Six people are vying for two open seats for Howard Township Trustee — three Democrats and three Republicans. During the primary, voters will essentially eliminate one candidate from each party, sending four to the general election in November.

Republican Candidate Michael Richmond declined to fill out the questionnaire.

MICHAEL GORDON (D)
Age: 59
Residence: Niles
Education: Niles High School graduate. Completed an electrician apprenticeship program at Lake Michigan College.
Professional background: Electrician. Former union president for United Paperworkers.
Occupation: I work as an electrician for Thermo Bond Buildings.
Political experience: I was a Howard Township Trustee from 1996 to 2004. I’ve been on the park board for almost the last four years off and on. I’ve been on the zoning board of appeals. I also ran for Michigan State Representative for the 78th District twice against Neal Nitz.
Civic involvement: None. I’ve just been serving my township.
What will be your top priority if elected to office? Coming up with funding to maintain our township’s roads. I think our township has pretty good roads and I want it to stay that way.
Name three core values that define your political outlook: I want to serve the majority of the people and not the minority. I want to serve the people like the money is coming out of our pockets. I don’t like to see waste. I want to serve like I would want to be served.
What makes you the best candidate for the job? I have had the experience and I also have the desire to do the job.
What professional/political accomplishments are you most proud of in your life? I survived a recall in Howard Township. A watchdog group tried to recall almost the whole board. They ended up getting the supervisor and the treasurer but three of us trustees survived it. It was over Indeck Power and the gravel pit.
How do you think you can impact southwest Michigan’s future? I myself cannot impact it, it takes a group of people. I used to work in Niles, but now I am working in Elkhart because there are no good jobs left in Niles. The industry needs to come back to Niles.
What is the biggest challenge our region faces? How would you address it? Finding funding for what the township wants: police protection, fire protection, roads. It all takes money and when the township isn’t getting that state revenue and the income is not coming in there is not enough for what the people want.

DEBBIE JOHNSON (D)
Age: 57
Residence: Niles
Education: AAS in early childhood education, BA in organizational management, certified Montessori teacher
Professional background: Headstart, zero to 5 program, Niles Community Schools
Occupation: Montessori teacher at Northside Early Childhood Center for Niles Community Schools
Political experience: Three terms as Cass County Commissioner, partial term was appointed by the board to fill an empty seat, currently trustee on Howard Township Board.
Civic involvement: At Hope Community Church, in the past coaching cheerleading, helping with track meets, youth group and parent volunteer at son’s school
What will be your top priority if elected to office? I would like to see our township develop a five-year plan. I would like to poll our citizens and see what they think our township needs, then act accordingly. I want to see more early warning devices in our township as I feel the whole township isn’t appropriately covered.
Name three core values that define your political outlook: Pro-active rather than re-active. Honest. Integrity.
What makes you the best candidate for the job? I realize it’s not about me, but what is best for the majority of the township. I plan to make our township the best it can be by meeting the needs of the people. Pro-active, not re-active. Plus, the experience of being a commissioner gave me a wealth of knowledge.
What professional/political accomplishments are you most proud of in your life? I think being a part of a 15 member Commissioner Board was huge. We showed that a diverse group of people can come together and accomplish good things for their county. We worked through some tough budget constraints and still kept the county balanced and programs running.
How do you think you can impact southwest Michigan’s future? Anything we do to better our township also impacts our state. If we are doing great things, making a difference, that makes a part of Michigan a better place to live. If we can be an example and that helps people or another township then we have helped the state.
What is the biggest challenge our region faces? For our region I think some infrastructure issues should be discussed and thought about for our future. I think planning ahead and not just focusing on the “now” of the township. One way to get ideas started will be sitting down with the board and taking an honest look at our direction.
Other comments: I hope the people of Howard Township will come out and vote for me because I truly want to only better the place we all live. I don’t want recognition for myself. I just want to help us build a great future for our township. A place where we feel safe and are glad to call home.

