The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Three Democrats run for drain commissioner
PUBLISHED: July 17, 2008
Barring a successful write-in campaign, the race for Washtenaw County drain commissioner will be decided during the Aug. 5 primary, when three Democrats, incumbent Janis Bobrin and opponents Richard Deitering and Douglas Egeler, face off on the local ballot.
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If elected, each of the candidates has plans for a slightly different approach as drain commissioner, but all of them can agree that environmental protection is an important priority for Washtenaw County.
Name: Janis Bobrin (incumbent)
Occupation: Washtenaw County drain commissioner
Residence: Ann Arbor
Q: Why are you running for Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner?
A: I have served as county drain commissioner since 1989. I have established an office that is recognized as a leader, both in construction, operation and maintenance of county drains and storm water systems, and in protection and restoration of our vital water resources.
My 19 years as Washtenaw County drain commissioner have been the most gratifying of my career because I believe my work has made a real and lasting positive contribution to our quality of life.
By working in partnership with local governments, watershed councils, businesses, citizen groups and individuals, we are making real progress in protecting and restoring our critical water resources. But there is much more work to be done.
I am running for re-election so that I can continue to serve the citizens of Washtenaw County.
Q: What are your objectives if elected?
A: As drain commissioner, I see two issues as priorities.
First is natural resource protection: Unless wisely managed, growth and development can threaten our water resources. I will continue working to restore and protect Washtenaw's waterways with projects like those completed on Mallett's and Paint creeks, and under way for Allen and Mill creeks.
We face new federal mandates to improve water quality and reduce storm water pollution. I will continue leading partnerships with local governments to comply. Stewardship programs like Community Partners for Clean Streams and RiverSafe Homes will be expanded, along with requirements for low-impact, natural approaches to storm water management in new development.
A second critical priority is fiscal responsibility. In these challenging economic times, my record of sound budget management and cost-effective service delivery is crucial.
I will continue working to secure grants and low-interest loans, like the $6 million I received over the last five years to fund water quality projects.
I will also continue expanding in-house drain maintenance capabilities, by continuing staff training programs and purchase of our own equipment, for better service and demonstrated cost savings.
I have built strong partnerships with local governments, and will continue working with them for the best use of limited resources, avoiding duplication of effort.
Q: Why do you think you would be an effective drain commissioner?
A: My education, including a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Michigan, and 33 years of career experience in water quality planning and management, including 19 successful years as Washtenaw County's drain commissioner, are unique qualifications.
My office is recognized statewide as a leader in drain project design, construction, operation and management, having received state awards for project excellence. One hundred percent of my construction projects have been completed within budget.
We are also recognized as environmental leaders. The standards I adopted for storm water management in new developments have become the model for Michigan. Our water quality stewardship programs like Community Partners for Clean Streams have been adopted across the country.
Finally, I manage a multimillion-dollar county budget that is consistently on target, and have twice received awards for excellence in county government.
Name: Douglas Egeler
Occupation: Retired Marine/drain and sewer maintenance
Residence: Sylvan Township
Q: Why are you running for Washtenaw County drain commissioner?
A: I decided to run for drain commissioner because I feel with my field and supervisory experience I can make a big difference. Many farmers have complained to me about being ignored by the current drain commission. I know my strong work ethic will change things for the better.
Q: What are your objectives if elected?
A: My plan is simple: Listen to the residents and businesses, find solutions to their issues and make sure that the work is completed in a timely, friendly manner all while keeping costs as low as possible. I will work hard to educate residents and businesses on simple things that they can do to keep pollutants from our waterways and help protect the environment.
Q: Why do you think you would be an effective drain commissioner?
A: I know I will be an effective drain commissioner because I have worked in the field for 31 years and with my military and supervisory experience, I know how to motivate workers to get the job done right the first time. When I make a commitment I fulfill it. Working my way up in the Marines to E-8 (the second-highest rank an enlisted person can achieve), I learned how to lead people and how to work within sometimes complicated government regulations."
Name: Richard Deitering
Occupation: Water distribution operator
Residence: Augusta Township
Q: Why are you running for Washtenaw County drain commissioner?
A: "A number of reasons. I think that the drain commission's funds could be better used to get more done for the money.
We have drains in this county that haven't been touched in more than 100 years. With that arises other health issues dealing with stagnant water and more mosquitoes, which increases equine encephalitis as well as the West Nile virus. We need to do more to eliminate mosquito issues for the health and welfare of the county.
I also feel that there could be much better communication and work between municipalities and the drain commission to get more done.
Additionally, I would like to be much more aggressive in the Adopt-A-Stream program, in which we could offer better tax incentives for people to get involved and lower the cost of maintaining the drains.
Q: What are your objectives if elected?
A: One of my main priorities would be to get the drains flowing better. I would also like to develop tougher standards for development, which would require either more stringent guidelines for development or have independent drain studies done when any major development goes in.
That's not an attempt to divert new development in the county, but more to make sure that are drains and streams can keep up.
Q: Why do you think you would be an effective drain commissioner?
A: Augusta Township has by far the most drain districts of any township in the county and, as a township supervisor, I had to get quite involved with the drain commission. I have an understanding of the law and as a water distribution operator, I have a comprehensive understanding of hydraulics. By combining the two I think I can get our drains flowing more effectively.
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