Three candidates are vying for two seats on the Leelanau Township Board.
All are new to politics. Silvia Gans has a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and 10 years in health information technology. She moved to the county fulltime in 2009 and has served as president of the Friends of the Leelanau Township Library since 2020. Gans also volunteers with ShareCare and the Northport Fly-In.
Hoogland holds a Bachelor of Science in atmospheric science from the University of Michigan. He served in the U.S. Air Force pilot special forces insertion and retired after a 36-year career with Delta Airlines.
Schwind holds a master’s degree is in public administration. She has a history of serving the public through work with the federal government, the local community college, and the area school district.
We asked the candidates three questions with responses limited to 75 words each. Here are their responses:
1.) If elected, what are your top 3 priorities for Leelanau Township?
Gans: Protection of our agricultural heritage, land, water, and scenic character by working with community non-profits, farmers and businesses. I support Agri-tourism.
Sustainable housing for young and old. Work with non-profits, local realtors, developers and our master plan to secure the appropriate land with tax incentives and grants.
Township residents need access to local emergency medical care. I will work with other townships in the County to secure grants to establish a clinic in our area.
Hoogland: 1. Protect Local Zoning Control. Decisions on land use belong to locals, not bureaucrats in Lansing or D.C., who seeking to wrest local control away.
2. I support, through cooperation with the Village, the possible development of affordable rental units to facilitate affordable/ attainable workforce housing, and those seeking to transition to/from permanent housing.
3. Improve Cell Service, especially north of the Village. Public Safety issue - must enable citizens to summon EMT/Fire Services.
Schwind: My priority is to listen to my constituents. I believe holding public office is about doing what is best for the most people, not about my own agenda. I believe the most important issues in the township today are supporting our EMS services with the funding they need, ensuring that we follow proper, legal, procedures for every decision we make, and working with other organizations to find affordable housing solutions.
2.) The recent 2024-2025 township audit approved highlighted the leftover American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) revenue of $140,000 still unused. The auditor stated that if the township does not find a way to obligate the ARPA money before December 31, that the government would be able to take the funds back. What are some project priorities that you have in mind to use the money towards?
Gans: Funds can be used for costs incurred from March 3, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2024. I suggest we look at costly items that have been purchased by the fire department and use the ARPA dollars to offset those purchases. I believe we need a new cell tower and the savings from what was spent on the past purchase can be set aside for a tower that meets all criteria for a special use permit.
Hoogland: 1. Woolsey Airport Terminal restoration 2. Costs associated with acquisition/ site preparation for development of affordable rental
housing.
Schwind: The ARPA funds that the auditor discussed have already been committed to two projects: the new cell tower and increasing solar power availability to low-income residents. These are worthy causes. Changing course now does not ensure the funds will be spent by the deadline. I believe we must find ways to work with the projects we already have to ensure we do not lose this funding.
3. A Leelanau Township/ Northport joint planning and housing commission was approved in March of this year to help with the study, planning and potential operation of attainable and yearround rental housing. The need for housing continues to be a pressing issue everywhere throughout the county. What are some ideas that you have regarding how to pursue more housing options in Leelanau Township? How important is the issue to you as the county/ region continues to grow?
Gans: I support the new housing commission. We need to be transparent with the board and the community as we look to create much needed middle class and workforce housing. The master plan needs to address where such developments are best suited. I do not believe the Township should be in the business of building such housing, but we can work with developers to secure grants and offer tax incentives.
Hoogland: I view in a positive light the cooperation between the Township and Village in their joint commission as they seek to develop affordable/ attainable housing.
I support investigating cooperation with entities such as Peninsular Housing and other such organizations where the model emphasizes private development. Private initiatives are the solution, with Government’s role limited to assisting or facilitating private development.
Schwind: The issue of affordable housing is deeply personal to me. My home was built by Leelanau Reach. I qualified as a middle-income household who worked in Leelanau County but couldn’t afford to live here. This work is hard, but it IS possible. We need to further public and private partnerships to create more housing opportunities for low and middle-income residents to maintain the diverse community that is Leelanau
