By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Peter J. Siewert garnered 30 votes as a Republican write-in candidate for Democratic Cass County Commissioner Minnie Warren's District 12 seat in last Tuesday's primary election.
Siewert, 44, lives at Chestnut Towers, where he associates Warren with her leadership of the Dowagiac Housing Commission.
Long-term, Siewert aspires to no less than president of the United States.
"I have long-term goals that most people think are unreasonable," he said. "I've had this dream since I was 18. It's a long, uphill battle."
Siewert said Friday he ran as a write-in candidate rather than filing in May because he was hospitalized for four weeks.
Siewert said he was born in Bay City and lived in Beaverton and Mason before moving to Benton Harbor. He graduated from high school in Bridgman.
He said he studied political science and military science at Western Michigan University and computer science at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, which taught him how to build computers.
The disabled veteran settled in Dowagiac Jan. 15, 2003.
Siewert said he has two children from a seven-year marriage to a Chinese woman. They live with their mother in Berrien Springs.
He considered running for deputy city clerk until he learned that it is an appointed position, so he's running for county commission.
"Cass County's been good to me" Siewert said. "I've learned to fly and all kinds of things. I couldn't fight when I was a kid, so I went to karate school. When I was in China, I learned teaching. I used to own Siewert Home Improvement, but when I went overseas in '91 I closed it. I still know how to paint, I still know how to lay floors. There isn't much I don't know how to do and, given enough time, I'll study the books or get on the computer and research it."
Siewert said while attending church in St. Joseph, he was tapped for a Seventh-day Adventist mission trip to China.
"I put people first. I've been overseas, I've been everywhere and I know everybody needs help, not just the States. I want to get this show on the road and get us home to Jesus, that's all I'm worried about. That's why I'm the man for the job, but people say if you tell them that, they'll think you're nuts."
Siewert said he spent three years in China.
When asked what expertise might be applicable to serving on the Board of Commissioners, such as a committee assignment he would seek, Siewert replied, "What committees do I have a choice of? Give me some choices. I'd work in information technology." Or, on controlling costs.
"Why do you want to buy a toilet seat for $200 when I can get you one for $9.99? I don't need any money. The Lord provides for me," he said. "One time I was in a car accident. The insurance company gave me $16,000, so I went to Vegas and worked out there. I got in touch with politics out there. I could do this job forever, no problem, but I have a curiosity of what more could I do if I was in a higher position."
"I lived in Benton Harbor a long time," he said. "I even drove a cab there," and was helping out at the Humane Society when President Jimmy Carter visited for the Habitat for Humanity Build.
"There isn't much I haven't done," he said.