Linda Maginity for GT Co BOC

 I'm proud to display this endorsement for Mom's Demand Action for common sense gun control. Too many young people are getting killed by weapons not properly stored.  Too many mass killings by people with illegal AR-15 style assault weapons!  I stand with fellow candidate  Pamela Harris Kaiser to put an end to the symbolic second amendment sanctuary that was voted in by the prior Grand Traverse County Commissioners.  

Traverse Connect  Candidate Questionnaire Responses Commissioners Henschell, Nelson, McAllister, Jewett and Morris all voted to NOT move forward to even get an estimate on a feasibility study to eliminate the current GT Road Commission and bring it under the the umbrella of the rest of the county services.  They believe the county road commission is doing a fine job.  While I agree, the work they do is great, the areas of focus are not.  They do need more funding for local roads, and we may be able to accomplish that without raising property taxes only IF we bring the road commission under the county services. Commissioners McAllister and Jewett neglected to answer the Traverse Connect questionnaire. Rob Henschell: What specific infrastructure projects would you like to see to make our region more attractive to potential businesses and residents? Grand Traverse County has around 1000 miles of local roads. It would be a worthy goal that the world likens our roads to d...

Why I am voting for Linda Maginity I am voting for Linda Maginity because she shares my concerns about our local community. Although I am a registered Republican, I am not a one-party voter. I carefully consider the candidates and their platforms to understand what they stand for and how they plan to make a difference. Local politics are very important to me, and I have worked with Linda in the past. I know her values and believe she can make a significant impact in our community—not just regarding the much-needed neighborhood road repairs, but in other areas as well. For instance, addressing homelessness and improving mental health care are also critical issues. Linda possesses the common sense needed to enhance our community for the taxpayers who live here. I often see a focus on where the big money is coming from and how it will please certain interests, but we have many more pressing problems to solve than just roads and traffic. I truly believe Linda can help tackle these challeng...

Linda Maginity for Grand Traverse County Commissioner- District 1 Click on read more for this link to YouTube to work. 

 Saturday, Sept. 21 2-4 PM at Incredible Mo's, 1355 Silver Lake Crossings BLVD, Grawn, MI  49637 Meet & Greet your candidates!  Learn why we want to represent you and please give us feedback.  We want to hear from YOU! Linda Maginity - Grand Traverse County Commissioner District 1 Fern Spence - Grand Traverse County Commissioner District 4 Cathy Albro - State Representative District 104 Refreshments will be provided. 

People keep telling me there's nothing I can do to fix the roads, and you're right.  Not with the commissioners we have now.  They voted 5-4 to not pursue having a feasibility study done to determine if in fact going through the trouble of the BOC taking over the road commission is worth the trouble.  Right now, the GT Road Commission is a separate entity and the only thing we can do is to hire the manager.  If we were to dissolve the Road Commission, we could then have the capability of using County General Funds for road projects.  Right now, that is not possible. Please watch this video (excuse the lack of professionalism, click each slide for the next).   VOTE BLUE Nov. 5th! GT County Local Roads

Very interesting meeting today. I shared with the other commissioners that Nate Adler quoted $200M for the proposed new county services campus. The commissioners tell me we're nowhere near ready with the planning and design to talk costs yet. I believe the residents  of GT County are more concerned with the conditions of the roads than the comfort of county employees. Yes, facilitates need maintenance, but they function well now. I don't see where it's necessary to spend tax payer $'s for the comfort and convenience of county employees when our roads go neglected for decades! Nate also said the County had the money for this project and that he wouldn't have to raise property taxes to fund it.  Then when I suggested we use that money to fix the roads first and put the county services campus on hold until the roads are repaired, he then said he would need a bond to pay for the campus.  Excuse me, isn't a bond increased property taxes? Please see my post about the ...

 On Aug. 9th I attended the Special BOC meeting to discuss the GT County Road mileage renewal request.  After which I drove around District #1 and took 82 pictures of our crumbling roads.  You can see all of the photos on my Facebook page.   Crumbling Roads photo album These are 82 photos I took yesterday after the BOC Special meeting. I didn't have time to drive every residential road in the district. Residents know all too well these crumbling roads and have asked me to focus on this, so I am. Please send me a photo of the crumbing road in front of your house if its not here. Time to make some noise people! Jim Horn of Traverse Talks Podcast wrote this meeting transcript: In a recent Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners meeting, the discussion on the road millage proposal drew significant attention from township officials and residents, many of whom expressed deep concerns about the allocation of funds and the deteriorating condition of local road...

