By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR – Fourteen candidates, including four incumbents, are vying for seven seats on the city council, with the election filling the seventh seat that has been vacant for nearly a year.
Incumbents running for re-election include Jill Brandana, Tina Daniels, Charley Johnson and Lindsey Rose.
Newcomers running for one of the seven seats on the council include Christian M. Armstrong, Chris Clark, Daniel Dobbins, Christine Gersky, Justin Mordarski, William Patts, Richard Pratt, Ron Thiede, Gerald P. Thomas and Dan Wallace.
Herman “Butch” Ramik, who is currently challenging Tim Woolley for the mayoral spot, resigned from the city council when Wayne County Commissioner Ray Basham nominated him to succeed him upon his retirement. However, Ramik was passed over for the appointment when the commission broke with tradition and selected former Taylor City Councilmember and former state Rep. Alex Garza for the commission position.
Since then, the city council, which declined to reseat Ramik, has been unable to muster enough votes to elect a replacement for the vacant seat.
Each candidate running for council was asked to provide an introduction and to explain their priorities if elected to the council.
Christian Armstrong
I represent a new era for Taylor, with no-nonsense leadership and real change.
For too long, our city has been plagued by corruption, backroom deals and politicians who put themselves before the people they serve. We’ve seen unethical business practices thriving, leaders sent to prison and a divided council that fails to deliver real results. Taylor deserves better.
I’m running for Taylor City Council because it’s time to clean up our government and build a future of which we can be proud.
My platform is simple but powerful.
There must be an end to corruption and back door deals. No more unethical practices. Just honest leadership that puts residents first.
We need to keep our city safe with smart investments in public safety and crime prevention.
The people of Taylor deserve accountability and transparency, with leaders that answer to them and not public interests.
We need to invest in parks and recreation, because well-maintained parks and recreation programs help keep our children and families safe, foster community pride and create spaces where everyone can thrive.
Enough with the gridlock: we need to get things done. It’s time for action, not excuses.
Jill Brandana
It has been a pleasure serving Taylor residents for 12 years as chair pro tem of the Taylor City Council. I am running for city council again to continue my efforts to make Taylor a better, more affordable place to live and work.
Since returning to the Council in 2021, I have found that the checks and balances that a mayor and city council form of government affords have been set aside for the most part. For example, our city charter mandates that the city council approves all contracts for services and any expenditures exceeding $2000. These measures are in place to avoid your tax dollars being spent without the consent of the majority of the city council and perhaps to avoid the cost of unnecessary litigation.
We are currently in the process of using the last of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 money, COVID-19 stimulus funds we received from the federal government. Therefore, the new city council will need to work hard to scrutinize and prioritize spending practices going forward to ensure that taxes will not be raised to pay for necessary public services. I would like to be part of working with a new council to restore balance and prioritize the allocation of our tax dollars.
My top priorities include continued allocation of funds for public safety, such as police and fire, and public works, which include water, trash collection and road maintenance. Any discretionary spending should include maintenance of our deteriorating roads and aging infrastructure, and any other additional funding should be used to increase police presence in our neighborhoods.
I would also like to revisit our bidding process and revise or create ordinances that would better serve residents.
My biggest priority though, if re-elected, is to continue to do my best to represent your interests by making sure we are not spending more than we can afford.
Chris Clark
Chris Clark has been a resident of Taylor his entire 41 years. He attended McDowell Elementary and in 2002 graduated from Baptist Park High School. After high school he attended Henry Ford College for a year before going into the trades. He currently works as a sider for a Downriver business, and is a partner in a local honey business.
Aside from work, Clark is raising three children and attends Victory Baptist Church in Taylor. In his free time, he enjoys riding his motorcycle, tending to his garden, taking hikes through nature and getting involved in community events.
He has been a strong advocate for a responsible local government that puts its residents first. He has decided to run for city council to become part of the solution. He wants to ensure that his family and friends within the city are represented well and have a safe, clean and enjoyable place to live.
Clark is the second youngest candidate on the ballot. He would like to bring common sense solutions, accountability, and transparency to the decisions made within the city. He encourages voters to visit his website at chrisclarkforcouncil.com and to reach out to him with any questions or concerns.
If elected, Clark said he will work with other city councilmembers and the mayor to resolve the embarrassing predatory towing practices that have been taking advantage of constituents for too long.
He will work to lower property taxes, will always protect property rights, and will support police and fire departments to keep our communities safe.
