Two candidates have filed for Antrim County Commissioner in District #8, which includes Mancelona Village and most of Mancelona Township. 

Incumbent Republican Jason Helwig is running against Democrat challenger Dana O’Dell. We sent both candidates a questionnaire regarding their views on the new jail. Helwig’s responses are below.  O’Dell has not yet responded.

Democrat Dana O’Dell has not yet responded to the questionnaire.

Jason Helwig

1. Do you agree that all meetings should be held in the evening??? This would encourage participation from working community members and would open up the field of Commissioners to working people.
I made the motion the 1st meeting to have one day and one night meeting with doing away with standing committees and have all business done in front of the public. I think the work load could not be done with 2 night meetings as we need staff to come to the day meetings to update us on issues.

2. a) Do you or your family have any special interests or connections to any company that will bid on the project or be involved in any way? if so, please explain. b) Will you earn money from any part of the jail building project c) Do you have any personal connections or previous work with the consultants Byce? If so, please explain.
No / No / No

3. Do you support the Stepping Up Program to reduce jail population? Do you feel that the Sheriff should make this one of his priorities?
Yes I think this program is a great thing. We need to get the people that need help help and keep them out of jail. Also, with having this program we could reduce the cost of running the jail. I would think the sheriff would be all over this program as it helps the jail employees handle people that they are not trained in taking care of. I would also like to explore the possibility of moving the food service out of the jail and have coa deliver meals and I think that would free up space and reduce cost in the jail.

4. Which of the options do you believe the board should pursue as far as renovating or building a new jail?
I am not in favor of a new jail. But if I had to choose it makes more sense to build a new one because if we start redoing the old one we have to bring everything up to code. Now we are grandfathered In. I would also look at moving the jail outside of town. It would make the most sense as we could sell the property we have now and get it on the tax roles as commercial property to generate more tax base.

5. Should the Board hire a Structural Engineer to evaluate the current jail for an addition, since it was built to accommodate two stories?
It has already been known that it would handle a second story.

6. Do you believe that the citizens should be able to vote on this project? Or do you think a board that is split 5-4 should have the $76 million decision? I think the taxpayers of Antrim county should decide if they want to pay for a new jail. Then the board can start working on what we need.

7. How do you think the project should be funded? Fund balance / millage vote / bonding our children’s future?
I think a combination of sources I think there is federal and state money available as well and fund balance and asking for a milage to help with it.