Candidates for Kalamazoo County District 9 commissioner in the November 2022 election include Republican Tom Graham, left, and Democrat Dale Deleeuw (right). (Photos provided to Vote411.org)

KALAMAZOO, MI -- One of two new faces will represent people in the newly created District 9 seat on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners.

Dale Deleeuw and Tom Graham are seeking the open District 9 seat on Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. Voters in the district will head to the polls on Nov. 8 to weigh in on the race, and on other local and state contests.

MLive has partnered with the nonpartisan League of Women Voters to publish a voter guide for candidates across Michigan. Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues listed below. View the full guide at Vote411.org.

Democrat Deleeuw, 67, is a police officer, he said in a survey response to the League of Women Voters.

Under education, he lists “Associates Degree in Law Enforcement from KVCC, Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a Finance Major from WMU. Masters of Science in Accounting Degree from WMU.”

He said in the survey he has 38 years of experience in law enforcement, has served as treasurer for the Greater Kalamazoo Fraternal Order of Police and was previously a small business owner in Oshtemo Township.

Republican Graham, 55, is an IT systems development manager, he said in his survey response.

Under education, he lists: “School of hard knocks, I’m a self made business owner, computer programmer, filmmaker, and in my spare time I farm and work on an antique tractor.”

Under experience, Graham said, as a business owner, IT department manager, project leader, father of five and grandfather of three, he knows how to listen to stakeholders and come up with solutions that are workable for everyone. He said his record of putting citizens’ needs above government wants indicates how he will govern.

District 9 includes Alamo Township precincts 1, 2 and Oshtemo Township precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. View map. The seat is a two-year term. The board has nine districts. It shrunk from 11 to nine members during a recent redistricting process.

Below are candidates’ responses to questions from the League of Women Voters survey.

All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties.

What specifically will you do as a Commissioner to improve the quality of life for residents of your District? How will your talents and skills enable you to succeed in these efforts?

With over thirty-eight years of law enforcement experience, I will continue to support adequate funding of the criminal justice system. As Oshtemo Township continues to grow, the need for deputies assigned to the counties will also rise. I will actively fight this staffing challenge as to ensure appropriate numbers of police personals are present to continue to keep the citizens safe. Using my background as an accountant and small business owner, I will work to fund the criminal justice system, including corrections, the prosecutor’s office, and the courts, as these areas directly impact the quality of life experienced by the citizenry.

I am against government mandates. It is not okay to treat people differently based on COVID vaccination status considering the vaccinated spread the disease too. It will be my pleasure to do everything the office can do to eliminate mandated mask wearing in public schools. I will ensure government projects are supported by the people, not imposed by the government, and that every project is paid for in an equitable manner.

What policies and programs will you promote to enhance citizen equity and engagement in the wellbeing of our communities and the democratic process?

I strongly support the practice of absentee ballots and mail-in voting. I am passionate about ensuring every citizen feels their participation in the community matters. A big obstacle to ensuring this democracy is the lack of access to Public transportation. Many of our residents cannot make it to the polls, causing a malpresentation of the community’s desires. As county commissioner, I would strongly support the Kalamazoo County Metro Transit Authority. This initiative helps to expand access to public transportation. Proposals like dial-a-ride need to be explored as an option for citizens that are not currently served by a Metro bus line.

Every government needs to be transparent. Back room deals and closed sessions are antithetical to the public trust. I will promote a more open and transparent board. Aside from conversations about active lawsuits, the public should be aware of everything immediately. I’m also against governments exercising eminent domain without necessity. The recent prairie view park private home condemnation was an unnecessary application of government authority and a poor use of up to $500,000 of tax payer money to gain one third of an acre of land to be turned into a walking trail. The county needs to be more fiscally responsible for everyone’s sake

What are the two most significant environmental concerns in the County? What should the County do to address each of them?

Having spent my entire life in Kalamazoo County, I understand the need for safe groundwater. I will campaign to have the Kalamazoo river brought back to a level of cleanliness for all to enjoy its natural beauty. The education of citizens is essential in stopping the flow of nitrates into the water system as I know there are elevated nitrate levels in some areas of the county now. Proper handling of waste, appropriate use of lawn maintenance products, and the concern of agricultural runoff are some of the issues with which the public could assist. I desire a healthier, toxin free county for us all to grow for generations to come.

The West KL Avenue Landfill Superfund Site is the most serious environmental concern, unfortunately all we can do is monitor the plum of contamination and inform residents. A city water pipe has already been installed looping KL to 4th to Stadium to 6th. I happen to live on 4th within that loop. The other is the contamination of the Kalamazoo River. Recently a damn was opened sending not only sediment downriver, but PCB contamination as well. As commissioner I will ensure the remediation and restoration work in the watershed will be implemented through the AOC program, Superfund Program, and Natural Resource Damages program.

Are you satisfied with the County’s progress in assuring affordable housing for residents? Why or why not? What more needs to be done?

I do believe the County has been doing an adequate job of addressing the housing needs in Kalamazoo county. It appears that the commission has been taking their time and putting thought into the needs of the citizens and where the funds should be allocated for the housing crises currently in place, Working as a police officer, I frequently meet individuals who have no housing or inadequate housing and realize the lack of housing is not the only issue. The big picture of the housing issue involves both mental health and drug abuse as these societal problems are not being met sufficiently.

The county, through Housing Director Mary Balkema, is currently supporting 11 projects related to affordable housing, they even have an “Opportunistic Creative projects” category to allow anyone with a good idea to pitch their idea and get funding. I think it’s a great idea to support community initiatives and would continue asking constituents for their input.

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