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Manistee City Council District #6

Manistee City Council District #62 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.

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  • Candidate picture

    James R Grabowski
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Mark M Wittlieff
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Describe your background, experience and qualifications for this office and the reasons you are running for it.

What are the top 2 priority issues that this office should address and what actions would you take regarding each of them?

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Campaign Phone 2318875000
Educational background Graduate of Manistee High School and attended West Shore College
Occupation/Current Position Materials Manager Thoroughbred Boat Company
Campaign Facebook N/A
My passion is to serve the City of Manistee and help it grow by applying the experience I’ve gained through years of dedicated service on city boards and commissions. My roles have included:

Manistee City Council (2013–2017)

Planning Commission, including Chair (2010–2025)

Zoning Board of Appeals (1998–2010)

City Parks Commission (2003–2004)

Historic District Commission (2017)

I have also earned Master Citizen Planner certificates and completed courses to strengthen my understanding of community planning. These experiences have given me a deep knowledge of how our city functions and what it takes to make thoughtful, informed decisions.

I’m committed to listening to residents, supporting responsible growth, and working to ensure Manistee remains a strong community for all.
My top priorities are jobs, housing, blight, and infrastructure. To strengthen our economy, I will support policies that attract and retain businesses, creating jobs that keep families here. To address housing, I will work to expand options that are affordable, safe, and suited to the needs of all residents. Combating blight is also essential, revitalizing neglected properties improves neighborhoods, supports pride of place, and helps attract investment. Finally, strong infrastructure is the backbone of growth. I will advocate for improvements to roads, utilities, and public spaces to ensure Manistee remains a vibrant, welcoming community for years to come.