When I served on Council, from 2015 to 2019, I was lucky to work with a great team. We tackled problems that had vexed City officials for many years.

We fixed the blight downtown. Our first big step was a small but crucial change to the City code to require developers to demolish blighted buildings they owned. This change triggered clearing of the dead zone at Grand River and Abbot and then redevelopment of the area. 

We fixed the City's finances. I was an early advocate for restructuring the City tax code so MSU would contribute to help cover City services. This is how we got the local income tax and property tax reduction starting in 2019, which plugged a large and growing hole in the City budget.

This was a huge project, and we couldn't have done it without the hard work and dedication of City staff. Today, without full staffing, we couldn't have pulled it off. 

We took steps toward sustainability. I initiated an ordinance to require EV chargers in new development projects. If I'm elected I want to pursue climate action more aggressively. Climate change is coming for all of us, even if we're better off here than in other parts of the country.

We responded to everyday needs. My first project was getting a sidewalk ordered in along Coleman Rd so people could walk there safely. Residents in the area had been pressing for this but the previous Council didn't want to upset the developers that owned the property. Responding to requests like this is an important part of the job, and I want to hear your ideas for how we can make life in the City better.