Campaign Phone
2697676404
Age
64
Candidate Information
I have lived in South Haven for 40 years. I have held myriad jobs including editor of the South Haven Daily Tribune, Executive Director of the Lakeshore Convention and Visitors Bureau, preschool teacher, recruiter for Head Start and co-owner of the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home for 22 years. My husband and I have 3 grown children who are graduates of South Haven Public Schools. We live in South Haven because we love the people!
As Mayor of South Haven I bring experience, common sense and civility to City Hall. I have served as Mayor of South Haven for 18 months. Prior to serving as Mayor, I was a member, secretary, and president of the South Haven Board of Education for 13 years. During that time I took classes from the Michigan Association of School Boards and became certified by the State of Michigan. My continuing education includes training from the Michigan Municipal League, MIchigan State University's Michigan Political Leadership Program, and the Great Lakes Political Academy. My most valuable experience in leadership and serving the people came from working with my former bosses, U.S. Senator Carl Levin and U.S. Senator Gary Peters.
My top three goals for my next term are expanding housing, maintaining and supporting manufacturing and small businesses, and improving our infrastructure including streets and sidewalks.
Communicating with city residents is one of my strengths. I hold Mayor's Office Hours, and encourage folks to call me, email me, and contact me on social media. Every year I walk door to door to listen to our residents on front steps and back doors. Every month I meet with senior citizens at a senior apartment building. And I frequently meet with voters in Aisle 3 at Meijer.
Campaign Phone
914-713-8649
I currently am a City Councilmember and understand many issues facing our community. I’ve learned a lot since taking office in January 2024, in my first-ever elected position. I have held leadership positions in many nonprofit organizations over the past 30+ years. I have managed projects for work that required bringing colleagues together with different goals. I’ve reached settlement agreements in divorce/custody cases and general litigation matters. I have the leadership experience to advance priorities for the betterment of the Community as a whole through efficient and civil discussion.
1. Develop workforce housing. Our Zoning needs to allow for duplexes, triplexes, etc. This type of “missing-middle” housing provides quality housing at lower prices for our workforce. Nurture partnerships, like that with the Dwelling Place for the Overton Site, for housing throughout our City.
2. Support Public Safety: First Responders, Beach Safety, Natural Habitat, and Property Interests. Welcome people by protecting our natural beauty while balancing everyone’s property interests through uniform enforcement of laws to respect residents and visitors alike.
3. Pro-Active Civility: Our City has become too divided. A balanced approach to problem solving should facilitate civil discussions to efficiently move our priorities forward.
I’m very approachable, and my legal experience has trained me to see both sides of each issue. Many City residents already see me as their ally. Before being elected, people throughout the City asked me for guidance/help. As a Ward 3 City Councilmember, I focused on Ward 3 issues, although, as an elected official, I have a duty to raise issues that could have unintended consequences on the City as a whole. As Mayor, I will work with our local businesses whose owners work mainly with City staff. I will strive to be accessible to all stakeholders and be pro-active to nurture relationships with all stakeholders through civil and efficient discussion of the issues that our City faces.
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