What's in this Guide
Portage City Council
Portage City Council & Mayor of Portage
- Why are you running for Portage City Council / Mayor of Portage? What is the most significant accomplishment you hope to make during your term on the Council? [100 words]
- What are the most positive characteristics or qualities of Portage—ones that attract people and businesses and keep them here? How should the Council capitalize on them? [90 words]
- What are the roles of the City and Council members to ensure that children residing in the community are safe, healthy and educated? [90 words]
- What is the condition of the city infrastructure—basic physical structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, utilities, etc.)? What actions are needed by the Council in the coming two years to protect or improve them? [90 words]
Portage City Council
Four-year term Vote for not more than 3
Cory A. Bailes
Age 52. 2309 Beethoven Ave. Purity Cylinder Gases, Inc., 24 yrs, Inside Sales and Technical Support. Education: Kellogg Community College; Lakeview H.S., Battle Creek. Portage City Council, 2010–present; Portage Planning Commission, 2008–2010; Human Services co-chair, Portage 2025 Visioning Project; chair, Portage Human Services; board member, Portage Human Services. Married 9 yrs to Sarah; 3 adult children. Portage resident since 2001.
- I have been a civic volunteer in Portage since moving here in 2001. After seeing the commitment of the City Hall staff and Council members, I wanted to be a part of serving my community. Serving on City Council will allow me to increase my involvement and commitment to the citizens of Portage. I would like to be a part of managing revenue in the city, maintaining the economic vitality and health of Portage by using our citizen’s funds wisely.
- Portage has a host of positive characteristics such as schools, fiscal policies, infrastructure, parks, natural resources and cultural diversity. I feel that Council can capitalize on all of these by maintaining sound fiscal policies and infrastructure including roads, water, sewer and parks. The engagement of the citizens on all issues will maintain and improve our city.
- The City and Council members should promote programs that benefit all the members of our community including children and young adults. The Youth Advisory Council is one of Council’s initiatives. Continued support of the Portage Community Center by the city and citizens will allow programs such as K–12 tutoring and after school and summer activities for middle school students, substance abuse awareness, and volunteer programs to thrive and grow.
- I feel that the basic condition of the infrastructure in Portage is very good. The roads, utilities and city buildings are all well-maintained. The coming years should have emphasis on the maintenance of these structures and facilities. Regular maintenance will keep these assets in exceptional condition and forestall the need for major replacement expense as a result of neglect.
Elizabeth Campbell
Age 40. 10548 Abigail St. Branch Manager, Horizon Bank, Portage. Lifelong City of Portage resident. Graduate: KVCC, Portage Northern H.S. Have been in banking for 21 yrs; elected to Portage City Council in November 2007. Member, Portage Rotary; very active in community events, as well as with son’s activities.
- I was first elected to Portage City Council in November 2007. I decided to run for re-election because there are many things that our Council will need to address in the coming months and years that we will need qualified, experienced people to help with. The most significant accomplishment that I have had these past 4 years has been being a key voice of reducing non-essential spending within the city. I have been a fierce advocate of reducing costs where we can so that city services will not need to be cut when times get bad.
- The most positive characteristics of Portage are our location as well as the great school system and all the amenities that we have to offer. We have 7 lakes and 12 parks within our city limits not to mention the miles of trails. The City can continue its relationship with the school board and administration and make sure that we can collaborate when convenient for both. The Council and City also can continue to market our trails, parks and lakes for all residents to use and enjoy.
- The roles that the City and Council need to play to ensure the safety, health and education of children in our city are continued partnership with schools in regards to educating our youth. As well as making sure that our police force is adequately staffed so that there are enough officers to ensure the safety of our residents. We also need to ensure the health of all our residents whether it is through socio-economic education or ensuring the Parks Department has programs that will help motivate and exercise our kids’ minds and bodies.
- The condition of the City’s infrastructure is pretty good. Most major thoroughfares are in decent shape with some secondary roads needing work however, those are addressed in the City’s comprehensive plan and should be taken care of in the next 10 years. The buildings are in nice shape with the exception of the Senior Center. That facility is being used to its fullest capacity and then some. I would like for this structure to be expanded when there are adequate funds to do so.
Jim Pearson
Age 55. 3004 East Shore Dr. Clinical Research Scientist, Pfizer. Ph.D., biochemistry, Purdue U. Neighborhood, City and County Board/Commission experience. Volunteer for many community outreach activities and events. Special Deputy, Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Dept. and Water Safety & Recovery Dive Team; Vice Chairman, Portage Planning Commission; Portage Rotary; Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Advisory Council; Austin Lake Board of Directors; former Chairman, Portage Zoning Board of Appeals. www.pearson4portage.com
- I’d like to serve on Council to implement our vision for re-development and creation of a City Centre Area. It will allow for living space above small shops and restaurants, day/night gathering places and a “walkable” downtown destination. Local jobs will be created! I’ve been a Planning Commissioner for the last 4 years influencing ordinance changes to promote small business job creation. This includes lowering costs for small business owners at the site plan level. I want my most significant Council accomplishment to be doing everything I can to make the City Centre Area plan a reality.
