Altman faces challenger in Republican primary
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
Incumbent Carl ?Preach? Altman is being challenged by Allan Berg in the Republican primary for the District 4 seat on the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioner. The candidate emerging from the Aug. 3 primary will move on to the November general election. Neil Repke, who filed July 15 as a Democratic write-in, will need to meet a certain threshold of votes to qualify for the November election.
Altman graduated from Rogers City High School in 1966 and from Alpena Community College with an associate degree in 1969. He retired from Calcite in 1999 with 30 years of service, and has owned and operated the Night Hawk Inn since 1986. BERG HAS been a life-long resident of the area and a small business owner working with local governments for more than 10 years. He currently serves as Belknap Township supervisor and as the treasurer of the Rogers City Area Fire Authority, and previously as a member of the Rogers City Area Ambulance Authority.
He holds various degrees and certificates including a bachelor?s in accounting and bachelor?s in administration. Berg has numerous years of experience in property tax law at the township and state level. He was appointed by the governor in 2008 to the State Assessor?s Board and currently works with the Michigan Tax Tribunal as an administrative hearing officer/judge. He serves as a Presque Isle County Electric and Gas Cooperative director and is a former county employee.
Repke graduated from Rogers City High School and went to work on the boats for two years before going to work at Saginaw Steering Gear for almost three years. He then went to work construction and heavy equipment. He moved to the Upper Peninsula in 1972 and went to work in an open pit mine until 1983 when he joined the Michigan National Guard working in heavy equipment transportation and instructor of transport.
He is also schooled in communication, security weapons, demolition arms qualification and was discharged after 18 years after being in the hospital with injuries from an auto-train accident. He also spent 16 years working for the Palmer Fire Department. PRESQUE ISLE Newspapers recently asked both candidates to fill out a short questionnaire in an attempt to provide voters with a better understanding of why each is running for office. The questions, and their answers, follow. Why are you running for office?
Altman: I feel committed to help our county maintain its stable environment including police, ambulance, fire and all emergency services. I am hands on when opportunities arise that improve the living conditions and general welfare of the public. Berg: I am running for commissioner to bring innovative ideas to our county board. I have been involved in government service for a number of years and I enjoy the challenges and accomplishments that come with serving the public. Based on my experience and accomplishments, I believe I will be an asset to the board and provide valuable input for the future of our county.
Repke: I want to try and get more jobs into the area and search out the people who can find the jobs. People need the jobs in this county. We?ve got to have something besides streetlights. What qualities would you bring to the board? What are your attributes? Altman: I believe two of the finest virtues are that of common sense and fairness. Raised on a farm, I know the value of a dollar earned by hard work. Owning a business for 25 years has provided an opportunity to become acquainted with both the employee and employer aspects of dealing fairly and frugally.
Berg: It is important to be an effective leader to serve in public office. One must carefully review a proposal, research that proposal and gain insight from the community before reaching a decision. I believe that I have the workplace experience necessary to provide meaningful and productive decision making skills. Repke: To seek out people and companies who provide jobs, and not stop until we find somebody to get in this area. Why do you believe you are the strongest candidate? Altman: Since 1999, I have served as commissioner for eight years, non-consecutively. I was appointed chairman by my peers for four of those years. Experience is an important attribute. I have no personal agenda to pursue hidden ambitions, only to do the best service to the residents of this county.
Berg: I have experience in managing and balancing a budget, working as a team, exhibiting leadership characteristics, representing constituents, understanding laws, following legislation and working with local officials. As the county moves into the future, I believe this experience and knowledge will be a very important asset to being an effective commissioner. Repke: I think the commissioners that are in there now are fighting against each other. I think you?ve got to unify all of them to work for more jobs in this area. The work has to be concentrated on getting work into this area.
What challenges do you believe lie ahead for the county? Altman: The lack of state revenue sharing remains a huge challenge to the future and stability of Presque Isle County: property foreclosure and declining population base are forcing the closure of many small businesses. We must remain vigilant in pursuing any opportunity to improve solvency.
Berg: The largest challenge is our economic climate. One may suggest that the budget is the biggest challenge, but I be
The only other race is in District 5 (Presque Isle, Krakow Township, part of Posen Township) between incumbent Democrat Mike Grohowski and Republican Stephen Lang. That will be decided in November.