The five candidates in running for the three open city commission seats on Nov. 8 include Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Twardy, City Commissioner Ray Bauer, City Commissioner Andrew Rubinstein, Steve Habusta, and Scott Marble.
These recognizable names have contributed to the community in various ways to help their city thrive.
Each candidate has taken the opportunity to describe what their community involvement has been over the past year.
Kathleen Twardy:
Along with her husband, Steve, the Twardys own and operate Harmony Health Foods, Cultured Pop, The Market on Osborn, Lake Superior Oil and Vinegar, and Da Soona Infrared Sauna.
“We have personally invested over $1 million in the city of Sault Ste. Marie,” Twardy said.
As current mayor pro tem and city commissioner, Twardy attends two business meetings per month. She serves on the city police and fire pension board, city parks and recreation board, and Japan Sister City Board.
Twardy has opted to represent the Sault by attending two Michigan Municipal League conferences per year to learn more about the current issues impacting local governments across the state.
She has attended numerous meetings with state representatives, senators, and members of congress.
Twardy is the current board chair of C-L-M Community Action Agency (CLMCAA). She has donated to many of its programs, such as Walk for Warmth and Meals on Wheels.
Twardy participated in Sault Area High School’s annual Veterans Day assembly, Parade of Lights, Veterans Memorial Day wreath placement, and July 4th events. She also served as a delegate for the International 500 Snowmobile Races.
Twardy attended many Sault Area Chamber of Commerce dinners, luncheons, ribbon cutting ceremonies, and Business After 5 (BA5) events.
She regularly attended several Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meetings, as well as many downtown business owners gatherings.
Twardy picks up trash every spring as part of city-wide cleanup, collecting garbage in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. She has also attended the city’s Bike Friendly Soo meetings to encourage pedestrian safety.
As a commissioner, Twardy said she heard and answered the calls of many concerned community members.
To ensure city voters are informed and ready for the polling booths this month, Twardy has participated in Sault Area Young Professionals and League of Women’s Voters (LWV) city commissioner candidate forums.
“I have been one of your city commissioners for the last nine years,” Twardy said at the LWV city commissioner candidate forum in September. “Prior to that nine years, I served on the DDA directors board for four years. I am running again because I love serving this community. I am very passionate about what we do. It does definitely take a lot of time, and a lot of sacrifice out of your life, but you don’t do it for the money or accolades. You do it because you serve your community.”
At that time, Twardy said the most pressing thing currently facing the city commission is lack of funding for the Carbide Dock Project.
Information on the Carbide Dock can be found on the city of Sault Ste. Marie website, here.
Twardy added that she would like to see more housing for people of all income levels within the city.
Ray Bauer:
Bauer co-owns and operates Soo Brewing Company and 1668 Winery on the corner of Ashmun Street and Portage Avenue with his wife, Joan.
“We had an exciting event at the brewery this year,” said Bauer. “As Joan owns 50% of the business, we were able to host ‘100+ Women with Heart.’ They met their goal of raising $10,000 for the first time. The money was donated to the youth and community mental health group. I helped with that as much as they would allow, as it really is a ‘women’s’ event. I worked it though and took part in discussions between Joan and Nicki McKechnie, the leader of that group.”
Soo Brewing Company hosted CLMCAA fundraisers over the summer to raise money for the homeless. It also raised money to help Black Dragon Martial Arts second-degree black belt Liam Rao, 16, of Newberry and Master Instructor sixth-degree black belt Tina Fuller compete in the World Karate Championship (WKC) in Ireland last month.
“We contribute to practically every group that asks for help or donations, as a lot of local businesses do,” Bauer said. “Most recently, we donated to the Annual Rotary charity auction and to Rudyard Christian School.”
Bauer was first elected to the city commission in 2005. He has attended regular city commission, finance, DDA meetings, and etc. He serves as the DDA's liaison.
“Truth is, that position did not exist until I was elected and insisted that a commissioner (me) should sit in on those meetings," Bauer said. "That had not been done up until that point. I’m also on the county recycling board, where I chair the meetings.”
Bauer is an office holder for the Knights of Columbus local chapter. He has served as a board member for Music in the Park for more than twenty years. He has participated in city-wide cleanup each spring, even involving his family in the effort.
Bauer currently serves as a lector at Holy Name of Mary Pro-Cathedral Catholic Church, which he has attended since 1994. He walks the Safe Routes to School walk with St. Mary’s students every October.
“If you talk to people who know me and mention ‘the guy who does all that,’ they’ll tell you, ‘That’s just Ray,” said Bauer. ” That’s the way I live my life. I mean, I don’t really have any hobbies. This is what I do in my free time.”
