Imlay City and Almont deserve to have a strong representative on the county commission. Ian Kempf made a commitment to being that kind of elected official for the past 20 years and we hope that his successor in District 7, Bryan Zender, will do the same. District 7 encompasses the city of Imlay City, village of Almont and the townships of Almont and Imlay.
So much of Lapeer County’s identity is centered on Lapeer and that’s understandable due to it’s population base. Four out of the seven county commissioners represent residents of Lapeer or one of its surrounding townships. County business is conducted there and it’s home to many major industries and retail options.
It’s not uncommon for a more rural community to have much of its economy and population centered almost solely at its county seat. But Lapeer County is fortunate to have vibrant communities separate and distinct from Lapeer, like Almont and Imlay City, that are also major contributors to the county’s workforce and economy. Imlay City and Almont register second and third—behind Lapeer—in city/village populations too.
Much of what Eastern Lapeer County offers—things like agriculture, food processing—serve as a nice complement to what’s in the western half.
At the same time, both regions have similarities too. M-24 connects Lapeer to Oakland County and points north while M-53 plays a major role in commerce between Macomb County and the Thumb.
We trust that county officials understand the value of all communities, larger and smaller, within their borders and will strive to keep supporting them and their residents.
