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Franklin Village Trustee (4 Year Term) {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

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    Kari Alterman
    (NON)

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    Cassius M. Drake
    (NON)

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    Jonathan Jacobs
    (NON)

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    Geoffrey King
    (NON)

Biographical Information

Provide biographical information and explain why you are running for village council and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position.

What are the top three (3) priority issues facing your village, and what actions would you, as a village official, take regarding each of them?

I spent thirty years as a professional in philanthropic and nonprofit leadership, and am now taking my skills to help others. I founded Good Name Advisors, where I work with families and organizations on legacy planning and values-based giving. I also facilitate local giving circles that bring neighbors together around shared learnings and causes. I was a founding executive committee member of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metro Detroit and serves on numerous boards, including the Zekelman Holocaust Center and Clover Hill Park Cemetery. I graduated from U of M with both an AB in History and an MSW. My husband and I have called Franklin home for 25 years.

Franklin has a storied history, and it is important to both honor that and meet today's opportunities and challenges thoughtfully and clearly. I believe we need to work together with clarity and respect, modeling constructive dialogue and shared values moving forward.
1. Budget. With the successful police millage approved, and some fiscal challenges in recent years, the village council should be looking at how we protect what we have, consider new opportunities for revenue, and be mindful of the characteristics that make Franklin unique. 2. Development. Our downtown has too many vacancies, and we need to consider what types of businesses we should be attracting, what are the needs of the village residents, and how do we balance between our historic character and today. 3. Transparency. While nearly all information is available to our residents for review, not all are aware of the issues and opportunities facing the village. We should work to encourage even greater civic participation, utilizing the incredible and diverse skills in our citizens to better Franklin.
My wife, Jacqueline, and I have lived in Franklin for 17 years. We raised our children here, started a business here, and built our life in this community. Over the years I have served Franklin as a Little League coach, a member of my HOA board, and now as a Planning Commissioner. As a physician, I have spent my career caring for people through difficult moments and served as medical director of an award-winning emergency department, where calm judgment, teamwork, and leadership mattered every day. I am running for Village Council because what makes Franklin special is almost intangible, something felt more easily than defined: a sense of peace, safety, community, history, and belonging that draws people here and makes them want to stay. I want to help ensure that our children inherit a Franklin that still possesses those qualities. That means honoring what generations before us built while guiding the Village thoughtfully, wisely, and steadily into the future.
My first priority is protecting the sense of safety, trust, and continuity that allows Franklin to feel like home. That means supporting our police, fire, and Village staff with the resources and stable leadership they need. Second is financial stewardship and transparency. The Village’s recent financial loss is a reminder that public resources are a trust. I would strengthen internal controls, cybersecurity, oversight, and public reporting. With the police millage now approved, the next Council should carefully review the appropriate level of the general-fund millage and clearly explain how tax dollars are allocated. Third is thoughtful planning for Franklin’s future. Land-use and development decisions should respect our unique character, protect property rights, follow clear rules, and include meaningful public input. Franklin need not choose between honoring yesterday and preparing for tomorrow. Our responsibility is to carry the best of both forward with wisdom and integrity
I am an engineer and entrepreneur, born and raised in Franklin. After earning an engineering degree from Brown University and an MBA from Columbia University, I worked in architectural systems and interactive advertising in New York City.

When my wife Sarah and I returned to Franklin in 1998 to raise our children, I brought that experience back to Michigan. I founded a digital agency, built a commercial and multi-family property management company, and in 2011 launched The Robot Garage, which has provided STEM and robotics programs to over 100,000 students.

With our kids now grown, I want to give back to the community that shaped me. As a Village Council Trustee, I will bring an engineer’s analytical problem-solving skills and an entrepreneur’s pragmatic fiscal discipline to village decisions. I am a thoughtful listener committed to working with residents to navigate Franklin’s challenges while preserving its historic character and charm for people of all ages.

1) COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT I want to make it easier for residents to stay informed and have their voices heard. I will advocate for enhanced digital communication, better website navigation, and the gathering of more resident contact information to ensure transparency and openness and that the council reflects the true will of the village.

2) FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND OVERSIGHT Following the new police millage, taxpayers deserve to know that every dollar is spent thoughtfully. Drawing on my business experience, I will scrutinize expenditures and identify operational efficiencies to ensure dollars are spent wisely, aiming for tax relief without compromising core services.

3) DOWNTOWN AND INFRASTRUCTURE As Franklin’s downtown is revitalized, we must balance economic vibrancy with its distinctive charm. I will push for proactive planning around traffic, pedestrian safety, and parking so growth complements our historic aesthetic and modern community needs.

For the last five years, my family has called Franklin home. We have fallen in love with the village, and I am running for re-election to ensure Franklin remains vibrant, safe, and thoughtfully managed for the future.

My background bridges public policy, team focused leadership, and business analytics. After studying political science in college and competing in collegiate athletics, I built a career in tech sales centered on data driven decisions, lasting relationships, and curiosity. These experiences taught me to respect diverse opinions, remain accountable under pressure, and to execute with discipline.

Serving as a Village Trustee since my appointment in December 2025 has given me a valuable perspective on what is thriving in Franklin, as well as where we can improve. I will leverage this experience to continue championing sound fiscal management, better governance structures, and transparent stewardship for our village.
1. Fiscal Prudence & Long-Term Planning: Particularly after the passing of the recent police millage, our tax dollars demand rigorous stewardship. I will push for multi-year capital forecasting so we plan ahead for improvements that fit our community's needs, while funding public safety efficiently without unnecessary millage burdens.

2. Walkability & Pedestrian Safety: Franklin’s roads should be safe for walking, biking, and strollers. I will continue to advocate for sensible pedestrian connections linking neighborhoods to our downtown core and school routes, alongside targeted traffic calming measures to improve safety on residential streets.

3. Transparency & Community Engagement: Currently, Franklin has limited ways to track and receive resident input, making it difficult for leadership to fully address village needs. I will champion modern tools for issue tracking, clearer communication from the village, and regular progress updates on key priorities.