BLISSFIELD TWP. — Blissfield Township’s incumbent supervisor is being challenged for the township’s top governmental seat in the Aug. 6 primary election.
Adolio (Al) Q. Navarro, Jr, who has served as Blissfield Township Supervisor since 2012, will go head-to-head in the August primary election against 34-year Blissfield resident Alan Dickerson, currently a trustee on the Blissfield Township Board since being appointed to fill a vacancy in 2023. Both are seeking the Republican Party nomination. There were not any Democrat Party candidates who filed for the primary in Blissfield Township.
In-person voting will take place on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. Absentee ballots may be requested from township clerks.
The Daily Telegram sent questionnaires to the candidates in the contested primary races. Below are the responses from Navarro, Jr and Dickerson. Their responses are printed as provided.
Adolio (Al) Q. Navarro, Jr
Age: 69.
Occupation: Retired Michigan State Police, retired Blissfield Recreation Coordinator, retired Lenawee County Community Corrections Coordinator, retired Blissfield High School Cross Country and Track coach, current Blissfield Township Supervisor.
Spouse/Kids: Wife: Linda married for 46 years. Children: Catherine, Juanita, Jennie and Joseph. Grandson: Michael Killian.
Government Experience: Blissfield Township Trustee 2005-2010, Village of Blissfield Trustee 2010-12, Blissfield Township Supervisor 2012-present.
Volunteer/Service Involvement: River Raisin Watershed board, DDA board, Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Run board, Blissfield High School Hall of Fame committee, Past member of Blissfield Kiwanis, Past member of Hospice of Lenawee, Past President of Blissfield Co-Op Nursery.
Why are you running for this position? I am running to be reelected as Supervisor to continue the work the township started such as amending the zoning ordinances, updating the master plan and maintaining the cemetery. I have the experience and dedication to accomplish these goals and have always worked for the betterment of the township.
What do you think are the major issues facing Blissfield Township and what should be done about them? Major issues we are working on are zoning and local control, the master plan and local ordinances, and the lack of revenue for services and projects. The state has taken away local control of zoning and land use. The Township Planning Commission is working to update the zoning ordinance to address these issues. The master plan and ordinance is in the process of being revised, due to the manual missing several definitions, reference points and some discrepancies that contradicted itself. Lastly, the lack of revenue for services and projects. The township is being asked to do more with less revenue. The township has been working to secure grants and additional funds from different sources.
Blissfield Township has a new office location at 177 West Brooke Lane that is no longer in downtown Blissfield. How is this better serving the residents? The new office brings together all facets of township business into an updated central location. Each employee now has their own office space plus additional area is available for meeting rooms. This new location allows the township to have elections within the current building and has additional parking for the residents. This new building will serve the needs of the residents for years.
Why should people vote for you? In my role as Supervisor, the Township Board has implemented a policies and procedures protocol, updated the master plan and zoning ordinances, established a township website and hired an assessor as required by state statute. The township has also purchased a new township hall that was needed as part of the capital improvement plan and the fire department is now daytime staffed which makes for a better response time. I have just completed furthering my education in zoning, land use and planning through classes offered by MSU. The role of Supervisor is evolving, and I believe education, information, leadership and working with other elected officials is the key to accomplishing the goals of the township and makes me the best candidate for Supervisor.
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Alan Dickerson
Age: 61.
Occupation: Marketing/Sales.
Spouse/kids: I have lived in Blissfield for 34 years while raising my family. My hobbies include woodworking and playing euchre with my family.
Government experience: I was appointed to fill the vacant seat of trustee on the Blissfield Township Board following a resignation. I have been on the Township Board from February 2023 until the present.
Volunteer/service/involvement: I have served on the State FFA Alumni board for six years and the Michigan FFA Foundation board for two years.
Why are you running for this position? Changes are needed to many of the current ordinances. There is a need for more transparency to the taxpayers. We need to listen to their concerns/complaints and deal with these in a timely manner, within the guidelines of the ordinances in place currently.
What do you think are the major issues facing Blissfield Township and what should be done about them? Communications: The Blissfield Township Board needs to be more transparent and accessible with better communication. We need to look at options for providing meeting information, reports on progress made and schedule notifications of meetings to the taxpayers to be in attendance and involved if they choose. Maintenance: Pleasant View Cemetery needs repairs to the roads and the fencing needs painting. With proper budgeting and conversations with vendors this can be completed over time. Also, the township’s severe weather notification system needs an upgrade. Any changes to ordinances should protect the agricultural area that Blissfield was founded on.
Blissfield Township has a new office location at 177 West Brooke Lane that is no longer in downtown Blissfield. How is this better serving the residents? This office will be better to serve the taxpayers with easier access to the office and better availability for parking. This building provides a larger space that is needed to hold elections and more seating area for public attendance at township meetings. This also gives the township the opportunity in the event of a closed meeting session so that the taxpayers may not have to leave the building.
Why should people vote for you? We need to have strong leadership to take us into the future. I will promote having a Township Board that will work together and hold each other accountable to do what is right for the township. And to provide a township that works for the people.
— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman .
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Blissfield Township Supervisor race pits incumbent Al Navarro against Alan Dickerson
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