Campaign Phone
2692359042
Education
PhD Chemistry
Community Service
Board Member Brookview Montessori School 2017-2020
Military Service
None
I have worked in higher education as a chemistry instructor for a decade and served as Natural Sciences department chair at Lake Michigan College for 5 years. During this time, I gained valuable experience making evidence-based decisions, budgeting, and leading faculty and staff. I also served on the board of Brookview Montessori School in Benton Harbor for 3 years.
I am running for office because there needs to be a change in St. Joseph Township. The township government needs to be more transparent, communicate better with residents, and invest in parks, trails, and sidewalks. The township also needs to be more proactive when it comes to housing and economic development.
The township's neighborhoods are separated by the St. Joseph River, ravines, and I-94. We need to connect these areas with trails and sidewalks for the safety of our children and families, as many residents must drive to parks due to unsafe walking conditions.
The township needs to communicate better; the website is antiquated, and documents easily accessible online in surrounding townships are not available in St. Joseph Township.
The township is almost built out, but there is still a need for housing. Multi-use development could help address this, and Niles Rd as a prime location for this development. However, traffic issues have obstructed this development, and the township needs to be more proactive with the state.
Campaign Phone
269-363-2495
Education
Dissertation phase PhD student
Training
Former law enforcement officer, fluent in Spanish (1st language), GLPA training, Defensive tactics training, degree in human services counseling, trained speaker, chaplain for over a decade, former volunteer police chaplain for Buchanan PD 10 years, entrepreneur and founder of XFactor Ultimate Wellness, LLC (life coaching service: self-care, confidence, spirituality),
Community Service
former volunteer police chaplain for Buchanan PD, lay leader for St. Joe SDA church, have helped out in certain events with First Church on Niles Ave., in St. Joe, helped in the Cass county fair and Berrien County Youth fair, 2024 Stevensville US Post Office food drive, and being a good neighbor.
Military Service
None just former Law Enforcement officer
After years of seeing both from the law enforcement and from the ministerial side, the needs of a community, specifically St. Joe Charter township, I cannot continue to sit idly by why the community's tax payer money continues to be mis-utilized with no actual evidence-based improvements.
There have been many times where I have seen or have done swerved out of the way to avoid hitting a pedestrian. We want our young families with children to feel safe walking and this cannot be done without sidewalks.
I am an advocate for diversity and inclusivity. We do not have to agree in the way people choose to live their lives, but we cannot oppress or reject them. They, like us, are children of God and we must care for each other unconditionally.
Sidewalks is the first issue. I plan to gather information on what it would cost and be a loud advocate to push for this change happen. Affordable housing. I am not talking about the cliché definition. I am talking about making housing affordable to young families and building such housing as well. We do not have apartments in our township that can help assist young families. I plan to work with the community & the investors in advocating for a resolution whereby young families can be taken care despite the fact that we will not all agree on every element of how it needs to be done. Taxpayer dollar responsibility: the township provides a public website to view the numbers and it is sad to see only 12% is allocated to the community. Do more
Campaign Phone
269-876-9286
Education
Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Civil Engineering
Training
Certifications in Traffic Operations, Road Safety and Sustainability
Community Service
Currently serve on the St. Joseph Charter Township Planning Commission
Military Service
None
Having been a Civil Engineering professional for over 30 years, I have seen first-hand the needs of our local communities - whether it be infrastructure/Public Works, parks, trails, etc. This experience will allow me to add significant input into discussions related to upcoming needs and wants.
St. Joseph Charter Township has good staff, and I want to make sure that we maintain transparency with decisions and the direction for the Township while encouraging more public outreach and participation.
Education
RN, BSN. Masters Organizational Leadership
Training
Nursing, Care Management, Occupational Health, Leadership
Community Service
Southwest Michigan Society Human Resources board, SW Michigan Airport Authority, BH SJ Rotary
Demonstrated strategic and responsible stewardship of township/taxpayer funds to provide residents a high level of service that contributes to enhanced quality of life. Public safety - police & fire; infrastructure - clean water & public sewer, roads; safe, fair, & convenient elections; parks & recreational opportunities.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Campaign Phone
269-930-4824
Education
College Graduate Business and Political Science
Training
Business Owner, long-time volunteer
Community Service
St Joseph Kiwanis Club member, St Joseph Kiwanis Foundation Chairperson, St Joseph Public Schools Foundation Board Member, Berrien County Community Mental Health Board member and past Chairperson (Riverwood), Southwestern Michigan Behavior Health Board member and past Chairperson (eight county Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan), Curious Kids' Museum Board member.
Military Service
Army National Guard
I am a retired Insurance Agent and a part time employee at Corewell Health. My wife Susie and I have lived in St Jospeh Charter Township for many years. We have three grown children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. I love local government. By working together, we can accomplish great things for our community.
Our challenge is always working toward improvements and developments in a financially responsible way. We prioritize projects and welcome citizen input. Locally, we can serve the Citizens and tax-payers one-on-one and get things done working together.
I believe we have enhanced public safety by investing in the SJCT Police Department and the SJCT Fire Department. We continually study and update infrastructure. We have improved Carronde, Eaton, Maiden Lane, and Knauf parks, and have a schedule for continued improvements.
As a life-long resident and current trustee of St. Joseph Charter Township, I have developed a deep care for this community and desire to give back to my fellow residents of this township.
Having served on various boards of directors I understand how the decision-making of a body works. The Board of Trustees serves as a steward of all the township’s public human services and assets which secure and enhance the safety, property value, and quality of life of all its residents and property owners, and therefore requires vigilant oversight.
We must provide safe pathways to be used by walkers and non-motorized vehicles, and thereby create more opportunities for our citizens to enjoy healthy lifestyles. Further, we must continue the support and encouragement of our fine police, fire, and EMS personnel who have, year after year, provided excellent protection services for our township population.
We must wisely meet the challenges of the increasing costs and the shortage of skilled public safety and EMS personnel. The Trustees must provide prudent, value-driven decision-making solve these issues.
