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		Points of View Tom Collins October 31, 2004 Guest Column © 2004. League of Women Voters of Michigan.* Published with Permission

 

Editor's Note: Tom Collins is one of several local candidates who answered questions by the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country for their Election 2004 Voter Guide published recently by The Daily Mining Gazette: 1. What issues facing your community are of most concern to you? How do you propose to act on these issues? 2. In the light of budget deficits, what specific areas of government would you support reducing within your jurisdiction? With permission from both the League and Mr. Collins, we are reprinting his answers to these questions, since he is the only non-incumbent candidate running in a contested race for Keweenaw County Commissioner (District #1, two-year term). His opponent, Clyde Harold Wescoat II, did not reply publicly to the League's questions.

Tom Collins: Candidate for District 1 Keweenaw County Commissioner

LAC LA BELLE -- Keweenaw County is changing fast even though it still looks the same to many people. It is changing fast because Lake Superior Land Company is selling off their land, and they have proven to be a reasonable and trusted landlord. However, others to follow may be friendly at first, but not in the end. 

Without public interest and action, new large land owners, most likely from the outside, could dominate Keweenaw County. Today, in most popular areas in the United States, locals are getting pushed aside every day by these powerful interests. The only recourse to attempt to moderate these economic forces is through land use planning and zoning.

So far we have had some luck because the Tip of the Keweenaw land purchase was made by public agencies that require public input and dialogue. I am in favor of good planning and good communication in a planning system that is transparent and accountable to the public. Without these public serving elements, the market forces in the private sector have the potential to squeeze out hard-working individuals and families.

Keweenaw County is currently very poor, but as tax values become uncapped it has a very strong potential to be very well off. But all of this could be cut short if future development demands expensive infrastructure. Right now we do need more tax revenue and nothing needs to be cut. I am not in favor of raising taxes -- only in very special cases desired by the majority. The County's tax revenue potential is fertile, and I am in favor of just letting it grow over time. 

Note: A resident of the Copper Country for 26 years, Lac La Belle resident Tom Collins is a Democrat and works for Behavioral Health Services. He holds both a Bachelors and a Masters degree from the University of Michigan. His wife, Sandra, is a nurse; and he has two children and three grandchildren. Collins was active on the Grant Township Land Use Planning Committee. As President of the South Shore Association, he has also worked with local residents and visitors to Keweenaw County in fundraising for the acquisition of Bete Grise South for preservation and public access. See the Oct. 29, 2004, article, "Bete Grise awarded $1 million grant for wildlife, habitat protection." * To learn about candidates for State of Michigan offices visit the League of Women Voters of Michigan Web site for their Nonpartisan Michigan Voter Guide 2004.

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