MANISTEE, MICH. - Before my career at the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, I wasn’t involved in politics and, quite honestly, I didn’t pay much attention to it. I voted, but if you asked me what a certain bill meant, who was responsible for what, or how something happening in Lansing could impact us here in Manistee County, I probably couldn’t have told you. Several years into my career at the Chamber, I am still learning, but I am also paying attention in a way I never did before.

The more I pay attention, the more I understand just how much the decisions being made around us impact our community. There are bills I read today that five years ago I probably would have scrolled right past. Now, I find myself asking: What does this actually mean? How could this impact Manistee County, our businesses, or the people who live here?

Through my work at the Chamber, I have had to learn more about housing, childcare, economic development, roads, infrastructure, workforce, education, taxes, and regulations. I certainly don't know everything, but I know a lot more today than I did when I started. It has also made me realize how important elections are, and I don't just mean presidential elections.

Some of the people who have the greatest impact on our day-to-day lives are the people elected right here in our own communities. Our city council members, township officials, county commissioners and school board members are making decisions about the places where we live, work, raise our families and operate our businesses.

And the great thing is, you don't have to know everything. Read up on your local municipality. Look at an agenda. Read the minutes. Attend a meeting if something interests you. Read the local news. Learn who represents you and, when an election comes around, take some time to learn about the people asking for your vote.

I think sometimes we make government and politics feel more complicated than they need to be. I know I did. You don't have to understand every bill introduced in Lansing. I certainly don't. But when something could impact our businesses or our community, I want to understand it. What does it mean? Who does it impact? And is there an opportunity for us to have a voice?

That last question is important because one of the biggest lessons I have learned in this position is that advocacy matters. Our elected officials need to hear from the communities they represent. I've had the opportunity to sit down with elected officials at all levels of government, and I have learned that those conversations matter. Relationships matter. Showing up matters.

You don't have to agree with your neighbor. You don't have to agree with every candidate. You don't even have to agree with me. But I do think we all have a responsibility to be informed. Before you vote, take some time to learn about the candidates. What do they stand for? What experience do they bring to the table? Ask questions. And don't skip the local races on your ballot.

That is also why the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Candidate Forum on September 10th  at the West Shore Community College Downtown Manistee Center. We want to allow our community to hear directly from the candidates, learn more about the issues, and better understand the people asking for their vote.

Our goal isn't to tell anyone who to vote for. That's not our role. Our goal is to give people an opportunity to become more informed. Listen. Ask questions. Learn about the candidates. You may agree with them or not, but you took the time to learn more before casting your vote.

I never thought I would be someone who paid attention to legislation or looked forward to conversations about economic development policy. Yet, here I am. I'm still learning, and I think that's the point. You don't have to be a political expert to be an informed voter. You just have to be willing to pay attention, ask questions, and learn a little more about the community around you.

Because the people we elect today will help make decisions about what our community looks like tomorrow, and that is something worth paying attention to.

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Carmen Kott is the President & CEO of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit 501C(6) organization, whose mission is to build a dynamic and sustainable organization to serve the Business, Workforce, and Economic Development needs of all in Manistee County. You can contact Carmen Kott at 231-723-2575 or carmen@manisteechamber.com.