TRAVERSE CITY -- Candidates for public office in two controversial townships in Grand Traverse County will answer voters' questions in public forums next week.
The League of Women Voters Grand Traverse Area will sponsor forums in Traverse City for Aug. 5 primary candidates in Acme Township on Tuesday, and Garfield Township on Wednesday. The League typically doesn't hold forums before the primary, but officials decided they were warranted because of the large number of candidates and hotly contested issues in both municipalities.
"They are having some roiling issues and it would be helpful, we think, for the citizens to hear a rational, civilized discussion," said League spokeswoman Mary Grover.
With just one Democrat compared to 26 Republican candidates, most of the races will be decided in the primary vote.
In contentious Acme Township, the past development battles with Meijer Inc. continue to loom large in the campaign as four pro-development candidates will challenge the incumbent board.
Garfield Township challengers, meanwhile, are accusing the sitting board of cronyism, wasteful spending, high taxes and lack of openness.
Grover said some candidates were "apprehensive" about participating, but so far just two bowed out citing prior commitments.
"We have assured them that we work very hard to ensure a level playing field ... and to run a forum trusted by both the public and the candidates," Grover said. "It will be a civil and open airing of issues that concern citizens."
The forums will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The first 45 minutes will be for township officers, followed by 45 minutes for township trustees. Written questions from the audience will be screened by LWV members and no personal attacks will be allowed, Grover said.
Both events will be held at the Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Street, and recorded for later airing on the public access channel, Up North TV 2.
Print this story
E-mail this story
