Antrim Conservation District Annual Meeting and Election of Directors

Photo: Ray Ludwa

Please join ACD at 4:00pm on December 6th, 2018 at Short’s Brewing Company in Bellaire for our annual meeting and director’s elections.  Three local leaders will run for two 4-year positions on the board, and one local leader will vie for the one 1-year position on the board.  Voting at Short's will begin at 4pm and end at 6pm.  Residents are encouraged to join us not only to participate in board elections, but to learn more about the staff and mission of ACD, as well as our work in 2018 and plans for 2019. 

​Absentee ballots are available here (note 12/7: absentee ballots are no longer available because elections are complete) and must be turned into the Conservation District office by 3:00pm on December 6th, 2018.  

Our local leaders running for election are:

Running for one-year term (1 seat):
Ray Ludwa: Ray hopes to bring a balanced experience base to the ACD board with his experience in conservation and business, as well as organizational development skills.  He has served on Torch Lake, Three Lake, Watershed GTB, and ERCOLA boards as both a member and officer, and currently serves on Munson Foundation and Medical Center boards.  He has been a business owner in Bellaire since 1983, and a fulltime resident since 1999.  He is an avid gardener, fine woodworker, and enjoys playing sports.
 
Running for four-year term (2 seats):                                                                                     
Randy Johnson:  Randy, a retired fish farmer, wishes to “give back” to the conservation district, as it provided valuable support with early redevelopment and management practices of his farm, Glacier Springs Trout Farm.  Randy has a rich history in conservation, studying fisheries biology for his undergrad and fisheries biology and aquatic ecology for his masters at Michigan State University.  He and his wife, Bonnie, volunteered through the US Peace Corps in the Philippines in a fisheries program during the mid-70s.  Randy says “I feel that I have the time and insight to be a contributing member of the board.” 

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Photo: Randy Johnson

Photo: Melissa Zelenak

Melissa Zelenak: Melissa Zelenak has been a long-time member of the community, and has served in various positions in the county.  Melissa is a business owner, and volunteers with many local groups.  She says “I’m running for an ACD board seat for multiple reasons: To help with the preservation and protection of the nature resources in Antrim county; to help with recycling efforts county wide and regionally if opportunities arise; to help staff in any way that helps the District as a whole; to help youth learn about the District and how they can help our environment; and to help the District maintain and grow fiscal resources.”

Photo: Mary Schoenherr

Mary Schoenherr: Mary has served on the ACD board for 2 years.  She played a major role in seeking millage funds to further support the district, and she wishes to continue her work ensuring that millage funds are appropriated in support of the highest value programs and projects across all of Antrim County.  Mary has lived in Antrim County for 6 years, and has 25+ years of experience with tech companies, filling multiple roles in organizational design and development, sales, operations, and consulting.    

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