By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON – Four candidates, including three incumbents, are running for three city council seats in the Nov. 2 election.
Timber R. Baun-Crooks, Richard Benedetti and Dora Rodriguez are seeking re-election, with challenger Celina Peters seeking a first-time spot on the council.
Each candidate was asked to introduce themselves and explain their priorities.
Timber R. Baun-Crooks
I have been on the city council for 32 years. Everyone knows that I love Trenton and I have always put Trenton and the residents first. I have owned a business in Trenton for 45 years and have been a lifelong resident, graduating in 1976 from Trenton High School.
I have been a member of the Downtown Development Authority, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and a board member of the Trenton Educational Foundation. I was past president of the Trenton Business Association and I have always persuaded businesses to come to Trenton.
I was voted Trentonite of the Year and Outstanding Young Woman of the Year. I am bold and honest and the residents know they will always get the truth from me and I will address their concerns as need be. When you vote Timber, you vote Trenton.
I will continue to pursue the growth of Trenton. With the teardown of the McLouth Steel plant and Riverside Hospital building, I will work with potential developers to secure a future tax base for the city.
Our residents passed a bond issue which will benefit Trenton for many years to come. Trenton has always been a premier city in which to own a home or a business, and in which to educate your children. I am privileged and blessed to be able to serve this community, and I will continue to be a progressive thinker and continue to move Trenton forward.
Richard Benedetti
I have dedicated more than 30 years of service to the residents of Trenton, first as a firefighter, retiring in 2017 as a lieutenant. Then I ran for council that year, securing my spot to continue serving the residents as a councilmember.
I am seeking re-election because I believe in Trenton and during my 25-year career as a firefighter I made Trenton my home. I want to keep giving back to a community that gave so much to me. I raised two children here and now am raising my grandson here with my wife Tricia. I love the way Trenton is inviting to everyone, how you can walk around and meet people who are so friendly. I want to keep working at making Trenton a place people want to live and move to for the atmosphere and the top-notch services we offer.
One of my biggest priorities is working with Wayne County to fix the West Road viaduct. The county has been talking about this for a few years, but we need to start figuring how to get it done and keep it on the top of their list.
After that we need to keep pushing forward with the building bond proposal that the residents approved to replace the 100-year-old public safety building, improving response time and the ability to make the services we provide even better. The bond will also improve the Kennedy complex and Westfield building for the public to enjoy.
I want to keep working with DTE on the Trenton Channel Energy Center that will bring in tax revenue to the city along with clean energy to make the area more enjoyable along the waterfront.
We also need to keep pushing forward now that the old McLouth Steel plant and Riverside Hospital are gone to get the areas developed and work hand-in-hand with the owners of these properties to develop sites that are good for the residents in terms of what is developed on the property while bringing in new growth to the city.
This is why I am asking for your support on Nov. 4 so I may keep working to make Trenton a great place to live.
Celina Peters
My name is Celina Peters, and I was born and raised Downriver. I am a mother to two kindhearted girls, a physical therapist assistant for seniors and partner to a UAW member. As a working mother, community advocate and partner to a veteran, I understand the everyday challenges families face, from affordability to accessibility.
I am running for the Trenton city council because I care deeply about the people who call this community home. Trenton deserves leadership that listens, shows up and takes action, and is visible, available and reliable. I want to make sure every resident feels heard and valued when decisions are made about our neighborhoods, streets and future.
As a newcomer running for political office, I have learned so many things over the last few months, and as I continue to meet the hard-working residents of Trenton, they inspire me to serve to the best of my ability.
Service is my honor and passion. I also believe that my energetic attitude, creativity and willingness to be a leader in any situation has prepared me to take on the different roles and responsibilities a council member would have. I would happily dedicate my next four years to Trenton.
If elected to the Trenton City Council, my top priorities would be to focus on safety, communication and responsible development.
Traffic safety is one of my highest priorities. Too many residents have shared concerns about speeding, crosswalks and unsafe intersections. I will push for better signage, safer bike and crosswalk markings near schools, and that any new infrastructure protects drivers, pedestrians and is as ADA accessible as possible.
Open communication between the city and residents is equally vital. People shouldn’t have to dig for information or feel left out of decisions that affect their neighborhoods. I’ll work to make city updates easier to access, ensure questions are answered quickly and hold regular community meetings so residents can share their voices directly with leadership.
Responsible development is another key focus. Growth should reflect our community’s needs, not just short-term gains. I’ll advocate for thoughtful planning that strengthens our downtown, supports local businesses, preserves green spaces and respects Trenton’s small-town feel while encouraging progress.
By improving safety, transparency, and planning, we can build a city that’s not only well-run but truly connected to its residents. For more information and details follow “Celina Peters for Trenton City Council” on Facebook and Instagram.
Dora Rodriguez
I am a 54-year-old mother of two, grandmother of three, and an 18-year Trenton resident. I am also a member of We Can’t Wait, Soroptimist International of Downriver (formerly Soroptimist International of Trenton), and the Michigan State Police Angel Program. As an International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America represented plant employee for the Ford Motor Company, I assist UAW members and management teams with continuous improvement.
In 2021, I was elected to the Trenton City Council, and I’m running for re-election to continue to be your voice.
During my current term, we have accomplished a great deal in a short time, including prioritizing a new, aggressive approach to seeking grants, which helped us receive more than $4.2 million in funding to upgrade city-wide parks, roads, alleys, the pool and walking paths, to procure equipment and to facilitate employee training.
Also, we championed millions of dollars in DTE investment for the Battery Energy Storage System project.
We worked with property owners, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and Wayne County to help ensure the clean redevelopment of industrial sites to benefit our city’s future.
It is important that we continue our work on the city council to move Trenton forward. My priorities include developing a comprehensive plan for our transfer station, ensuring that city employees are working efficiently and safely within the annual budget constraints, and monitoring potential hazards at redevelopment sites.
In addition, our city needs to complete comprehensive Americans with Disabilities Act assessment projects across Trenton that will provide accessibility for all, while also helping departments capture funding for priorities and enabling plans for future capital projects.
Another top priority of mine is to maintain distressed buildings to ensure they are safe, cost-effective and energy efficient. I find it imperative that we also continue to advocate for millions of dollars in investment projects to clean and redevelop old industrial sites, which will improve our tax base and revitalize small businesses.
Since taking office, I have put our city first by building trust and reassurance with people in the community while pursuing clear answers from department leads and commission members.
I am seeking re-election because our city deserves strong leadership and to build on the work we have accomplished during the past four years. Together, let’s continue to create a stronger Trenton.