How are you qualified to serve Cascade Township as an elected official?

My experience and commitment—in business, neighborhoods, Forest Hills schools, our church, and working for the township—have always focused on enhancing our community and providing more responsive government for everyone. That includes residents and businesses.

I have worked on township issues for economic and business development, better parks, budget control, improvement of roads and pedestrian paths, fire and police services, our ordinances, and walkable areas in the community.  I have worked on Cascade’s 10-Year Master Plan (twice), The “Facilities and Services” Study, the Township Survey sent to all residents, as well as the DDA’s “Safe Streets” plan.

With township Treasurer Ken Peirce, I spearheaded the Letter to Residents from the Board on how our tax dollars are used, exactly how they are allocated, and how they compare to other municipalities.  Please see that Letter from the Board at this link:

https://www.cascadetwp.org/Reference-Desk/Newsletter/2019/Special-Edition.aspx

EXPERIENCE in various committees and Boards is extremely valuable in seeing all sides of various issues, ESPECIALLY experience with Cascade Township.  My experiences include:

• Co-author of a 1.2 million dollar grant to the State of MI that helped Cascade Township acquire land for Peace Park
• Member of the Parks Committee
• 6 years on the Township Board
• 9 years on the Cascade Planning Commission (3 as Chair)
• 6 years on the Zoning Board of Appeals (2 as Chair)
• 2 years on the Downtown Development Authority
• Management of the Open Space millage campaign that secured Burton Park and Peace Park
• Work (twice) on the 10-year Cascade Township Master Plan and DDA Master Plan
• Member of the Cascade Infrastructure Committee and Public Safety Advisory Council
• Business Owner in Cascade
• Member of the Land Protection Committee for the West MI Land Conservancy
• Board Member of the Mary Free Bed YMCA in Cascade
• Member of the Haiti Committee and Pastoral Council at St. Robert Church

What have you accomplished for Cascade?

Community involvement and RESULTS are very important, so my activities have been driven by a passion to accomplish constructive things, not complain about things.  Starting in 2000, I rallied with hundreds of residents to either preserve the Camelback Bridge or create a new bridge with a path over the river.  The Camelback Bridge was registered on the National Register of Historic Places. I organized a group and we gathered 1,000 voter signatures to present to the Kent County Road Commission.  After three years of effort, our group of residents worked together with the Township and the Road Commission to arrive at a new Camelback bridge and a pedestrian path over the river.  The Kent County Road Commission invited me to speak at the ribbon cutting ceremony in November, 2004, to talk about the results.  Soon afterward the Township Supervisor invited me to join the Planning Commission.

The RESULT of the following is that we now have Burton Park and Peace Park as two jewels in Cascade.  That took years of effort.  In 2005-2008, “open space” became a big issue, but there was no plan to identify, prioritize, and acquire land.  Working with current Supervisor Rob Beahan, a small group of residents met for three years and started the Cascade Township Open Space Committee. In 2008 with support from the township and Nature Conservancy, I co-authored a 1.2 million dollar grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.  I went to Lansing and presented our grant to authorities. Working with the “Cascade Open Space” Committee, the township, and many concerned residents and neighborhoods, I led a millage campaign for Open Space in 2008.  This OVERWHELMINGLY won the votes of residents.

RESULTS have been fiscal responsibility and a better environment. I have strongly supported fiscal responsibility, which our Finance Committee has accomplished mostly thanks to Jim Koessel and Ken Peirce.  Cascade has a AAA bond rating, one of only a handful of government entities in the state with such a high rating.  We have successfully managed our pension fund liability and converted new and recent employees to a self-funded retirement plan enhanced by the township.

I attended several airport meetings to review plans for airport de-icing runoff that was going to go directly into the Thornapple River, and strongly supported township funding and creation of a baseline water quality study of the Thornapple River, which the township continues to monitor and support.  Cascade Township’s involvement got the airport to change its plans.  Instead of directly piping de-icing runoff into the river, the airport created a natural filtration system.

I also chair our Infrastructure Committee (roads, water, sewer, buildings and grounds) and serve on the Public Advisory Safety Committee for Fire, Police, and First Responders.  Our highly respected Fire Chief, Adam Magers, and his team provide world-class service to our residents.  These are just a few examples of being involved in dozens of Cascade projects and working for positive results.

What is your personal background?

I have lived in Cascade for 35 years with my wife, Dawn, who is a consultant for Forest Hills Public Schools and was formerly the president of the Thornapple Elementary PTO. Dawn also teaches religion classes for 2^nd graders.  We have one son.

After graduating from EMU in 1977, I was an English teacher in Japan for three years and then travelled around the world.  In the early 1980’s I went to work for IBM for 11 years.  Since then   I have had my own software and consulting business (which is in Cascade).  That has helped me to understand issues about payroll, benefits, work environments, and the importance of happy personnel!  We are members of St. Robert church, where I serve on the Pastoral Council and the Haiti Committee.  I have been to Haiti four times, primarily to meet with our sister church and meet with the schools and hundreds of students we sponsor in Haiti.  I am also a member of the Land Protection Committee of the West Michigan Land Conservancy and on the Board for the Mary Free Bed YMCA in Cascade.

For over 20 years I have pursued issues and actions to BENEFIT Cascade residents and businesses.  I led the 2008 millage campaign with other dedicated Cascade residents that RESULTED in Burton Park and Peace Park.  I co-authored the Cascade Township grant to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund that awarded Cascade $1.2 million dollars for Peace Park.  I also support the Cascade Community Foundation, Cascade Historical Society, and have been in the Superintendant’s Circle for Forest Hills Public Schools.