Four Democrats, One Republican On Primary Ballot for County Commission District 4 Chair

With Felicia Brabec, Washtenaw County Commissioner for District 4, stepping aside to run for state representative, there's a wide-open race in the district that's generally a democratic stronghold and mostly in Pittsfield Township.

Michelle Nicholai is the Republican candidate. She'll face the winner of the Democratic Party primary, which includes the following contestants, Darcy Berwick, Daryl Campbell, Paul Jakabcsin, and Caroline Sanders.

The primary election is Aug. 4.

Candidates Berwick, Sanders and Campbell responded to the questions posed by The Saline Post. Here are there answers.

BIO

Darcy Berwick

Darcy is the parent of two amazing teenagers, wife to a research scientist with an excellent sense of humor and long-time resident of Washtenaw County. She has her BA from the University of Michigan and worked while attending law school, earning her JD from Wayne State University.

• Locally involved in issues in Pittsfield Township, the City of Saline, and Saline Schools
• Director, Saline Supports Our Community
• Saline Area Schools PTA & PTO Board member 2012-present
• Saline Leadership Institute 2019-2020
• Real Estate Marketing Assistant for Elizabeth Brien, Broker 2010-2018
• Board Member, Lamaze Family Association 2008-2010
• Member of the Michigan Democratic Party
• Member of the Michigan PTA

Daryl Campbell

My name is Daryl Campbell. I am 49 years old, and I am married with 2 adult children and 2 grandchildren.

Career/Business: I am a Police Supervisor at the Washtenaw County Sheriff's office and I am a small business owner. My business is a real estate investment company out of Ann Arbor.

Governmental experience: I have served in the U.S. Army. I have also worked for Washtenaw County for 28 years, 6 of those as a Vice President of the Command Officers Association of Michigan. In this role, I have negotiated with County Administration for employee rights, benefits, salaries and benefits. I have served on the Ann Arbor Board of Realtors governmental affairs committee and grievance committee.

Volunteer/community organizations: I have served in the boy scouts, wrestling coach, volunteer on USAJudo as a coach, and served a many community boards involving our veterans and youth. I also volunteer as a women's self defense instructor at Thrive Martial Arts and fitness. I am a member of several community organizations. I am a member or our local chapters and fraternal orders of the Elks lodge, Moose lodge, Masonic order and buffalo soldiers for young men, a group put together to help at risk teens have positive role models and to help guide and mentor them through high school.

Caroline Sanders

Family: Proud parent

Career/Business: College Administrator

Organizations:

• Growing Hope
• Child Care Network
• Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Chamber
• Rotary Ypsilanti Chapter
• Alternatives for Girls Asset Building program
• Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars Next Level Scholars Committee
• EMU Black Alumni Association

Why are you running for County Commission?

Berwick

Decisions made at the county level affect the day-to-day lives of our community members and set the direction for where we want to be in both the near and projected future. These decisions should be made with continual input from residents, local governments, relevant organizations, and other stakeholders. They should also reflect the diversity of our community’s residents and our core values. This is accomplished when all stakeholders have a voice & visibility.

So, why I am running? I’m running to ensure that you have the opportunity to consistently improve the county that we know and love. I’m already involved in local issues, both Pittsfield & Saline, as a resident, parent, and advocate. I am a problem-solver: I know how to research an issue, identify and involve appropriate resources, and use critical thinking to get the job done. I will bring my skills, experiences, and hard work ethic to bear by ensuring that you are kept informed on current issues, by listening to and dialoguing with you, and collaborating on solutions. Together we can make Washtenaw a great home for all.

Campbell

I am running for county commissioner because I believe in service. I have served my community in several different ways. I have served as a boy scout, a soldier in the United States Army. As a high school wrestling coach, a USAJudo coach, a businessman and 29 years as a police officer. I love Washtenaw County. I want to ensure that the county stays economically sound, so that we can continue to provide necessary services to those in need. I am running for county commissioner so that I can ensure, from the top, that we are using our energy in a responsible way, looking forward to future technologies and investments. I am running for county commissioner to make certain that our mentally ill have a 911 style service for them, when they need it, available, trained and ready. That our veterans can utilize the services due to them and be treated with the honor they deserve when they come back from serving their country. This is what fires my passion for the position. These reasons are why I will be continuing my lifetime of service to my community.

Sanders

I am running for District 4 Washtenaw County Commissioner because I appreciate being a part of a community that values families, health, safety, the environment, and labor. I have always been an advocate for myself and my community and I organically operate as a servant leader. Washtenaw County has been my chosen home for over 34 years, having lived 7 years in Pittsfield Township. I am non-traditional in many ways and bring this valuable lived experience to my candidacy. I am excited for the opportunity to meet, listen and communicate with my fellow Pittsfield Township neighbors about how and why I choose to represent my neighbors on the Board of Commissioners. I bring a fresh voice with a listening ear and will represent the wishes of my community. 

