The race is on for two trustee positions on the Empire Township Board.
Four candidates are seeking two seats on the township board. They are incumbents Micah Deegan and Casey Noonan, Republicans; Democrat Kathy Wiejaczka and Christopher Wright, who is running without party affiliation.
Deegan has lived in Empire Township most of his life. He has been on the Township Board and Planning Commission since April of 2016. Deegan would like to continuing serving his community.
Candidate Noonan is a lifelong county resident, graduated from Glen Lake and received a certificate in beef management from Michigan State University. Employed at Noonan & Sons farm, Noonan served one term as county commissioner for District 6 and two terms as Empire Township trustee.
Wiejaczka is a 45-year Empire Township resident and registered nurse. She is a committed community leader through board service, rooted in care, action and inclusivity of diverse ideas and voices.
Wright earned a Ph.D in economics and has taught this subject at the university level for 35 years. He worked 20 years in Leelanau County and Traverse City as a water well driller helper; served as regional representative for former Sen. Donald W. Riegle and as executive director of the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed.
We asked candidates to respond to three questions, limiting their answers to 75 words each.
1.) Empire Township has had a facilities study for a new fire station since 2018. Given the length of time that has passed, is this assessment accurate?
Is Station 2 of the Glen Lake Fire Department needed and still under consideration?
Deegan: Empire Township will eventually need to have a new station. Every building has a shelf life and our present structure doesn’t meet the needs of what we will eventually have to have. While we have no specific plans for a new station we are being fiscally responsible to our constituents to plan ahead for the future. Financing a new Empire Fire Station will be a large undertaking and not one to be taken on lightly.
Noonan: The facilities study was done before my time on the board and we haven’t really discussed it since I’ve been on the board. Station 2 is still under consideration, and I do believe there is a need. It is obviously a huge undertaking to build a new station from the ground up and I believe finding a location to build will be difficult.
Wiejaczka: The 2018 fire station study is outdated and requires reassessment due to significant township growth and rising costs associated with maintaining the aging building. Since 2022, when the Board approved pursuing the opportunity of a potential land transfer from the National Park Service to the township for a possible new fire station, no further action has been taken. Community feedback on the proposal is necessary to move forward with any decisions.
Wright: The feasibility study is linked on the Empire Township website at www. leelanau.gov/empiretwp.asp.
My comments are based upon reading the report. Data to update include population estimates, estimates of seasonal residents, transient visitors, and changes in population demographics. The median age of township residents is increasing due to increase in retirees moving to their home located in the village or township. Cost estimates were not obtained for the report. My observation is the current facility’s … 2.) During the COVID pandemic, local municipalities were through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. How much did the township receive? What has the township done with the funds?
Deegan: Empire Township received $85,016.78. We are using them presently for the remodel of our Empire Township Hall kitchen area. The Empire Town Hall is a Red Cross Emergency Shelter. We had planned to remodel the dated kitchen for some time. This will allow for greater use of our Town Hall to the public.
Noonan: Empire Township received $85,016.78 in ARPA funds. We, as a township board, decided to use those funds to do a full remodel and upgrade of the kitchen at our township hall. Our township hall gets a considerable amount of use from the community for various functions and activities and the remodel will be a fantastic upgrade for all those who use it.
Wiejaczka: Empire Township received $86,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act during the COVID pandemic. These funds were used to remodel the kitchen at the Empire Township town hall. The upgrade was deemed necessary as the town hall is designated as a Red Cross Emergency Shelter. In the event of an emergency, the public could be directed to the town hall, and fully functional facilities would be required.
Wright: Empire Township received an estimated $85,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021in response to the economic shutdown associated with the COVID pandemic. These are taxpayer revenues allocated by the United States federal government to state and local units of government. The funds received by Empire Township were spent to upgrade the Township Hall kitchen facilities. The improvements provide for increased capacity and equipment to prepare and serve food for community meals… 3.) The Empire Campground is the only township-owned campground in the county. How does this fit into the township’s annual budget? Is it a moneymaker or a drain on township coffers?
Deegan: Empire Campground is not a drain on the Township budget. It is self-sufficient and does generate surplus funds after maintenance of Campground. These funds must be used only for “Recreationalpurposes”. We helped the Glen Lake Community Library with their construction out of these funds. We have a wonderful campground and campground staff. We have campers that have returned for years.
Noonan: I believe the Empire Township Campground is an asset to our community. The campground has its own fund within our budget, and it does bring money into the township. We currently have a fund balance in the campground fund but do not have the money ear marked. When money was being raised for the new addition to the Glen Lake Library Empire Township gave a considerable donation and that money came from profits of the campground.
Wiejaczka: The Empire Campground generates approximately $21,000 in profit annually. Revenue has steadily been collected since the hiring of the campground manager nine years ago. Excess funds are reinvested into campground improvements or recreational projects, such as the pickleball courts at Lions Park and enhancements at the Glen Lake Community Library. Under the land transfer agreement from the DNR in the 1940s, all profits must be reinvested into the campground or recreational projects.
Wright: The annual total 2024/2025 expenditure for the Campground Fund is $96,724. Expected revenue from fees and sales is $70,000. Current carryover surplus is $26,724. Total revenues are $96,724. The Campground Fund budget is linked on the Empire Township website listing sources of revenue and expenditures. The netrevenue, revenue minus expenditures, varies over the years and is associated with the demand for 60 campground sites. Demand is influenced by weather conditions. The surplus funds accumulated over.
