Adrian City Commission candidate profiles: Bob Behnke, Tom Faulhaber and Chad Johnson
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect when the newly elected commissioners will officially take office following the results of the November general election.
ADRIAN — Ten candidates are running to be elected to three available seats on the Adrian City Commission. To narrow the field for the November general election, six will advance from the August primary election.
The candidates are Bob Behnke, Tom Faulhaber, Steve Gonzales, Chad Johnson, Joaquin Ramos, Mary Roberts, Matt Schwartz, Scott Jay Smith, Patrick Ulanowicz and Brad Watson.
Roberts is seeking reelection. Current city commissioner Allen Heldt is running for mayor against incumbent Mayor Angie Sword Heath. They will be on the November general election ballot. Commissioner Lad Strayer is not seeking a third term on the commission.
Polls will be open Aug. 8 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lenawee County Fair and Event Grounds for all precincts. Voters should select no more than three candidates.
The term of service is four years, and the candidates elected in November will take their positions on the commission at the city's immediate meeting following the election.
The Daily Telegram provided questionnaires to all 10 of the candidates. This is the first of three planned stores to be published in print and online at www.lenconnect.com. The following are the responses from Behnke, Faulhaber and Johnson, lightly edited for clarity.
Robert Behnke
Age: 49.
Occupation: Retired Superintendent.
Spouse/kids: Will.
Government experience: Previous experience as: superintendent, Lenawee County Planning Commission member, Adrian District Library president, 911 dispatcher and congressional aide.
Volunteer/service/involvement with city of Adrian: Adrian Noon Rotary Club president-elect, Lenawee County Toys for Tots volunteer, Latino Leaders for the Enhancement of Advocacy and Development (LLEAD) Adrian treasurer, Parkside Family Counseling advisory board member, founder of the Adrian Diversity Parade and Street Fair Fund, Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD) Moriyama Student Exchange coordinator.
Why are you running for this position? Since retiring as superintendent, I’ve dedicated my time, talent and efforts to helping improve our community. I will use my knowledge of the complex issues facing our city to build stronger relationships between the city and its residents, businesses and visitors while enhancing services needed to address our core concerns.
What do you think are the one/two major issue(s) facing the city of Adrian and what should be done about it/them? The fund balance for the city has grown to its highest level in history, yet there is no plan on how the commission will use those funds to either reduce the pension liability or to improve services and investment in the city. A firm strategic plan is essential to ensure that these funds are spent with purpose and not on the whim of a shortsighted reaction. The lack of a strong vision is a major concern. There are many missed opportunities where residents, business owners and visitors could have a stronger voice in the development of a more unified plan to not only help enhance communication, public trust and transparency but to address the major issues of housing availability, blight, crime, economic development, homelessness and mental health support. The strategic plan needs to be a living document that is updated, evolves, evaluated and communicated year over year.
What are some of the achievements taking place in Adrian? How can these be sustained? While there have been improvements, there are still many opportunities for battling blight. I look to the work that service clubs and volunteers can provide to further support our residents that need assistance to address home and property repairs. The use of the city of Adrian’s Revolving Loan Fund can maximize the impact of funds through the use of volunteer service club labor. We have an amazing library in the city. In the coming months, residents will be asked to support a millage renewal to continue and enhance the amazing services and programs our library provides for all residents.
Why should people vote for you? The job of a commissioner is a part-time role, yet the role must extend beyond two monthly meetings. The issues facing our residents require a fully invested commissioner. We need a commissioner that has the leadership experience, the will and the passion to be a responsive and transparent leader for our residents. Most importantly, we need a commissioner that can work across and within all groups within our city to best serve the residents, business owners and visitors of Adrian. I strongly believe I am that candidate, and I am asking for your vote by absentee or in-person Aug. 8.
Thomas R. Faulhaber
Age: 70.
Occupation: Adrian Apartment Group, also self-employed landscaper. Owner of rental properties.
Spouse/kids: Marcia (married 42 years), son Mark, 37; daughter Tonya, 35.
Government experience: Adrian city commissioner for 11 years (1985-89, 2011-18).
Volunteer/service/involvement with city of Adrian: Founded Maple City ReLeaf in 2011. This volunteer group has a stated goal of replanting trees and shrubs along streets and in parks, working in partnership with the city of Adrian. To date, we have planted over 500 trees/shrubs.
Why are you running for this position? I enjoyed my 11 years of service to my hometown as a city commissioner. I love Adrian and have long since come to realize that the current city commission seems to collectively lack the level of vision, passion and goals and the level of knowledge of Adrian that I have.
