Thank you for visiting my website. I am proud to represent
and serve the citizens of Ingham County's 15th district, which includes Holt
and Aurelius Townships. During my time as your commissioner, I have
been committed to addressing the many important issues that impact not only my
constituency, but all of citizens of this county.
This website provides information about myself, my
initiatives, press releases, photos, contact information as well as several
useful links. I am hopeful that you will find this information helpful and
informative.
Please feel free to contact me with any comments, concerns or
suggestions and thank you for visiting my office via the internet!
I appreciate you taking the time to visit my homepage and learn more about me
and my record as your Ingham County Commissioner. As you consider your choices
in this election, I expect that your decision to reelect me will be based on my
record, diverse professional background, philosophy, experience in office, and accomplishments as Holt and
Aurelius Township’s Ingham County Commissioner. I am very proud of my record of
achievements in office during my five terms, and would like devote a special
section to share that record with you.
I live in Holt with my wife and young daughter, and have represented the people of Holt and
Aurelius Township for ten years. I am an RN at a local hospital, a licensed attorney and real estate
broker, with over
10 years of public policy experience at the state and local level. In addition
to being a union member, I am a veteran of the
United States Army, having served in both the 2nd and 4th Infantry
division.
My Endorsements
My endorsements in this election include both business and
labor. I have the support of the following organizations:
- Lansing Regional Chamber of
Commerce
-
The Lansing State Journal
-
The Fraternal Order of
Police
I’ve been fortunate enough to have developed a reputation for
advocating for our local businesses, while at the same time sticking up working
families and the contract rights of our unionized county employees.
My Record
During my ten years as your county commissioner, I’ve
achieved a record of accomplishments for which I am very proud.
Lower Taxes
– I think you know better than I how to spend your hard earned money. Because I
respect your budget, I consistently vote against tax and fee increases. I’ve yet
to see a program at the county level that can’t be run more efficiently. I will
continue to advocate for more efficient programs, not more of your tax dollars.
Some citizens have contacted me regarding my thoughts on
the ballot proposals in this election which involve taxes. Some, like
the separate tax limitation proposal I feel are inaccurately titled.
Others, like the CATA tax increase are just too much at this time.
Separate Tax Limitation Ballot Proposal
I voted against putting this on the ballot. My
position is it circumvents the protection of the Headlee Amendment and
Proposal A. Simply, what this does is INCREASE the amount that the
county can tax citizens of the county without a vote. Normally, the
county must have you vote to approve tax increases and tell us what it will
be used for. By increasing the taxing authority of the county with
this vote, an increase in your tax no longer has to come to the people for
approval (up to the limits of the ballot proposal). It's very much
like increasing the credit limit on your credit card from $2000 to $4000.
Government, like many people you may know will spend that extra $2000 pretty
quick and with less consideration than if they had to come to a spouse,
family member or citizen to discuss how that money will be used.
CATA Millage Increase
This is another millage or tax
effort I will vote against. CATA is a wonderful system. The
buses are clean and the drivers are just the best. I used to use CATA
for years and found it reliable and convenient. During summer, you can
park your bike on the front, take the bus to work and ride home. I
have sometimes supported small CATA millage renewals for this
service. However, I feel this new tax is too expensive and the
timing is just wrong. Like all other governments/agencies, CATA must
determine what it can do to provide a high level of service while keeping
expenses in line with OUR budgets. CATA is a gift from you - the
taxpayers - and CATA should understand and respect the fact that the
folks paying the bill are struggling just like CATA.
For Kids –
I was one of the first at the county to advocate and have passed a resolution asking the
county’s library system to install pornography filters on those computers used
by children. Our libraries should remain a safe place for you and your kids.
I’ve also worked in the past to see that road crossings are
made safer for neighborhood children and that the speed limits through our
subdivisions are enforced.
Finally, I’ve been a supporter of our ‘youth commission’
which allows selected middle to high school aged young adults to be appointed to
advisory board. These ‘commissioners’ often attend our meetings, work with their
peer at school and provide us feedback on polices being debated by our board.
For Seniors
– I’ve worked hard in my four terms as your county commissioner to see that our
county’s seniors are looked after. I am a former member of the Tri-County Office
on Aging where I was an advocate for expanding meals-on-wheels and in home
health care. I’m also proud to have supported the creation of the county’s
prescription drug program which uses bulk purchasing to provide discounts for
prescription medicine.
Parks and Recreation
– As your commissioner, I’ve supported expanding recreational opportunities for
you at our county parks. These parks include Birchfield Park, right here in
Holt, Hawk Island in Lansing, and Lake Lansing in Haslett.
Potter Park Zoo - It is my goal to see that the recent voter approved millage for Potter Park Zoo is spent wisely and efficiently. Ingham County has a history of providing a wide variety of recreational and educational services for reasonable cost. I expect the county will operate Potter Park in the same manner, providing a good value for the taxpayer dollars that have been invested in the zoo.
For Agriculture &
Farmland Preservation – I am committed to market based approach
to supporting agriculture and preserving our local family farms in Aurelius
Township. Ingham County’s farmland, agriculture, and agriculturally-related
businesses are important economic resources of the Aurelius Township community.
I voted for the passage of Ingham County’s “Purchase of Development Rights
Ordinance” to further protect our farmland and address urban sprawl, however
I was opposed to and voted against the tax increase used to fund the
program. State and federal grants are available to fund this program and
should be explored before we place another tax burden on the citizens of Ingham
County. By the way, it failed in every precinct in Holt and Aurelius
Township.
Pets – As
your county commissioner, I championed the reform of our animal shelter. It was
my goal to see that adoption of pets was the focus rather than sales for
experimentation. Prior to these reforms, if your pet was lost or stolen and
picked up by the county’s animal control, it would be sold to ‘animal dealers’. The
dealers in turn would sell your pet for hundreds of dollars to companies and
research institutions for experimentation and eventual death. While I think
medical research is important, I don’t think it was Ingham County’s role to
allow your pet to be used for a cosmetic company’s hairspray or shampoo
experiment.
Public Safety
- A fundamental role of government is to ensure public safety. For me, an Ingham
County Commissioner, that means properly funding our sheriff’s department. The
frontline of the war on terror extends down to our deputies and first
responders. They must be well trained and equipped. Public safety also includes
maintaining a road patrol presence in suburban and rural areas of the county
like Holt and Aurelius Township. I’ve consistently defended the Sheriff’s
Department from budget cuts that would put your family’s public safety at risk.
I hope this information gives you a better idea of the type
of things I’ve accomplished as your county commissioner. I also hope you’ll
agree that I’ve taken the right approach in choosing these issues as the type of
things that matter and are important to you and your family.
I’ve been fortunate and grateful that in my
five terms in office I’ve received support from people like you and your
neighbors – democrats, republicans and independents. Young, old, men and women
who appreciate a county commissioner who listens to his constituents and promotes
policies that are consistent with their beliefs, way of life and values that we
share.
This November, I hope I can count on your vote for my
reelection.
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