Isabella County Local Voter Guide 2015

ISABELLA COUNTYLOCAL VOTER GUIDE 2015

The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government. The League never supports or opposes any political party or candidate.

This is a non-partisan election for 3-year terms on the City Commission. Seven candidates are competing for three seats.

The League of Women Voters contacted candidates for biographical information and answers to questions on issues. Responses to questions were limited to 100 words; background information was limited to 50 words. Responses are in candidates own words and have not been edited.

Publication of these statements and opinions of candidates is solely in the interest of public service and in no way is to be construed as an endorsement by the League of Women Voters. The League takes no responsibility for any of the views or facts stated by the candidates.

For complete ballot information, visit www.vote411.org

General ElectionNovember 3, 2015Polls open 7 am - 8 pm

Candidates forumoctober 15

city hall 7 pmCheck mac3tv.com for re-broadcast

INSIDEMT. PLEASANT CITY COMMISSION CANDIDATE INFORMATION

MT. PLEASANT CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT

MT. PLEASANT PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL

ICLWV Guide 2015.indd 1 9/30/2015 1:43:34 PM

L E A G U E O F W O M E N V O T E R S M O U N T P L E A S A N T A R E A

Keith CotterReal Estate Broker

Expand on an issue(s) of importance to you and list your priorities should you be elected.

Are you satisfied with rental housing within the city? Do you think there are enough units that satisfy the needs of young families and older adults? Is there a way to encourage landlords to serve this market?

Several businesses have closed in the downtown recently. What ideas do you have for attracting businesses and shoppers to Mt. Pleasants downtown?

Address220 N. Kinney Ave, Mt. Pleasant MI 48858Education Beal City High School, MMCC, CMUBackground/experience I am the current chair of the Mt. Pleasant Planning Commission.Campaign Phone (989) [email protected]

The issue that seems to get the most attention is rental housing. The root of the problem is tenant accountability, code enforcement & law enforcement. Those charged with enforcing, need to have the necessary tools to arrest & convict. I am also a proponent for property owner rights, increasing property tax revenue and city growth. If our city fails to allow & incentivize growth, we will continue to see development of areas outside city limits. We need to attract development in city limits.

1. No, it can always be improved. 2. No, currently the restrictions put on owners to gain a single family license make it too expensive for many people to get it done. 3. I have been working on it for a long time. The problem is the cash flow. Landlords need a good return to make those types investment. To create more of these units, it needs to be easier for the individual home owner. Loosen the requirements that are put on these owners. Offer help with windows, smoke alarms & tax costs.

We need to approach developers and entrepreneurs and show them we want them to investment in the downtown. If we offer incentives to bring a large business into the downtown, we will have a better chance of one coming. Foot traffic will increase to use its service. Other shops revenues should see an increase due to the increased amount of shoppers in the area. More shops should open in the vacant spaces. If we increase the amount of shopper downtown you will see an increase in success downtown

Lisa FerdenCo-Owner and Vice President of IDS




Age 46Address1113 Kent DriveEducation Central Michigan UniversityBackground/experience Current Boards: Mt. Pleasant Zoning Board of Appeals, Mt. Pleasant Historic District Committee. I also served 6 years (two terms) on the Board of Directors for the Home Care Association of America.Web Sitehttp://www.facebook.com/[email protected]

One key issue for me is public safety. Id like to see more street lighting and a reduction in volume and speed of traffic along Washington, Main, University and Fancher streets. Im not convinced the conversion from one-way to two way traffic has had a positive effect.

I believe in access to affordable housing. There is a misconception among some downtown home owners that renters are not responsible and should be denied from living near home owners. I strongly disagree with this position, aside from the fact it is discriminatory, its far worse to have an older house sit vacant, or in a state of disrepair for years on end, while adding no aesthetic value to the neighborhood and zero dollars in tax revenue this city desperately needs.

Truthfully, I am a bit saddened by the current state of downtown Mt. Pleasant. There are many wonderful businesses there but too many empty buildings. The first thing I would do, if I had the authority to do so, would be to eliminate the merchandise that gets set outside some of the stores on a daily basis. Its an eyesore and a potential liability. We need a downtown beautification project, in coordination with the Historic District Commission where I serve as a board member.

