Election 2020: Additional primary candidates – News – Bedford Now – Bedford Township, Michigan

Here are additional biographies of those seeking Monroe County seats during the Aug. 4 election.

Monroe County residents soon will be heading to the polls to weigh in on who will advance to the November ballot.

They also will decide the fate of several ballot initiatives, many of which are necessary for operations of certain municipalities.

The Michigan Primary Election is Tuesday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On July 26, The Monroe News ran a special section introducing candidates locked in partisan races to have the opportunity to represent either the Democratic or Republican parties in the Nov. 3 general election.

Today, we are introducing additional candidates, including write-in candidates or those who had parts of their profiles omitted.

Those voting will have to select a party and will vote only for candidates registered with that particular party.

Candidates were asked to respond to the following question: What challenges will you face in your elected office because of the COVID- 19 pandemic, and how can they be addressed?

Answers were limited 125 words, and some have been edited to meet that requirement.

DAVID C. HOFFMAN (DISTRICT 1; REPUBLICAN)

Age, place of birth: 68; Monroe

Street address: 12877 Bigelow Rd., Dundee

Partner: Elizabeth “Angel” Louise

Children: Tara, Joe and Gabe Hoffman

Occupation, employer: Excavation demolition and contractor, David C. Hoffman, Inc. and Sons; former volunteer firefighter and first responder

Education: St. Michael School, Monroe Catholic Central High School, Monroe County Community College

Memberships: Lifetime member National Rifle Association and Ducks Unlimited

Length of residency: Lifelong

Public offices held: Monroe County Board of Commissioners, District 1

Answer: A few of the many challenges we’re going to face due to the current pandemic is being able to take care of the citizens of Monroe County during these hard times with businesses shutting down, very limited hours and unemployment rates increasing.

Paranoia is starting to set in. With people cautious about coming out, the social part of communication has fallen right off, so we have to work real hard  to bring the community back together.

As soon as we can start having social functions, fairs, festivals, etc., we can start reuniting. So in closing, we have to stay strong and united as a community. Remember our currency, which we handle mostly everyday, what is stated: “In god we trust,” and also prayer.

DANIELLE HOOVER (DISTRICT 2; WRITE-IN DEMOCRAT)

Age, place of birth: 37; Parma, Ohio

Street address: 15 Division St.

Spouse: Patrick

Children: Conner and Jackson

Occupation, employer: Social worker, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health

Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work and master’s degree in social work, Eastern Michigan University

Memberships: Michigan Democratic Party; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Huron Valley Area Labor Federation

Length of residency: 7 years

Answer: I am compelled to seek out solutions to local problems and beyond. District 2 is where I will put my experience to work. I will work to implement the increasingly urgent need of attention to matters of civil rights, this pandemic and how those intersect during these urgent public health crisis times. District 2 needs a voice that speaks for all community members. The need is great and dire. Please vote for me, so we can together give all a voice. Leadership across city, county, state and federal levels should include insight into the realities of their constituents. Start locally by voting for Danielle Hoover as a Democratic write in candidate for District 2.

BRIENNE GODFREY (TRUSTEE; WRITE-IN DEMOCRAT)

Age, place of birth: 40; Toledo

Street address: 7348 Middlebury Dr., Lambertville

Spouse: Keith

Children: Meghan and Isabelle

Occupation, employer: Manager, Sardini’s Restaurant

Education: Roy C. Start High School, Toledo

Length of residency: 13 years

Answer: The biggest issue facing our township due to the pandemic will be the decrease in state shared revenues and the impact that will have on our township’s budget. This issue is compounded by the fact that our fund balance has decreased over the past three years leaving Bedford more vulnerable to the losses coming from the state. The lost revenue will need to be addressed through grant applications and careful management of costs as we continue the economic recovery from coronavirus.

