Occupation:
Retired

Experience:
Ward Three City Council Member
Eastern Leaders Group
Council Liason to Friends of the Freight House

Elected three terms as Mayor of Ypsilanti
Elected four terms as City Council Member from the East Side

Formerly:
Co-ordinator -Ypsilanti Recycling Project (YRP)
Manager - Washtenaw County Recycling Drop-Off Station for Recycle Ann Arbor

Served on the following Committees

Downtown Development Authority
Economic Development Commission
Public Housing Commission
Joint Township-City Library Committee
Community Development Block Grant Advisiory Commitee
Washtenaw County Solid Waste Consortium
Washtenaw Affordable Housing Corporation
Washtenaw Area Transportation Committee
Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority

Education:
Bachelor of Arts - Eastern Michigan University

Community Involvement:
Member Historic Eastside Neighborhood Association (HESNA)
Friends of Ypsilanti Freight House (FOYF)
Ypsilanti Food Co-op
Ypsilanti-Willow Run Branch NAACP
Downtown Association of Ypsilanti (DAY)
Friends of Prospect Park
Huron Valley Chapter of the Sierra Club
Ecology Center

Age:
67

Marital Status:
Married

Family:
Wife - Grace Sweeney Endorsements:

United Auto Workers (UAW) - Region 1-A
Washtenaw County Building Trades Council
Huron Valley Central Labor Council

Mayor Pro-Tem Trudy Swanson-Winston
City Council Member Lois Richardson - Ward One
City Council Member Mike Bodary - Ward Two
City Council Member Brian Robb - Ward Three

How do you think the city should move forward with the Thompson Block?
It has been ten months since the devastating fire that destroyed the south portion of the Thompson block with no activity by the owner. The obstruction of the public right of way and the instability of the ruins is a public safety hazard that must be abated. The City went to court to get an order to make the situation safe. The judge ordered a facilitation process and City Council selected me to represent them in that process. Unfortunately, this process only prolonged resolution of the issue. Even though we extended the facilitation time, to allow the owners to respond to specific concerns, they have chosen to cancel the meeting and not respond. In addition they have shown a reckless disregard for public safety by allowing the traffic control signage and barricading they are responsible for to be removed. Further, they have refused to schedule a time when the City's structural engineer can access the site for an evaluation. It is past time to deal with these safety concerns.

What are your ideas for generating more revenue?
The Headlee override designated for public transit is one of the ways we have of restoring revenue lost due to Headlee and declining property values and I advocated for and support it. The development of water street to provide tax revenues through Tax Increment Financing to service the Water Street debt is key to taking pressure off of the general fund. Maintaining a level of services that makes us attractive for commercial development and neighborhood living will stabilize and increase our tax base over time. Restructuring the Street millages or a portion of them set to expire in a few years to allow for their continuation to do some much needed street maintenance and improvements. Continue to lobby the State legislature to rethink how municipalities are financed and to adequately compensate communities like Ypsilanti with large tax exempt state institutions.

What can the city do to maintain current service levels while receiving less revenue?
While we will always look at ways to cut costs and increase efficiencies as well as looking for creative ways to provide services and the City has done a lot of that already, ultimately we get "less for less" and have to look at the levels of services we provide and create priorities for funding. In addition we should always be looking at if and how we can partner with other public entities to provide services at lower costs or better services at the same costs.

What do you see as the biggest problems facing Ypsilanti's economy and what are you ideas for dealing with those issues?
Ypsilanti will be facing all the problems of Michigan's changing economy and we need to be prepared to meet those challenges as they arise. We need to make our City an attractive place to live and do business by maintaining levels of public services, particularly public safety, and to make our City physically attractive.One issue, public transportation, is an important element in being an attractive urban area and we have a Charter Amendment to dedicate funds solely for public transit on the ballot in August (and again in November) I urge a YES vote on this issue. Many of our residents rely on this service to get to work, school and medical appointments and without a dedicated source of funds, the service could be in jeopardy. Another transportation issue important to Ypsilanti, is the proposed commuter train with its stop in Depot Town. This venture will make (re)development in Ypsilanti and particularly the Water Street area more attractive.

What is your position on how the city should proceed with Water Street? Do you support updating Water Street's zoning?
We should continue to aggressively market the site for appropriate taxable development. The clearance of the property will help in marketing the property. But there is unlikely to be any development for several years to come. We have four years of bond payments available in the City's fund balance. After that time, these bond payments will become problematic for the City. We should develop the public areas such as the border to border trail along the river and possibly use portions of the area as a public space, such as a dog park or a tree farm to cultivate trees for the planting in the City. As to the zoning, I do not adhere to the school of "If we zone it, they (the developers) will come." Zoning by its very nature is restrictive and we need to be open to a variety of options that may be compatible with City goals. Since the property is all owned by the City, we can control what is located there through purchase and development agreements and the planned unit development process.

What makes you uniquely qualified for the office?
My many years in public service give me the experience and knowledge of the issues and historical perspective needed to be Mayor. In addition, since be elected to Council two years ago I have gained the reputation for being a hard worker, communicating with residents and council colleagues, analyzing issues and effectively working to bring solutions to the table. This has earned me the endorsement and support of four out of five of my City Council colleagues - persons who know and have worked with both the Mayor and I.

Why did you decide to seek office or re-election?
After being elected to City Council, I saw a need for a more active leadership for the City Council from the Mayor and would like to provide that. The City will be facing its severest challenges yet over the next four years, and I would like to bring my experience, knowledge and skills to meet those challenges.