Information on each of the candidates running for Mayor of the City of Charlotte are listed below in alphabetical order — Joe Daly, Tim Lewis, Yvonne Ridge and Zachary Story.
Joseph Daly
Age: 22 Years Old
Occupation: Insurance Agent at Russell & Schrader Ins. Agency
Family: Dan and Jody Daly (Dad/Mom), Dan Daly Jr. (Brother)
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for Mayor of Charlotte because I love this community and want it to become everything we as citizens want it to become. I want this community to be represented by an individual who will work hard to assure our residents that their voice, thoughts, and ideas are not only heard by the council but also discussed. Furthermore, I want to bridge the gap between our council and the citizens to prove government can work and instill trust back into a broken system.
What makes you qualified to represent the citizens of Charlotte?
My experience in government is quite limited. I have not been on any local committees, nor have I served on council before. What I can offer is a fresh, energized mind that is ready to face our city’s battles head on to find specific solutions. I believe I have an unparrelled ablitity to bring those on different sides of an issue together, in order to find common ground and formulate solutions.
What are three key concerns facing your district and how can they be addressed?
- Budget – In order to develop new plans for our city, we must develop a new, comprehensible budget that can be easily explained to the citizens of this community. We need to know exactly how much money we have to spend before deciding how to spend it. Nearly everything the governement does costs money, we just need to do that in the most fiscally responsible way possible.
- Roads – While a new budget is being established, we must make roads and parking lots a top priority. In my opinion, the current road plan is unbalanced and requires the use of an outisde engineering company. I believe we need to engineer our own projects and look for the most cost effective repairs possible from local companies. If other cities can re-do their roads, so can we.
- Communication – Our government must communicate with the public more efficiently. Government works for the people, so if people have questions, they need to be answered. Decisions should not be made by the council until they have worked dilligently to hear the voice of their constituents. Establishing new means of communication will result in an enhanced understanding of how government works, while creating an open atmosphere where people feel more comfortable being involved.
How can people learn more about you and your campaign?
If you are seeking more information about myself or my campaign you may visit my facebook page: Daly for Mayor 15 or reach me by email: dalyformayor15@gmail.com.
Tim Lewis
Age: 66 years old
Occupation: Retired: Director of Sales, Michigan Virtual University/Michigan Virtual High School
Family: Married 42 years to wife Nancy. Nancy and I have lived in Charlotte for 15 years.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for Mayor for two reasons. The reasons are leadership and council priorities. I have the leadership skills and city council and planning commission experience and also the passion to get Charlotte moving. I want to see the council clearly define and focus on issues that the citizens consider priority issues, such as local street repair, public safety and community/business development.
What makes you qualified to represent the citizens of Charlotte?
I am a former member of the Charlotte Planning Commission and also from 2005 to 2009, I served as an at-large member of the Charlotte City Council.
I also possess Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Eastern Michigan University.
What are the three key concerns facing your district and how can they be addressed?
- Local Street Repair and Maintenance — This is the No. 1 concern I have heard throughout the campaign. I will ask the Council for $100,000 for this year, and $100,000 for next year to be taken from the O/I settlement money to be directed to local street repair. This would be above the current budgeted amount. We also need to look at increasing spending for road repair for both years in the current general fund budget. While money from the county has been a big asset for our street repair funding, with the conditions our streets are in, we need to look beyond the county allocation.
- Downtown Development — Currently we have 17 empty storefronts in the downtown/Charlotte Plaza area. Getting businesses in and functioning should be a priority item for the council to address. I would ask the council to direct the city staff to develop a “store front priority plan” to focus specifically on filling the empty storefronts. Long-term business development efforts should continue and be expanded to help create a stronger economic climate and new jobs for the community.
- Public Safety — I plan on riding with the police officers and attending both police and fire staff meetings. Council and the public safety departments should be working hand-in-hand and communicating often to keep our city safe. Council needs to send a clear message that Charlotte will deal severely with those who wish our community harmed.
How can people learn more about you and your campaign?
Contact me at: timlewis72@yahoo.com, message me on Facebook or give me a call, (517) 541-0598.
