Almost no sparks fly at Dorr Township political forum

Maybe it was a good thing the two incumbents in the Dorr Township forum sat like bookends at designated candidates’ seats Monday night.

Trustee John Tuinstra sat at one end and Trustee Josh Otto the other, and the two provided the only fireworks in the event, which included six of the seven candidates for trustee in the Nov. 8 election and the two candidates for treasurer. Trustee Dan Weber was unable to attend because of a work commitment.

Tuinstra, Otto, Weber and Terry Rios are the four Republicans were who ran unopposed in the August primary. Joining them in the forum were Barbara Herbert and Gordon Lieffers, no party affiliation (NPA), and Christine Schwartz of the U.S. Taxpayers Party.

Republican Jim Martin appeared with his challenger, Arienne Taylor, another of the NPA candidates who seem to be more numerous this year than in other elections.

The “fireworks” between Tuinstra and Otto was prompted by Tuinstra’s assertion that he works harder and has put more time into township matters than fellow Trustees Otto and Weber combined. Otto took umbrage with the comment, calling it “far out on John’s soapbox.” He asked how Tuinstra would know about how much time Otto devotes to the township.

Bubbling under the surface of the disagreement is a circular Tuinstra sent out earlier this month to township residents that Otto and Township Supervisor Jeff Miling have insisted contains lies. Tuinstra has recommended township voters choose Herbert and Schwartz over Otto and Weber.

Tuinstra also charged that “There’s a lot of voting (on the board) based on personal loyalty,” when asked about the board’s seemingly constant 5-2 split on issues. He and former Trustee Patty Senneker were identified as a small voting bloc against progress.

Other than the exchanges between Otto and Tuinstra, there were very few instances in which the candidates revealed differences of opinion.

Virtually all of them expressed support for the continuing improvements of the North Park as a recreational facility, all said they’d still run for the board if it didn’t pay, all outlined their volunteer experiences in the communities where they have lived, and most were enthusiastic about prospects for local road improvements as a result of the approval of a special millage in the August primary.

The following is a series of sketches of the trustee candidates:

Barbara Herbert

She identified herself as a Republican, but she was encouraged to run for the board as “another set of eyes.” She said she’s been a homemaker for 22 years and home schooled her eldest child,

“I’m a city girl who married a country boy,” she added. “I love the atmosphere my kids have been raised in here.”

She said she’s glad the roads will be paved, but understands that some people don’t want it and don’t want to pay for it.

She said she would put in “whatever time it takes to do the job properly” as a Township Board member.

She agreed that the board needs to do a better job of working together and asserted, “I believe I can bring new life to the board.”

Gordon Lieffers

A member of the Dorr Township Planning Commission and president of Library Board for 10 years, Lieffers is a teacher at St. Stanislaus School. His statement that he has run for local office as a Democrat, a Republican and an independent raised questions from an audience member about his party loyalty.

Lieffers said he did the best at the polls when he ran as an independent, so he chose NPA, also believing many voters this year aren’t particularly happy with the two major parties.

Lieffers pointed to his massive experience in township planning, achieving the designation as master planner by taking a lot of classes.

“I took classes to educate myself on what is best for the township,” he said.

When asked how many hours he would devote to the job, he replied, “Whatever it takes. Hopefully all those classes I’ve taken will help… All those classes the township paid for me to go, I’d like to use these tools and knowledge.”

Lieffers said he’s pleased with the new roads program and the recreation plans, but would like to see more for pedestrians and bicyclers as well.

Terry Rios

A newcomer to Dorr politics, Rios won the Republican primary to succeed Senneker, who decided instead to run against Miling as supervisor.

“I don’t have any official political experience,” she acknowledged, but said she’s run a home budget, volunteered with scouting programs, and has worked as a nurse.

“Because of my life experiences as a nurse, I have empathy for people,” she said.

She echoed some of Lieffers’ comments about recreation and said she wants to see the park have new rest room facilities.

When asked about the pay for a trustee, she responded, “I signed up for this without knowing that I’d be paid.”

Rios also said she would try to help board members get along better, saying, “I see it as being able to sit down and talk and be respectful.”

Christina Schwartz

No stranger to local school and township politics, Schwartz was elected to a four-year term on the Hopkins Board of Education in 1992. She has served as deputy clerk briefly in Dorr Township, has been a member of the Parks Board and applied for the supervisor’s post that eventually was won by Miling.

Schwartz ran for trustee on the U.S. Taxpayers Party ticket in 2012 and made a surprisingly strong showing. However, she failed to be elected to her Parks Board seat.

“I enjoy researching and using it to solve problems,” she said.

She alone had a different take on roads, insisting, “I’d like to go further with it and talk with Salem Township about a 20-year plan so everybody in the township is getting something done.”

Salem unleashed a five-mill annual program to pave all of its roads.

She said she also would like to see something done to revitalize the downtown and offer programs for senior citizens, such as assisted living housing.

Schwartz said it’s important “to be educated about things brought before the board and to take it seriously. It’s a big responsibility.”

She said her “longevity and breadth of experience” and willingness to do the hard work and make tough decisions are her greatest assets.

Josh Otto

Otto is seeking his third four-year term on the board, despite being its youngest member.

He is owner of the Wayland Hotel and serves as a firefighter for the township. He also was head of overseeing the budget for his church, St. Peter’s Lutheran.

“I feel I have a broad spectrum of qualities,” he said. “I have a knack for seeing both sides.”

He said he’s proud of the some of progress Dorr Township has made during his eight years on the board and he has learned a great deal.

“We fought long and hard to get that fire millage back,” he said. “And we have plans for North Park and for paving our roads.”

Otto said he believes the principal responsibility of being a trustee is to provide checks and balances. He said individual board members should trust their department heads and avoid micro-managing.

He added, “I’ve seen flyers flying around town and they’re pretty false, and the media has picked up on that.”

John Tuinstra

Tuinstra is seeking his second four-year term on the board, though he ran unsuccessfully against Miling in 2014 for supervisor.

He pointed to his service as a precinct delegate to the Republican state convention (as did Lieffers), his presidency of a Right to Life group and Citizens for Parental Rights, as a builder, a teacher, an auto mechanic, in farming and construction.

He accused the Downtown Development Authority of sometimes spending money foolishly.

He said he’d like to have the township make public its income and expense information on its web site.

“It’s honest and forthright to tell the people how we’re spending their money,” he said.

He pointed to his excellent attendance at local public meetings and his commitment on behalf of the public.

Tuinstra said he’s been a pain to other board members because of his constant penny-pinching on the taxpayers’ behalf.

“I’m the guy who’s always looking to save money,” he explained.

PHOTOS: Josh Otto   John Tuinstra

Barbara Herbert

Gordon Lieffers

Terry Rios

Christina Schwartz