BENZIE

MARQUETTE — County Commissioner Fred Benzie has announced his intention to run for the Marquette County Board of Commissioners District 3 seat as a Democrat.

“My wife and I were raised in Marquette County, and we have spent most of our lives here in Marquette,” said Benzie. “Our children graduated from Marquette Senior High School and went on to earn degrees from Northern Michigan University, leading to successful careers. My years of life experience have given me a perspective that reflects the needs of all members of our community, from children to seniors.”

Benzie currently holds the District 3 County Board of Commissioners seat after being chosen by the commission to replace Steve Adamini after his resignation in March. District 3 encompasses Marquette Township, Marquette City District 1 and part of Powell Township.

“I want to thank (the Commission) for their faith in my ability to follow in Steve Adamini’s shoes,” said Benzie. “I have worked in county government for 25-plus years. My record shows that I help citizens get the services they need, while being fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars. The community deserves a commissioner who has a proven history of making a meaningful impact on our community.”

Benzie previously served as health officer for the Marquette County Health Department. His stated list of goals for if he is reelected include:

“Promoting economic development that provides creation of sustainable jobs, maintaining fiscal responsibility with the wise use of taxpayer dollars and identifying innovative technologies that benefit the growth of Marquette County, (ensuring) that our veterans receive all benefits defined in their service, (promoting) mental health care which provides the necessary services for every individual in our community and (ensuring) that our aging community receives the services they need.”

While Benzie was health officer for Marquette County, he helped administer WIC, SNAP benefits, tobacco cessation and education, diabetes prevention, suidice prevention and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. He also facilitated two school-based clinics in the Gwinn Community School and Ishpeming Public School Districts.

“In 2011, psychoactive bath salts were being legally distributed throughout our community,” said Benzie’s campaign announcement. “The use of these substances induced psychotic breaks requiring prolonged hospitalization, the need to put children in foster care due to family breakups and the death of at least one individual.

“Due to the ability to legally obtain these drugs, law enforcement was helpless to eliminate the problem. Working with Cheryl Hill (at that time assisting prosecuting attorney and now probate judge), (Benzie) authorized the first Imminent Danger Order to remove this scourge from our community. This initiative led to assisting in developing new state legislation that finally put an end to all changing analog drugs that were escaping prosecution.”

In addition to his time as health officer, Benzie has served on the Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority Board, the Ishpeming Wastewater Treatment Plant Board and the Marquette County Airport Advisory Board.

“(Benzie’s) management position and educational background provide him with extensive experience in budget management, human resources, program development, labor relations and contract negotiations,” said Benzie’s announcement.

The partisan primary election for the County Board of Commissioners seat will be held August 4, and the general election will be Nov. 3.

“Please feel free to contact me with your concerns, ideas or questions at any time,” said Benzie. “I am an avid proponent of people’s right to express their views through their first amendment right and am always willing to listen.” Benzie can be contacted at fbenzie@mqtco.org or at 906-250-7110.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.