Home    Views    June Views

		Points of View Tom Collins June 9, 2002 Guest Column © 2002 Tom Collins Published with Permission

Tom Collins for Keweenaw County Commissioner, District 1

I'm Tom Collins, a Republican Candidate for Keweenaw Commissioner, District 1. This district covers all of Grant and Sherman Townships and the south side of Fulton Road in Fulton.

I have lived in the Copper Country for 20 years with my wife Sandra, the daughter of the late Henry Lohela of Hancock. We raised two children here and now enjoy two grandchildren. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and a Master's Degree in Counseling from the University of Michigan. For twelve years I was director of Dial Help in Houghton. Now I work for Marquette General Hospital as supervisor of Behavioral Health Services with offices in Hancock and Keweenaw Memorial Hospital.

I am a full-time resident of the Copper Country, living in beautiful Lac La Belle. For the last six years I have been president of the Keweenaw South Shore Association, and for two years I have served on the Grant Township Land Use Committee. As hobbies I enjoy fishing, planting a Christmas tree farm and playing saxophone in two Keweenaw bands.

As your County Commissioner, I will work hard to: 

Preserve and protect Keweenaw County lands for:

• Timber production and forestry
• Public access to hunting, fishing and recreation
• Trails for motorized and non-motorized use
• Protection of scenic views, historical buildings, archeological sites, rare plants and wildlife

Improve Keweenaw County's economy by:

• Promoting industrial parks and smart zones
• Encouraging technology and information business development
• Keeping taxes working for the good of Keweenaw people

Promote Commercial districts in areas where the infrastructure they need is economically and environmentally appropriate.

Improve communication between the County, Townships and residents.
I will attend all meetings and improve media coverage.

Protect local interests at the tip of the Keweenaw by working with the DNR as it plans the future of its recent land purchase.

Promote conservation design for new home and business construction.

Improve fishing by planting salmon and trout in the Superior watershed.

Support the Copper Harbor School as Michigan's last and best learning environment of this kind within a remote community.

Reclaim Superior lakeshore overtaken by stamp sand.

Promote public and boat access to Lake Superior waters.

Improve public safety through 911 service and more resources and training for the Keweenaw County Sheriff, first responders and local fire departments.

I've received many blessings from Keweenaw. And I've worked hard to give something back. I believe the things I want to do as your county commissioner will help assure a better future for us all. I want to hear what's on your mind, both now and after the election. Please feel free to contact me at 289-4202.

Remember, this commissioner race will probably be decided at the August 6 Primary Election. Please mark your calendar for that day to

VOTE FOR TOM COLLINS

Thank you!

Committee to elect Tom Collins
Hc1 Box 37A, Mohawk MI. 49950

Visit the Keweenaw Now discussion forums to comment on this article.

Note: Views expressed by our guest columnists are not necessarily the views of Keweenaw Now.