MOUNT PLEASANT CITY COMMISSION CANDIDATES


G E N E R A L E L E C T I O N T U E S D AY, N O V E M B E R 3 , 2 0 1 5

Lori GillisInstructor




Age 54Address902 West Michigan St.Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858Education Bachelors of Science, Computer Science and Business, Central Michigan University, Microsoft Office Excel CertificationBackground/experience I am a lifelong resident and an advocate for our park system. I have served on the Planning Commission, 2005-07, during the update of our citys Master Plan. I have been involved in 2 citizen referendums which allowed the voters to overturn an issue.Web Sitehttp://facebook.com/Lori Gillis for City CommissionCampaign Phone (989) [email protected]

I believe we need more public awareness and community input. We should encourage our residents to participate on our local boards. I believe the park system is our citys welcome mat. We need to protect these open spaces and limit commercialization near them to insure our parks remain parks. The development of the 300 acre State Home needs to be the best use of the land and a benefit to all our local residents. We need to limit tax breaks and increase the revenue for publicly funded entities.

Within the city, 65% of our housing units are rentals. I feel we have adequate choices for students. The citys 6.7% housing vacancy rate (2010 census) could fill the need for affordable housing for young professionals and families. Conversion incentives from rentals to owner occupied housing could promote young professionals and families to become homeowners with equity. Professional housing could be downtown in upstairs apartments. Landlords will serve whatever market is the most lucrative.

Downtown should promote the unique resources no other shopping district has: a walkable riverfront park, beautiful historic buildings, and our war memorials. To promote foot traffic, residents, visitors and tourists should be encouraged to enjoy these attributes in our downtown area. Increase community events at our Town Center parking lot on the weekends to host a variety of activities such as arts and craft shows, karaoke, band concerts, ice sculptures, and fundraisers. Diversify businesses.

Nicholas MadajResearch Attorney




Age 31Address1518 Somerset Court, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858Education B. A. Political Science and M. A. Administrative Science, Saginaw Valley State University. J. D., Michigan State University College of Law.Background/experience I have experience working in a county legal department, providing legal services to small businesses & nonprofits, and serving on local boards in Bay City / Bay County. The knowledge and perspectives gained would make me an asset as Commissioner.Web Sitehttp://www.electmadaj.com/Campaign Phone (989) [email protected]

1) Promote a fair and fiscally responsible city budget since the stability of city services and costs is essential to attract potential residents and businesses. 2) Protect and develop our residential neighborhoods through responsible city planning and services. 3) Enhance accountability in local government by amending the City Charter to elect Commissioners by wards, so they would be more directly aware of the needs of their neighbors.

Rental housing should be diversified, but it takes time for markets to respond to increases in demand. Our system of planning and zoning is a vital part of guiding the development of neighborhoods in order to ensure that incompatible uses are not adjacent to one another. Also, the rental housing laws of the city and state are designed to protect the welfare of tenants. Any proposed encouragement for landlords should not override the interests of tenants and taxpayers.

1) Small-business growth could be fostered through a more effective distribution of funds the city dedicates to economic development. 2) To ease start-up and overhead costs, Mt. Pleasant could adopt the business incubator model, which is currently used in E. Lansing. The model encourages cost sharing through collaborative and/or cooperative measures between businesses. 3) Maintaining the affordable nature of the city for residents is crucial to help drive the demand for downtown businesses.




Allison Quast-LentsBicycle Store Manager




Age 32Address502 South UniversityMt. Pleasant, MI 48858Education Bachelors in General Management from Michigan State UniversityBackground/experience For the past six years Ive been on the Downtown Development Board. I spent five years on the Planning Commission where I was appointed as the Zoning Board of Appeals liaison, and I have volunteered on other committees in service to our community.Web Sitehttp://Quast-Lents.orgCampaign Phone (989) [email protected]

One of my goals is to balance the needs of all our residents by nurturing safe, welcoming, diverse neighborhoods. To do this I propose working with CMU new hires and recent alumni, to survey their desires and assist in establishing them as active residents in our community. In addition, I will push to increase the percentage of owner occupied houses from 35% to above 50% to bring it in-line with the national average for communities similar to ours.

In my job I regularly speak with new community members and many are unsatisfied with the availability of housing in the city, in particular: places that are near downtown and campus; 2-3 bedroom units, allowing for a guest bedroom, office, or nursery; and with more upscale furnishings than are available. If the citys zoning ordinance had a designated area for this type of housing, property owners would be encouraged to serve this underdeveloped market.

I believe in the 10+10+10 rule: within three lineal blocks, a downtown should have 10 establishments for eating, 10 for retail, and 10 for entertainment. Also known as the Rule of Critical Mass, this combination is what is necessary to create a destination- a welcoming, comfortable downtown where people linger. This is my vision for a vibrant downtown.

Rick RautanenManager




Age 49Address309 E. Grand AvenueMount PleasantEducation Central Michigan UNiversityBackground/experience 20+ years in hotel management 6+ years local government

It is extremely important that we accept the fact that we are a college town, and that the students are an integral part of our community, however they must be held responsible for behavior that is detrimental to our community. We need to focus on increasing and maintaining safe and affordable housing for seniors. We must continue to manage the amenities that our city offers its residents, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

There are plenty of rental units available for students, and the redevelopments in the M-2 neighborhood over the recent years has been a good compromise to clean up those areas and increase safety to students. Our community lacks enough proper housing for our growing senior population.

