Southfield Sun | Published October 12, 2023
In the Southfield Sun’s coverage area, voters will decide various local races and ballot proposals Nov. 7. Below is the ballot language for the proposals and profiles submitted by the candidates, who were asked, in 75 words or fewer, to state their top goals if elected. If a candidate went over the word limit, (…) replaces the rest of the answer. The answers are printed verbatim. An (I) indicates a candidate is an incumbent.
Southfield City Council
Five candidates are vying for four seats on council. The three highest vote-getters will earn four-year terms, and the fourth highest vote-getter will earn a two-year term.
Charles Hicks
Age: 51
Occupation: Director, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Municipality of residence: Southfield
For how long: 33 years
Online campaign information: www.electcharleshicks.com/
Education: Alum Southfield High School, University of Michigan bachelor’s in political science, Walsh College master’s in business
Previously and currently held elected offices: 2016-2022 Elected Trustee Southfield Board of Education Southfield, Michigan
Top goals:
• Establish a collaborative relationship between City of Southfield and the Southfield Public Schools.
• Enhance city services and public safety.
• Attract and retain businesses and citizens.
• Improve city infrastructure. Our municipal pool has not been available for the last two years. Many of the systems at our municipal center has passed its life expectancy.
• Fix streets/roads.
• Add programming for youth through seniors.
• Prepare the city for future needs.
Nancy L. M. Banks (I)
Age: 68
Occupation: Councilwoman
Municipality of residence: Southfield
For how long: 68 years
Online campaign information: email nlmbanks@gmail.com
Education: Michigan State University Municipal Clerk’s Institute, Oakland Community College
Previously and currently held elected offices: Current Southfield Councilwoman - 2019 - Present, Retired Southfield City Clerk - 1999 — 2017
Top goals:
1. Maintain Southfield as an excellent place to live, work, attend school & raise a family.
2. Continue being an advocate for the residential, business & faith based communities.
3. Ensure that Southfield has the BEST Police & Fire Departments. Make certain that both departments have the necessary tools, training & staff to provide the best services that everyone in Southfield wants, needs & deserves.
4. Closely monitor the budget, prioritize City spending and maintain stability in City Government
Coretta Houge (I)
Age: 53
Occupation: Sr. Provider Contract Administrator
Municipality of residence: Southfield
For how long: 23 years
Online campaign information: N/A
Education: Bachelor’s Degree (Magna Cum Laude)
Master’s Degree (Cum Laude)
Previously and currently held elected offices: Southfield City Council (current)
Top goals: If elected to continue my work as a sitting Councilperson, I will continue to support our Police and Fire departments, and protect our land, water, and green space to sustain a safe, diverse, and thriving community for years to come. My passion for being a servant leader will continue to be represented in all my decision-making, resulting in the best outcome possible for residents, businesses, and all those that visit our great City!
Daniel Brightwell (I)
Age: N/A
Occupation: City Councilman
Municipality of residence: Southfield, Michigan
For how long: 43 years
Online campaign information: www.BrightwellforCityCouncil.com
Education: Morehouse College, BA Degree The Wharton School, MBA Degree University of Pennsylvania
Previously and currently held elected offices: City Councilman City of Southfield - only
Top goals:
Finish getting a year round swimming pool built. It is currently in the Design and Financing stage.
Initiate the Development of a Senior Citizens Center to address the needs of all Seniors within the City of Southfield.
Maintain our Excellent Public Services (Fire, Police & Public Works) through hiring of good people and the providing them with modern equipment.
Maintaining and Growing our Property Values.
Yolanda C Haynes
Age: 62
Occupation: Business owner President/501 (c)(3) Community Activist
Municipality of residence: Southfield
For how long: 26 years
Education: Jackson State University Computer Science
Online campaign information: Committee to Elect Yolanda C Haynes
Previously and currently held elected offices: No answer given
Top goals:
1. Acquire all the training and resources available to me as a newly elected official.
2. Strengthen the relationships with the Business Stakeholders, Homeowners Associations and the Council.
3. Support the Council with the current agenda and Implementations that are in place to move Southfield forward.
4.Support our Senior citizens and their needs for city services.
