“There ain’t a dime’s worth of difference between you two. I should’ve stayed home and planted corn.” — Bob Wenger of Middleville, speaking to GOP state representative candidates Gary Newell and Jim Bailey at a First Friday forum in 2000.
ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.
Some voters will go to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 4, to cast ballots in the primary election, but it’s a good possibility that most will vote by mail because of the health risks of COVID-19.
There will be a number of races in which area voters will choose candidates. As is customary in Townbroadcast, I will pass along my recommendations, for what they’re worth:
- Sixth District Congress — Democrats Jon Hoadley and Jen Richardson. I choose Hoadley because he’s got the better recognition, the better chance in the head-to-head matchup in the Nov. 3 general election vs. Republican Fred Upton, who has been this area’s congressman for 34 years.
- 72nd District State Representative — Though Democrats Cade Wilson and Lily Cheng-Schuilting have very similar views on the issues, I choose the latter because she seems to be more passionate and energetic, characteristics that will be critical in the effort to upend Republican Steve Johnson, who is seeking his third, two-year term.
- 80th District State Representative — Republican incumbent Mary Whiteford, seeking her third full term, is being challenged by Nevin Cooper-Keel, former Monterey Township Supervisor. Consult the quote at the beginning of this editorial. Cooper-Keel essentially holds the same views as Whiteford. So choose the devil you know rather than the devil you don’t.
- Allegan County Prosecutor — Incumbent Myrene Koch vs. challenger Mike Villar, both Republicans, in a re-run of the 2016 race. Villar says under Koch’s watch, Allegan County crime cases have increased by 52 percent. Koch rightly says finding more cases, largely because of the county’s meth problem, isn’t a liability. Follow the old adage: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
- Dorr Township Supervisor — Incumbent Jeff Miling has warded off challenges twice from Patty Senneker and once from John Tuinstra. This is just another no-brainer. Challenger Terry Rios, in just four years, has demonstrated a disturbing penchant for negative personal relationships, particularly with office manager Vicki Fifelski, Planning Commission Chairman Bob Wagner and Treasurer Jim Martin. She even routinely refuses to approve payroll because it includes paying Fifelski. Dorr has enough squabbling and personal toxicity problems.
- Leighton Township Supervisor — Deputy Supervisor Steve Wolbrink indeed has been groomed for this job for about a year in a half, an anointing process with which I have problems, but it has enabled him to hit the ground running if elected. Spencer Moore was supervisor from 2004 to 2008 and then tried to climb those golden stairs by seeking the state representative seat won by Bob Genetski. Moore, after a promising start, has burned too many bridges since to be effective.
- Hopkins Township Treasurer — The old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” no longer applies here, as it did four years ago. Challenger Kathy Laseur is seeking the office for the third straight time and she has a master’s degree in accounting. Incumbent Sandra Morris has been a willing accomplice to passage of two policies that are simply wrong-headed. I speak of spending at least $15,000 of taxpayers’ money on the hopelessly losing cause of opposing the Gun Lake Tribe’s attempts to take the Nowak property into trust and of not providing dust control services to the residents of the township. Perhaps it’s time to give Laseur a chance.
I think most of the electorate is smart enough to decide for themselves who they want to represent them without an outside source’s opinion. Opinions are like orafices, everyone has one.
DTOM,
Of course we need liberals to tell us how to vote. No different than the union goons telling their faithful how they need to vote. See if you can find a MEA rag to read, it is quite entertaining, to think teachers have to be told how they are going to vote…….
Cheers!!
Gentlemen: It is customary for newspapers, regardless of whether liberal of conservative, to endorse candidates for public office. I hardly find my weak endorsement of Mary Whiteford some kind of liberal move. Stop politicizing everything.
Mr. Young. EXACTLY!
Achtung: this comment isn’t fair or balanced-
Not interested in anyone’s endorsements
If you don’t want an opinion don’t read the editorial, and vote as Trump tells you to vote. Stop politicizing voting.
Mr Young
I only wish Mr Wolbrink.had remained a resident of Dorr township…..I would swap one of the candidates for supervisor in Dorr for him without question.
Seems having a candidate able to hit the ground running doesn’t set well with you. I’m guessing you would rather prefer one without any knowledge so they can be lead in the direction you choose.
Of course I am biasis …since I worked closely with Mr. Wolbrink when he was on the Dorr Parks Commission…..
He doesn’t get led or pressured into “knee jerk” decisions ….he is known to research and look at all possible avenues for a reasonable solution.
Leighton Township will do well if he is elected supervisor….
My turn. Look at me!