Just as it is important for our city to support all areas of economic growth and development, we must help to support a vibrant downtown that businesses want to set up shop in. We must encourage downtown developers to attract clientele that want to come here more often, not just the bar crowd at night. While special events are important to attract people to the downtown, all downtown business owners must work together to achieve the same goals of building their brand!



G E N E R A L E L E C T I O N T U E S D AY, N O V E M B E R 3 , 2 0 1 5

The Mt. Pleasant City Commission consists of seven citizens elected at large for staggered three-year terms. Candidates for the City Commission must reside within the city limits. City Commission duties and responsibilities are set forth in the City Charter. The City Commission elects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members at the first meeting each January.

Petro J. TolasSelf-Employed




Age 61Address405 W GRAND AVEEducation A Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University.Background/experience Served on the Union Township East DDA for eleven years as a board member. Also on the City of Mt. Pleasant Zoning Board of Appeals for eight years; four of them as Chairman.Campaign Phone (989) [email protected]

The issues of importance that are my priorities would be: 1. Running the city within its budget. 2. Making sound business decisions and use common sense in the running of this city. 3. Stop the process of out sourcing in the City Assessors office. Also we need to get a true assessment values for Mt. Pleasant citizen property owners. 4. Accommodate and help new businesses coming into the community and existing businesses. 5. Pass an ordinance to stop panhandlers.

At this time I am satisfied with the rental housing. The housing market will be determine by the demand. Also the State of Michigan controls a lot of the market with its rental programs. I feel that there is a need for senior housing, being that the high rise units are filled in town.

Most of the buildings downtown are owner occupied, if not for this fact there would be many more empty buildings downtown. I have lived in this community for over 50 years and this question has been asked many times over. I feel the first step to be taken would be to determine what are we trying to create here in downtown Mt. Pleasant; a service district or a retail shopping district.




MOUNT PLEASANT CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT

MOUNT PLEASANT CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT TO REVISE TERM LIMITS FOR APPOINTED MEMBERS OF CITY AGENCIES, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

Shall Article XIV, Section 5 of the City Charter be amended to provide that no appointed member of any City agency, board or committee shall serve on the same body for more than four (4) consecutive terms?

This amendment is proposed for the purpose of revising the City Charter requirements that appointed members of any City agency, board or committee may serve on the same body for not more than two (2) consecutive terms.

MT. PLEASANT PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL

This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. The remaining .6263 mill is only available to be levied to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Headlee amendment to the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will only be levied to the extent necessary to restore that reduction.

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools, Isabella County, Michigan, be renewed by 18.6263 mills ($18.6263 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2016 to 2025, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2016 is approximately $8,839,904 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2015 tax levy)?



VOTER INFORMATION

Michigan law states that the SAME ADDRESS must be used for voter registration and drivers license purposes.If you have never voted in Michigan and you submitted a registration form by mail or through a third party, such as at a voter registration drive, YOU MUST APPEAR IN PERSON to vote in the first election in which you wish to participate. This requirement does not apply if (1) you personally hand-deliver the form to your county, city or township clerk's office instead of mailing the form (2) you are 60 years of age or more (3) you are disabled or (4) you are eligible to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

AT YOUR POLLING PLACE:

Election workers will ask you for a photo ID. If you do not have one, you will be asked to sign an affidavit that you do not have ID or dont have an ID with you. You will be allowed to vote and your ballot will be counted on Election Day.

Acceptable ID: Michigan drivers license or Michigan ID card US passport Photo ID issued by a federal or state government Military ID with photo High school or college photo Tribal ID with photo

Voter registration forms, polling place locations, and more information can be found at the Michigan Secretary of States website at www.michigan.gov/vote


Vote411.org is the one-stop shop for non-partisan information on elections and candidates. Read and compare candidate responses to questions on relevant issues. Find your polling place and find out what will be on your ballot. Be an informed voter!

League of Women Voters of Michigan 600 W. St. Joseph St., 3G, Lansing, MI 48933 517-484-5383, WWW.LWVMI.ORG

VOTE411.org is the nations premiere online election resource. The League of Women Voters has added our voters guide to VOTE411.org so that it can serve as a resource for all Michigan voters. The League of Women Voters never supports or opposes candidates or political parties.

Your education. Your healthcare. Your community. Your future. Your vote counts for many things. Take control. Get registered. Get educated. Get out and vote. Learn more at www.VOTE411.org

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Isabella County Local Voter Guide 2015

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