TJ Andrews
Democrat For Grand Traverse County Commission
District 7

We live in a great place defined by our thriving neighborhoods that support quality of life, outstanding natural places, and infinite recreational opportunities. Everyone wants to come here – some to live and some to visit. We must manage our unprecedented growth and tourism. In my 20 years as an attorney, I have fought to protect clean water, clean energy, and quality of life. I believe our county can welcome new neighbors and friends without destroying what makes this a great place to live with common sense management. 

 Our county roads have a budget of over $22 million, larger than any other county service, yet the road commission operates beyond the oversight and standards of the county commission and ultimately the voters. The conditions of our roads affect our daily lives, from transportation time to car damage when they’re not in good repair, from safe routes for everyone to road runoff that spills into the bay. It is just common sense that the public should have a say in how public money is spent on our roads, but that's not the case in our county. As county commissioner, I have made our roads and their management one of my top priorities, doing whatever is necessary to best manage these invaluable resources and their massive budget.

District 7 is home to three outstanding county parks - the Civic Center, Power Island, and the Senior Center. It is also home to numerous community parks, trails, and public beaches managed by the City, Peninsula Township, and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. These public resources are popular with residents and visitors from near and far. But our county does not have a stellar history of protecting and investing in parks resources. In 2022, the county gave a township one of the jewels of our parks system, Twin Lakes Park. I support good stewardship of county parks, smart investments to keep them accessible for everyone to enjoy, and county leadership to collaborate with regional partners to improve access to and amenities at all parks in this area.

We must improve how the county engages with our community. I believe that starts with respecting all people, inviting more voices to the discussion, prioritizing transparency, and holding commissioners to the highest standards. It includes real fiscal due diligence to prevent crises like the pension debt that grew due to poor oversight and short-sighted decision-making. And it requires careful and deliberate planning to become a proactive and effective local government.   

Working families can’t afford our neighborhoods, and we do not have enough homes to rent. As a working mom, I understand that high quality, reliable childcare is essential. And I have experienced the challenge – and stress – of the lack of childcare in this area. Lack of housing and childcare are drags on the local economy – and its workers. I support a collaborative approach to housing and childcare, which the county should lead. With data-informed planning, the commitment of resources from within and beyond, and political will, there are no local issues that our county is powerless to address. 

Grand Traverse County is already on the front lines of climate change, with frequent flooding in streets and basements, record-high erosive water levels along the bay, failing septic systems, and unpredictable frosts. The county commission should become a local climate leader by reducing energy waste, hosting charging stations for visitors and employees, adding electric vehicles into the county fleet, and more. The county should also recognize the local impacts of climate change, like frequent flooding and less predictable weather, and incorporate resilient community best practices. Private and public partners already do these things; the county commission has an important role, too. There have never been so many resources available to help municipalities like ours address climate change. We must prioritize this issue, partner with municipalities and organizations, seek out expert support, and pursue funding opportunities to assist.