Why should voters elect you?

Berwick

I understand & treasure what makes Washtenaw a premier place to live. During my 28 years as a resident (Pittsfield, Ypsi City, Ann Arbor) and almost nine as a marketer in real estate, I’ve traveled extensively all over the county. I appreciate our vibrant cities, quaint towns, and rural acreage; the range of employment opportunities from our big businesses to the wonderful small ones that foster our local economy & support our communities; the variety of beautiful parks that we use for recreation and that offer play spaces for our imaginative little ones; and of course the great school systems (K-12, Higher-Ed, Trades) that are a draw for families and that employ a very large portion of our workforce.

I’ve also seen the disparities between our wealthier communities and ones that are struggling on different levels. These inequities are harmful to our people and keep us from being a truly healthy, thriving community. We want a county with inclusive policies that are adopted with transparency and citizen input, and that improve all of our lives. As an advocate, I’ve ensured that our residents who have been left out of the loop have a voice in decision-making. As Commissioner, I will continue to actively communicate with and be a facilitator between township residents and county offices.

Campbell

They should select me because I am not a politician. I am there neighbor. A neighbor that wants to represent them on the County Board of Commissioners. Experience is what makes me the best qualified candidate for County Commissioner seat. I have been an employee of Washtenaw County for over 28 years. During my career in the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, I have served the citizens and my department in many roles ranging from line staff, to management to union leadership. Being in these positions has provided me with the experience necessary to make decisions for the future of Washtenaw County. I have also served in the U.S. Army, where leadership and teamwork was taught and utilized daily. I have also been a head coach at Ann Arbor Huron High School. I feel that coaching has been one of the most important and most satisfying service roles I have ever participated in. Our youth are our future. I am also a small business owner, employing and contracting with neighbors that live right here in Washtenaw County. I believe that county commissioners should be well versed in all aspects of county business and experienced. They must show a background of service and customer or client care. Serving you as a police officer, police supervisor, coach, soldier, small business owner and boy scout gives me just that..experience. My service and leadership to the citizens of Washtenaw County has been time tested and proven.

Sanders

Because I have over thirty years of proven, personal and professional experience serving and advocating for communities, students, families and marginalized people through problem solving, collaboration and hands-on interaction. I also have the pleasure of being invited to join the Pittsfield Promise slate as their selected commissioner candidate. Voters are invited to visit my website https://www.sanders4commissioner20.com/ 

What’s the biggest issue facing the county and how should the county handle it?

Berwick

Right now, and for the near future at least, the biggest issue we face is the COVID-19 crisis. We are at the beginning of an economic downturn – extent unknown. Washtenaw was fiscally positioned to respond to the crisis immediately in large part because the current commissioners have prioritized maintaining a healthy fund balance. Consequently, they were able to fund health & welfare measures like housing for the homeless, providing PPE for frontline workers, and collaborating with local groups to provide small business with relief funds. I’ve seen the Commissioners put forth a huge effort to ensure that services continue and that our most vulnerable are being cared for.

As time progresses, we’ll need to dig deep in order to prevent the current gaps in services & resources from widening and to proactively reverse inequities (e.g. the county just declared racism to be a public health crisis). We need to do this thoughtfully but quickly because, while societally we revere individuality, our collective lives are enmeshed. Caring for all of our families, friends, neighbors, and community members is both a moral imperative but also a fiscally responsible thing to do (“an ounce of prevention” as it were). Stabilizing & improving upon the local health & welfare of our neighbors elevates the standard of living for all of by strong economy.

Campbell

In order to continue to be one of the best Counties in the State of Michigan, we will need to look to the future and plan. What will guide me in my decisions in this are my 5 E’s. Economic Stability, Environmental Sustainability, Education, Energy mix and Equity. These have been the foundation of my work for over 28 years. These are areas that must be focused on at the commissioner level in order to ensure that the county is able to deliver its services properly, especially with the upcoming financial problems caused by Covid 19.

Economic stability is and will be the biggest issue facing the county now and in the foreseeable future. The effects of Covid 19 will be devastating. We have yet to see or feel the damage it has caused. We must prepare the county for future revenue deficits and the possibility of future pandemics. This is an unprecedented challenge. Currently the county is the beneficiary of a rising housing market, but that can change quickly, and the county must be prepared for that. Even with revenue slips, we can prioritize our services and be successful in their delivery.  

Sanders

COVID-19 recovery, literally and figuratively. Residents, Business owners (small & large),Schools, Health care agencies, Nonprofits and Government agencies will all have unforeseen, trickle down issues to manage related to staffing, revenues, expenses and adjusting to operations in our "new normal" living environment which will impact the fiscal health of our municipalities, county, state and nation.

