By: Alyssa Ochss | St. Clair Shores Sentinel | Published May 5, 2023
ST. CLAIR SHORES — Three seats are available for reelection on the St. Clair Shores City Council this year, and six people filed for candidacy on or before April 25.
The six candidates vying for a seat on the city council are Linda C. Bertges, Kristine Crook, incumbent Ronald J. Frederick, Jay L. Heck, Bryan Owens and incumbent Chris M. Vitale. The incumbent who is not running for reelection is Peter A. Accica.
“Too many health issues, that’s all,” Accica said about why he’s not running again.
The mayor’s seat was also up for reelection, and barring a write-in effort, it will remain uncontested, with Mayor Kip Walby the only candidate to file by the deadline.
“It’s wonderful,” Walby said. “We’ve got a lot of projects that we need to complete, and I’d like to see them completed.”
There will be no primary in August and only a general election in November.
The candidates
Bertges, 59, is the vice president of B-A-S Security Systems, which she owns with her husband, and is a co-owner of Bliss Nutrition in Clinton Township.
If elected, she said in an email she intends to work with the council to make St. Clair Shores a role model for other cities.
“I’d like to help build on the foundation we have as a desirable destination for homeowners and businesses and continue to focus on social, economic and environmental plans to make St. Clair Shores the best city it can be today and for future generations,” Bertges said in an email.
Crook, 40, is a realtor and the owner of a disaster relocation business.
If elected, she said in an email she plans to protect property owners’ rights and assets; clarify ordinances; continue addressing environmental issues; establish a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee; and much more.
“As the founder of Saint Clair Shores Residents for Equality, I have heard the concerns of citizens that have not been remedied,” Crook said. “I have witnessed division in the last 5 years that seems out of place in this beautiful city. It is important that our community comes together for continued progress.”
Frederick, 68, is an incumbent and has been on the City Council since 2004. He has a career in national advertising.
If elected again, he said in an email his plans for St. Clair Shores include renovations and updates for public services.
“Library renovations, police and fire station updates, continue adding new and upgraded playground equipment to our parks, attract young families and protect our senior programs,” Frederick said in an email. “Protect Lake St. Clair. Help our service and volunteer groups to continue their important contributions to St. Clair Shores life!”
Heck, 54, retired from the Southeast Macomb Sanitary District and currently works as a seasonal employee for the city of St. Clair Shores as a gate guard at Blossom Heath Park and the 9 Mile boat ramp.
If elected, he said in an email he wants to keep the city moving forward.
“My plan is to keep moving the City in the right direction but also not neglecting the assets the city already has,” Heck said in an email.
Owens, 45, is an audioprosthologist and owner of Shores Hearing Center.
Owens said in an email that, if elected, he wants to continue the separation of the storm and sanitary sewer lines, address residential and city blight, improve communication between the city and residents, and maintain the business community.
“It’s so important to shop local. Because the business owners of this city are also our neighbors,” Owens said in the email.
Vitale, 50, is an incumbent and has been on the City Council since 2011. He said in an email he is currently a prototype mechanic at the Chrysler Technology Center.
If elected again, he said in an email he wanted to stay on budget and keep the city “trending in the right direction for what will be challenging times ahead.”
“Specifically, I’d like to continue on our Fire Station Subcommittee, advocating for decontamination showers and other improvements,” Vitale said. “I would like to propose language for home office space within accessory structures, to keep us competitive with new-build suburbs.”