  Traverse Talks: A conversation with Linda Maginity running for District 1 Grand Traverse County Board Please give this a listen, get to know me a bit more and please let me know your concerns.  I'm available to come speak with you to answer your questions and to listen to your concerns.  How can I be of service to YOU, the residents of District #1.  Why am I running The homele ss situ ation The Road Commission The Opioid crisis  Mental healthcare BOC Ethics, Needs over Wants Economic development There was a little glitch in the recording here.  Commissione r  Kazim suggested that we let our main road go from 85% to 70-75% and spend more effort on the subdivision roads.  GT County Road Commission 6/13 Meeting - My observations - Where'd the money go?

If like me you first heard of this on 9&10 news.   Grand Traverse County Commissioners Vote No on Opioid Settlement Funds Disbursements  were concerned that funds weren't going to be disbursed.  This isn't entirely true.  Please listen to that portion of the BOC meeting on July 17th. To watch this meeting click here:   7/14/2024 BOC Meeting   Begins at timestamp  3:48:30 The Grand Traverse County Board requires further discussion on how these funds will best be distributed.   In the meantime they did approve $39,500 to the 86th District Court to help cover the costs of drug testing.  We are very fortunate to have received this funding from the Opioid settlement and need to put it to use in a way that best serves the county residents.  

 Nate Adler GT County Administrator explains the county budget. Straight from Nate   (Facebook video) I am a Democrat but I always describe myself as socially liberal and fiscally conservative.  I understand the importance and the great responsibility we as county commissioners (if elected) have with preserving the operations of county services for the citizens of Grand Traverse County and also that we do so without overspending.  Since deciding to run for commissioner I've seen a great deal of YOUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS being handed out, seemingly to anyone and everyone who simply asks for money.  Their ask often starts out with, "This isn't a money grab..." which it absolutely is!  For me, I see a lot of wants being fulfilled beyond what the basic needs are.  Too many of us who live and work here have to manage our household and small business finances.  We don't have a golden goose to give us money simply by asking.   If elected I will be...

https://www.vote411.org/ballot   I'm not entirely certain where the glitch happened, but I wasn't able to answer these questions on the form that was submitted, so here they are for you now. Describe your background, experience and qualifications for this office and the reasons why you are running for it.  I’ve been a self-employed bookkeeper/business consultant for the past 30+ years. My volunteer work includes serving as a Cub Scout leader and Pack Treasurer for Pack #19. I remained as treasurer for years after my son left Scouts, until the pack found a replacement. Additionally, I and other residents have worked together to oppose the locations of the adult book store (small win), the location of the full nude strip club (failed), and most recently, the location of a tire service & tow yard (TBD), all in Blair Township. I also volunteered with “Voters Not Politicians” as an educator, giving presentations in NW lower MI to teach voters about gerrymandering and why we nee...

 I attended the second Public Meeting for the US-31 Rebuilding Project yesterday evening.  It was very informative, and a much needed project for District #1.  That's not to say it isn't without citizen concerns.  If you didn't get a chance to attend this meeting, please click here  US-31 Rebuilding Project  for the information and access to the public comment form to share your thoughts.   I have two concerns, one of which the County Road Commission can address and that's the detour on Riley Road.  I first saw this road 45 years ago, my Grandparents-In-Law lived on the corner of Riley & Gonder.  It's always amazed me that this road keeps being patched as it continues to sink into the swamp.  I cannot image what 2 years worth of US-31 detour will do this this already fragile road.  I hope the GTCRC plans on rebuilding this road when the M-Dot rebuild project is completed. Secondly, there will not be any pedestrian stop ligh...

