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Hometown
Onondaga
Education
University of Michigan, BS Aerospace Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering, Lansing Community College
Family
Wife of 26 years, Jean, Daughters Katherine, 18 and Elizabeth, 16, Niece Christina, 15
Professional Experience
Engineer, Eaton Aerospace, 28 Years,
Planning Commission 14 years,
Volunteer Fireman 30 years
Political Experience
Ingham County Commissioner 4 years 2013- present,
Onondaga Township Supervisor 7 years,
Onondaga Township Trustee 8 years
I have extensive local government experience in addition to my 4 years as serving as the incumbent commissioner. I have worked in a non-partisan manner to represent both the people of my district and the county. I have served my local community and local government as a township supervisor for 7 years, trustee for 8 years, planning commissioner for 14 years and volunteer fireman for over 30 years. I have worked to make the Board of Commissioners less divisive and more productive compared to previous years.
No, The recent Trails and Parks millage has provided additional funding for parks above what is already spent from the general fund. This additional funding has brought parks spending above the recession cuts despite the county operating 2 less parks. With this additional new funding there is not a need for additional funding.
No, the quality of the roads is not acceptable. The funding from the state has pulled more money to state highways at the expense of county and local roads. This is key infrastructure that supports and attracts businesses and residents.
No, the funding should come from the state and federal government. The county government should not be raising taxes to address fund shortfalls from the state and federal government.
Yes. Overall the scope is acceptable with a few shortcomings. The county has and continues to review what services are required/mandated and what are needs and wants.
We need to be open to this have this work both ways, see where services are duplicated and which level of government is the most appropriate or cost effective for providing the services. It should be a win-win for both levels of government and not be a cost burden but an overall cost savings.
I would not propose changing much but an effort should be on reviewing duplication of services and what level of government would be the most cost effective or appropriate to handle the services. Assessing could be such a service but the costs would still be to the local units by state law.
1) Continue to address underfunded retirement costs while maintaining the promises made to county employees. This can be done by careful review annually exceeding the minimum payments the state recommends. 2) Restoring Sheriff Department funding and staff and supporting a new jail/court facilities. Sheriff department funding can be as incremental increases as the economy and tax base improves. Jail should be funded through staff efficiencies in a new design and using money from other bonding projects as they are paid off. 3) Have regionalism be win-win and benefit multiple agencies or the entire tri-county area, not just one entity at higher overall costs.
Yes it can be considered but it should be when it is a win-win for the county and local units and not simply a shift of costs and burden to the county.
Law Enforcement and Health Department, health and safety of the residents
The parks are the least vital given what is required by county by state and federal law and duplication by local units. Any cuts would need to be carefully considered as they are a quality of life resource.
Yes
Ingham County has the highest county and special millage rate of urban counties in the state and 4th highest overall. Too much tax burden has been placed on the residents and the businesses in the county. The jail funding should be handled through revenue available after several bonds are paid off in the next few years, staffing efficiencies with a new design and the balance by general fund revenues. The Health Services millage needs to be considered for elimination with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the a significant reduction of enrollees in the Ingham Health Plan. I do not support new millages given the significant burden already placed on the county taxpayers.