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Hancock candidates speak at LWV forum

HANCOCK -- The League of Women Voters Copper Country hosted a Hancock City Council candidate forum at The Orpheum Theater Tuesday. 

Jennifer Ormsbee, Jeffrey Thornton, Sara Lahti and Ruth Gill appeared at the forum. Joseph Rushlau, Ryan Tanner and Mandy Lounibos are also running. There are four seats and seven total candidates running for Hancock City Council. 

Moderated by Valorie Troesch, the League drafted several questions which were provided beforehand to the four participants. Those questions included Hancock and non-Hancock related matters.

In their opening statements, the candidates introduced themselves to the public and outlines their goals in running. 

"I am invested in my local community and I want to be a voice for homeowners, renters and visitors to our city," Hancock Rotary Club President Jennifer Ormsbee said. 

"I believe that my skills, abilities and experience will bring a fresh perspective to city government and Hancock, particularly regarding economic development for the future of the city," Superior National Bank Trust Officer Jeffrey Thornton said. 

"I am running for city council because I care a lot about Hancock," Business Owner Sara Lahti said. "I helped set up the Hancock Community Hub across the street in the old Hancock High School. So, I've had the opportunity to get engaged and this would allow me to learn more about city government and become more engaged in shaping the future of Hancock."

"I've been a resident of Hancock for 18 years," Hancock Area District Library Vice President Ruth Gill said. "I see being a city council member as being a way to serve the community that I'm fortunate enough to live in."

Candidates were next asked about their position on the Houghton County Jail millage and the Copper Country ISD Special Education millage. Each candidate wholeheartedly supported the ISD's millage. Gill and Ormsbee both showed their support of the jail millage, while Thornton and Lahti were less supportive. 

"We need a new jail. It's prudent to build that," Thornton said. "But, I would suggest better economic conditions to continue the rest."

"Voters have rejected it over and over again," Lahti said. "I guess what I have to say on that if voters continue to reject it, some questions should probably be addressed at the county level."

Navy Street was another topic brought up by Troesch. The proposed development would extend Navy Street behind the Portage Lakeside Condominiums and connect landlocked property waiting to be developed. 

Lahti said since her brother is one of the property owners who would benefit from the development, she would not have a position if elected and recuse herself. 

"There are no easy answers to the Navy Street development question," Gill said. "It's a complicated situation and it has certainly aroused some strong feelings... I'd be looking for as much information as possible in order to be able to effectively weigh the pros and cons."

"I think that each side has valid positions," Ormsbee said. "I feel that if a resolution can't be found as a whole, then other people do need to help us interpret what the law and contracts say."

Another topic was the Hancock Recreation Millage proposal on the November ballot. All candidates supported the millage, but Thornton said it would be preferable to fund Hancock's public parks a different way. 

"My preference would be to rely on bond investments and user fees to generate the prior funds to grow recreation in the city," he said. "However, I do support the millage, because, in my experience, Hancock Beach and the campground areas need improvement and accessibility upgrades so all residents can enjoy it."

The last millage topic was the Hancock Area District Library millage proposal. The newly formed public entity is asking for .7 mills to continue to fund services, rather than relying on the public school district's shrinking budget. 

Thornton, Lahti and Gill supported the millage. Ormsbee said she asked community members what they thought and was less supportive of the millage proposal. 

"I feel that the library is definitely a resource our community needs, but I have to be honest, talking with community members, I'm getting a lot of feedback that is not pro-library," she said. "A lot of the concern is that another millage is going to start pricing people out of their homes due to taxes."

Other topics discussed were conflicts of interest, past community involvement and transparency within city government affairs. 

Each candidate closed with a statement to finish off the evening. 

"Currently I work in the public finance sector and I would use those skills and abilities towards making sure our public finances are carefully taken care of," Thornton said. "Although it has been almost 20 years since I've earned a master's in public administration I would use those skills and abilities for public budgeting."

"I really feel, looking forward, and how our city is going to be funding things, what projects need to be going on is a very important thing," Ormsbee said. "I would definitely be looking forward to that."

"I think this is really good that were all out here talking about these things," Lahti said. "Go out and vote -- spread the word."

"I want to thank everyone here for being engaged with the democratic process," Gill said. "We in Hancock are fortunate to have excellent city employees who serve our community with dedication and professionalism. If I'm elected to serve on the city council I look forward to working collaboratively with them and the other council members."

Election Day is Nov. 3. Early voting starts Saturday at the Houghton County building on Sharon Avenue. The full Houghton and Hancock forums can be found on the League's YouTube channel.