"I'll be the first to admit, I have a lot to learn about local government, but what I do know is how to manage a business. Businesses and municipalities such as this need their board of directors or board of commissioners to approve their budget and report to them when actual income and expenses deviate from the budget. Since the only financial reports available publicly are from 2022, that is where I started. In the 2022 budget, they planned on spending $3.4M on snow removal, but actually spent $2.5M. The GTCRC employees could not answer to my satisfaction where the $900k "Mother Nature" savings went. One said it was spent on operations and sand, the other said it was still in the bank account. When I look at the 12/31/22 Balance Sheet, the cash on hand was $10,972,125. Why do they keep asking for more taxes when "Mother Nature" gifted them $900k in the '21/'22 season? I'm looking forward to seeing the 2023 Audit which should be available next ...

 At the 6/05 BOC meeting during the report from the GT County Road Commission, they announced a Special meeting for the public to attend on Thursday 6/13 from 6-10 PM.  To save you time, the report starts at time stamp 3:05.  Big thank you to Linda Pepper for alerting me to this meeting.  It's not easy to find the GTCRC calendar.   BOC General Meeting 6/05/24 The 2022 audit was finished July 2023.  We've not yet seen the 2023 Audit.   GTCRC 2022 Audit GTCRC 2023 Budget GTCRC Snowfall Data       Actual & Budgeted costs are based on a 12 month calendar year, snowfall amounts are reported per season.  We are trending below average for the past 4 years.   So, over these past years we've seen a lot of growth, which means increased tax revenue for the GTCRC and less snowfall which means lower costs.  What have they spent the savings on?  When will the 2023 audit be finished?  How much did they spend ...

Traverse Talks - A Podcast This podcast is a nice short summation of this very passionate meeting.  The Commissioners took up details in a closed meeting.  The vote was 6-3 in favor of objecting the offer to transfer the property back to the county.  This now becomes a legal battle that will cost taxpayer money.  Listen, read and watch and draw your own conclusions.   BOC 6/5/2024 Meeting Minutes BOC 6/5/24 Meeting Video

Goodwill Industries is working hard to make Traverse City the first city in the state to find housing for everyone in need.  As of this date there are approximately 75 individuals who still need housing.   Annika Place  apartments rent ranges $373 - $1,125 for 1-2 bedroom apartments.  Truly affordable!  19 units will be reserved for people without homes, paid for with vouchers from Goodwill.  More on the horizon when Annika Place II is completed. Whenever you shop at the Goodwill store, those profits go towards this need.  In addition, if you have any items to donate that would make a great "Welcome Home" basket, when you donate those items at Goodwill, Father Fred's, Woman's Resource Center or the Salvation Army, tell them they are specifically for the Goodwill Inn.  They are looking for basics like a laundry basket, kitchen towels, paper towels, dish soap, dish drainers, toilet paper, toilet plungers etc.  Any and everything a new apar...

Our tour began at the Law Enforcement Center on Woodmere Ave.  It's obvious that our county and city law enforcement (who share this facility) are outgrowing the space.  This was a former bank retrofitted for law enforcement, and doesn't quite suit their needs right now.  More immediate needs are an updated HVAC system.  Sheriff Michael Shea told us that in the past year heating and/or cooling has failed 5 times and have lasted a number of days.  Better designed storage for their evidence room.  Red Flag law may increase the number of firearms the department must secure.  Finally what must be addressed is the water leaking into the basement locker room.  Repairing the sidewalk so water flows away from the building, seal the foundation and remove the lockers to clean and sanitize behind them to eliminate the possibility of black mold. Next we toured the  Sheriff's Office Boat Barn, a well constructed block facility on Trade Center Drive that ...

  https://gttv-embed.gtcmi.tv/PublicPage/playlist/20.aspx My comment starts at 4:29.  Oh my goodness, I look OLD!   Every resident in District #1 I speak with want their residential roads fixed. I'm very disappointed that the BOC voted down getting estimates on the cost of a feasibility study. Our roads are crumbling, if the county road commission doesn't do something soon, voters may not be so eager to approve their next millage request. Commissioner Brad Jewett was able to assist in funding for the Blair Township water service expansion. Traverse City Ticker article: https://www.traverseticker.com/news/go-rec-purchase-brownfield-housing-wellness-center-top-busy-county-agenda/

 Here's the link to this meeting's agenda with attachments. https://grandtraversecounty.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=13529 I'm particularly interested in discussions surrounding the County Road Commission.  I hope to see you there!