Candidate Katarina Dumont emphasizes substance-abuse treatment and continuity with Daley

Katarina (Katie) Dumont, a Lenawee County attorney and current county bar president, interviewed Sept. 28 for the District 5 commission seat and told commissioners she would prioritize substance-abuse services and continuity with the late Jim Daley's work on homelessness.

"I would say substance abuse. I know there is the opioid settlement funds and things like that, but we're the only county, I believe, in the surrounding area that doesn't have an inpatient rehab facility," Dumont said, arguing that residents are often sent to other counties for treatment. She said her legal work exposed her to mental-health and substance-abuse cases and that specialty courts are helpful but often arrive after criminal charges.

Commissioners asked Dumont about boards and committees she has served on; she cited service on the Adrian Education Foundation and the Lenawee County NAACP and said she would step away from county contracts to avoid conflicts. Dumont also stressed she would seek local resources to keep vulnerable residents connected to services rather than relying on out-of-county placements.

Dumont framed her candidacy as a continuation of Daley's priorities: "Jim cared a lot about protecting the vulnerable in society," she said. Commissioners thanked all applicants and noted the choice would be difficult because each finalist had ties to the former commissioner.