The race for Cleveland Township treasurer pits an incumbent with a relative newcomer.
Angie Diotte, the Democratic nominee, will face Republican Molly Peplinski.
Diotte did not respond to our questionnaire.
Peplinski has lived in Cleveland Township her entire life. She is a deputy County Clerk for Leelanau County. She was previously in banking and sales.
She and her husband, Billy, have one son, Parker.
We asked the candidates three questions to which responses were limited to 75 words.
1. Work on Segment 9 of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage Trail could begin in the spring. The planned four-mile extension will extend the trail north from Bohemian Road, near the Cleveland Township hall, to Good Harbor Trail. A study found the project would have “no significant impact” on the environment, but many township residents beg to differ, citing its cost and the number of trees to be felled. If the National Park Service asked for the township board’s support on various aspects of the project, would you vote in favor?
Peplinski: To vote in favor of Segment 9 would be challenging to fully support. I do think the first 22 miles of the trail are beneficial and I am a supporter of that portion of the trail. However, the last four-mile extension may have a greater impact to the environment than the first portion.
2. How will you respond to calls from residents asking you to support/oppose the Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage Trail extension?
Peplinski: I would be very interested in listening to the residents asking for either my support or opposition to the Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage Trail extension. I think it is very important to listen to the residents of Cleveland Township because ultimately, they are the ones being impacted by this change.
3. The current township board recently passed a new short-term rental (STR) ordinance cracking down on STRs in residentially and agriculturally zoned districts by requiring owners to apply for a limited number of permits. When the ordinance was first considered for approval, many STR owners attended the meeting to voice their opposition. As of May, there were 96 STRs in the township, with 32 rentals in residentially or agriculturally zoned districts, which township Supervisor Tim Stein viewed as excessive. Do you agree? Do you plan to support further actions by the board to keep STR numbers in check, despite possible opposition from their owners?
Peplinski: I am not sure the I agree that the amount of STRs is excessive, but I do think regulating them is a step in the right direction. I do plan to support the board in keeping the STRs in compliance. However, I do understand that there is opposition from owners and understandably so. I am always ready to listen to the owners of the STRs and their concerns and take them into consideration.
