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Posted: 10/31/12

Brown, Winne vie for
Dist. 7 commissioner seat

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      A long-time incumbent is facing opposition for the Dist. 7 county commissioner position this election.
       The representative on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners for the townships of Bruce, Washington, Shelby, Armada, Richmond, the villages of Memphis, Armada and Romeo and the city of Richmond is up for grabs on Nov. 6.
       Incumbent Don Brown, Republican, is facing off against Democrat candidate James Winne for the two-year term.

       Don Brown
       Brown is running for his 11th term as county commissioner. Aside his position as commissioner, he works as deputy district director for Congresswoman Candice Miller.
       "My government experience only helps the constituents of my district because of my connections and experience of interacting with people from all government levels," he said.
       He said with the charter form of county government still in its infancy, he wants to continue to work with the executive's office and his colleagues on the county charter.
       "We need to work out a solution that protects the taxpayer's interests," he said.
       Along with working to create a climate to encourage job growth, Brown said he wants to focus on keeping the county budget tight. Brown serves as the chair of the board's financial committee.
       "County revenue has taken a hit," he said. "We need to make sure government gets smaller and not maintain the same large government because we can't afford it anymore."
       He said he also wishes to address issues specific to the northern end of Macomb County like road improvement projects.

       James Winne
       Winne, who has run for state representative, said he wanted to run for county commissioner partly to give residents an option when they're at the polls.
       "You've got a candidate up at the top of the party and just no down ticket," he said.
       He said he questions the sincerity of Brown since his second job is working for Miller, saying he is "playing both ends against the middle."
       "He takes credit for bringing home the bacon, so to speak, but works for a congresswoman who doesn't seem to want to bring any bacon back home," he said.
       He said he would work to improve relations with the executive's office, as the commissioners and executive are currently at odds with interpreting the county charter.
       "I think it's kind of stupid you can spend two years writing the rules for how the county is supposed to operate, and now they're taking each other to court," he said.
       Winne, a retired insurance agent and veteran, said he would like to invest and hire locally when applicable, and promote a stance of creating green jobs.
       For more information, questionnaires submitted by the candidates can be found in this edition.