DENNIS PATTERSON (D)
Age: 73
Residence: Niles
Education: High School graduate, military, ACME Tool & Die Design School
Professional Background: Tool maker and machine repair
Occupation: Machinist, supervisor at Miles Laboratories.
Political Experience: Former trustee at Niles Township.
Civic involvement: Volunteer in the community.
What will be your top priority if elected to office? Additional warning sirens, additional street lights, as many corners and streets are dangerous at dusk-dawn and night.
Name three core values that define your political outlook: Build trust within community; keep fire and law enforcement a priority.
What makes you the best candidate for the job? Previous experience (four years) as a trustee at Howard Township.
What professional/political accomplishments are you most proud of in your life? Training many people as apprentices in skilled trades. Serving in the U.S. Navy at home and overseas.
How do you think you can impact southwest Michigan’s future? By helping to solve problems within Howard Township as well as Cass County.
What is the biggest challenge our reason faces? How would you address it? Bringing and keeping jobs back to Niles, which is a big concern that requires help from local and state leaders.
Other comments: This community has been a wonderful part of my life. We have been a foreign exchange host family four times.

MICHAEL DALY (R)
Age: 45
Residence: Niles
Education: Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Detroit
Professional Background: Architect, registered in Michigan and Indiana
Occupation: Senior Director of Project Management, University of Notre Dame
Political Experience: None
Civic Involvement: Previously served on the Howard Township Zoning Board of Appeals as both a member and as chairman
What will be your top priority if elected to office?  To be fiscally responsible to make sure that to the best of my ability that the limited resources that are allocated to the Township are used to best serve the residents of the Township.
Name three core values that define your political outlook:  Honesty, integrity, and strong work ethic.  While these values sound somewhat trite when used by politicians I feel that they are fundamental values one needs to have in order to serve others.
What makes you the best candidate for the job?  I am a lifelong resident of the township with the hopes that if entrusted with this office can make this a place that my children will always be proud to call home.
What professional/political accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?  I am most proud of the fact that I am a licensed architect in Michigan and Indiana, as well as a L.E.E.D. accredited professional.  I am also proud of my previous involvement with Howard Township serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
How do you think you can impact southwestern Michigan’s future? By taking pride in our community I feel that has significant impact on our future.  If we cherish and take pride in where we live that can help attract new families and business to the area.  Our community needs to embrace and promote growth in order to thrive.
What is the biggest challenge our region faces? How would you address it?  The loss of families and businesses I feel are the two biggest challenges we face.  We need to have responsible and intelligent government in order to promote strong business and schools which both attract families and new business.

ASHLEY WENTZ (R)
Age: 30
Residence: Niles
Education: Associate’s degree from Southwestern Michigan College
Professional Background: Registered Nurse
Occupation: Certified Wound Care and Ostomy Specialist in the home health setting.
Political experience: Current Trustee on the Howard Township Board
Civic involvement: Currently serving as a board representative and newly appointed Vice Chairman for the SMCAS Board of Trustees.
What will be your top priority if elected to office? My top priority would be keeping our residents informed on current issues our community is facing.  Also, I believe getting our younger generations to take an interest in the local government is important.
Name three core values that define your political outlook: Integrity: I believe in doing the right thing at all times, even when no one else is looking. Transparency: Matters should be kept in the light for all to see.  Responsibility: Taking my role as a trustee seriously, investing the time and research to fulfill duties.
What makes you the best candidate for the job? I am the best candidate because I have no personal agenda except to make our community the best it can be.  I have a fresh perspective and I hold myself to a higher standard than anyone else ever could; I’ll get the job done correctly.
What professional/political accomplishments are you most proud of in your life? I am proud that I was appointed as a Trustee to fill a vacancy on the Howard Township Board.  I am also pleased to have been a part in selecting a new Executive Director for Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service.
How do you think you can impact southwest Michigan’s future? By getting our middle aged to younger generations interested and more involved in our community. I want those in their teens, 20s, and 30s to realize they are not the “future” they are the “now” and they can get out in the community and make an impact.
What is the biggest challenge our region faces? How would you address it? Our region faces the challenge of needing to do more with fewer resources. “Needs” should be clearly separated from “wants,” and fiscally responsible decisions need to be made without acquiring debt or seeking unnecessary tax increases.  I believe in a traditional approach in planning and saving for the future.
Other comments: My career as a community health nurse allows me to see the needs and concerns of individuals in our community from a unique perspective:  from the inside of his or her own home.  I believe I can help keep our local government in check with good spending habits, while maximizing our resources.  Thank you for your support, God Bless!