- Friendly neighborhoods and highly rated schools are the most positive characteristics that attract people to live in Portage. Excellent shopping and restaurants bring visitors to Portage for leisure. Council can capitalize on this by linking the South Westnedge business corridor with the newly zoned City Centre Area and Mixed Use “floating” districts. New ordinance amendments allow the Council to work with developers on an individual basis. This in turn will create jobs and needed tax-base growth. We must travel this path for economic vitality.
- Safe—Our public safety staff partners with the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force to facilitate drug awareness. Staff must work with the Board of Education for prevention of bullying and ensuring that streets near schools are in good repair and cleared of snow. Healthy—Continue funding medical/dental services for disadvantaged families at our civic jewel, the Portage Community Center. Educated— Increase direct communication between Council and Board of Education to ensure that the needs of our children are directly addressed by elected officials.
- Buildings and utilities are in adequate shape. The condition of our roads is a concern. In 2005 Portage major streets were rated 72% Good, 28% Fair and 0% Poor. In 2009 major streets were rated 41% Good, 35% Fair and 24% Poor. That’s huge increase in major streets rated Poor. By the way, local streets rated Poor increased from 1% to 13% in the same time period. Road conditions continue to decline, and now citizens have the numbers. Clearly, more funds need to be redirected to street improvements.
Patricia M. Randall
Age 48. 6702 Oleander Ln. Mother, wife, Portage City Council, Community volunteer. B.B.A., finance, WMU, 1985; Mattawan H.S., 1981. Worked in banking and managed First Union Mortgage, 1985–1989; elected to Mattawan School Board, 1995–1996; elected to Portage City Council, 2009–present; currently serving on Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Advisory Committee. Board member: Catholic Family Services, St. Thomas More Parish. Master Gardener at C.H.U.M. Food Bank garden. patriciamrandall.com
- I will continue to deliver on my promise to ensure each Portage resident fair and accurate property taxes, customer service that exceeds expectations, and true openness and transparency. I did prove that thousands of assessments changed during the years 2000–2007. New software or not, we have an obligation to reassess inflated assessments to accurately reflect real market values. Fixing incorrect values one by one thru the Board of Review, does not help the community at large and creates more non uniformity.
- Attractions to Portage are well-maintained, safe neighborhoods, strong schools which offer academic and athletic opportunities, focus on healthy living and recreation with bike trails, bike lanes and abundant parks. We can best capitalize on our strengths by offering our youth reasons to stay and invest in our community, thru good jobs and affordable cost of living. To attract businesses, we must focus on simplifying ordinances, professionalizing enforcement and establish real benchmarks to effectively measure our progress with each.
- Appropriate law enforcement levels and robust businesses are key to steady jobs, safe schools and neighborhoods Portage families expect and deserve. As elected leaders of our community, we need to work with and support our school boards and administrators to better serve the citizens of Portage.
- Portage is a relatively young community, therefore, is not saddled with an aging, crumbling infrastructure mature cities face. We need to maintain the infrastructure we already have and do it in a fiscally responsible way. We need to continue to work with the Michigan Department of Transportation to preserve and restore our roads thru cost sharing opportunities. Intergovernmental cooperation and coordination is a must in the current economic climate.
Mayor of Portage
Two-year term Vote for 1
Peter J. Strazdas
Age 53. 7130 Crown Pointe Circle. Associate Vice President Facilities Management, WMU. Master’s degree, WMU, 1980. WMU Assistant Professor, 1980–90; WMU Construction Administrator, 1990–95; WMU Plant Administrator, 1995–2009; Associate VP Facilities Management, 2009–present; various Portage Boards and Committees, 1989–94; Planning Commission, 1994–2001; City Council, 2001–05; Mayor three terms, 2005–present; Michigan OSHA Commission, 1994–2009; President COG, 2010; 32 yrs of volunteer service to the region and City of Portage.
- To maintain the economic vitality and quality of life in our city. We must continue to diversify our tax base and foster a positive business environment. The City needs to leverage our low millage rate, high quality of life, great secondary and higher education opportunities, and utility infrastructure. In doing so, we will attract businesses, support their growth, and create a positive economic environment for the region. The Council will be challenged to maintain services as property values and State support continue to decline. Regional cooperation opportunities that make sense must be explored.
- Portage’s greatest assets include an excellent school district, one of the best road and utility systems, a safe community with a responsive police and fire service, wonderful parks and trails for recreation, strong neighborhoods, and excellent shopping and dining. These quality of life characteristics are the reason so many people and businesses have located in Portage. It needs to be leveraged in an appropriate manner to support our pressing issues—job creation and a stable economic base.
- One of the basic fundamentals of a City and its elected leaders is to provide a safe environment for our citizens. For many years I sponsored an essay contest, in cooperation with the schools and District Library, at Thanksgiving for the youth in our community. They have consistently mentioned how safe they feel in Portage and the quality of their education experience. We need to be diligent and continue to focus on our youth. Furthermore, the City needs to look at additional ways to collaborate with the School District.
- The City’s infrastructure is in better condition than our peers. However, with reductions in property values and State and Federal support for local roads, there will be more challenges to maintain our physical assets. Raising taxes is not the answer. We need to expand our tax base and leverage the municipal infrastructure we already have in place for growth. Using best management practices, technology, and strategic investments, the City can be good stewards of these assets. We must also think long term with our aging systems.