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Portage City Council
Kalamazoo City Transit Authority Proposal
Portage City Council
4-year term—Elect 3
Q1 Citizens and elected officials often cite the need for improved intergovernmental cooperation. What progress has been made and where would you target other specific areas as opportunities for our local governments to work together in order to improve services and/or save costs? [70 word limit]
Q2 Describe the three most important steps that should be taken in Portage to meet the commitments made through the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which is intended to combat global warming? [70 word limit]
Q3 How will you guide the City Council’s response to the Portage 2025 Visioning project as it proceeds to adoption and implementation? [70 word limit]
Q4 What are the dimensions of diversity in the population of Portage to which the Council should pay attention? What strategies should the Council should adopt to welcome diverse populations? [70 word limit]
Q5 Which of your strengths or talents especially qualify you to be a member of the City Council/Mayor of Portage? [70 word limit]
Cory Bailes
Age 48. 7816 Kingston Dr. Technical Support and Inside Sales, Purity Cylinder Gases, Inc. Graduate, Lakeview H.S., Battle Creek. Attended Kellogg Community College. Portage Human Services Board member since January 2004. Human Services Board Chair since October 2006. Portage 2025 Visioning Project, human services co-chair. Member, Portage Moose Lodge #88
1. A great deal of progress made has been in continuing and expanding the dialog with other government entities. Projects such as diversity training, fire protection, traffic enforcement and infrastructure improvement coordination have attributed to this. These examples and many more should continue between Council, administration and other local governments, and as long as they are prudent and reflect sound fiscal planning in future City of Portage budgets, cost savings can be achieved.
2. Help educate the citizens, public schools, businesses and industry about reducing global warming pollution. Adopt and enforce land use policies to preserve open green space and create urban communities that take advantage of bicycle trails and public transit. Promote building practices that use the U.S. Green Council’s LEED Program or a similar program.
3. Reminding Council, administration, and the city boards and commissions of the vision statements and goals that were proposed in the 2025 Visioning Project by the citizens of Portage that volunteered to participate.
4. In my opinion, a growing Hispanic/Latino population, inter-generational families such as grandparents raising grandchildren and children caring for aging and/or disabled parents, and low to very low income families. I believe some of the strategies Council could adopt would be bilingual city and social services, collaboration between PCOC and the Senior Center, more housing programs and support of mixed income and mixed use residential developments.
5. The strengths that qualify me for Portage City Council are excitement and determination. After moving to Portage several years ago, I was excited by the opportunities for citizen involvement in the schools, city government and community outreach. I chose a volunteer citizen board and the 2025 Visioning Project as avenues to contribute. With the experience I gained, I became more determined to volunteer for the citizens of Portage in as many ways as possible.
Elizabeth Campbell
Age 36. 10548 Abigail St. Officer/Branch Manager, Keystone Community Bank. Attended Angling Road Elementary and West Middle. Graduate, Portage Northern H.S. Portage resident, 27 yrs. Banking industry experience, 17 yrs. Active volunteer for Portage. Board member, Portage Rotary; classroom volunteer, Junior Achievement; vice chairperson, Portage Planning Commission.
1. Intergovernmental cooperation is very important for our region. We need to look at how to reduce costs. We should look to the school system to see what services we might be able to combine in order for both groups to save money. With the schools having a decrease in funding, there are ways we can help the school out as well as save money for Portage.
2. In order to meet the commitments made through the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement that will combat global warming Portage should: (a) Install LED bulbs in traffic signals. (b) Change to energy efficiency measures in city buildings, auto lighting systems, renewable energy. (c) Implement Green Roof Programs, these would allow reduction in energy consumption for heating and cooling costs of a building while also reducing stormwater run-off.
3. The City of Portage is already starting to implement parts of the Portage 2025 Visioning Project through the Comprehensive Plan update that the Planning Commission is working on. I was a co-chair on the Economic Development Committee for 2025 so I have first-hand knowledge of what residents would like for their city. Portage needs to continue working on the great ideas that were formed during the 2025 process.
