COMMUNICATIONS 

One of the key areas of my work over a lifetime has been communications.  Muskegon County is in major need of communications improvements on so many different levels.  We need to improve how the County Commission Meetings are recorded and viewed.  I along with my company have been the care takers of Muskegon Public Television for a few years now.  We have the City of Muskegon Meetings televised, streamed and archived with the properly needed closed captioning and on demand replays on multiple platforms.  Helping residents see and hear their elected officials work for them is an incredible way to bring transparency and accountability.

Along with visual communications, our county needs to improve communications in a few other ways.  We need to address communications between the county and municipalities, municipalities and their residents and most of all, we need to establish a robust and well known emergency communications plan for all of our residents in the event of the unthinkable should a disaster happen.  We have elements in place, but I don’t believe the awareness is anywhere near to what it should be and preparedness is paramount.  Clear, consistent and transparent messaging is missing and it’s a key piece to building trust. 

EQUALITY AMONG MUNICIPALITIES 

In my work, one of the most resounding and constant things I hear is that no matter where you are in Muskegon County, people feel left out.  It’s the same echo from the inner city as it is in the rural community.  Personally, this has been a task I have put a lot toward working to bring inclusion, and there are parts of this county who will literally shy away because they would “rather do it on their own”.  Well, to me…it’s an understood mindset, but it doesn’t get anyone very far.  What the county offers is open to any municipality.  Bringing County services out to the rural areas for those who don’t wish to travel or are limited in there ability is a priority that should be afforded equally to all residents. 

Quality of Life

There’s no mistaking that this county is growing.  It’s in that growth that we have the opportunity to assure that the quality of life remains or improves for all of our residents as it does.  Making sure that opportunity for growth is presented for those who wish to grow is sensible and beneficial to all is a key, but it’s also imperative that we respect those who want to farm and enjoy the rural settings of their community.  Even in the areas that want to see little change, the ideas of new parks, improved local municipal protection from emergency services and helping make sure that the Muskegon County Senior Millage continues to thrive for the residents that need it will be part of what I hope to accomplish. 

Our Perception

This one is personal.  I will continue to work to show the rest of the community, the rest of West Michigan and the rest of the world the value and purpose of Muskegon.  I have been at this since the first day I came to town to be on the radio, and even then, I didn’t know how this entire county would change my life for the better in every way.  The way we are “seen” isn’t a fair assessment and the outside looking in doesn’t isolate one “bad neighborhood” from anywhere else in this County.  All ships rise together and to carry that message of our value, or beliefs and our contributions to the whole of West Michigan and the State….I am the first to grab a bull horn.  I am also the first to understand that areas need attention.  The overwhelming feeling of “unheard” in Muskegon County needs to be corrected, and I believe I can help there.

Municipal Aid

 Have you ever noticed how fire departments respond to calls when they are needed in joining neighborhoods?  It’s called municipal aid and I’ll work to find ways to make that happen between more than just police and fire.  We have the ability for our area municipal organizations to work together and remain their own entity.  It can be as simple as filling pot holes in an adjoining neighborhood if there’s any leftover on the back or the truck or working to share equipment, people and resources when there’s need.  It’s a heavy goal, with a lot of moving pieces, but it’s not impossible…and we can come together and get it done.