JAMES E. KRIEGER (TRUSTEE; REPUBLICAN)

Age: 52

Address: P.O. Box 281, Lambertville

Children: John and Jennifer

Occupation: Real estate broker, salesman, popcorn business, entrepreneur, licensed mortgage broker, licensed builder

Education: University Of Toledo; Washtenaw Community College

Memberships: University Of Toledo Alumni Association; board member Better Business Bureau; Lynn Powers Award recipient; Michigan Association of Realtors; Ohio Association of Realtors

Length of residency: About 45 years

Answer: Like each other, be nice to each other and be legal, moral and ethical. If you don’t like it here, move somewhere else.

STEPHANIE ZARB (SUPERVISOR; WRITE-IN DEMOCRAT)

Age, place of birth: 36; Redford

Street address: 3356 Shadywood Dr.,

Spouse: Geoffrey

Children: Wade, 15, and Sebastian, 5

Occupation, employer: Graduate research assistant and Ph.D. candidate, Wayne State University

Education: St. Mary Catholic Central; bachelor’s degree, Michigan State University; master’s degree, The University of Oklahoma; Ph.D. candidate, Wayne State University

Military service: Captain, Air Force; Flew in 53 combat missions during Operation Enduring Freedom

Memberships: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans

Length of residency: 10 years in Monroe County

Answer: The financial fall-out from COVID coupled with a history of deficit spending has created a challenge. To fix this, we have to be really honest about what is going on and what cuts have already been made. Having reviewed our Township financials, I do believe there is room for improvement, and to find ways to live within our means. This can be accomplished by applying for grants and creating more partnerships. We also need to update our Master Plan and produce a multi-year budget to lay out a clear path for the next three years. While there are financial challenges ahead, with clear strategic planning and truly qualified leadership we will be able to not only weather COVID but be positioned to thrive in future.

MARK BROOKS (TRUSTEE; WRITE-IN DEMOCRAT)

Public offices held: Ida Township Road Planning Committee; Ida Township Zoning Board of Appeals

THOMAS RUTLEDGE (TRUSTEE; REPUBLICAN)

Age, place of birth: 50; Monroe

Address: 13800 Gayville Rd.

Children: Logan Rutledge and Whitney Rutledge

Occupation, employer: Owner/operator, Tom’s Landscaping & Sod L.W.

Education: Monroe High School

Length of residency: 38 years

Public offices held: LaSalle Township trustee; LaSalle Township Planning Commission; Monroe Township trustee; Monroe Township Zoning Board; Monroe Township Planning Commission

Answer: Being self employed for 22 years, a father of 2, and my previous experience on township boards, I would be an asset to LaSalle. I have had the experience of serving on two different township boards: Monroe and LaSalle.

LaSalle is a great place to live. My major concerns are to have strong fire and police protection. I also want to make sure taxes stay affordable for residents. Roads have always been a major concern of mine. I feel that the people should choose the best person for the job and not just vote for their party. We live in a great world. It helps to have experienced and knowledgeable leaders in the townships speaking on behalf of its community. Thank you for your time and thanks in advance for your support.

RICHARD A. JANSSENS (TRUSTEE; REPUBLICAN)

Place of birth: Monroe

Address: 3315 W. Albain Rd., Monroe

Spouse: Mary J. Janssens

Children: 6

Occupation, employer: Retired DTE Energy; retired grain farmer

Education: Monroe Catholic Central High School; Michigan State University

Military service: Army Memberships: Monroe County Farm Bureau, V.F.W. 1138, Knights of Columbus, St. Mary Church

Length of residency: 42 years

Public offices held: Monroe Charter Township Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals Answer: The primary challenge to be faced will be fiscal responsibility.

A large percent of the Township budget comes from state-shared revenue which is based on sale tax. With the stay-at-home order, a lot less sales tax was collected.

Providing services to our residence, from funding the volunteer fire department to the opening of the township offices and services provided. We cannot be negligent in this respect.

Funding of the fire department and maintaining essential services of the Township is the upmost of importance along with providing recreational services for the Township residents.