4. The dimensions of diversity in Portage’s population that Council needs to pay attention are senior citizens, youth and low-income residents. The senior city population is growing each year with the aging of baby boomers. The youth in Portage need safe and nurturing places to go before and after school. The low income population in Portage is growing, and we need to accommodate and help those that are in need.
5. My strengths that would qualify me to be on City Council are that I am a devoted person who puts others’ needs before my own. I am an advocate for the motto “Service above Self.” I am committed, honest and very active in our community. Being a lifelong Portage resident I am passionate about our city and promise to be a voice for all our residents.
Larry DeShazor
Age 48. 3082 Muirfield Dr. Team Manager, State Farm Insurance Companies. B.S., business administration, U of New Orleans. Portage City Councilmember. Married to Yvon; two sons, one granddaughter. Attends Saint Catherine of Siena and Kalamazoo Valley Family churches. Member: Rotary International, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association; pilot; golfer, camper. Chair, Boost Michigan Kids Coalition. Served on Portage Economic Development Corporation, Blue Ribbon Committee for Portage Public Schools, Portage 2025 Visioning Project and many civic advisory boards and committees. www.deshazor.com
1. Recently Portage joined The Southwest Michigan Alliance, an initiative aimed at securing support for regional transportation priorities (specifically, the continued widening of I-94 from 9th St. to Sprinkle Rd.), improving Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, and obtaining state and federal support for WMU. Michigan’s economic turnaround depends upon investing in cities: rapid transit; parks; and a developmental housing plan that highlights environmental conservation, farmland preservation and energy efficiency.
2. (a) Track global warming emissions in city operations and the community, set reduction targets, and create an action plan. (b) Increase alternative energy use by investing in advocacy for renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production and supporting waste-to-energy technology. (c) Maintain urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and absorb CO2. (d) Adopt land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space and create compact walkable communities.
3. (a) Incorporate long-term goals into Comprehensive Plan. (b) Expand pedestrian and bike trails, including connections from Northwest Milham to Osterhout to Southwest bikeway. (c) Continue burying overhead wires underground along major roadways. (d) Adapt new technologies when appropriate. (e) Promote Metro transit service. (f) Create an endowment for Summer Entertainment Series. Continue Winter Entertainment Series, e.g., Winterfest, Haunted Forest and Christmas Lighting. Consider expanding activities during seasonal school breaks.
4. The City of Portage has had a 10% population increase since 1990. As our residents age, housing demands require public and private sector resources and expertise. We must redesign our neighborhood housing stock to maintain quality of life. We must evaluate part-time employment and leisure activity opportunities, safety and security, healthcare availability and public transportation accessibility.
5. (a) I have focused on substance and have not attempted to mesmerize our citizens with style. I have obtained results needed to maintain the quality of life in Portage. It is hands-on experience in government that make me uniquely qualified. (b) I have vowed never to tell the public what they want to hear but instead give them information necessary to make good quality decisions about their lives. Straight talk about real issues is what is needed.
Tom Fox
Age 64. 1330 E. Osterhout Ave. Director of Finance and Personnel, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Bachelor’s degree, Albion College; Master’s degree, MSU. Married 41 yrs, 4 children, 5 grandchildren. United States Air Force, financial management, 27 yrs active duty; KIA, 13 yrs. Volunteer work: United Way, Gryphon Place, Portage Community Outreach Center, Kalamazoo Country Day School, Kiwanis, Pretty Lake Vacation Camp, Portage Planning Commission, Portage Human Services Board, Visioning 2025. www.foxforportage.blogspot.com
1. (a) Communication vital. New Council and Kalamazoo Commission meet informally, get acquainted—establishing relationship. Existing mutual fire support agreement among four governments is important. Shared hazard waste collection. Mayors meeting with prospective business relocations is significant. (b) Share backroom operations like payroll, purchasing. (c) Visioning said consider swimming pool and performance theater in future. Explore with Portage Schools joint funding of construction, operations. Use year round. Shared is less expensive to taxpayer.