What other issues will the county face in the coming years, and how should the county face them?

Berwick

1. Equity. Washtenaw has a diverse population – racial, ethnic, cultural, age, education, sex, gender, dis/ability and more. However, we are also a segregated community. We’ve acknowledged that racism is a health crisis and the resulting segregation could lead to a serious economic division that’s very hard to recover from (e.g. in housing). The county now has an Equity Office that will need all the support we can give it in order to address this societal ill, elevate our neighbors who are struggling and make Washtenaw a place for everyone to thrive.

2. Housing. Washtenaw, being close to Detroit and anchored by our educational & medical institutions, is an exceptional place to live. It also exists in a bit of a bubble. Even during the 2008 Recession, average housing prices were above state values and unemployment below. Unsurprisingly, we continue to grow. Currently there are at least five single-family residential developments in the works in Pittsfield alone where the entry point is $300k+ (the median value of homes for the county was last reported as $246k1). Ann Arbor now has some newer, stunningly beautiful “luxury” apartments. Ypsilanti is our de facto city for “affordable” housing. Unfortunately, according to Washtenaw’s 2015 Housing Affordability and Economic Equity2 report, we are out of balance as far as income, education and opportunity. This extensive report has outlined a course of remedial action for Ann Arbor, Pittsfield & Ypsi that requires collaboration. If we don’t, as a collective, work towards the goal of providing viably affordable housing for our residents, our economy becomes less diversified and less resilient to market changes.

3. Environment. As a county and at the city/township/village level, we consistently value our parks & green spaces as witnessed by the millages we regularly enact. What many of us take for granted (one caveat being Saline residents and their WWTP – sorry!) is our potable water. I loved my Ypsi water and greatly appreciated YUCA. Here in Pittsfield, we’re on well water. And while I don’t expect my aquifer to be contaminated by the Gelman Plume, I worry for my neighbors. Dioxane is carcinogenic and it’s migrating through Ann Arbor. Separately, PFAS are classified as a “forever” chemical and we’re told to avoid foam on the Huron River and are advised against eating fish from certain sections of the river. We need to support CARD (Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane) in their work for Washtenaw and we need pressure the state for greater environmental action.

Campbell

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?"  We must, as the county board, continue to move the entire county forward in a way that does for our citizens.  It must continue to deliver world-class service.  We need to improve in areas we are deficient in and make certain that we are properly prioritizing what services we can afford as a county, and which ones we can not afford.  Several issues hang on the horizon that will have to be addressed, the roads, our environment and how the county utilizes its energy use, employee retention, education of our youth and public safety.  One area that we will have to address quickly is service mobility.  Our first responders are our only mobile service providers.  We need to properly support and expand our community mental health crisis team abilities and mobility to provide service to our mentally challenged.  When someone has a heart attack they require and receive assistance right then.  When a person suffering from a mental illness requires service, it should be no different.  Jesse Owens once said "we have to go back to where we have come.  To give a helping hand to those that are less fortunate than we are.  And if we can not do that, then all the victories we have gained will become a hollow thing to us."  These 2 sayings help guide me in my desire to serve others.  If we keep these in mind when we make decisions as a board, we will always be able to overcome challenges.

Sanders

Consequences from COVID-19.

Equitable Access issues related to housing, mobility, training/education and socio-economic/racial disparities.

What’s something the county does well?

Berwick

Well, we do a lot of things well! Some 367,000+ residents chose to live, work, raise families & retire here. While it would be lovely not to need them, we provide a wide range of supportive services for all ages including food, housing, health and more. We have award-winning K-12 public/private/charter schools as well as excellent Higher Ed institutions and options for trade careers. We offer a variety of resources for our Veterans and our senior citizens. There are 2,000 acres of county parks and 3,400 acres of protected land to enjoy. We gather to celebrate holidays and each other (hopefully we can return to that soon!) Through the power of people and community, let’s work together to ensure that all our residents thrive here in Washtenaw County!

Please see my facebook page and website for more info: www.facebook.com/VoteBerwick2020  www.VoteBerwick.com/

Campbell

Our service delivery is top-notch in most areas of the county.  We are blessed to be in one of the richest counties in the state.  We don’t have to brag about how good Washtenaw County is. People know how good Washtenaw County is.  Washtenaw County is a prime destination spot for people to come to for jobs, high-quality living, schools and services.  We, at the county level, have a dynamic role in this reputation.  As a commissioner, I will ensure that this continues.

Sanders

1. Fiscal management

2. Public Safety (Municipality-Academic mutual aid)

3. Public Works & Natural Resource preservation

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