Six of Lenawee County's nine county commissioner districts have contested races in this year's primary elections.
The Daily Telegram sent questionnaires to the candidates in the contested races. Below are the responses from David Aungst of Addison and Michael Leonard of Manitou Beach who are seeking the Republican Party nomination for county commissioner in District 3. Their responses are printed as provided, though they may have been edited for clarity or truncated if the answers exceeded the given word limits.
No Democratic Party candidates filed in District 3.
The current District 3 commissioner, Nancy Jenkins-Arno, R-Clayton, is running for state representative. She previously served in the House and left due to term limits, but changes in the term limits law allow her to serve in the House again, if elected.
District 3 covers Hudson, Medina and Rollin townships and the cities of Hudson and Morenci.
Profiles of the candidates in District 2 were published July 19. Profiles of the other candidates in contested primaries will be published over the next few days.
In-person voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. For all precincts in District 3, early voting will run from July 27 to Aug. 4, including weekends, at the Human Services Building, 1040 S. Winter St. in Adrian. Those hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Absentee ballots may be requested from township clerks.
County commissioners elected in November will serve four-year terms. That is a statewide change with this year's election. The terms begin Jan. 1.
David Aungst
Age: 56
Occupation: Full-time fire chief at Addison Fire and EMS; retired lieutenant and 911 director at the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office.
Spouse/kids: Wife, Brenda; adult son, Matthew; adult daughter, Heather, and son-in law Nick Schneider; and grandkids Braxton and Harper.
Government experience: 33 years at Lenawee County Sheriff's Office serving positions of 911 dispatcher, road patrol deputy, corporal, sergeant and lieutenant in charge of 911. I served as chairman of the state 911 training committee that oversees training and funding for all 136 911 centers across the state of Michigan. 39 years with Addison Fire & EMS serving as firefighter and EMT and every rank up to the top to my current position of fire chief.
Volunteer/community service experience: Served 15 years heading the Sheriff's Office Volunteer Mounted Division donating hundreds of hours with search-and-rescue and training and branched out working with all surrounding counties. Served on the 4-H horse and pony board.
Why are you running for this position? I have an interest in getting involved with decisions to make Lenawee County a place that people want to work and live in. Serving so many years in public service, this is the next chapter in my life where I can make a difference. (Editor's note: answer truncated.)
What do you think is the main challenge facing the county, and what should be done about it? I think the main challenges facing the county is economic development and careful spending of our tax dollars. We have a courthouse that is in need of repairs which certainly needs to be addressed, but let's look at the best ways to do this and stay within a budget. We need to come up with a good strategic plan that is best for the county as a whole. The biggest challenge I hear from people in my district, and it is my concern too, is the Tecumseh Products property and the Phoenix Project. This is too much money on the taxpayers.
Why should people vote for you? People should vote for me because I am honest, fair and transparent and here to serve the public and will be your voice. I get along very well with people and I am always open to listening to concerns of the people I serve. With 33 years' experience working for the county, I know the ins and outs of how the county functions. I care deeply about my community and I will stand up for what is right even if I am standing alone. I will work hard for a better future for our county. (Editor's note: answer truncated.)
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Michael Leonard
Age: 75
Occupation: Retired business owner and operator of several businesses in Lenawee County spanning 50 years.
Spouse/kids: Maribeth Leonard, spouse; Benjamin (Wendy) Leonard, son; Jennifer Frost (Scott Bayles), daughter; Myken Swaithes, daughter; Noah Leonard, son; Dylan Leonard, son; Patrick (Hannah) Caldwell, stepson; Elizabeth Caldwell, stepdaughter.
Government experience: Rollin Township Planning Commission, current member.
Volunteer/community service experience: Relay for Life, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties, past committee chair; Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee, past board member; Boy Scouts of America, past liaison; Junior Achievement, prior business instructor; Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce, past member; past church lay minister; political action committee experience; Amusement and Music Operators National Association, past president; Michigan Distributors and Vendors Association, past member; Michigan Coin Machine Operators Association, past president; Lake Leann Homeowners Association, past board president; Addison Community Schools, co-chair of bond committee; various other volunteer activities such as meals on wheels.
Why are you running for this position? I am running to be of service to my community. I value collaboration to bring divergent and opposing views together to create solutions that are fair, open-minded and transparent. I objectively seek answers to questions and challenges, helping others to seek common ground on a plan of action.
What do you think is the main challenge facing the county, and what should be done about it? Affordable housing is a need in Lenawee County. I will work with local and state officials to advocate for the development and expansion of affordable housing. Recovery housing has also been identified as a need in a prior county needs assessment. I will work to support the recovery housing options available and the support implementation of the Opioid Action Plan.
Why should people vote for you? I bring over 30 years of experience as leader in non-profit and for-profit organizations. I have demonstrated a commitment to Lenawee County and my local community both professionally and personally. I recently purchased a neglected property and reinvented it as a shared community and business space in the village of Addison. I will bring this visionary leadership to the county commission. I will make decisions that will positively impact all citizens in the county while taking note of the special needs and concerns of my constituents. I will advocate for fiscal responsibility in decision-making.
— Contact reporter David Panian at dpanian@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @lenaweepanian.
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