of Marquette at the water treatment plant."
Each of the candidates were asked why voters should vote for them.
Arsenault said, "I have dedicated 22 years of my life to Marquette County as a commissioner. The work of job creation and economic development is far from complete. I want the opportunity to continue serving the people of Marquette County by working to create family sustaining jobs, so our children and grandchildren are able to remain in Marquette County and raise their families among us.
"I currently serve on more than 10 local or community boards and have the ability to talk with officials that range from the federal government to the township level based on relationships forged over the past 22 years. This gives me an advantage when it comes to getting immediate action for the people I serve.
"Additionally, my strong business background gives me the ability to provide financial guidance to the county. My involvement with Michigan Works! The Job Force Board has benefited Marquette County. Programs such as "Welfare to Work," "Youth Employment," and "Senior Employment," have assisted Marquette County residents. The programs are basically designed to put businesses and job seekers together, with a focus on disadvantaged people."
Ritari said, "I am looking to bring some positive change to the Marquette County Board. I have a proven track record as a past trustee and current clerk from Marquette Township and would like to bring my ideas to the county board level."
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.
Arsenault said, "Although there are several important issues to be addressed, my priorities for the next two years would be unfunded mandates, expanding senior services and job creation.
"Unfortunately, over 80 percent of the county budget, by law, must be spent on state and federally mandated services. Over the past several years, the state and federal government have continued to mandate Marquette County to provide services, without granting any funding to pay for them.
"When the state and federal government make cuts, it puts a tremendous strain on the county budget. We need to make the state and federal government aware of the burdens they are shifting on the local taxpayer.
"We must prioritize the services that are of most importance to the community, such as healthcare, education and employment programs. Our children and seniors must come first. Programs that serve the working poor and people on fixed incomes are critical. Over the past two years, Marquette County has made a 59 percent increase in funding available to our local senior centers. This was a result of the county board taking control of the programs.
"Lastly, we need to work with all local units of government and cooperate with business to grow our economy and create new employment. We must prepare our youth and adults to be active, self sufficient and productive citizens who can contribute to their communities' social and economic development."
Ritari said he "would like to see continued economic growth at Sawyer, be more fiscally responsible and make sure that the county retire-rehire program stays discontinued."
Arsenault lives in Ishpeming and Ritari lives in Marquette.
John Pepin can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. His e-mail address is jpepin@miningjournal.net.
