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Chelsea City Council candidates answer questions at forum

Cheri Albertson is running for City Council.

By Lisa Carolin

Chelsea City Council candidates had an opportunity to answer questions about issues facing the City of Chelsea during a candidate forum Wednesday, Nov. 1 at City Council Chambers, which was attended by just over a dozen people.

Paul Schissler, vice president of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce, asked the questions beginning with two prepared by the chamber and then those submitted by audience members. Each candidate was allowed three minutes to introduce themselves and a maximum of two minutes to answer each question.

The candidates participating were Melissa Johnson, who is running for mayor of Chelsea, and Cheri Albertson, Rick Catherman and Tony Iannelli, who are running for three City Council seats.

One of the Chamber’s questions was about the southern business district (south of US-12) in Chelsea and what role it plays in the community.

Rick Catherman is running for City Council.

Iannelli said that he believes the southern district has unique possibilities. He suggested that having appealing businesses located right off the highway (I-94) can bring people into Chelsea, who may not be familiar with the city.

The question about what part of the city needs the most improvement led to a few different responses.

Johnson said the amount of traffic on M-52 and traffic cutting through neighborhoods is a big concern.

Catherman said that finding ways to expand housing options is important as well as creating employment opportunities.

Iannelli said he’d like to see more socioeconomic diversity in Chelsea adding that it’s not a very affordable place to live, which is evidenced by the number of people who work in Chelsea but can’t afford to live here.

Tony Iannelli is running for City Council.

When it came to the question of building a bypass, Albertson responded that it’s very complicated and that unless it’s strictly for truck traffic, it’s not a good idea. Johnson said she supports the idea of a bypass, especially because she has heard residents complain about both safety and noise issues on Main Street. Iannelli expressed concern about creating a bypass because he said it could end up looking like Telegraph Road and turn the downtown into a ghost town.

On the subject of having a medical marijuana dispensary in Chelsea, both Albertson and Johnson said there are too many issues such as the conflict of laws between the state and federal governments. Iannelli said he’s not opposed to a dispensary as long as it discretely integrated within the community. Catherman said that if there are citizens in Chelsea who would benefit from a dispensary, then needs should be met.

Melissa Johnson is running for mayor.

One of the final questions from an audience member was what the candidates thought about Chelsea becoming a sanctuary city. Johnson said she wants Chelsea to be a welcoming city, but that federal and state law must be followed, though citizens could contact their legislators to request a change. Albertson agreed that it would have to be legal, while Catherman said Chelsea should be a safe and welcoming place to all people, but that more research on the legal implications and conversations with the police department would have to happen.

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