– Focus is on financial health, reducing burdensome policies, spurring redevelopment of vacant sites,
and re-balancing budget allocations to benefit year-round residents –
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF FILER (MANISTEE), MI – August 5, 2024 – Shawn Orton, a lifetime resident of the Manistee area, announced his campaign for election as a Trustee of the Charter Township of Filer, Manistee County, Michigan. He is running on the Libertarian ticket. His primary focus is to make more prudent financial decisions by assessing the actual cost-to-benefit impact of ordinances, appointments, and contracts. In addition, Mr. Orton seeks to minimize citizen burdens and re-balance budgetary allocations to benefit year-round residents to a greater extent – despite the important contribution that tourism and visitors bring to the local economy.
- “We all enjoy the natural beauty of our beaches and the attractive streetscapes downtown,” explained Orton, “but we seem to have put all of our eggs in one basket – as far as investments – by directing so much of our road budget to tourist routes while overlooking our neighborhood streets and side roads. Year-round residents still have to drive to work, get to school, run errands, and go about their lives without having to negotiate too many road hazards. I think they’d like to know that their voices are heard, too.”
- Mr. Orton also explained that a robust agenda to re-purpose and attract tenants to vacant properties – such as the old Kmart complex, Clark gas station, and US Forest Service sites – would contribute to the financial health of the community: “It would generate revenues that will minimize the remaining burden on other residents. People are hurting from the high cost of housing, food, and energy,” he said. “Even though I can’t change the inflation caused by the Federal Reserve or the debt-spending in Washington or Lansing, as a Trustee, I can help bring back some of the revenue that we’re leaving on the table at these now-vacant facilities.” On top of that,” said Orton, “a key driver of housing costs is excessive zoning ordinances. They don’t just increase homelessness; they make it tougher for you and me by requiring upgrades that many of us cannot afford. Sure, we’d all like to own a luxury car, for example, but if you make it illegal to buy anything but a top-of-the-line vehicle with all the bells and whistles, it leaves a lot of people without transportation. The impact is the same when zoning ordinances become excessive.”
- Orton summed up his approach from an economic perspective: “We need a frugal mindset. That means obtaining competitive bids and keeping the number of tasks expected of our township employees to a cost-effective, sustainable level. If you go beyond that, you’re asking for higher costs for not much of a benefit. I think we’ll do better if we empower citizens to make their own decisions without interfering. For instance, charging a $500 fee simply to list a business activity seems to be way out of line. What’s the justification for that?”
Mr. Orton looks forward to serving the residents of Filer Township and working together with the other members of the Board of Trustees to ensure that citizens continue to set their own goals and enjoy their lives in the community.
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Mr. Orton is employed as a manufacturing engineer at Myotek, which designs and manufactures vehicle lighting solutions. Married and a father to his son, Mr. Orton holds a bachelor of science in automotive engineering technology from Ferris State University, where he graduated cum laude, was on the dean’s list for several years with high honors, and holds certificates in quality technology and performance motorsports. He also holds an associate degree in liberal arts and sciences from West Shore Community College. Mr. Orton’s interests include home renovation, environmental concerns, and human and animal welfare.