What do you think are the one/two major issue(s) facing the city of Adrian and what should be done about it/them? 1. Lack of economic vibrancy and 2. Blighted residential and commercial properties. We need a campaign to accentuate Adrian’s many positive attributes and do more to encourage our area residents to shop Adrian first and stop online buying of items that could be bought in our own local stores. We must develop the best business climate in Michigan. Let’s find a way to actively recruit small retailers to open in Adrian. As to the blight issues, we must step up enforcement efforts against scofflaw landlords. We need greater enforcement of existing laws like our property maintenance codes and our vacant building ordinance. Devise a greater means of financial punishment so we can hopefully run these landlords right out of here. If we just had more spiritual vibrancy in this society, that’d go a long way to slowing or diminishing many of our problems.
What are some of the achievements taking place in Adrian? How can these be sustained? Adrian continues to renovate more downtown buildings than most cities in Michigan. This city is seriously underserved in many retail sectors. Identifying and recruiting entrepreneurs to meet these needs is crucial. Our three colleges continue to flourish. The city of Adrian must do all it can to encourage and work with them. I applaud the city for establishing a blight remediation revolving fund to help provide financially challenged homeowners a means to obtain affordable funding to renovate and repair their homes. When I was a city commissioner, I led the changes to move in this direction.
Why should people vote for you? I’m by far the most experienced city commissioner candidate. I was born and have lived my entire life here in Adrian. The state of the city is very important to me. You’ll find I’ve extensively studied the workings of this city for 55-plus years. Few can match the breadth and depth of my knowledge about Adrian. Not only do I love this city, but I love America. I represent traditional social and spiritual values. While I’m not perfect, I feel I’m an ideal candidate full of energy, vision, passion and goals relevant to all age groups.
Chad Richard Johnson
Age: 52.
Occupation: Project manager, The Christman Co.
Spouse/kids: Keri (married 20 years); Claire, 18 years old, attending Adrian College in the fall 2023; family pets, Coco and Lulu (maltipoo).
Government experience: I worked for the city of Adrian Water Department and did drafting and project inspections while attending Eastern Michigan University. I have served on the city of Adrian Planning Commission from 2002-14 and 2019 to the present.
Volunteer/service/involvement with city of Adrian: Adrian Kiwanis Club member (1999-2003), vice president (2001-02) and president-elect (2002-03). Member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 275.
Why are you running for this position? To continue my 16 rewarding years of service to the citizens of Adrian, as I have on the planning commission. If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I will be excited to be a part of and be a positive impact on the growing momentum to revitalize the city of Adrian.
What do you think are the one/two major issue(s) facing the city of Adrian and what should be done about it/them? In my opinion, the two most significant issues facing the city and our community are housing and retaining/attracting talent. Housing: Our current housing shortage is reflected by the amount of attainable housing and those who desperately need it. It also impedes the city’s ability to attract potential residents that innovate and create future growth. Talent retention/attraction: The city of Adrian has a tremendous amount of untapped talent. Underutilized or underserved individuals need to be provided with the necessary tools to succeed. We also have two endless resources in Adrian College and Siena Heights University. The key to retention is promoting a “reason” to stay. By default, the focus on retention will attract new enterprises/individuals. The city should continue to work with developers, innovators and individuals to ascertain and raise awareness of the available opportunities at the local, state and federal levels that may suit potential project sites. We want to create a quality-of-life environment where you have a vibrant and inclusive downtown that is filled with amenities and activities that attract groups of all demographics.
What are some of the achievements taking place in Adrian? How can these be sustained? There are many achievements/initiatives that are currently underway in the city of Adrian.
The city of Adrian is in the beginning stages of strategic planning and working to clearly define the overall vision of the city.
Riverwalk project.
Downtown Michigan Main Street.
Workforce Development Center.
Downtown housing.
The city of Adrian will need to secure and maintain broad-based community support for the current and future projects, programs and initiatives. Community-wide collaboration and commitment are monumental to reach the overall vision to make Adrian “the place to be.”
Why should people vote for you? I wish to continue my service to the citizens of the city of Adrian, as I have on the planning commission. I stand for honesty, integrity, hard work and due diligence, and maintaining a strong sense of community. I also look forward to continuing the good work of the city commission. I pledge to be present, available and listen, which will provide the insight to make sound decisions related to the needs of the community. I believe that my 30 years as a project manager, managing multiple multimillion-dollar projects/budgets, would be a benefit to the city commission and issue resolution.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Adrian City Commission candidates: Behnke, Faulhaber and Johnson
