Economic Development

Mike led the conversation on professionalizing and modernizing our efforts to attract investment to the Township. During his first term Mike focused on the lack of attention and resources allocated to our two major corridors; Gratiot and Groesbeck.

Mike has voted NO on developments that don’t meet the standards of our community. Those votes led to a conversation on the abundance of storage facilities and ultimately a moratorium on their development.

• Voted against no-bid contracts
• Called for the former Planning Director to be fired after he admitted to being apart of the Dean Reynolds fraud conspiracy
• Supported the hiring of the Township’s first Economic Development Director
• Supported and participated in the Township’s first Strategic Planning Process and Groesbeck Corridor Study
• Supported the re-funding of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
• Proactive in hosting community meetings focused on connecting businesses to resources

Opposing Pay Raises for Politicians

Mike has led the effort to oppose recommended pay increases for himself and other Township elected officials. He voted against the creation of the Compensation Commission, a mechanism designed to award raises without requiring a vote of the Board. 

Mike introduced a motion in 2017 to reject the pay raises leading to members voting 5-2 against the proposed increases, including a 13% raise for some politicians.

In 2019, Mike again voted in favor of rejecting pay raises. The proposal included what would have amounted to over 15% raises for some politicians.

Mike has also pledged to not accept any gifts or donations from the vendors that contract with Clinton Township.

Macomb Daily: Clinton Township says ‘no’ to pay raises for themselves

 Macomb Daily: Clinton Township elected officials reject planned pay raises

Veterans and American Flag

At one time, installing a flag pole in Clinton Township meant going through a lot of red tape. After learning about this issue on social media and being the proud brother of a US Marine, Mike secured the permit for a local veteran. Then, he worked to change our Township policy, which ultimately led to eliminating the flagpole permit fees.

Mike also brought a recommendation to the Board to designate a “Veterans Only Parking” spot at the Township’s Civic Center. The request was voted down behind closed doors during a Building Committee Meeting. Mike worked with the Township Attorney to bring the request to and open meeting and the Board approved designating one parking spot to honor our local heroes.

South End

As the only Board member that lives South of 16 Mile Road – Mike makes it a priority to represent the needs of the south end of our Township.

Mike helped to organize the “Staying United and Social while Distancing Community Group.” This group of community activists worked to provide residents (south of 16 Mile Road) access to key services such as: personal protection equipment, voter registration, virtual youth camps, school supplies, 2020 Census and more.

Kids Summer Quarantine Toy Giveaway at Vinson Chapel –  Video

Water Balloon Games Part 1  at Prince Drewry Park 

Balloon Games Part 2 at Joy Blvd Park – Video

C&G News: Prince Drewry Park basketball court gets artistic facelift 

Conservation

After being appointed to the Township’s Conservation Committee in 2015, Mike began planning and participating in park clean ups, tree plantings, business adopt-a-stop, and Adopt-a-Stream programs. Mike also secured a mini grant from the non-profit Green Michigan which provided trees planted along the Metro Parkway Bike Trail.

As a Green Michigan Coordinator Mike has supported environmental progress by contributing to the distribution of more than 284,000 trees throughout the state. This non-profit organization was started by former Congressman David Bonior to promote awareness of environmental issues.

• Annual tree plantings at Prince Drewry, Joy Blvd, Civic Center, and Normandy Parks
• Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) Adopt-A-Stream
• Sponsored a joint resolution with the City of Mount Clemens to lobby for the $10 million Detroit Zoo’s Nature Center

Transparency

Mike continues to advocate for greater transparency in Township government by making information more readily available.

Mike was pleased that the Board agreed to make the following materials available online:

•  Township Board meeting documents and videos 
•  Planning Commission meeting videos 
•  Zoning Board of Appeals meeting videos 
• List of Township contractors and business agreements

C&G News: Board approves archiving of board meeting video 

 C&G News: Clinton Township’s planning, zoning meetings to be available to public

Black Lives Matter

Clinton Township was a part of the growing wave of public protests across the country following the death of George Floyd, who was murdered on May 25 in Minneapolis as he was restrained during his arrest by Minneapolis police.

As misinformation, conspiracy theories, and fear spread throughout our community Mike knew he had a duty to organize a safe space. A group of passionate supporters coordinated elected officials, bus transportation, water, food, masks, hand sanitizer, sound systems, and more.

Basketball Courts

Mike grew up in the south end of the Township. An area where growing up, it was easier to find a pawn show or liquor store than a basketball court with rims. As residents complained of noise and crime the Township and private development responded by removing the rims. Mike knows it’s important to invest and engage rather than remove an entire amenity from our community.

Mike worked with TCB Mentoring and the Anton Art Center to use commission a basketball court mural and Prince Drewry Park. Funding for the project was made available by donations collected by the former Festival of the Sense Committee.

As a Trustee Mike has worked to:

• Commission a mural for the basketball court at Prince Drewry Park
• Redevelop the old basketball court at Normandy Park
• Develop a new basketball court at Joy Blvd. Park

Diversity

Mike introduced resolutions and efforts to recognize the following holidays for the first time in Clinton Township’s history:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Indigenous Peoples Day
• LGBTQ+ Pride Month
• Juneteenth

Mike volunteered to perform regular ride alongs with multipile Township Departments including Police and Fire. One thing was noticeable thought out the Township…the lack of diversity amoung employees. Mike teamed up with the Fire Department and Clintondale Schools to host a Fire Fighter Boot Camp event. The program was designed to encourage kids from our community to consider public service as a career. Mike hopes to continue the successful event and develop a mentorship program so students can see a career in public service as a possibility.

Elections

Did you know that every precinct has to have at least one Democrat and one Republican poll worker?  Mike serves on the Elections Commission with the Clerk and a republican Trustee. They are responsible for approving the list of poll workers. For the past three elections (2018 Primary, General and March 2020 Presidential Primary), our Clerk refuses to publish the list of these poll workers prior to the day of the meeting.  Mike has voted NO to approve these lists. Mike’s job on the Elections Commission is to ensure that our elections are conducted fairly and you can trust that every polling place has a Republican and Democratic worker. With only a couple minutes to glance at the list of poll workers, he caught that candidates and their family members were listed as workers for the August 2020 Election. Mike made a motion to direct the Clerk’s Office to comply with state law and remove any candidates or their immediate family members from the list of election workers.