To the editor:
Jim Dyer, Leelanau County Administrator, holds a fulltime, demanding public leadership role managing county operations, staff, and taxpayer resources.
Now he is running for a seat on the Cherryland Electric Cooperative board — a position with fiduciary responsibility over utility rates, contracts, and long-term energy policy.
As County Administrator, Mr. Dyer directly oversees county contracts — including with Cherryland — and sits on committees related to county infrastructure and tower contracts where Cherryland is a customer. These responsibilities create the appearance of a conflict of interest — something any seasoned attorney and public official who was trained on the County’s strict ethics policy should readily recognize.
In addition, serving effectively on the Cherryland board requires a significant time commitment. His running for another job leaves the impression — actually, makes obvious — that his priorities lie beyond the duties of his full-time managerial position with Leelanau County. Taxpayers deserve his full professional focus.
To avoid the appearance of conflict and to dedicate full attention to his current role, Mr. Dyer should withdraw his candidacy. Ethical public service demands no less.
Susan Quinlan Lake Leelanau