Clark will work toward long-lasting investments into infrastructure and green spaces, and is committed to transparency and accountability with respect to all city matters.
He wants a responsible budget with a residents first approach, and would like to develop a youth advisory council to hear from the next generation of leaders who care for the city.
Tina Daniels
As a lifelong resident and a Taylor homeowner, I have seen firsthand the lack of transparency, accountability and the very limited checks and balances within our city.
It is my opinion that with oversight, enforcement and updates to policies and procedures, our city administration could have drastically minimized and possibly eliminated some of the multiple lawsuits our city is currently facing. I believe that if our city policies, ordinances and state laws were followed correctly, it would have eliminated the Federal ChristNet lawsuit, and possibly eliminated or minimized the multiple lawsuits involving at least two different towing companies. Lawsuits and hiring additional law firms to handle them drive up taxpayer costs.
I believe it is time for a change. We need to have strong leadership that is not afraid to question the status quo, who will evaluate the existing systems and practices, and will identify the areas that need improvement and positive change.
I will make residents the priority. Residents need to have a voice and that is exactly why I am running.
We need to address the high property taxes, outdated city ordinances, rat infestations and conserve our green spaces.
We need to continue supporting our senior citizen services and continued improvements to our parks for all ages, ensuring quality work is being performed.
It is my belief that one of the city council’s priorities should be to update city policies, procedures and protocols, ensuring they are being followed appropriately. This will prevent legal risks, maintain consistency, and will improve, simplify and bring clarity for employees and residents.
As per the city’s current central purchasing policies, procedures and protocols, city departments must utilize the purchasing department to acquire goods and services for the city. I believe our purchasing department needs to work together with the police department to revamp the specifications and criteria required for the towing contract to make it less restrictive. This will promote competitive bidding to obtain the maximum number of responsible vendors, as stated within the city’s purchasing policy. This situation needs to be corrected in the proper way to prevent further costly lawsuits and to find companies we can trust.
Daniel Dobbins
As a lifelong Taylor resident and owner of a financial services business founded in 1955 by my parents. I graduated from Edgewood Elementary, Brake Junior High School and Taylor Center High School before earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I later completed the rigorous chartered property casualty underwriter program, and earned my law degree from the Detroit College of Law and passed the Michigan bar exam.
My solo law practice focuses on property, estate planning, probate, tax and criminal defense. I’ve appeared in court hundreds of times and also operate a registered investment advisory firm. You can learn more about my professional work at dobbinsinsurance.wordpress.com.
Public service has long been part of my life. I served as Taylor’s elected treasurer, have been a precinct delegate for 51 years, and was elected to the College of Presidential Electors in 1984, casting our district’s vote for Ronald Reagan. I’ve also run for state representative and district judge.
I’m the proud father of Glenn, a student at Henry Ford College, who has been accepted into the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s economics program. My campaign is dedicated to him.
I’m running for city council to bring informed, principled leadership to Taylor. My goal is to help the council make better decisions, improve city operations and serve residents with integrity and transparency.
My top priority is reforming Taylor’s government to better serve its citizens. After years of studying the city’s financial and council proceedings, I helped lead a 2016 ballot initiative to create a charter commission. Though the proposal narrowly failed, I was the top vote-getter for commissioner, a sign that voters are ready for change.
In 2021 I organized a campaign against the school district’s $130 million bond proposal. Despite its passage, the promised high school was never built. Now the district plans to issue debt and raise taxes without a clear plan. I believe the remaining authorization should be revoked, as the intended use violates the original ballot language. This is the kind of oversight I will bring to public issues.
My comprehensive reform agenda, TAYLOR 2.0, focuses on integrity, efficiency and respect for taxpayers. If elected, I’ll lead the fight to implement it. You can explore the full plan at faczy.short.gy/DobbinsCouncil, where I also share my political philosophy in a section called “The Soundtrack of Service.” As a trumpet player and semi-professional musician, I use music and essays to help voters understand my values beyond slogans and soundbites.
Taylor deserves a reset: one grounded in experience, transparency and a commitment to doing things right. I’m ready to lead that effort.
Christine Gersky
I am running for the Taylor City Council because I believe in building a better Taylor for all. Having spent most of my life in Taylor, and being a 1984 Taylor Center High School graduate, I take great pride in our city and want nothing but the best for everyone who lives here. I am committed to improving the quality of life and making our city a place that residents can be proud of when their family and friends visit.
