Flushing View

Flushing City Council election is November 5


John Gault

John Gault

FLUSHING — During the general election on Nov. 5, voters in the City of Flushing will be tasked with filling three nonpartisan seats on the Flushing City Council. The council’s At Large position will be contested between incumbent Councilman John Gault and challenger Edward J. Sullivan. In District 1, incumbent Councilman George R. Gray will face challenger Brooke M. Good. In District 3, Councilman Patrick Scanlon, who was appointed to fill out the term of former Councilman David Detman, will be running unopposed. Each candidate is seeking a four-year term.

Below are bios of the candidates and their responses to questions about the issues affecting the City of Flushing.

John Gault

Occupation: Retired General Motors Engineer

Founder / CEO of Gault Race Management

Co-owner of RunMackinac.com

Education: Mott Community College

The University of Michigan-Flint

Edward J. Sullivan

Edward J. Sullivan

What are the main issues facing your community?

I believe the primary challenge facing the city of Flushing is to maintain a balanced budget in the face of reduced revenues. The city has an obligation to maintain city services, meet our contractual responsibility to our employees and address the needs of our citizens, all within the limits of the financial resources available. I’m proud to say we have always operated with a balanced budget in Flushing, but our revenues continue to decrease as our costs are increasing.

The city is also challenged by the need to control traffic speed and flow on city streets and roads. It is a major concern to our residents and our council is in the process of addressing this issue. Another challenge facing the city of Flushing is the need to maintain our property values and reduce blight in neighborhoods. In looking to the future, we need to match the vision of our Master Plan to the zoning ordinances we have in place.

George R. Gray

George R. Gray

Finally, I believe we need to explore ways to better communicate with our residents. When our citizens are well-informed on the issues and understand the rationale behind decisions being made, we all win.

What are your solutions to those issues?

To address the financial challenges, we need to continue our efforts to reduce expenses whenever and wherever we can. While we’ve already been successful in securing State and Federal grants, the city needs to continue seeking alternative sources of revenue.

We are already addressing traffic speeds and flows. Our police department has been working with our engineering firm to redesign traffic lanes and utilize electronic speed alert signs. I commend the police department for helping us address this community concern.

Blight enforcement is an issue. We do not currently have a code enforcer, so our city council has worked with city administration and residents to identify property that might be of concern and address the issue.

Brooke M. Good

Brooke M. Good

As chair of the Planning Commission, I know the importance of working toward the long-time vision expressed in our Master Plan. By working with our City Planner and gaining community input, the council, through the Planning Commission, is working to make our zoning ordinances in line with our vision.

Finally, to improve our communication with residents, our council should explore better use of social media, more informal town hall meetings and other cost-effective ways to reach our citizens.

Why should people vote for you?

During the past 24 years, I’ve proudly represented the city of Flushing as a member of the City Council and as chair of the Planning Commission. In that time, I’ve learned a great deal about municipal government and the challenges facing communities. I have worked hard to help make our council one that is respectful of its members and conducts the city’s business in a professional and civil manner. Working together with city administration, Police, DPW, Fire Department and several volunteer committees, our council has helped make Flushing a great place to live and raise our families. I am proud of our accomplishments and would like to continue doing all I can to keep the city moving forward in an informed, positive way. I believe my experience makes me the best candidate to do that.

Edward J. Sullivan

Occupation: Owner of Sullivan’s Irish Alley on Main St. for 20 years.

Retired from City of Flushing DPW after 26 years of service.

Leadership position with AFSCME Council 25 Local 1918- M for 20 years.

Honorably discharged from USMC as a Sgt. (E-5) in 1988.

Education: 1981 graduate of Flushing High School. Successfully completed various courses to meet certification requirements.

What are the main issues facing your community?

There is a complete lack of transparency. Major events and programs have been put in place with no input from the public. There are too many to list here. In this age of social media and instant communication Flushing residents have come to rely on several independent sites, when information should be coming directly from the city council.

The city is also in a transition period. More and more, younger families are moving here. Our outstanding Flushing school system is a major reason many of them are choosing to make Flushing their home. They also appreciate the small town atmosphere and excellent service provided by the city’s police, fire, and Department of public works. They don’t know, nor do many other residents, that all of those departments are understaffed, or that four certified police officers have been laid off.

What are your solutions to those issues?

The solution to the transparency issue is simple. First, the city website needs to be better maintained. An email link for each council person and the district they represent should be readily available. Recently, a “Request for Action” was filed by a resident with the county clerk’s office asking that the obsolete Absentee Voter Application form be removed from the website. Only after the county clerk took action was it taken off the website. Residents deserve a city serviced Facebook page that not only provides current information, but also provides the opportunity for them to connect with the city and council directly.

As a local business owner I believe more cooperation between the city council, the school system and the Chamber of Commerce is imperative.

