The newcomer replaces 4 current members of the Oshtemo commune board

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. — One Democrat has a tough task in the Aug. 6 primary election as he faces four incumbents in the race for Oshtemo Township trustee, with four open seats.

The Democratic primary includes incumbents Michael Chapman, Kristin Cole, Zak Ford and Neil Sikora, as well as new candidate Tom Graham.

Republican candidates Andrea Lundgren and Rob Viland will run unopposed on Aug. 6 and will appear on the November 5 ballot.

Peddler46, is a physician and a flight surgeon lieutenant colonel in the Michigan Air National Guard. He was appointed to the Oshtemo Township Board of Trustees in 2023. He has lived in Oshtemo since completing his residency in 2011.

Cabbage51, was elected to the Oshtemo Township Board in 2020. She is a retired Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer with 25 years of experience. She is a safety specialist and an adjunct professor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Ferry37, is a software engineer and current Oshtemo Township trustee. He has served on the board for nine years.

GrahamThe 57-year-old is a self-taught IT systems development manager with 41 years of experience in programming production, logistics, accounting and court administration systems.

Tit64, is a retired microbiologist and current township trustee. He was appointed to the position in June 2023, filing for a vacancy after previously serving on the board.

MLive partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide voters with a Vote411 campaign guide with information about candidates in local primaries across the state. Candidates were asked to fill out information about their campaigns and answer a list of questions compiled by the League of Women Voters.

RELATED: Michigan Voter Guide Now Available for August Primary Elections

All responses in the voting guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters or MLive, except for necessary cuts if the response exceeded the character limit. Spelling and grammar have not been corrected. The publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be construed as an endorsement. The League never endorses or opposes any candidate or political party.

What are your top three priorities for the office you are running for? What do you want to achieve?

Peddler: 1) Invest in the infrastructure needed to improve the health, safety, and development of Oshtemo. 2) Maintain the balance between urban, suburban, and rural zones that make our community unique while addressing the housing affordability crisis. 3) Ensure that all members of our community have the opportunity to be heard, respected, and informed about the issues before the borough.

Cabbage: Continuation of the Oshtemo Municipality “Go Green” Master Plan, which aims to responsibly grow Oshtemo while preserving the rural green spaces and beautiful parks we are known for! Addressing the lack of affordable housing, which is currently a nationwide issue. Transparency in Municipality decisions/policies and ensuring we are doing what is best for all residents, to the best of our ability.

Ferry: Sanitary Sewer/Roads, Housing, Fire Department. We have ongoing needs for sanitary sewer expansion, I will see our projects through to completion. Housing is too expensive, I will work to reduce barriers to housing delivery through our zoning ordinances. We have insufficient space at Fire Station #1 for our firefighters, we need to explore our options for remodeling or new construction.

Graham: 1) Increase community engagement on important issues, especially those that will cost individual residents thousands of dollars. 2) Implement a fair repayment plan for the USDA loan for the sewer expansion project. 3) Restore municipal financial accountability

Tit: – Increase collaboration to implement real solutions to common problems. – Accelerate response to community concerns before they become critical and costly. – Support infrastructure improvements to address environmental issues.

What important talents, skills, and experiences would you bring to this office?

Peddler: I bring to the table my extensive education, leadership experience, and problem-solving skills developed as an emergency physician and a member of the military. In addition, I bring empathy gained as a physician, a trusted friend, and a single father. Finally, I bring a long-term perspective to the challenges we face today—so that every decision we make is for a better tomorrow for our community.

Cabbage: I have almost 4 years of experience as an elected Trustee for the Oshtemo Borough, so I have come to know the role well. I also have 25 years of experience as a KDPS Police/Firefighter, retiring in 2022 as a Sex Crimes Detective. This experience has allowed me to see a wide range of people’s personal and social situations, housing and employment issues from “both sides of the coin”. It has made me more empathetic to the situations of others, while also supporting law enforcement efforts in the difficult political climate of recent times.

Ferry: I have been a software engineer for 12 years and a municipal trustee for 9 years. I have found that these roles complement each other very well. My technical background has been useful in helping to digitally transform the municipality. Navigating complex issues is typical of my job role and translates well to working on the issues the municipality faces.

Graham: I am an incredibly analytical person. Instead of completely trusting the advice of experts, I listen to them, then dig into the details, ask questions, do research, then ask more questions. Self-research seems to be a skill that our current board lacks.

Tit: Deep and broad experience in our local government and community organizations: currently serving as a Township Trustee, but also serving as Chair of our Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Review Board in the past to provide insight into planning, zoning, housing, and development; serving on our Parks and Recreation groups and as a District Chair provides insight into these key areas. I have lived in three completely different areas of our Township, experiencing growth and change from different perspectives to appreciate how decisions impact our community. Being active in local nonprofits provides me with more helpful experiences.

What are the most important environmental issues facing your municipality and what actions or initiatives would you support to solve them?

Peddler: Aging infrastructure systems, such as poorly maintained or outdated septic systems, that leak contaminants into our groundwater and surface water. To address this, I fully support moving forward to upgrade portions of our community to municipal water and sewer systems. While the upfront costs of these projects are high, the benefits to the environment, human and community health, and growth, far outweigh these costs in the long term. Projects such as expanding municipal water and sewer systems must be viewed as investments that improve not only our current situation, but also the situation of future generations.

Cabbage: Previously we have dealt with waste from the Kuala Lumpur landfill causing drinking water problems in the area. We are currently facing similar issues with the inefficient sewerage systems in the municipality (which are little to no regulated) and also with residents who desperately need to be connected to the municipal sewer system as they no longer have any more acres to place new sewer/drain fields on their properties. I have been personally affected by this issue and support our ongoing efforts to provide municipal sewerage to ALL residents in the municipality.

Ferry: The main environmental concerns are groundwater protection and preservation of natural features. I am working hard to expand the sanitary sewer system and fill areas that have nearby services. We have developed ordinances to limit destruction of natural features.

Graham: The KL Ave. Landfill is the single largest environmental hazard in the borough. The EPA has been monitoring the site since it was placed on the National Priorities List in September 1983. There are three nearby surface water bodies, Dustin Lake, Springwood Lake, and Bonnie Castle, that are at risk of contamination. Technology has advanced since the EPA began monitoring in 1983, and there are now pumping and treatment methods to clean up groundwater contamination. I would do everything in my power to get Superfund money to clean up the contamination, rather than just monitor it and wait for something bad to happen before I respond.

Tit: Sewer and Water; The contaminated water supply, due to the KL Landfill Superfund site, continues to grow, affecting more households in more rural parts of the Township that will need an alternative water source. (My home is already connected to the city water supply due to this contamination, and there is a monitoring well on my property.) With many neighborhoods having to replace septic systems and no space for new ones, the only viable option is the city sewer system. Further expansion of the sewer and water systems is necessary to reach more residents in a timely but cost-effective manner.

For information on other state, county and local primaries, visit Vote411.org.

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