2. (a) Portage should establish baseline inventory of global warming emissions from City operations and community. Then set reduction targets to be implemented in the Capital Improvement Program and through tax abatements. (b) Bicycle and pedestrian trails should be expanded to reduce emissions and promote fitness; more trees planted for shade and absorbing CO2. (c) Consideration of Energy Star equipment and appliances should be mandatory for City purchases.
3. As Portage Planning Commission chairman, I am ensuring that goals are included in the five-year Comprehensive Plan currently being revised. As Councilman, I will expect to see ordinance changes implementing the Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, I will look for goals being funded in the annual city budget and that specific projects are included in annual updates to the Capital Improvement Program, Recreation and Open Space Plan, and Major Thoroughfare Plan.
4. Council must pay attention to all diversity dimensions of Portage citizens. Individual worth is important, regardless of type or level of employment skill, race, gender and other factors which differentiate us from one another. Through an approach of sincere inclusiveness, Council members will strive to ensure needs are being heard. Council meetings offer opportunities for citizens to speak. Appointments to advisory boards and commissions must reflect our diverse citizens.
5. Demonstrated leadership as a colonel and as Planning Commission chairman will help me put forth programs and solutions for Council consideration. My significant volunteer experience proves my ability to work with peers toward a shared objective, in this case making decisions which best serve the long-term health of the city and its many stakeholders. I listen to all input, analyze, then decide without self-serving motives.
Margaret E. O’Brien
Age 33. 1625 Bellaire. Realtor®, RE/MAX Advantage. B.A., international relations, James Madison College, MSU. Graduate, Michigan Political Leadership Program, MSU. Portage City Councilwoman. Social worker & administrator, Catholic Family Services, 1995–2003. Kalamazoo County committees: Environmental Health Advisory Committee, vice chair; Sanitary Code. Chair, Portage Affordable Housing Committee. Public Policy Committee, Michigan Association of Realtors®. Member: Kalamazoo Valley Family Church, Greater Kalamazoo Association of Homebuilders. Volunteer: youth athletics, poverty and children ages 0–5 issues, business organizations. www.obrienforportage.com
1. During the last four years, Portage has worked with multiple municipalities to find opportunities to work together. Portage, City of Kalamazoo and Texas Township, to name a few, have all signed agreements providing back-up fire protection and unique services or equipment to each other. This has saved money as Portage (and the surrounding area) has not needed to acquire costly new fire equipment while delivering a better service.
2. Portage has successfully worked to protect the environment through (a) Promoting Bicycle Trails; Portage leads the area in non-motorized trails and continues to expand this. (b) Recycling; Portage property owners pay a millage that provides residential curbside recycling. (c) Walkable communities; Portage regularly analyzes how to improve trails and sidewalks to better serve the community. Additionally, I worked with area leaders to develop and fund a program to clean up methamphetamine-contaminated homes.
3. The City Council met in August to incorporate the 2025 goals into the Council’s annual goals. The council identified long- and short-term actions. I will continue to look to this document as a guide both when setting annual goals and when encouraging growth in our community. Because of this process, several businesses have already voluntarily implemented 2025 ideas.
4. As a Council, we have worked to ensure a diversified economic base. This focus has been the anchor of our community. As various companies have downsized or left, there have been new business or expansion that has offset the loss. Portage continues to invest in infrastructure, resulting in an equal opportunity for businesses wishing to expand or locate here.
5. I have been thoughtful, independent and effective during my time on Council. I have been willing to stand alone on issues, like special assessments. I am open to thinking outside the box and to try new ideas. I have tackled numerous issues, locally and statewide, to better our community. My experience in the social services, government and business sectors allows me to see many viewpoints when making a decision.