The school system and Flushing Township were able to reach an agreement that provides for a certified law enforcement officer in every school building in the township. However, the city manager and council have said that is too expensive for the city. Instead, they contracted with a private security firm to provide for children’s safety in city schools. Those private employees are not certified police officers, and have no arrest authority. If elected I intend to work very hard to correct that.

Why should people vote for you?

Well, the number one reason I merit the people’s vote is this: I pledge to attend ALL city council meetings, both regular and special, and to represent my constituents’ wishes. My opponent who is seeking re-election has been absent from 24 meetings since his last election. His attendance is a matter of public record. I will attend every meeting, even if I have to walk to city hall. I am a lifelong city resident. I will utilize my experience and give everything I have to this city I love.

George R. Gray

Occupation: Incumbent Councilman, 1st District

Retired public school administrator and teacher

Education: B.A. Wayne State University

M.A. Eastern Michigan University

Ed.S. Eastern Michigan University

What are the main issues facing your community?

The challenge we face is maintaining a balanced budget while meeting our current contractual obligations to employees, maintaining city services for residents and addressing long-term retiree pension and health care debt. The Headlee Amendment in 1978 and Proposal A enacted in 1994 intended to limit property taxes and reduce funding inequities have instead effectively limited the revenue municipalities may collect to less than the rate of inflation. In Flushing’s case, our city operates on $600,000 less annually than a decade ago. Our city council, city manager and city employees have worked together to reduce expenses wherever possible by taking on additional responsibilities, not replacing retired and departed employees and making cost-conscious choices in purchasing goods and services. The long- term solution is for the state legislature to revise the Headlee and Proposal A measures to address the revenue shortfall issue. Reductions in state revenue sharing have also compounded budget problems. Residents can be part of the solution by contacting their representatives in Lansing and urging them to tackle the financing problems they have helped create.

What are your solutions to those issues?

The city council has worked with city administration and residents to identify and target properties that demand attention. Beginning work in 2017, the Council and administration finally succeeded in the spring of 2019 in razing a dangerous building located in my district. At least two other properties have been identified and may be demolished. While no one wants to take down a house, there are instances where neighbors’ safety and property value concerns outweigh the loss of a severely damaged building. In addition, city council members assist the administration by identifying un-mowed lawns and pursuing cases such as unlicensed businesses operating in neighborhoods.

We must address traffic safety issues on several major roads created by design problems and enforcement questions related to staffing levels and safe pursuit concerns. This was the number one issue identified in the city survey conducted last year. The city’s contracted engineering firm and the police department have collaborated on a redesign of traffic lanes on Main Street and Pierson Rd. In addition, permanent electronic speed alert signs will be installed on Main Street as well as portable signs that can be relocated on other streets by the police department as necessary. I was directly involved in securing funding for this project. These changes will begin in 2020.

Why should people vote for you?

As a councilman, I have learned that the job is about service, not politics. I’ve learned the inner workings of city government and the concerns of residents. I’ve met visionary people concerned about our city’s future and a few others who harbor their own narrow interests. The non-partisan nature of the office frees me to adopt an altruistic approach. Besides attending monthly council meetings and responding to residents’ needs, I’ve served by volunteering for local projects, attending community events, contributing to worthy causes and representing the city at over 80 additional meetings since 2015. With a willing attitude and a committed heart, I appreciate not only what our city has to offer but also that it has exciting potential to be so much more!

Brooke M. Good

Occupation: Home/School Coordinator, Seymour Elementary, Flushing Community Schools

Education: Bachelor’s Degree-Community Development

Minor: Business Administration, Central Michigan University

What are the main issues facing your community?

I believe that the city council must listen to residents. Door-to-door petitions drives should not be needed. I believe we should support all residents and sections of the city equally, including businesses. I strongly oppose the city council’s “capturing” of residents’ property taxes for ANY purpose. I oppose construction of a roundabout anywhere in our city.

What are your solutions to those issues?

Transparency is imperative. The city must create a comprehensive and well-publicized city website. On the Friday before a regular meeting, an agenda should be posted on the city website for review by interested residents. My public priorities will be reflected in my personal priorities: my family, the children I work with, and the community. I fully support public safety and public work services. All aspects of public safety are my highest property. My opponent has yet to approve hiring of a full-time police officer, but has voted to spend 18,000 for a “visionary” to help develop the Woodland Ponds area. I oppose selective, public padlocking of businesses. Mediation is the solution. I oppose construction of roundabouts in our city. Period.

Why should people vote for you?

My family is a Flushing family. I have children in the Flushing Community School system. We are proud of our community. The current city council is buried in embarrassing lawsuits. Our highly respected police chief has filed a whistleblower’s lawsuit against my opponent and the city council. I will work hard to repair these conditions that caused these lawsuits. I support zoning that only allows the construction of single-family homes. Unlike my opponent, I believe there is no space in our small city for multiple-housing of any kind. I will work with other council members to constructively address the opportunities and challenges facing our city.