One of my top priorities would be enhancing park safety and maintenance. Everyone deserves to enjoy Michigan’s beautiful weather without safety concerns. I will work to improve these issues and will lean on my fellow residents to contact me with their concerns. Concerns will be dealt with quickly.
Another top priority is improving safety at Southland Mall and other shopping centers. I “back the blue,” and a law enforcement presence will be imperative to achieve this goal. After a long day of work, some people can’t shop until evening, so evening safety is a must.
Another of my priorities is Taylor Public Library upgrades. We need more computers. We need to put an end to the lengthy sign-in process – no more 14-digit I.D. number and 4-digit PIN. The two library printers need to be more user-friendly and we need to add at least one more printer. I will work with the library personnel to achieve these goals.
Road maintenance is another top priority for me. I served on a homeowners committee at my previous residence. This issue is complex, but there are ways to resolve roadwork without burdening residents’ bank accounts.
Public safety is also a top priority for me. I have immediate family in law enforcement, and I fully support our police officers, their tireless work and the fine line they defend between peace and chaos. Police officers, firefighters and all first responders, both young and those more experienced, will be encouraged to let me know what is needed for them to do their jobs safely and efficiently, which would be a win for all.
Charley Johnson
The election is fast approaching. A multi-million-dollar lawsuit has been filed against the city by a city vendor, but towing is not the most important thing going on in the city.
Fixing the lead lines as fast as possible, to me, is the most important thing right now. Police and fire services are important. Filling empty buildings and fixing the roads are important.
Plus, maintaining a balanced budget, along with a healthy rainy-day fund is important, and we’ve been doing just those things despite the obstructionists, the no votes and the minus one council person, we still got a ton done.
For the past eight years, I have been harassed constantly, either by an attempt to remove me from the ballot, which didn’t work, by filing perjury charges and wasting taxpayer money, to constant harassment online on Facebook and at city council meetings from a person who has followed and threatened me, and even tried to recall me with bold lies. But guess what? I still do my job on the city council.
Justin Mordarski
I am a lifelong Taylor resident and the owner of a Taylor-based business. Recently, I was shocked to learn that despite having such high property taxes, the city recently posted a $2.9 million budget shortfall. Many Taylor residents, especially our senior citizens, adhere to a budget and the city needs to learn to do the same.
Taylor has been burdened with high property taxes for many years. High property taxes are one of the biggest concerns of residents, especially senior citizens and new home buyers. High property taxes can make Taylor less competitive with other communities. This can cause businesses to relocate to other cities, adding to the many vacant commercial buildings throughout Taylor.
Simply cutting the waste and abuse in Taylor government can lead to a big reduction in taxes, as can reforming the unelected, wasteful Tax Increment Finance Authority. TIFA wastes millions on projects like “Eureka Way” to build those giant blue horn-like structures at Eureka and Telegraph for no apparent reason.
Once common-sense fiscal reforms are completed, lowering taxes by $400 a year for an average homeowner is a realistic goal.
I also think the pay-to-play cycle of corruption needs to end. Unlike many of my opponents, I have never taken a donation from any towing company, not one penny. This means I work for the residents and not the special interests.
Towing cost is a big problem in Taylor and should the main priority of the newly elected council, and I plan to lead on this issue.
First, we need to establish a “Residents’ Towing Bill of Rights” that would allow residents to call their own private tow company in many circumstances. This is a large part of the towing problem here in Taylor and is never discussed at the city council meetings. Many residents have private towing service as part of their auto insurance (like AAA Road Service, for example) that will tow the resident’s vehicle for free as part of their coverage.
The concern expressed by residents is that some city of Taylor employees have not allowed them to use their own private towing service and call the city towing vendor instead. This can saddle residents with thousands of dollars in towing and storage fees when they could have used their own tow company for free.
Secondly, we need to reissue the bid for an official city towing company and open it up to more than just two towing companies. The bid should cover all services being offered and the lowest bid should then be selected. It is also very important that residents have the right to have their vehicle towed to their homes located in Tayor instead of to the impound yard, unless the vehicle was involved in a crime and an impound is otherwise required.
William Patts
I’ve proudly called Taylor home for more than 55 years. My wife, Caroline, is a lifelong Taylor resident, and we’ve been married for 51 years. Together we raised our two daughters right here in Taylor. Samantha, who lives in Sumpter Township, works at Kerry Brothers Truck Repair in Brownstown, and Andrea, who lives in Brownstown, is employed with MDOT. Family means everything to me. We have four wonderful grandchildren: Rebecca, Matthew, Vincent and Colton, and a great-grandson, CJ, who just turned three, with another great-grandchild on the way.
