Having nearly completed one term on the Ferrysburg City Council I've learned how to listen to both sides of an issue before making a decision. I have no agenda, all I want is the best for our residents as a whole.
As revenue shrinks due to Headlee Rollback restrictions on millage levels, we need to explore other avenues to finance city government. Grants are certainly a possibility, but we also need to consider a Headlee Override to return the millage to the amount originally
authorized. Convincing voters of the need for a Headlee Override will be a challenge.
By listening to our residents and learning about their specific objections, if any, and working with the council to help residents understand our financial position.
Campaign Phone
6168431681
Age
41
Candidate Information
Dave was raised in Ferrysburg and attended Ferrysburg Elementary. He holds master's degrees in business and water resources. Dave has fifteen years work experience in the public sector including positions in engineering, finance, information technology and business analysis. He has been married 19 years and has two young children.
Dave was previously employed by a regional development corporation which administered shared, regional services across multiple local governments. While the Tri-cities are unique, they share utility systems and
other assets. Dave’s work experience includes roles in public finance as well as identifying and implementing shared service opportunities to control or reduce costs while maintaining services to citizens through shared services models. Ferrysburg residents, like others in Ottawa County, have seen steady increases in their property taxes. Further increases could be attenuated through shared services.
Ferrysburg faces several challenges. Among the most imminent are:
Any and all efforts should be taken to manage and promote Ferrysburg's world-class natural areas to generate long-term recreational and environmental value for citizens and visitors. With County development of Ottawa Sands, Ferrysburg has received heightened tourism attention. Ferrysburg should be proactive in marketing itself as a nature destination for outdoor recreation, leveraging the beach, network of trails in Ottawa Sands, North Ottawa Dunes (with connection to Kitchel/Lingquist/Harter Dunes preserve – technically in Grand Haven), and natural dune-forest landscape.
Focus on business retention and expansion. Ferrysburg occupies a geographic space combining several elements attractive for businesses. They are: lowest tax rate of any City/Village in the Tri-Cities area; most affordable electric energy costs being inside the Grand Haven Board of Light and Power Service area and availability of existing utilities (water, sewer, etc.) and land conducive to zoning for business development in high traffic areas that serve as the points of entry.
Formalizing a strategy of continuous road and public utility infrastructure improvement and associated financial planning that is better delivered to and prioritized by public input. For instance, Smith’s Bridge is a vital component of the community and without it, the urban core of Ferrysburg would suffer from decreased traffic and commerce. The conversation about the bridge should pivot from the actions/inactions taken in the past to completing this critical project with adequate room for pedestrians and anglers alike.
City Council should prioritize projects and ordinances to improve pedestrian safety. This includes speed mitigation, more pedestrian cross walks and signage in critical areas that connect Ferrysburg's bike paths and sidewalks to the rest of the tri-cities trail network.
City council members should be accountable and responsive to their citizens. As councilman, Dave would respond to correspondence from citizens as well as share relevant information from these
correspondences during council meetings. Dave would utilize social media and other civic engagement tools, as appropriate, to solicit positive participation from stakeholders.
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8 years on city council with 6 as Mayor Pro Tem. Leadership training with Michigan Municipal League. Associate degree in law enforcement. Knowledge in law and civil issues. Research every issue to be aware of possible hidden issues.
City growth by reestablishing Economic Development committee and develope Core Commercial District. Reestablish city representation in Lansing. Fight to eliminate wasteful spending and programs. Encourage public input from ALL residents. Treat everyone with respect.
Communication. Listen to all residents. There will always be opposition to change. To eliminate opposition you must both work together to find common ground. It ultimately comes down to the question. What is best for the residents of Ferrysburg?
