To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum to help you get to know them better. Today, meet Dale Shugars.

As a CPA with 23 years of experience in public service, Dale Shugars is running to represent District 9 at County Commissioner. “I have a servant heart with an understanding of the importance of fiscal responsibility at all levels of government. I am running to bring service and accountability to the Commission rather than politics and political pandering!” If elected Commissioner, Dale’s top priorities would include restoring fiscal responsibility by eliminating paying volunteers, health insurance for part-time employees (including Commissioners), and excessive out-of-state travel for Commissioners; supporting efforts to manage and prevent floods throughout the county; emphasizing “best practices” in governance. Dale also shared with us that his favorite song is “Nobody” by Casting Crowns and his favorite movie is “Coach Carter” starring Samuel L. Jackson, directed by Thomas Carter. Meet Dale Shugars.

NAME
Dale Shugars

POSITION SEEKING
Kalamazoo County Commissioner

DISTRICT POSITION REPRESENTS
District 9

AFFILIATION
Republican

EMAIL
dalelshugars@gmail.com

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE?
As a CPA with 23 years of experience in public service, I have a servant heart with an understanding of the importance of fiscal responsibility at all levels of government. I am running to bring service and accountability to the Commission rather than politics and political pandering!

PLEASE LIST YOUR TOP PRIORITIES WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ELECTED OFFICE.

• Restore fiscal responsibility by eliminating paying volunteers, health insurance for part-time employees (including Commissioners), and excessive out-of-state travel for Commissioners!
• Support efforts in managing and preventing floods throughout the County.
• Emphasize “best practices” in governance! The board should be responsible for policy, and staff for daily operations. Together they should establish the budget.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE OFFICE?
Develop an environment [that encourages] listening and respecting each other when addressing every issue. We cannot have what an independent consultant hired by this Commission stated in their report: “Decisions appear to be made as well as avoided for political reasons as opposed to overall County welfare or effective Board leadership practice.”

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY IF ELECTED?
Have the County government operate as efficiently and effectively as possible without discourse on national issues which divide the Commission and community. Developing a positive image through focusing on local issues the Commission has responsibilities for, along with keeping taxes at a low or competitive rate, will help economic development!

FAVORITE CAMPAIGN SONGS
“Nobody” by Casting Crowns.

FAVORITE BOOK
“Borrowing Brilliance” by David Kord Murray.

FAVORITE MOVIE
“Coach Carter” starring Samuel L. Jackson, directed by Thomas Carter.

FAVORITE FOOD
Salads.

The Primary will be held on August 4. The General Election will be held on November 3. Dale Shugars is seeking this seat as a Republican.