My educational background at the University of Michigan’s Engineering School instilled in me a rigorous approach, emphasizing detail and accuracy in engaging any project. I carried this mindset to the Planning Commission, where I served for 16 years. During my tenure, we oversaw numerous, significant projects, navigating City ordinances, regulations, and budget constraints. As Chair of the Planning Commission for 11 years, I honed collaboration skills and guided projects to sustainable and adaptive outcomes. During this time my close contact with the Mayor and City Council enriched my understanding of governance. Additionally, I have served on the Steering Committee of Ypsilanti’s award-winning Master Plan, Shape Ypsilanti. I also served on the Dorsey Estates Community Benefits Committee which gave me great insight on the workings of the City’s CBO which is in the process of being recommissioned. My experience uniquely qualifies me to serve our community effectively.

1. Gain Trust: As a Third Ward representative, I aim to gain the trust of our constituents. The recent recall election highlighted the seriousness of our situation, emphasizing the need for transparency and fiscal responsibility. 2. Budget Vigilance: This past December Ypsilanti came preciously close to signing off on a real estate transaction that had the potential of bankrupting the city. I’ll meticulously monitor our budget, ensuring essential services for all citizens while maintaining financial stability and complete transparency in the process. 3. Long-Term Housing: I’m committed to reassessing our housing needs, seeking sustainable solutions that align with our vision, affordability goals and financial stability. As developers come knocking, we must ensure that their proposals align with our vision and affordability goals.

As a candidate who ran for City Council in 2008, I’ve witnessed Ypsilanti’s ongoing financial challenges firsthand. While the 2022-2023 financial audit suggests stability, we anticipate a budget shortfall in 2023-2024 and beyond. To address these challenges, I propose the following: • Engage with Development Districts: Quick conversations with both the Downtown and Depot Town Development Districts are essential. We must recapture lost vibrancy and foster growth, especially in our Downtown. • Leverage Water Street: Continuing efforts to develop the Water Street area can enhance our economic prospects. Strategic planning and collaboration are key. • Scrutinize Tax Breaks: Closer examination of development projects seeking tax breaks is crucial. We should raise the bar to ensure our tax base grows rather than stagnates. I am committed to working diligently on these fronts to secure Ypsilanti’s financial future.

Recently, Ypsilanti earned a spot on one of Michigan’s “Best Places” list—a source of immense pride. Our greatest asset? Undoubtedly, it’s our vibrant diversity. Here, everyone finds acceptance, regardless of their background. Ypsilanti shouldn’t merely be a settling ground; it should be a place where people actively seek a high quality of life. Our neighborhoods lie at the heart of Ypsilanti’s appeal. When my friend introduced me to this place decades ago, I was captivated by the neighborhood’s character. My wife and I made Ypsilanti our home, and it’s been a rewarding choice. Our neighborhoods remain affordable within Washtenaw County. Unique to Ypsilanti’s Third Ward is its Historic District. The historic buildings within the district remain at the core of the City’s annual Historic Home Tour presented by the Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation and helps fuel a continued interest in those desiring to move to Ypsilanti. All of these treasures deserve to be to be protected and promoted.

I have been an active Councilmember over the past 16+ months. I was elected with 75% of the vote in 2022, and had participated in Council meetings the 5 years prior. I attended conferences to learn more about how to be a productive and informed elected official (e.g. finance, budget, OMA, FOIA, state legislative agenda, human trafficking, placemaking, etc.) I connect with stakeholders including the full diversity of the residents here, business owners, potential funders, City staff and contractors, and others. I have been able to lay the groundwork for longer term projects such as pedestrian and cycling safety, unarmed non-police response, neighborhood resilience hubs, support for businesses, and more! I have brought all of my community and educational experience, which includes public policy, organizing, communications, and management, together with my love of service. I believe I am the best qualified to complete my term and to continue making progress a reality.

I encourage folks to look at what I put forward during our goal-setting sessions (https://cityofypsilanti.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01092024-2098 -p.14-15)These goals were crafted based on resident concerns and values and I have laid out how I intend to work the plan. We of course need to set clear priorities that take into account the full perspective of our diverse community. I do believe that the community knows what it needs and should have more direct say in how our shared resources are used, this can help us make tough decisions. I also believe that there is a lot that we can do to improve our services and the quality of life for residents that don’t come with big price tags. We need to be strategic and to lay strong foundations so that we are prepared for opportunities and resources as they become available. And, so that we can seek resources to complete the projects that we need to complete. In order to do these things we need to also have a strong and satisfied staff.

Our financial challenges include crumbling public infrastructure that has not been addressed by former Councils; vacant properties not being used as housing or local businesses; a housing market that isn’t sustainable and doesn’t feed long-term stability and resources back into the City; and a lack of economic mobility due to systemic, structural, and institutional racial and economic inequity. We must work with collaborative partners, gather data and stories, match our policy to our goals, and focus on root cause solutions in order to address these issues. We must have a long-term view with a will to act boldly in the present so that we can achieve our collective goals.

Our greatest assets are captured in the motto “Pride. Diversity. Heritage.” The people of Ypsilanti take pride in this place and will do the work necessary to keep the community strong, even when it is faced with adversity. The diversity of Ypsilanti is what makes Ypsi such a vibrant community with people of so many different backgrounds coming together for a shared purpose. And the heritage of Ypsi is what keeps us grounded so we can remember why we have families that remain tied to this place across generations, and to make sure our policies don’t interrupt that line.