At the LWV city commissioner candidate forum, Bauer also said he would like to see focus put on the Carbide Dock. He also participated in the Sault Area Young Professionals candidate forum.
Andrew Rubinstein:
City commissioner Rubinstein was appointed to the commission back in July.
“One of the things I am most proud of is my community involvement, even before getting appointed to the city commission earlier this year,” said Rubinstein. “Prior to my appointment, I was on the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). As a city commissioner, I am the liaison for Public Employee Health Plans (PEHP).
He and his wife, Marnie, are active members in Chippewa County Sunrise Rotary.
“This year has included events like donating and reading Michigan Chiller books to local elementary school students, volunteering at Laker Hockey games to raise funds for Rotary programs, and even helping to judge the Gus Macker slam dunk contest,” Rubinstein said.
He is also an active member in the Sault Area Young Professionals group, most recently participating in a food drive to help support local high school pantries.
In Rubinstein's professional life, he organizes Lake Superior State University (LSSU) events, such as Lake State Golf Classic and Great Lake State Weekend (GLSW).
“My wife and I are also active real estate investors, and take pride in fixing up properties to give residents quality housing,” said Rubinstein. “If there is a community event, you can most likely find me there.”
Rubinstein volunteered with the Madrigal Dinner to support Hospice of the EUP and Riverfest events.
“I love being fully entrenched in our community,” he said.
At the LWV city commission candidate forum, Rubinstein said he was most concerned over the city's lack of housing.
“With everything that we do, if we can’t grow our population, keep people here, and get people to want to move here, we are going to struggle to build and grow our community,” he said. “That starts with housing and making sure people have good, quality, affordable places to live.”
Rubinstein also emphaisized a need to improve childcare.
Like Twardy and Bauer, Rubinstein participated in the Sault Area Young Professionals candidate forum.
Steve Habusta:
If elected this month, Habusta will begin his role as city commissioner.
“Throughout the past year, I have worked professionally as the Pastor of Sault E-Free Church, Executive Director of Chippewa County Community Foundation (CCCF), and as the LSSU Norris Center Operations and University Recreation Director,” he said. “Additionally, I have completed my 11th season as the varsity swim and dive coach at Sault Area High School.”
Habusta served on the spiritual care team for Great Lakes Recovery Center, meeting with residents and speaking at staffing events.
“I am a fully certified counsellor with the American Association of Christian Counsellors and have counselled many individuals over the past year,” he said.
At CCCF, Habusta helped plan community events like Riverfest. He also served as a member of the Soo Splash Pad team.
Habusta was reappointed to his third term on the Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe (JKL) school board earlier this year, where he presently serves as its vice president. Habusta helped establish the JKL mental health coalition. Additionally, he has volunteered at various JKL camps and events.
“I serve in the Sault Area Public Schools CTE Digital Business Advisory Board, mentoring students to be successful in Business,” said Habusta, who also volunteers with the Sault High Athletic Boosters.
Habusta has brought swim lessons and water exercises back to LSSU, while hosting the recent Swim with a Mermaid event in October.
Habusta also volunteers with the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department Victim Services Unit.
“My biggest community service impact involved establishing an event called Impact Week, which is a week’s worth of service opportunities for community members, like cleaning parks, sweeping sidewalks, volunteering for non-profit agencies, putting on community movies, and much more,” said Habusta.
He highlighted the need for childcare, labor, housing, financial stability, and recreational expansion at the LWV city commission candidate forum. He also talked about broadband infanstructure.
“To keep up with the paradigm shift that is happening within our culture, I think we need to really develop and continue to grow our broadband infrastructure,” said Habusta. “I think one of the ways we will attract remote workers to our community, which is the paradigm shift happening in our culture right now, is to have the very best broadband infrastructure we can in Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding it. That, I see as a priority.”
Habusta also particpated in the Sault Area Young Professionals forum to help educate city voters.
Scott Marble:
Marble was born and rasied in Sault Ste. Marie, where he has lived for almost 49 years.
"I've worked in the public for the last 31 years," Marble said at a panel interview in June. "I'm very, very close to my family. I have tons of friends and it's an honor to be here.”
Marble has worked with area residents as a bartender for years. On most days, he can be found serving food and drinks at The Wicked Sister.
“By doing that, I have really connected to the community,” said Marble. “On a daily basis, I hear from the citizens many different ways this area can become an even better place.”
This year, Marble has worked and volunteered for Hospice of the EUP. He has helped out with dinners designed to raise money for the local hospice foundation.
“I enjoy volunteering my time for such events as they hold a dear spot close to my heart,” he said. “I believe I have a strong and solid community presence between my volunteering and work involvement.”
