Several Dowagiac men and women are vying to become the Republican nominees for two area county commissioner seats during the state primary election next Tuesday, Aug. 2.

The GOP nomination for the commissioner races in District One and District Seven will be decided that day, determining which two candidates will represent the party during the general election in November.

The Dowagiac area is represented by two of the seven county commissioners, who serve two-year terms in office. All seven seats are up for election this year, with five of those races being contested.

Before local voters hit the polls next week to decide, the Dowagiac Daily News approached the five candidates running in contested races on the primary ballot, asking them all the same set of questions about their backgrounds and why they are running for office. Their answers have been recorded and transcribed below.

In District One, incumbent Robert Wagel’s nomination is challenged by Lazarus Alexander, who unsuccessfully challenged Wagel in 2014, and Terry Ausra, a newcomer to the commissioner race.

As there are no Democrats running for the District One seat, the winner of the primary next week will be the de facto winner of the seat, barring a challenge from an independent or write-in candidate in November.

District One encompasses the entirety of Wayne and Silver Creek townships, a majority of LaGrange Township and a small portion of the City of Dowagiac.

The Dowagiac Daily News was unable to reach Lazarus Alexander at the time of publication.

 

Terry Ausra

How long have you lived in Cass County?

My whole life. Born and raised in Pokagon Township and then when my wife and I decided to start farming we moved to Silver Creek and we’ve been there for 40 years plus. Self-employed farming right there in Silver Creek, never left the area.

What is your professional background?

Self-employed farmer, forever. That is the only job/career I’ve ever had.

What is your civic background?

I’ve been on the Cass County Conservation District, six years I think there. After that 14 years for the Cass County Farm Service Agency, formerly Agricultural Stabilization Service. Currently it would be called the Cass County Farm Service Agency. Fourteen years there, most of it as chairman, representing all the county farmers. Similar to what we’re doing here but representing all the citizens, not just farmers. And it’s an elected office, by farmers. Any farmer in the county, the all vote on those positions. Also in addition to that, most recently, I was on the board of directors of Berrien County Farm Bureau Oil. It is a co-op over here at M-140 and M-62, until we got a merger completed and then it combined with North Central co-op so then that ended.

What organizations/clubs are you involved with in the community?

No, haven’t taken the time for them.

Why are you running for commissioner?

Well, primarily I was asked to by several prominent people that thought a change would be good, and that I would be a good candidate. So I guess it was their confidence that got me thinking about it and that was when I made the decision after I attended some of the meetings then to see exactly what’s involved and did some research, looked back on past agendas and such to see if I thought I could do a good job of it.

What are the biggest challenges facing the county right now, and how would you address them if you were elected?

I think [the vintage] courthouse is going to be a true challenge, it needs to be handled and not just talked about longer and longer. We need to move on that, get something going, one way or another, hopefully to preserve it.

And the other challenge is going to be our budgets. You know, I feel I’ve got a good understanding of budgets, being a self-employed businessman for 40 years. So, I think budgets are understandable for me. So I think I’d be helpful there.

What are your most positive attributes that you would bring to the job?

I think I’m a fair person. I can see both sides, easy to work with. I’m not going to dig in my heels and say, “no way.” It is just a trait of mine that I am adaptable. I can be persuasive, but I can also be convinced.

What do you love most about Cass County?

Its rural character. I do not think being a rural community is negative in any way. I think we just need to improve on it and appreciate it. By improving on it we need better education. The drug thing is definitely a concern of mine. I think that is the root of a lot of our problems, and we need to do anything we can to support the reduction of our drug involvement by citizens.

 

Robert Wagel

How long have you lived in Cass County?

At least 40 years.

What is your professional background?

I was an educator and I was a guidance counselor, and I spent 30 years as a guidance counselor and 25 years at Dowagiac High School. That is where I retired from.

What is your civic background?

[My first political position] was on the Cass County Board of Commissioners. I have been a member since around 1989.

What organizations/clubs are you involved with in the community?

Well in the community I am a member of the rotary club. I have been a past president of the rotary club. In addition to that I belong to the American Legion.

Politically I served as chair of the Head Start Board and I was also chairperson of the Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Board.

I have also served on the Cass County Board of Public Works, and I chaired the board also. And I chaired the board of the commissioners for seven years.

I belong to the Dowagiac Peninsular Lodge No. 10 of the Free Masons. I was also a Red Cross volunteer for disaster mental health services.

Why are you running for commissioner?

Well, I think that my experience over the years would contribute to the reasons for me to remain on the board. I feel that I have a passion for county government, and I want to see our county grow and prosper. I also have a lot of experience in working at the county level and with working my fellow commissioners.

I don’t know any other position that really puts you in touch with so many people throughout the community.

What are the biggest challenges facing the county right now, and how would you address them if you were elected?

The first concern of mine is balancing the budget. With some things we have very little control over. One situation is insurance. That is probably going to be at least 10 percent or more increase in insurance. My retirement fund needs to be looked at, it is underfunded and so those are two areas that we’ll need to keep an eye on.

What are your most positive attributes that you would bring to the job?

Being a commissioner over the past 22 years gives me a great deal of insight into county governing, and I bring a historical perspective also.

What do you love most about Cass County?

Well, I really have a passion for it. It’s a great place to live, a great place to work. I enjoy just the agricultural area of our county and of course the lakes, I enjoy all of them as well.