A former official out of Marysville is coming back for a seat he lost two years ago in the Republican primary next month for District 4 of the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners.
Joi Torello, a one-term incumbent from Port Huron Township, initially beat Henry “Duke” Dunn in the 2022 primary, securing her a seat in the district, which also represents precinct 1 in Kimball Township.
Dunn served on the county board for seven years and previously on the Marysville City Council before returning to the latter to fill a vacancy as an appointee in late 2022, bringing his council experience to roughly 16 years.
“I have enjoyed serving at this level of government for the seven years, and I feel I still have more to contribute,” Dunn said via email this month.
The long-time local official said the position gives him the ability to listen to constituents, adding he was contacted by residents concerned about the Smiths Creek Landfill. Now, he said he hopes to do more research to help find out what steps need to be taken to correct any problems.
“I am a conservative who cares deeply about family and family values. I am led by my faith and have been an active member of the Cornerstone Church in Clyde Township for 25 years,” Dunn said. “As a veteran of the United States Army, I value our country, our veterans, and our citizens. I could have raised my family anywhere, but after having been born and raised in the Blue Water Area, my wife, Bonnie, and I made the easy decision to raise our boys right here in St. Clair County.
“I love this community and its people. Please know that I will serve with transparency and passion, and I can assure you that I will use my experience and values to guide St. Clair County into the best community it can be.”
For Torello, the 2022 election was her first foray into public office, tapping into decision-making experience with a small family business that, she said, has been a benefit while serving on the board.
Also a long-time resident of St. Clair County, she said found it an honor to serve the county and looked forward to another opportunity to keep momentum of the current board.
“Again, I'll say I'm not a politician. I'm just a member of the community who tremendously cares about what transpires here in Saint Clair County,” Torello said. “Therefore, I felt the desire to be involved. We live in serious times, and it is not unthinkable that a totalitarian force could descend on us. I commit that I will interpose when possible to protect our families and our children.
“I encourage others to engage in local politics because our local government is the government that is the closest to the people. If I can make one request for the people of St. Clair County, please exercise civic duty and vote.”
Dunn and Torello have each had a hand in allocating local American Rescue Plan Act dollars to their district.
When board members each received half a million from the county’s share, Dunn allocated the bulk of his funds largely to a new amphitheater at Marysville City Park before his term was up post-primary in 2022. Later, when the current board moved to allocate another million to each district, Torello allocated funds to two Port Huron Township park projects with a brand-new dock at Thompson Pond and a walkable pathway at Bakers Field. Those funds have also gone to resurfacing Ravenswood Road in Marysville and kitchen equipment for Mid-City Nutrition, where Torello said it’s been “a pleasure to have been part of the moving forward” with the soup kitchen’s new building.
In other areas, Torello said it’s also been a pleasure bringing a resolution to the board aiming to protect homeschooling families.
Outside of council or commissioner experience, Dunn said he’s served on the board for the United Way, the county’s parks and recreation board, Marysville’s rec board and planning commission, and the board for Mid-City Nutrition.
The winner of the Aug. 6 Republican primary in District 4 moves on so far unchallenged to the November general election with no listed Democratic candidate, according to the county clerk’s office.
Contact reporter Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com
Most Popular
Comments / 0