Most people agree that the roads in Keego Harbor are in bad shape and need to be fixed.  Fixing the roads without finding a cure for the drainage problems will create additional long term problems, possibly resulting in additional taxes.
I am NOT in favor of additional or higher taxes.            
When I am elected I will work with the council and offer suggestions to bring costs inline and find affordable solutions to our city road problems.

Roads and Drainage - October 2008 Update

I encouraged the city manager to invite several asphalt/paving companies to our study sessions this past summer. Representatives from three experienced, independent companies made presentations and explained different methods of paving roads. We also heard from a civil engineer that oversaw the road improvements of a neighboring community. Some are examining reports generated by our city engineer and will soon be making recommendations to our council. When I am re-elected I will determine the best, most efficient methods of paving our streets and then analyze how much it will cost – before asking anybody to contribute a penny. We all know that this project needs to be undertaken and completed.

Fact: You can’t operate efficiently without a financial plan.
Keego Harbor needs a long term financial plan.
Keego Harbor needs a vision as to what it wants to become.
Without a vision as to what we want to achieve we won’t be able to properly plan for the future.
I have a vision as to how Keego Harbor can grow. I invested in the city because my family firmly believes it has a tremendous upside.
When I am elected I will use my business experience to work with the council and together we will develop a sound financial plan for the future.

Long Term City Financial Plan - October 2008 Update

As our city’s representative to SEMCOG (the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments) I have been exploring ways that our SEMCOG membership can benefit our city. When I was first elected I suspected it might cost us several thousand dollars to work with financial consultants to develop a long term financial plan. I discovered that SEMCOG offers FREE consulting to local municipalities.   The director of their local government effectiveness and efficiency division is now working with our city treasurer to develop the plan. I have saved the city a lot of money – and the plan will help us operate in a fiscally responsible manner.  The planning process takes time – and when you re-elect me I will see that the plan is completed.

Watch my interview on the SEMCOG website – http://www.semcog.org/MembersSpeak.aspx

The decision to build our new city hall and police station at Rose Sortor Park was the right decision.
Keego Harbor is in the business of providing quality services for its residents.
By building at Rose Sortor Park we also address and solve the problem of a neglected, non functional public works building. The building has been ignored for years and it’s important that it be restored so the city can provide those quality services at the level citizens are entitled to.
When I am elected I will make sure city resources are not wasted on foolish projects.

City Hall - October 2008 Update

Don’t you agree that the new city hall looks great? I hope everybody is able to attend the grand opening festivities that are taking place on October 25th. The building is a great testament to the hard work of many people in our town.

Keego Harbor residents who live along Cass Lake have a right to enjoy the lake just as much as the boaters on the lake do.
Safety, navigation and trespassing are all important factors in evaluating the situation.
By creating equal navigation for everybody by providing navigation channels we could provide a safer and more enjoyable situation. 
It’s wrong for residents to have unwelcome trespassers on their land property.

Cass Lake - October 2008 Update

While some residents were disappointed that the DNR/DEQ did not create special rules for Cass Lake, enforcement of the existing ordinances has made a noticeable impact.   The summer of 2008 was a fun and peaceful one on the lake.  It shows that you do not have to spend a fortune to protect the rights of the residents who live along Cass Lake.

Keego Harbor’s parks are one of Keego Harbor’s best kept secrets. Cost and funding restraints are responsible for their underutilization.  We need to maintain this important asset.  When I am elected one of my goals will be to push for the proper maintenance and funding of these sites.

City Parks - October 2008 Update

I’d like to encourage active participation of all residents in our cultural and recreational activities. We need to continue finding ways that we can fund activities and enjoy our parks.

We all want to see a vibrant business community here in Keego Harbor.
I am absolutely in favor of enhancing the value of a Main Street program. The program, however, as it currently stands, lacks clear understanding and affordability.
When I am elected I will take a long term view, for a long term project with no short, quick fixes and guarantees of success.

Main Street - October 2008 Update

I will always look for ways that we can enhance our business community. We all know that these are hard times in Michigan - but even in hard times there are areas that thrive.  We can be one of those areas.

One person’s treasure may be another person’s blight.
Our city should create reasonable and flexible definitions of what constitutes blight on both residential and commercially zoned properties.
Our residential areas should be kept clear of debris. We shouldn’t, however, hamstring Keego Harbor business owners from trying to promote their businesses. We need to help them succeed.  We need to be flexible and respectful.
When I’m elected I will push for an evaluation of our city codes regarding blight and blight enforcement.

Blight - October 2008 Update

Our council has taken active steps to ensure that our neighborhoods are kept clean and attractive.  It certainly has been a topic at many of our meetings. People overwhelmingly take pride in their property’s appearance – and have adhered to our city codes. Where there have been infractions most people have quickly complied when notified by our city staff.   If you notice anything that needs attention please alert our city manager.