Leon “Andy” Anderson Jr. (R)

Office: Cass County Commissioner District 7

Age: 72

Residence: Dowagiac

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree, major in history and political science with a minor in business

Professional Background:

• Buyer with the U.S. Army Air Force Exchange Service, eight years

• Owned and operated the office supply store in Dowagiac, 17 years

• Owned and operated a consulting firm working primarily with the wireless industry in the Midwest, 1990 to 1994.

Political experience:

• Dowagiac City Council, representing the First Ward, 1983 to 1990

• Chair of Region I of the Michigan Municipal League, 1984 to 1985

• Dowagiac Mayor Pro Temp, 1987 to 1989

• Member of the Dowagiac Police Advisory Board, 1993 to 1996

• Chair of the Dowagiac Local Elected Official Compensation Commission, 2013 to present

• Cass County Board of Commissioners, representing the City of Dowagiac and part of LaGrange Township, 1990 to 1996

• Chaired the law and courts committee of the board of commissioners

• Chaired the Cass County Planning Commission, 1995 to 1997

• Member of the Cass County Planning Commission, 2014 to present

Civic involvement:

• Member of the Dowagiac Area Chamber of Commerce for 20 years

• Chair of the Retail Committee, 1990

• Founding director of the Historic Dowagiac Association

• Chaired nine historic home tours in the late 1980s

What will be your top priority if elected to office? Job creation with our strong Cass County Economic Development Corp and the planning commission’s completion of the county’s new master plan. I want to see the county move forward so that economic development entities have the tools and the assets to create jobs in the county. Good, well paying jobs.

What makes you the best candidate for the job? Good experience and good communications. Thirteen years of city and county elected office experience, both where we had stable appointed administrations and dedicated elected leadership. I know how well run local government should work. Communication with the public has been a priority throughout my professional, political and personal life.

What professional/political accomplishments are you most proud of in your life? My ability to communicate, to listen and explain. I have always made myself available to listen to people and to get them answers to their questions and frustrations. You cannot always tell them what they want to hear, but mostly they are glad someone cared. For that I am proud.

What is the biggest challenge our region faces? How would you address it? The county is facing a major issue related to its employee retirement packages. This could potentially break the county financially. There are no simple solutions, but we need to start now to revamp our existing system. We may need professional help to review our options. My solution is to start now.

Other comments: The county’s budget process: The commission monitors, not micromanages; my experience in private sector business and local government allows me to bring both those skills to the table. The administrator manages the day-to-day budget. Elected officials and department heads with the administrator prepare a balanced budget. The commission’s responsibility is to establish priorities based on citizen communication.

 

Edward Clark Cobb (D) 

Office: Cass County Commissioner District 7

Age: 63

Residence: Dowagiac

Education:

• Dowagiac Union High School, 1971

• Southwestern Michigan College, associate’s degree, 1978

• Andrews University, bachelor’s degree in music education, 1981

• Van Buren Vocation and Technical Center, certificate in accounting, electronics and software programing

Professional background:

• Thirty years in education at Dowagiac Union Schools, Andrews University, Lake Michigan College and Southwestern Michigan College.

Political experience:

• Commissioner with the Dowagiac Housing Commission for six years

• Cass County Commissioner for eight years

Civic involvement:

• Representative with the Area Agency on Aging, Solid Waste Consortium, Southwestern Michigan Community Action Agency, Prisoner Release Committee

What will be your top priority if elected to office? The main responsibility of a county commissioner is to monitor the budget and oversee the financial condition of the county to make sure tax dollars are spent efficiently and effectively. This is my top priority.

What makes you the best candidate for the job? Your county has the highest level of audit possible for several years in a row, an AA+ credit rating, an A1 bond rating, a 34 percent fund balance, does not borrow money to meet its obligation saving it thousands of dollars in interest debt and a certificate in excellence in our accounting practices. We have a great fiscal record and I run on that record.

What professional/political accomplishments are you most proud of in your life? Saving the Dowagiac Housing Commission from failing. Several years ago, few people knew how close it was to a complete meltdown. Had myself and a few brave commissioners not stepped in and rescued it, HUD was ready to take it over.  Changing management and a lot of hard work saved it.

What is the biggest challenge our region faces? How would you address it? Area employers are having a hard time acquiring and keeping good help. Other prospective employers look at this problem and base their decisions on this data. While it is outside the authority of commissioners to fix this problem, it is within our ability to support and empower the organizations that do target these issues.

Other comments: Always look carefully at both sides of a story or issue before you make a decision on anything. Study and research the topic to make an educated opinion based on the facts. Balance that with fairness and equality and you will not go wrong.