On Nov. 3, there is a three-way race for the two Lima Township trustee seats.
Duane Luick won primary election in August for township supervisor and is running unopposed as a Republican in November.
Elaine Bater ran unopposed in the August primary and is running unopposed for township clerk as a Republican in November.
Nanette Havens ran unopposed in the August primary and is running unopposed for township treasurer as a Republican in November.
Three candidates David Henzel, Dale Luick and Greg McKenzie are running for two open trustee seats. These candidates were asked a series of questions and offered an option of including a photo. Their answers can be found below in alphabetical order.
Candidate’s name: David Hensel (no party affiliation)
Occupation: President of D.J. Hensel Consulting Services working as a consultant to Lombardo Homes of Southeast Michigan. I work in Land Development.
Do you have any previous elected office experience and if so, please explain it. While I have not been elected to a public office, I have been elected and currently serve on the Board of Directors as Treasurer at Thornton Farms. I also serve on 9 other boards, being president of one other developing community in the Ann Arbor area. I am currently appointed to the Lima Township Board of Trustees serving out Donald Laier’s term since his passing.
How long have you lived in the township? I have lived in the township since July 2012.
Do you have any current public and/or community service experience? If so, please explain what that is. My public and community service started back in 1986 in West Michigan working with neighborhood groups, city council, Downtown Development Authorities in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.
Please briefly identify the top two issues of your campaign, i.e. why are you running for township office?
- The proposed new Township Hall. My experience will enable me to make sure that this project, if it proceeds, will be within budget and that the township has the funds in the bank to move forward. You don’t spend money you don’t have.
- Roads and Bridges. Our relationship with the Road Commission has helped us improve and/or repair many roads and bridges. We need to continue to work with the Road Commission in prioritizing, based on traffic and usage volume, those roads and bridges in the township that are in need of the funding and attention required.
Please summarize in a sentence or two how you plan to address those two issues listed above.
- Regarding the Township Hall, I will use my long-range planning and financial experience, to ensure that this project, will stay within the township budget, and that the funds are available, if the decision is made to move forward. Obtaining basic engineering and architectural designs first, will tell us if we need to proceed or not.
- Working with the Road Commission, and using their recommended prioritization of what roads and bridge projects will benefit the township the greatest will ensure that those funds, budgeted funds, are put to the best usage.
In a sentence or two please explain to voters why you are the best candidate for the position. I am a resident of Lima Township first and foremost. Drawing on my experience in long range planning and finance, I will assist the board in helping the township grow and move forward, yet protecting and respecting the farming and agricultural heritage of the township.
Candidate’s name: Dale Luick (Republican)
Occupation: Farming and Excavating
Do you have any previous elected office experience and if so, please explain it?
I do not have prior experience in an elected position. However, I believe in getting involved at a young age. I listen and converse with the younger members of our community, and I am ready to be their voice.
How long have you lived in the township?
I have lived in Lima Township for my entire life, 31 years.
Do you have any current public and/or community service experience? If so, please explain what that is.
While I have no recent formal community service experience; I am the friend, neighbor, and trustee you can count on. As a farmer it is unspoken that when a favor is asked or help is needed, we do it and get the job done. No questions asked and no compensation expected.
Please briefly identify the top two issues of your campaign, i.e. why are you running for township office?
- Limit unnecessary spending and commercial development
- Push for high-speed internet
Please summarize in a sentence or two how you plan to address those two issues listed above.
- Going forward, I will vote to stop any proceedings of the new townhall. I will advocate to keep our township the rural farming community it has been for generations.
- I will consistently prioritize high-speed internet. My goal is to seek out the most cost-effective option for our township.
In a sentence or two please explain to voters why you are the best candidate for the position.
I am dedicated to this township and its residents. I plan to start a family of my own one day and take pride in knowing my children will be raised here. I am the best candidate for trustee because it is simple, I care.
Candidate’s name: Greg McKenzie (Republican)
Occupation: Retired architect and part-time goat herder
Do you have any previous elected office experience and if so, please explain it.
I have been continuously involved in various township capacities for over 30 years. I was initially appointed to the Planning Commission for 22 years and then concurrently the Zoning Board of Appeals. I was elected as a Township Trustee and served for twelve years.
How long have you lived in the township?
I have lived in Lima Township for 35 years.
Do you have any current public and/or community service experience? If so, please explain what that is.
In 2008, I was appointed by the Board as the Twp representative to the Chelsea Area Construction Agency, and currently continue to serve as that Board’s treasurer. In addition, I am the alternate Twp representative to four other boards.
Please briefly identify the top two issues of your campaign, i.e. why are you running for township office?
- One ongoing issue and major topic of discussion is how best to resolve the physical facilities deficiencies and use of current Township properties while responsibly providing for long-term township needs.
- Another issue is maintaining the township local road maintenance budget and maintaining a good relationship with the WCRC.
Please summarize in a sentence or two how you plan to address those two issues listed above.
- My goal would be to resolve the physical facility needs in a logical, very fiscally responsible way funded from current revenue. The decisions need to best serve the residents for many years to come. However, this means using fiscal restraint until we overcome the current pandemic economic effects and state revenue source funding is made clear.
- As noted, local road funding is important. During my previous time as trustee we significantly increased budgeted funds for local road projects and this needs to be continued as a budget priority.
In a sentence or two please explain to voters why you are the best candidate for the position.
My continued active involvement in many and various township activities gives me a good overall perspective of past input and ongoing issues such as funding and budgeting – planning – fire protection – other related agencies – that affect us all and can be addressed at the township level.
