Building expensive new facilities, including a new jail, has been a controversial issue in Antrim County. The proposals for the new facilities ranged from $40.2 to $75.9 million.  Last fall, the Antrim County Commissioners voted 5-4 to proceed with these plans, and arranged for public meetings. Then the Corona virus hit, and everything came to a halt. 

In the meantime, several challenges have appeared for the County Commissioners, who are all up for re-election. In addition, Triston Cole has stepped up to challenge incumbent Sheriff Dan Bean.

Here are the county positions on the August ballot, and a link to the candidate’s view regarding the jail:

Sheriff’s Race: Dan Bean versus Triston Cole

ANTRIM COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

District #1 Banks and Torch Lake Township
Brian H. Vey, Republican, has filed. Click here to see Rubingh’s responses. Vey has not responded
Jarris Rubingh, Republican, has filed.
Incumbent David Heeres is not running.

District #2 Central Lake and Forest Home Township:
Joshua Watrous, Republican incumbent, has filed. Watrous did not respond to the questionnaire, but voted “no” on plans to proceed with the jail.

District #3 Milton Township:
Karen Bargy, Republican incumbent, has filed.  There are no challenges. Bargy did not respond to the questionnaire, but voted “yes” on plans to proceed with the jail.

District #4 Elk Rapids:
Ed Boettcher, Republican incumbent, has filed. Click here to see both candidates’ responses.
Vincent Cooper, Republican challenger, has filed.

District #5 Kearney and part of Custer Townships:
Terry VanAlstine, Republican incumbent, has filed. Click here to see his responses.

District #6 Custer and Helena Townships: Click here to see Ricksgers’ and Lockwood’s responses. Barwick has not responded.
Brenda Ricksgers, Republican incumbent, has filed.
Gary Lockwood , Republican challenger, has filed.
Ronald Barwick, Republican challenger, has filed.

District #7: Echo, Jordan, Warner and Chestonia Townships:
Dawn LaVanway, Republican incumbent, has filed. Click here to see her responses. She is passionate about the jail issue!

District #8: Mancelona Village and part of Mancelona Township:
This is the only race that will be decided on the November ballot.
Jason Helwig, Republican incumbent, has filed. Click here to see his responses.
Dana O’Dell, Democrat challenger, has filed. She did not respond to the questionnaire.

District #9 Star and most of Mancelona Township:
Christian Marcus, Republican incumbent, has filed.  Marcus did not respond to the questionnaire, but voted “yes” on plans to proceed with the jail.