I worked for 25 years at U.S. Silica in Rockwood before the company downsized. I then spent seven years at Home Quarters in Southgate and five years at Home Depot. For the past 26 years, I’ve proudly served as a print technician for the Taylor School District. I also work seasonally as an usher at Comerica Park for the Detroit Tigers. My entire life and career have been about hard work, reliability, and community.
I’m running for the Taylor City Council because I believe change is needed. The current council took an oath to serve the residents and uphold the city charter, but I don’t see that happening. Too often there’s infighting, a lack of transparency and decisions that don’t put residents first. Taylor deserves better.
If elected, I will serve with honesty, integrity and accountability. I will take the oath seriously and follow the city charter to the best of my ability. I may be just one vote, but every vote I cast will be for what’s best for the residents and businesses of Taylor.
My priorities are clear. I will strengthen public safety by restoring proper staffing for our police, fire and EMT services. I will maintain quality city services, including the Department of Public Works, Parks and Recreation, trash collection and the Water Department.
I will promote renovation over demolition of vacant buildings and will preserve green spaces.
The city council needs to ensure transparent bidding and enforce contract compliance.
I will support the long-overdue improvements promised for the Van Born corridor.
I will urge the reinstatement of Monday night study sessions, so city councilmembers are better informed before voting on issues.
I will propose a charter amendment that will prevent delays in filling city council vacancies.
I love this city and believe in its future. Taylor deserves leadership that listens, respects its residents and acts with integrity. Together, we can make Taylor stronger and more united for generations to come.
Richard Pratt
Richard Pratt grew up in Taylor, graduating in 1987 from Truman High School. He spent a year in college before enlisting in the US Navy Nuclear Power Program, which taught him the importance of intense study, attention to detail and personal integrity. Four years of service on a nuclear submarine taught him how to work with a team and that you don’t have to like someone to work with them.
After six years in the service, Pratt took the skills he learned in the Navy and started a career in mechanical reliability. He started as a technician, moved up to regional manager and then shifted to application engineering. He has managed people and projects, including municipal projects in California and Nevada. His career took him to six states before he moved back to Taylor in 2005 and purchased his parents’ home.
Pratt married his wife, Stephanie, in 2009, and they have two sons, who respectively attend West Middle School and Taylor High School.
He serves as the treasurer of the Golden Ark Masonic Lodge, an elder at Southminster Presbyterian Church and as a commissioner of the Taylor Housing Commission.
For years, Pratt watched Taylor politics from the sidelines. Watching the council meetings for the last two years made him decide to take on a more active role.
Pratt is raising his family on a street surrounded by second and third generation families in the neighborhood. He wants Taylor to be a place where new generations will want to raise their families.
He also wants to help ensure vendors are properly serving the residents, and hold them accountable when they are not.
Pratt would like to improve pedestrian and bicycle access in the city. He said Taylor has great recreational facilities, but its major roads have no sidewalks or bike lanes, and city officials need to ensure children can safely access them.
He believes the city’s master plan needs to be reevaluated. He said Taylor is top-ranked for first time home buyers, but the minimum square footage for new homes increased during the housing boom, thus, in a housing crisis like the present, the value of the 1000 square-foot homes that made Taylor what it is today need to be reevaluated.
Pratt said the city needs to adapt to changing trends and develop a plan for all the large retail space we have as the big box stores start closing as people shop more online. He said creative reuse will be a key component.
He said supporting new businesses in the city is also important. He said there are two developments on Telegraph Road that were approved by council, but when they requested extensions, were denied. He said the city shouldn’t pull the rug out from under businesses that want to invest in the city.
Lindsey Rose
I bought my first home here in Taylor about 10 years ago because I really loved everything the city had to offer. I also own a small business located here in the city. This is not to say there isn’t room for improvement. As a homeowner, I can attest to how high property taxes are here in Taylor, and I am running to help lower them. Affordability is a big issue for many residents, and although I cannot lower food prices, I can work hard to reduce your taxes.
I also want to restore integrity to city politics, and that starts with leading by example. While technically not illegal, I find it to be a huge conflict of interest when candidates take campaign donations from businesses seeking a city contract. That is why I have a strict policy against taking any donations from any person or entity doing business or seeking to do business with the city. I have never taken any money from any towing company or from any person affiliated with a towing company.
