Three candidates are incumbent commissioners Jon Joslin, Bruce Kilmer and David McGuire. The four challengers are Rick Rautanen, Rachel Sherwood, Benjamin Barker and Jeffrey Jakeway. The terms will last three years, from Jan. 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2012.

The polls will be open in all seven precincts from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The incumbents

Joslin, a manager and business owner in Mount Pleasant, has served on the commission for nine years.

“I enjoy doing it, and I feel I’ve contributed a lot over the last nine years,” he said. “I want to continue working on the projects that the Commission started.”

Vice Mayor Kilmer is the Regional State Court Administrator for the Michigan Supreme Court.

“I decided to re-run because I love Mount Pleasant and, after three years on the commission, I feel I’ve gained a lot of knowledge and experiences about some of the future issues and needs of the city,” he said. “I would like to stay on the commission to see some of those through.”

McGuire, president of McGuire Companies, said his business experience will aid the commission if re-elected.

“The biggest issue right now is to keep the community moving forward and face financial challenges,” he said. “We have to be creative in the way we spend money, get the most bang for our buck and hopefully attract businesses to town to provide revenue.”

The Challengers

Rautanen, general manager of the Hampton Inn, 5205 E. Pickard Road, decided to run to get involved with his community.

“The number one issue, which I think is at the top of a lot of people’s concerns, is the zoning for student housing,” he said. “I certainly think that all sides need to be heard.”

Sherwood, an Adrian College alumna and a Mount Pleasant freshman, said she became interested in the City Commission after attending meetings regarding the cell phone tower last summer.

“I think the biggest thing for me if elected would be to increase community awareness and community involvement,” she said.

Barker, a Mount Pleasant senior, said he wants to bring more democracy to city government and eliminate conflicts of interest.

“Like anyone concerned about the community, I saw a problem and I wanted to be a part of the solution,” Barker said.

Jakeway, a real estate developer, said he wants to bring common sense and a business perspective to the city.

“I would like to see the city of Mount Pleasant embrace CMU students and encourage more of them to remain members of the community upon graduation,” Jakeway said. “This is our greatest asset and is key to our future success.”

Residents can find out what precinct they vote in by calling the Mount Pleasant City Clerk’s office at 779-5361.

The Mount Pleasant area League of Women’s Voters hosted a debate Thursday for the upcoming City Commission elections in November.

Seven candidates are running for three open seats. The candidates are Benjamin Barker, Jeffrey Jakeway, Jon Joslin, David McGuire, Rick Rautanen, Rachel Sherwood and Kilmer.

Questions ranged from an adoption of a commission code of ethics, issues with traffic and living situations in the city and the possible adoption of a city-wide non-discrimination ordinance.

Of the seven candidates, Joslin, Kilmer and McGuire are incumbent commissioners. Mount Pleasant residents Barker, Jakeway, Rautanen and Sherwood have not previously served on the commission.

Sherwood and Barker are Mount Pleasant freshman and senior at Central Michigan University, respectively.

Theresa Turner, a LWV member, said the group is active in hosting debates and usually has a forum for every election. It is important to hold debates so residents can learn more about the candidates before voting, she said.

“We have information out (but), even just reading, you can’t see the basic personalities,” Turner said.
Questions were provided by the LWV and by residents who attended the debate.

The zoning debate

One of the bigger issues was the prevalence of student rental housing and the issues it brings up in the community. The city currently allows student rental housing in some areas and not in others.

Many candidates supported the current zoning ordinances.

Sherwood said the current ordinances need change.

“Owner-occupied housing is outdated,” Sherwood said. “I don’t need to own my home to invest in it.”

Candidates also were asked how they would encourage cooperation between different county and city elements, including Isabella County and CMU.

Rautanen said he would work toward making the city more walkable and bikeable, and look into combining various governmental groups.

“Utilities and law enforcement are the greatest opportunities,” he said.

Barker said he wants to re-involve residents in community government, work to make businesses more diverse and encourage growth in neighborhoods.