Q&A: East Jordan City Commission candidates describe backgrounds, priorities
EAST JORDAN — Voters in East Jordan will choose between six candidates for four available positions in the upcoming city commissioner election on Nov. 7.
Current commissioners Philip Hofweber, Paul Timmons, Amy Sherman and Daniel Miller are running for reelection and Melyssa (Mel) Lindenthal and Peter Sladick are challengers.
All the candidates were sent the same questions and given the same deadline to respond. Paul Timmons was the only candidate to not respond.
The East Jordan City Commission consists of seven members elected by the voters of the city at large. The regular election of commission members occurs at the regular city election in each odd numbered year, commission members are elected for four-year terms.
Candidate: Philip Hofweber
Q: Introduce yourself. Born in Gaylord, growing up in Clare, raising a family in East Jordan, Northern Michigan and living in small communities has been a major part of my life. As a graduate of Michigan Technology University I gained experience working for and with some of the great businesses operating in our area. Over the years I have volunteered with many nonprofits to help support the quality of life in our community and surrounding communities.
Q: Have you held an elected position in the past? I was appointed approximately two years ago to the East Jordan City Commission filling a vacated seat. This appointment has provided me a good understanding of both the opportunities and challenges of our community.
Q: Why are you running for election as East Jordan City Commissioner? With my life experience it is my goal to help guide and support our community, city administration and commission with both policy, budget and future opportunities presented.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the city today? I feel the challenges we face is to continue to maintain a positive budget balance, responsible allocation of resources, while assisting to ensure our future investment in planning and direction attains the desired positive results.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected? Assist our board of commissioners to continue to take the time to truly listen and understand all matters before our board in order to attain the best results for our community.
Candidate: Melyssa Lindental
Q: Introduce yourself. My name is Melyssa (Mel) Lindenthal. My husband Nick and I have two children that attend East Jordan Elementary School. I was born and raised in East Jordan and am a 2010 EJHS graduate. I attended Grand Valley State University where I graduated with a bachelor's in radiologic and imaging sciences and became licensed as a radiation therapist. I work as an integration lead for a health care platform bridging hospital applications to streamline clinical workflows and simplify the patient experience, increasing engagement and interaction throughout their care plan.
Q: Have you held an elected position in the past? I have not, but I’m excited to be considered and to have experienced so much support just in getting on the ballot.
Q: Why are you running for election as East Jordan County Commissioner? I’m passionate about seeing East Jordan succeed. I want this to not only be a great city to visit during our many beautiful seasons, but a place for families to grow and thrive. I also think it’s vital that we see younger representatives involved and serving on our commissions and boards — bringing a new perspective to discussions and helping to align decisions with the needs of the community as a whole. I’m ready to take on that role!
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the county today? Our community is facing many challenges, but I believe one of the most significant challenges we’re facing today is housing. As someone who relocated back to East Jordan in the last few years, I know the struggle of the lack of available and affordable housing firsthand. It’s posing a major hurdle for our schools and local businesses to both maintain and attract the necessary workforce, as well as making it difficult for our community members to remain in the community.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected? One of my biggest priorities will be increasing transparency and partnership between the commission and its constituents. There are many opportunities for the commission to better inform the community of its actions and plans, as well as avenues to garner input to guide decision-making and align areas for focus. Other prime focuses of mine would include exploring options for affordable housing and continued support/development of our downtown area and its businesses. I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but I promise I have the determination and grit to hunt them down so we can work together towards what’s best for our community!
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Candidate: Dan Miller
Q: Introduce yourself. My name is Daniel Miller (Dan) and I am currently on the city commission for the City of East Jordan, serving a vacated seat since March of 2023. I am a long time resident of East Jordan, having worked in East Jordan since 1983 and moved from Charlevoix in 1987. I am married to my wife Faye of 49 years and raised two children, David and Sara, both graduates of East Jordan Public Schools. We have three grandchildren ages 13, 8 and 5. I served four years in the U.S. Army and was owner and president of East Jordan True Value until we sold in 2022.
Q: Have you held an elected position in the past? I have held an elected position as president of East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce and was appointed to the commission seat I currently hold and am running for reelection.
Q: Why are you running for election as East Jordan City Commissioner? I am running because I feel that my years as vice chair of the East Jordan DDA, Parks and Recreation Committee and Charter Commission have helped broaden my view of what it takes to be a good commissioner and also along with my business background has given me the tools to be a good commissioner. I am not a single issue candidate meaning that I am not running to get a special need approved or special equipment purchased. I have worked on the city charter and so I have an understanding of how our city government works. I understand the Master Plan and what it means to the community and will work within the framework of the Master Plan to achieve the goals set within the plan.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the county today? Both city and county wide the largest challenge is workforce and workforce housing. Being in a county that is heavily tourism-related we have need for tourism housing that for the most part is addressed; although there is room for a motel or two in East Jordan. AirB&B and VRBO have helped, but where do our workforce people live and how do we get affordable housing to this group of our people in need? We are working on this need and there are plans that are in the final stages prior to implementation. If interest rates on mortgages comes down a bit we can see a much better chance of this being implemented.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected? My top priorities are to continue to work for affordable, attractive housing, to work within the idea of the Master Plan and to keep our fiscal house in order without being an undue burden upon our taxpayer. Taxes are the necessary portion to the residents for providing the services they want and expect. That stated, they have to remain in check when the economy is tight due to fiscal spending in Washington or Lansing. We also have the old foundry property that will be developed in the future. I look forward to working with the ownership to see that both needs and dreams of our community are achieved. What that is today we cannot say as we have no plans presented. I do know that this will be met with the utmost care and diligence.
Candidate: Peter Sladick
Q: Introduce yourself. I’m Peter Sladick.
Q: Have you held an elected position in the past? No, this was encouraged by people in the community to have a younger voice for East Jordan.
Q: Why are you running for election as East Jordan City Commissioner? I’m running to get involved in our community, and to be a voice for the younger generations living and working in East Jordan.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the county today? The biggest challenges facing the City of East Jordan today from my perspective is having things, besides the beautiful river, for residents and visitors to enjoy. A resurgence of downtown would be amazing.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected? My top priority will be to represent the community’s voice.
Candidate: Amy Sherman
Q: Introduce yourself. Hello, my name is Amy Sherman. I've served the City of East Jordan for over 25 years on various boards and committees to enrich our community. I'm married with two grown children.
Q: Have you held an elected position in the past? I was appointed on June 18, 2019 to the city commission and have served for four years and four months.
Q: Why are you running for election as East Jordan City Commissioner? I am running because our town needs a voice to continue progression of our downtown, housing development, harbor and marina, and the old dump property.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the county today? The biggest challenges facing our city are the cost and availability of affordable housing and the overall challenges of the city budget.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected? If elected, I would continue to advocate for affordable housing, revitalization of our downtown and in general improvements to our community for residents and visitors.
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Q&A with East Jordan city candidates