Preserving Taylor’s green spaces is one of my priorities. Our green spaces are part of Taylor’s charm. Why overdevelop our city, especially when there are so many vacant buildings?
I have also worked hard to successfully oppose any new low-income housing projects in our community.
The lack of transparency in Taylor government needs to be fixed. Taylor has a lot of lawsuits that could cost the city millions of dollars, yet this information is hidden from the residents. Taylor pays out large settlements but does not share with residents the dollar amount or the circumstances of the payment. This needs to change, and residents need better information.
Towing has been a major concern of residents for decades and needs to be addressed. The contract should be re-bid so we can have more than just two choices. Having more choices will increase competition and lower prices. We also need to ensure that residents can call their private towing services, such as AAA or Progressive, when appropriate and not be forced to use the city’s towing company. As I previously stated, I want to stress that to remain impartial and to avoid a conflict of interest, I have never taken any campaign contributions from any towing company.
Ron Thiede
If elected to the city council, I will strive to make more expeditious decisions on the important improvements that are needed to help shape and improve our community.
My Department of Public Works experience offers ground level perspective on city infrastructure.
I will be focused on faster bipartisan decisions, bringing back study sessions, and working together to move the city forward.
I support youth sports, recreation and education programs, and improving the safety of our sidewalks, roads and neighborhoods.
I will encourage civic engagement and volunteerism, as well as collaboration between the school board and city committees.
Gerald P. Thomas
I am honored to be running for the Taylor City Council. As a proud 40-year resident of our great city, an Army veteran, and a retired city of Taylor employee, I have dedicated much of my life to public service.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving our community in many capacities, including as a former auxiliary police officer, auxiliary firefighter, deputy treasurer and as secretary of our Tax Increment Financing Authority and the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
I have also served as president and vice president of AFSCME Local 1128, the union representing Taylor’s municipal employees, and spent more than two decades on the Board of Directors for Total Community Credit Union. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of how our city operates and how to make it work better for everyone.
I am running because I believe in Taylor and the people who call it home. I want to bring common sense leadership, accountability and collaboration to city government. My goal is to ensure that every decision made at city hall reflects the needs and priorities of our residents. If elected, I will continue working to keep Taylor a safe, strong and welcoming community where families, seniors and businesses can thrive.
If elected to our city council, my top priorities will center on public safety, infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, accessibility and resolving the ongoing towing issue once and for all.
I believe every resident deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, which is why I will continue to support our police and fire departments and ensure they have the tools, staffing and resources they need.
Improving our roads, water infrastructure and sewerage systems is another key focus. Strong infrastructure not only improves daily life but also supports economic growth and attracts investment. I will also work to evaluate our city buildings and public spaces to make them more accessible for those with disabilities, including adding barrier free entrances where needed.
Fiscal responsibility will guide all of my decisions. As a retired city employee, I understand how to stretch every tax dollar to deliver the best possible services for our residents. My commitment is simple: prior to every vote I make I will ask three key questions: does it make Taylor safer, does it make Taylor stronger, and does it make Taylor more prosperous?
Finally, I will remain transparent and accessible because good government starts with open communication. Taylor deserves leadership that listens, plans wisely and acts with integrity
Dan Wallace
I’m proud to be a candidate for the Taylor City Council. I have seen what our city council can do to support the best interests of the people of Taylor, and I have seen what happens when council members prioritize their egos or personal gain over the best interests of the people.
I am running for city council to give back and represent the people. I will not profit from the office and will not let my own beliefs override what the people of Taylor want.
Many years of managing and volunteering have left me with the skills required to successfully serve the people of Taylor as a city council member. My skills include financial analysis of proposals, project plan preparation and performance tracking, addressing and solving customer problems and complaints, facilitating close working relationships between teams and clients that require careful negotiation and thoughtful compromise, a high-level understanding of business law, and excellent problem-solving skills with an understanding of problem analysis tools.
Taylor offices are non-partisan, which fits my political beliefs perfectly. Since the beginning, my campaign slogan has been, “No red. No blue. Only you, Taylor!”
My campaign isn’t about political sides. It’s about Taylor people, our neighborhoods, our property values, our voices in government, and our stake in the future of Taylor. I believe in a city government that works fairly, uses common sense, listens closely and keeps its promises.
If that sounds like a plan you can believe in, please support me.
I promise to work for you.