Manistee City Council District #22 Year Term - Vote for not more than 1City Council members are elected to a 2 year term to the Manistee City Council, which is the legislative authority and governing body for the city. It is responsible for hiring and overseeing the city manager, setting policy and adopting ordinances and resolutions. It is also responsible for the adopting a budget to fund the city s operations.
Educational background
Allegan High School 1973, Muskegon Business College 1975
Occupation/Current Position
Bus Driver currently retired
No political background, but I have common sense and people skills. That is a qualification in itself. My education is Secretarial Science. I have never had an office job, but I have used that education by contributing to various boards and organizations in Manistee. I taught Sunday School and was the Sunday School Superintendent at First Congregational Church for a number of years. I have been a part of Alternatives for Area Youth for over 20 years, a union Stewart for USW approximately 25 years. I'm a Past President, Unit 10 Manistee American Legion Auxiliary and currently 9th District President for the ALA State of Michigan. I drove for Manistee County Transportation Dial a Ride for 42 years, retiring in 2022.
I believe the City Council should be more open in their discussions, transparent in their decisions and consider the opinions of the residents and taxpayers in Manistee.
Being a good representative for the taxpayers, listening and being honest about my knowledge/or lack of and experience. Not being afraid to ask questions and look for answers.
Housing and rentals are important. I think there is some common ground, but it's a process. The council has a good start but the work is not done.
Veterans need city support and I don't see that now.
Residents are just as important as tourists and both need to be considered in council decisions.
Campaign Phone
2316559449
Educational background
Muskegon Community College and Central Michigan University
Occupation/Current Position
State Trooper / Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Commander
I am 51 years old and a 27 year Manistee County resident. I was born and raised in Fremont, Michigan, and moved to Manistee County in 1998. I moved into the City of Manistee in 2019 with my wife of 17 years and our 16-year-old daughter. I am a state trooper with over 27 years of distinguished service to the citizens of the State of Michigan. Currently, I lead the Michigan State Police team that combats child exploitation in Michigan. I was elected to the Manistee City Council in 2024 and was unanimously elected to be the mayor pro tem in 2025. I am a lifelong civil servant and am raising a family in the City of Manistee and face the same challenges as any other city resident. My "day job" gives me the unique opportunity to travel throughout the country where I am able to see different and unique solutions to the challenges we face as citizens. I want to build a stronger community and future in Manistee and have Manistee be the place my daughter and future grandchildren want to live.
Two priority issues facing our community is the availability of workforce housing and the availability of well paying jobs that enable people to live in those houses.
I believe one tool we can used is the responsible use of tax increment financing (TIF) in city districts. Expanded use of TIF could be crucial in attracting developers to invest in housing in our community. TIF can also be utilized to attract businesses to the area that will provide decent wages to people who can live in the updated housing,
Bringing in full-time and well paying jobs is an even tougher task. TIF, OPRA, CRA, Brownfield are all about focusing on the willingness to incentivize and expedite the process for investment, whatever the investment is. When we develop that atmosphere investment follows the path of least resistance. Ideally the fruits of those investments are well paying jobs for our community
