Michigan Voter Guide 2022: Wayne County Board of Commissioners

Michigan voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 8, for the 2022 midterm elections. Seats on Wayne County’s Board of Commissioners are on the ballot.

Keep reading to learn the candidates’ answers to the questionnaire they received from WDET. To see what’s on your ballot, click here.

Editor’s note: Responses have been edited for length and clarity. This post will be updated as candidates submit their responses. Opinions are the candidates’ own.

County Commissioner – 1st District

Tim Killeen – Democrat

Did Not Respond

John Barry Anderson – Republican

Did Not Respond

County Commissioner – 2nd District

Jonathan C. Kinloch – Democrat

Did Not Respond. Running unopposed.

County Commissioner – 3rd District

Martha G. Scott – Democrat

Did Not Respond. Running unopposed.

County Commissioner – 4th District

Cara A. Clemente – Democrat

Did Not Respond

Loel Robert Gnadt – Libertarian

Did Not Respond

County Commissioner – 5th District

Irma Clark-Coleman – Democrat

Did Not Respond. Running unopposed.

County Commissioner – 6th District

Monique Baker McCormick – Democrat

Did Not Respond

Celeste T. Mentag, Republican

Age: 46

Current occupation: Children’s book author

Education: High School graduate

Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less.

I am a wife and mother living in Wayne County for eight years. I have written two children’s books and volunteered my time to serve in Nursing Home bible study and Vice Chair of our school’s Parent Organization.

Why are you running for county commission and why should voters elect you?

I am running for county commissioner because our county commissioners became authoritarians and dismissed the constitutional rights of Wayne County residents to choose for themselves, the best mitigation methods to keep themselves and their families safe. Voters should vote for me, because I believe checks and balances and the rule of law must be restored, so the people can have trust in the process of our Republic. I will uphold, protect and preserve their rights, to be the sole arbiter of their lives.

What accomplishments during your term as county commissioner, would you like to accomplish?

Removing ballot drop boxes to prevent voter disengagement, keep the tabulation of ballots to be decentralized and counted in their local precincts.

What are the top three priority issues that Wayne County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them?

1. Roads — Reallocate money from projects, that are inefficient and wasteful.
2. Economic recovery — Support and advocate legislation to give deferment of the payroll tax to employers and give employees the option to opt out of paying social security and Medicaid for 5 years.
3. Public safety — Support and advocate to increase funding for our law enforcement officers to have the equipment and training needed to protect our communities.

County Commissioner – 7th District

Alisha Bell – Democrat

Did Not Respond

County Commissioner – 8th District

David Knezek, Democrat

Did Not Respond

William Collop, Jr., Republican

Did Not Respond

County Commissioner – 9th District

Terry A. Marecki – Republican

Did Not Respond

Daniel Woike – Libertarian

Did Not Respond

County Commissioner – 10th District

Melissa Daub – Democrat

Did Not Respond

Michael Brackney – Republican

Did Not Respond

County Commissioner – 11th District

Al “Abdul” Haidous – Democrat

Age: 79

Current occupation: Wayne County Commissioner of the 11th District

Education: High school

Why are you running again for county commission and why should voters re-elect you?

I believe everyone has a responsibility to serve their community in whatever capacity they can. For me public service has been the way I give back to my community. I started as a city council member in the City of Wayne, then Mayor of Wayne, and now as Wayne County Commissioner of District 11. My service and experience provide me with a great wealth of knowledge and skills to get things done. I want to continue to work with my constituents to find solutions and new opportunities to improve District 11 while moving us forward. I raised a family in this district and I am deeply invested in its long-term success.

What are your accomplishments during your term as county commissioner?

• Built Waltz Bridge
• Repaired Huron Drive Bridge
• Rerouted drainage issues in Huron township
• Partnered with Michigan Works to provide free education and training programs to the Wayne County Workforce
• As Chairman of the Detroit Metropolitan Airport worked to enhance the travel experience throughout the region
• As a SMART board member helped to make it easier for people to get to and from work

What are the top three priority issues that Wayne County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them?

My goals are to continue:

1. Working on infrastructure issues
2. Developing more training opportunities for the Wayne County workforce
3. Working with stakeholders in the area of economic development to support businesses in Wayne County and draw new business into Wayne County

Corey James Blue – Republican

Age: 38

Current occupation: Mechanical engineer

Education: BS in Mechanical Engineering AS in Manufacturing

Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less.

I’m a graduate of Missouri Science and Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering. I’ve been married to my wife for 18 years. We have a beautiful family of three girls and one boy. I started fighting corruption in Sumpter Township when the board of trustees decided it was in their best interest to sell a piece of land valued at $400,000 for only $47,000 in a sealed bidding format. It didn’t matter to them what the surrounding families wanted to see happen to that property or that it was in a residential community. It was a marginalizing experience. Then I learned that a new deep well is being drilled at Carleton Farms where all the runoff water from the trash pile is going to be stored under the water table and none of the local elected officials lifted a finger to stop it. Then the COVID pandemic hit, and the mask mandates occurred at the local level where personal choice was taken away.  Then people were being threatened with the loss of employment for not taking the vaccine and you were again marginalized and banned from public discourse.

Why are you running for county commission?

I’m running for commission because the only time the current commissioners care about the electorate is during election season, we are nothing more than votes to them. Elected officials around here view “their” positions more as a career path than actual service to the public. This can be observed in their reactions during public discourse. They never have the realization that their position is actual the people’s position. When it came to COVID mandates our commissioners never once listened to the public, they marginalized the public.

What are the top three priority issues that Wayne County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them?

