GOODLAND TWP. — There’s a two-way race for supervisor on the August 4 ballot. The field includes incumbent Ron Cischke and challenger Mike Bissett. Both are Republicans.
Whoever gets the most votes next week will secure a four-year term later this year.
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“I believe our township has lacked accountability and I want to change that,” Bissett said of his decision to throw his hat in the ring.
If elected, Bissett said he would work toward bringing more service options to Goodland residents. He believes the area is past due to have things like better access to the internet and natural gas.
“We live in a modern era and we need to solicit broadband internet companies to come in to the township,” Bissett said.
As for natural gas, he would advocate for at least starting conversations with companies about them expanding their infrastructure too.
“Our roads need attention big time,” he said, believing that more culverts and cross tubes need to be installed on Goodland’s gravel roads.
Additionally, Bissett said he would communicate with Michigan Department of Transportation officials on a regular basis in regards to M-53.
As a heavy equipment operator foreman, Bissett said he’s very familiar with the road construction process and how the bidding and proposal systems work.
As for municipal experience, Bissett has served on the township’s planning commission for the past 3.5 years.
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Ron Cischke has served as Goodland’s supervisor for the past 50 years.
“I just love the people in this community and want to make sure they’re taken care of,” he said of his reason for seeking reelection.
In a new term, Cischke said his goals would be to finish the township park, complete repairs to the former Flansburgh School that’s destined to become a museum and address roads issues.
The township is in the process of applying for a federal grant to repair two miles of Shaw Road, he noted.
Obtaining grant funding and continuing to address blight are other issues of importance to him.
Cischke is also a longtime Construction Code Authority board member.
“I am proud of what has been accomplished in the township over the past several years with the support of the community and the collaboration of past and current township boards,” he said.
“There is no ‘I’ in team.”
