Latest news with #countycommissioner
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Monroe County Board of Commissioners election Q&A: Dobbs
Three people are on the Aug. 5 primary election ballot vying to fill the Monroe County Board of Commissioners' vacant District 2 seat. While Mark Brant tries to get the seat back, Republicans Dale Biniecki, Dwayne Dobbs, and Democrat Danielle Hoover are throwing their hats into the race. The Monroe News sent questions to each candidate. Answers have been edited for length and clarity. These are Dobbs' answers: What previous experience has best prepared you for this role? I served 30 years with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department and am a proud U.S. Army veteran. My entire career has been focused on service, accountability, and protecting others. I've also spent years giving back to my community through coaching youth sports and organizing fundraisers. I understand how government works at a ground level and what it means to serve people with fairness and integrity. What motivated you to run for county commissioner? I stepped up because District 2 deserves honest, dependable representation. When our seat was left vacant, I showed up at every county meeting to speak out and demand answers. I'm not a politician. I'm a concerned citizen who believes leadership should be about showing up, doing the work, and standing up for the people you represent. What do you see as the county's top three priorities over the next four years? First, accountability in leadership. Our community needs to trust that officials are doing the right thing. Second, investing in infrastructure; our roads, broadband access, and public spaces need to support both families and businesses. Third, supporting public safety and services; those are the things that keep our communities safe and strong. What's your stance on zoning reform and affordable housing development? I believe zoning decisions need to reflect the needs and voices of the people in our communities. Growth should be responsible, protect our rural character, and make sense for the future of our county. Affordable housing is important, but it should be developed in ways that respect infrastructure limits and preserve quality of life. How will you keep residents informed about decisions that affect them? I will be accessible. Whether it's through attending local events, sharing updates on social media, or holding public listening sessions, I believe people deserve transparency and open communication. I want folks to feel comfortable reaching out and confident they'll be heard. What steps will you take to avoid conflicts of interest in office? I have no political agenda and no business interests that would interfere with my role. My decisions will be guided solely by what is best for District 2 and Monroe County. I believe transparency and honesty are non-negotiable when serving the public. More: Just one issue on Aug. 5 ballot in Monroe County Why should residents vote for you? Because I show up. I listen. I do the work. District 2 deserves a commissioner who is present, accountable, and focused on the people, not politics. I'm committed to working hard for this community because it's my home, and I want to see it thrive. — Contact reporter Connor Veenstra at CVeenstra@ This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County commissioner candidate Q&A Dobbs Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Monroe County Commissioner election Q&A: Hoover
Three people are on the Aug. 5 primary election ballot vying to fill the Monroe County Board of Commissioners' vacant District 2 seat. While Mark Brant tries to get the seat back, Republicans Dale Biniecki, Dwayne Dobbs, and Democrat Danielle Hoover are throwing their hats into the race. The Monroe News spoke with each of them about what they would bring to the board of commissioners if they were elected. The Monroe News sent questions to each candidate. Answers have been edited for length and clarity. These are Hoover's answers: What previous experience has best prepared you for this role? I am writing as myself only. I am not representing Washtenaw County, the MI Board of Social Work, or any other person, group, or organization that I am affiliated with. All views here are my own. City of Milan, Monroe Co. resident, 13+ years. Washtenaw Co. CMH (county gov't), 12+ years. MI Board of Social Work member, 5 years, vice chair, since 2023. NASW MI member. Monroe Co. NAACP member. MI Democratic Party member. AFSCME 3052 member/steward, delegate to Huron Valley Area Labor Federation, also recording secretary there. Both kids go to Milan Area Schools K-present. Gold Star Family Member. Also, this is my fourth time running for this. What motivated you to run for county commissioner? As the late, great, rest in power Congressman John Lewis said, 'Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.' I'm here to do what Congressman Lewis said. I was assigned this mountain to show someone it can be moved, and I need to be in this elected capacity to do that. What do you see as the county's top three priorities over the next four years? Mental health, unions, veterans. I have been a licensed social worker since 2011, so mental health is something I'm very passionate about. I have been a dues paying AFSCME member since 2013; first in local 2733 as a supports coordinator, then moved to local 3052 when I became a supervisor in 2022. Veterans always have a special place in my heart because one of my brothers was one. My brother Spc. Levi Hoover was killed in action in Iraq April 7, 2007. After that, it kind of became, be all the things you love most about the person who is gone. That's why veterans are special to me, and I would be so honored to do work in this area in an elected capacity. What's your stance on zoning reform and affordable housing development? Per 'the number of hours the average minimum-wage worker in the U.S must work (2.4 full time jobs) to afford a one-bedroom rental home at the fair market rent,' is 95. That's not right. Housing costs are not congruent with what minimum-wage workers currently earn. Affordable housing should be accessible and available to those who need it. How will you keep residents informed about decisions that affect them? As a social worker, a large part of my job is to engage with people. I'd be able to carry those skills forward to talk with anybody, anytime, anywhere, at a mutually convenient time. For example, if elected, I'd like to go on ride alongs with public utilities such as trash removal services. Not just in District 2, I'd like to try that across the county. What steps will you take to avoid conflicts of interest in office? As a licensed social worker, I am required to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and other applicable laws and policies. I also serve as the vice chair of the MI Board of Social Work. Having a code of ethics that I am required to follow is something that separates me from other candidates, currently and most recently. More: Just one issue on Aug. 5 ballot in Monroe County Why should residents vote for you? I am appropriately qualified, I have relevant, applicable experience working in government and a state board, and am committed to appropriately filling that seat. District 2 could use some clean up, and I'm ready. You know what they say about Hoovers, they really clean up. — Contact reporter Connor Veenstra at CVeenstra@ This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Board of Commissioners candidate Danielle Hoover Solve the daily Crossword