1. Stop all local unconstitutional mandates associated with personal health choice and business closures.
2. Giving the public their voice back through listening and improving transparency.
3. Address inflation at the local level by fighting property tax increases that the current administration is pushing.

County Commissioner – 12th District

Glenn S. Anderson – Democrat

Age: 68

Current occupation: Wayne County Commissioner

Education: Wayne State University, University of Michigan-Dearborn

Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less.

I have been married 45 years and have lived in Westland since 1978. My wife and I have two adult children and 4 grandchildren. I served on the Westland Civil Service Commission and Westland Planning Commission before being elected to the Westland City Council from 1992-2000, I retired from Ford Motor Co. after 28 years upon being elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives where I served for 6 years, I was elected to the Michigan State Senate in 2006 and served until 2014. In 2015 I was appointed to the Wayne County Ethics Board and in 2016 I was appointed to a vacancy on the Wayne County Commission. I was elected to a two-year term in November 2016, 2018, 2020 and seeking my fourth term on the commission.

Why are you running again for county commission and why should voters re-elect you?

I am running for re-election to the commission to continue being the voice of reason, responsible use of tax dollars and transparency. I’ve been an independent representative standing up for the citizens I represent as well as our county. I am passionate about public service and have proven I’m very responsive and responsible to our citizens. I am also the most qualified, with the depth of experience that is needed to make good decisions on behalf of our citizens.

What are your accomplishments during your term as county commissioner?

During my service on the commission I have stood firm against continuing to do business with contractors who have not lived up to their previous contracts with the county and will continue to ask the tough questions that all who are in elected positions should be doing on behalf of those who have entrusted us as their representatives. I have fought for transparency and was successful in pushing for public access to our committee and full commission meetings through televising meetings. Integrity has always been foremost during my life as well as my 30 years of public service.

What are the top three priority issues that Wayne County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them?

1. We have a massive challenge in filling vacancies in county offices and departments. These vacancies have affected services to our citizens from road maintenance, law enforcement, prosecutorial staff, to clerical positions to name a few. We are not currently paying competitive salaries, which is critical to addressing this problem.
2. Cost-effectiveness and greater efficiency in the delivery of services to our residents is something we must continue to strive for. A broader use of technology across the county and employing greater review of processes and procedures or best practices could help us address this priority.
3. Building our regional economy by being more aggressive with our efforts to attract new businesses, industries and increase tourism. We can do more to partner with the surrounding counties on joint efforts and greater advertising about the improved opportunities for potential developers and job creators. This will help address loss of population as we make Wayne County a better place to live, work and play.

William J. Collop – Republican

Did Not Respond

County Commissioner – 13th District

Ann F. Clark – Republican

Age: 72

Current occupation: Retired

Education: Associate’s Degree in Business

Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less.

My name is Ann Clark and I am a Republican, America First Candidate. My background includes working for the YMCA of Metro Detroit for 18 years followed by creating my own business focused on effective management and fund development. I am a solution-oriented businesswoman and who has successfully helped to foster thriving, healthy, diverse and resilient organizations, and companies throughout Michigan. Over the years, I have spearheaded signature fundraising events and capital campaigns for numerous organizations including Robert De Mars Charity, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Rugiero Promise Foundation and various diverse organizations throughout Metropolitan Detroit. After retirement, I became an active supporter of local charities and volunteered in the Republican Party. Created an online weekly calendar of political news and events giving residents transparency of local and state candidates and policy activities happening for the Republican Party. The calendar informs individuals of meetings and activities in which they can participate. Giving support for grassroots organizations that are fighting for legal elections, quality education in our schools, and against unconstitutional orders of the governor.

Why are you running for county commission?

In the last few years, I became concerned with state policies and the effects on businesses and people of Wayne County. I decided to take action, actively working for pro-America and pro-Constitution policies. I attend meetings and volunteer in the Republican Party, grassroots organizations and community organizations that work to serve and support our community. Becoming more involved in community service, I realized the only way to truly make changes was to run for office. Citizens make a bigger impact from within the system. Therefore, I decided to run for Wayne County Commissioner.

What are the top three priority issues that Wayne County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them?

1. Infrastructure and roads: Roads and bridges have been a disaster for years, while the Wayne County budget swelled to over $1 billion. As a commissioner, I would review the current budget. Establishing where the funds are being spent, effectiveness of programs, highlighting areas for reduction or elimination. The commission adopts and enforces rules establishing the authority of county departments and offices. They play a key role in the checks and balances of the federal and state governments. We need a real assessment and transparency of our budget. Infrastructure and roads are the priority and essential purpose of county government.
2. Business’ rights: The commission adopts and enforces rules establishing the authority of county departments and offices. During the pandemic, liquor stores, weed dispensaries and big-box stores remained open. Small businesses were considered nonessential; they lost revenue, jobs and some never reopened. The success of already over-regulated businesses should not be at the mercy of government agencies. Commissioners had the ability and should have instructed county departments and offices to not enforce the arbitrary and overreaching mandates of the governor.
3. Education: Parents should have a say in their child’s education. I support parents’ rights to be able to voice their concerns. Knowing the content of the school curriculum for their child and what is in the school library is essential for parents to have confidence in those systems. I support school of choice. Parents are in charge of what is best for their child, not the government.

Sam Baydoun (Formerly Hassane Nemr Baydoun) – Democrat

Did Not Respond

County Commissioner – 14th District

Raymond E. Basham – Democrat

Did Not Respond

Ashleigh Bielecki-Gamalski – Republican

Did Not Respond

County Commissioner – 15th District

Joseph Palamara – Democrat

Did Not Respond

Craig Bielecki – Republican

Did Not Respond