Yvonne Ridge
Age: 53
Occupation: Benefits Specialist, Eaton County, City of Charlotte Council Member District 1
Family: Married 24 years to Wayne Ridge; five wonderful adult children – DJ, Eric, Shalyne, Jenae and Hailee; two beautiful granddaughters – Julia and Cadence
Why are you running for this position?
I want to help create a viable, safe and economically strong community. I recognize we have issues we struggle with, but I am a problem-solver. I want to be a part of the solution, bringing people together, working with citizens and addressing the tough issues we may have as a city.
What makes you qualified to represent the citizens of Charlotte?
I have the leadership ability and experience to work with citizens and other leaders towards the best solutions for Charlotte. I am accessible, engaged, active and committed to focusing on the issues most important to residents. My city council experience, my over 20 years of experience in local government, my education, my participation and leadership in various community organizations, has prepared me to be Mayor.
I also hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management, Spring Arbor University and a Master in Public Administration, Northern Michigan University
What are three key concerns facing your district and how can they be addressed?
- Roads — We need to continue to look for ways to repair our roads. Other communities have used monies from the Michigan Department of Transportation, such as Transportation Alternatives, Rural Task Force and Small Urban Task. Other options are Bonding and State funding such as Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The City is currently utilizing TIP funds; typically received every three years. The city also receives approximately $300,000 per year from the Eaton County Road Millage. I plan to actively explore any and all funding sources available to the City.
- Economic Development — I plan to develop new strategies for economic success by designing and building a solid planning, zoning and an economic development foundation to attract new business and help existing employers to grow. Charlotte has great potential and needs to capitalize on its assets. There are several programs offered by the state that provide tools to improve communities. We need to take advantage of the opportunities offered and work together to achieve success.
- Civic Engagement — Civic engagement requires asking meaningful questions of citizens and engaging in a productive discussion. I plan to listen and learn from citizens. My plan is to set goals and objectives for the future. I want see City Council, Staff and Citizens all working to together to accomplish great things in Charlotte.
How can people learn more about you and your campaign?
Facebook – Yvonne Ridge for Mayor; Email – YvonneRidgeForMayor@gmail.com; Phone – 517-231-0552
Zachary Craig Story
Age: 24
Occupation: MSU Student
Family:
Why are you running for this position?
I was born and raised in Charlotte, making it very close to my heart. I chose to run for Mayor because I saw Charlotte deteriorating over the years, and I could no longer watch our city deteriorate without speaking up. I want to give our citizens a better community to live, work, and play in. The people of Charlotte are who I’m running for.
What makes you qualified to represent the citizens of Charlotte?
I have dedicated my time over the past 19 months studying Charlotte’s government. I attended 30 out of 33 straight city council meetings spanning from February 2014 to June 2015. The point of attending all those city council meetings was to learn exactly how Charlotte was functioning leading up to the election. From my observations of council, I have formed many ideas on how we can improve city business and conduct ourselves in a more efficient and effective manner. In addition to my time spent observing council, I am studying Political Science at MSU. In the past, I served on the James Madison Student Senate at MSU, and as Co Student Council President at CHS.
What are three key concerns facing your district and how can they be addressed?
- Roads — We improve our local roads by cutting wasteful spending from the budget and investing it in roads. I want us to focus on the downtown blocks of Lovett Street and all of State Street in the first year. Fixing those two roads will dramatically improve the overall appearance and functionality of our city. A better long-term road plan than the one council has in place needs to be deliberated by council, starting day one.
- Fiscal Responsibility — The new council must be proactive and lead budget discussions. Each and every city council meeting should have a dedicated time to dissect and discuss the budget, focusing on the effectiveness of various city procedures and programs. While money isn’t everything, it needs to be spent properly before ever coming to the taxpayers for a tax. I would not vote for tax increases.
- Transparency — I want to build a better relationship between the public and their Mayor. All city business would be conducted in the open. Meetings will be recorded and posted online where criticism is not only welcome, but appreciated. The Mayor works for everyone in Charlotte.
How can people learn more about you and your campaign?
I have a campaign page available to view at, www.facebook.com/storyformayor. You may also email me at my personal email, storyzach@gmail.com.