5. Work collaboratively in all I do with integrity and fairness.
Southfield City Council
Two candidates are vying for one seat on council. The highest vote-getter will earn a two-year term.
Ryan Foster
Age: 43
Occupation: Transportation, supplier for Ford motor company, Wayne MI
Municipality of residence: City of Southfield
For how long: born and raised ( Providence Hospital)
Online campaign information: YouTube: Ryan Foster, Southfield
Education: No answer given
Previously and currently held elected offices: NA
Top goals: My top goals for the city of Southfield 2 year term is putting our funds in the right spot and fix our horrible streets. It is embarrassing that our roads are falling apart for the taxes we pay and compared to cities around us. Representation, I represent this community. Other candidates are not from here, don’t look like the community and just spend money in black cities and don’t really care. And putting God first, (…)
Michael Ari Mandelbaum (I)
Age: 41
Occupation: Southfield Councilman (8 years); Audit Team Lead, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (employee for 18 years)
Municipality of residence: Southfield
For how long: 25 years (born and raised in Southfield)
Online campaign information: www.mandelbaum4council.com/
Education: I hold a MBA from Wayne State University, and a Project Management Certificate from Lawrence Technological University.
Previously and currently held elected offices: Southfield City Council since 2015. Currently serving as Council President
Top goals: I will continue to fight to keep our city diverse, make it more walkable and attract younger families with affordable housing, great schools and community activities. I will push continued road improvements, park improvements and a new pool. Work to attract restaurants and businesses. Monitor the Northland Development and continued adaptive reuse of buildings and building new housing. Advocate more programing for Southfield seniors. Increased transparency in government spending and first-rate Police, Fire and EMS.
Southfield City Clerk
Two candidates are vying for the position of city clerk. The highest vote-getter will earn a two-year term.
Gabi Grossbard
Age: 50
Occupation: Licensed Medicare specialists
Municipality of residence: Southfield
For how long: 21 years
Online campaign information: votegabi.com
Education: Gabi has an extensive background in business. Successful leader in management and sales teams, and a small business owner.
Previously and currently held elected offices: None
Top goals:
*Defend and preserve the individual right to vote, secure the voting process and will fight voter suppression.
* Coordinate and encourage young residents to register to vote
* Fully staffed Clerks office to provide prompt and friendly services
* Direct efficient, secure and transparent elections
*Expand services to include passport applications
* Timely processing of birth and death certificates
* Implement efficient online services
** Together we can restore trust and confidence in the city clerk office!**
Janet Jackson
Age: 62
Occupation: Oakland County Commissioner and AT&T Administration
Municipality of residence: Southfield
For how long: 35 years
Online campaign information: www.electjanetjackson.com
Education: Bachelor’s of Science, Management and Organizational Development, Spring Arbor University
Previously and currently held elected offices: Oakland County Commissioner 14 years Democratic Precinct Delegate
Top goals: Commitment to transparency ensuring information and processes are easily accessible empowering residents.
Efficiency and Innovation advocating for implementing technology, enhancing services and streamlining systems.
Strong community engagement with residents and local organizations addressing concerns and advancing community initiatives.
Ensuring voter rights upholding the voters rights act, fighting voter suppression. Promoting increased participation of younger voters. Helping eliminate barriers for senior citizens casting votes.
Assisting residents to communicate with State and County officials.
Lathrup Village City Council
Six candidates are vying for three seats on council. The two highest vote-getters will earn four-year terms, and the third highest vote-getter will earn a two-year term.
Mykale L. Garrett (I)
Age: 53
Occupation: Campus Director
Municipality of residence: Lathrup Village
For how long: 16 years
Online campaign information: https://www.facebook.com/mykalegarrettforcommunity
Education:
Mercy High School
Rochester University - Bachelor of Business Administration
University of Phoenix - Masters of Information Systems
Detroit Regional Chamber Leadership Detroit Class 44
Previously and currently held elected offices:
2011 to Current - Lathrup Village City Council
2013 to 2017 - Lathrup Village Mayor Pro Tem
2017 to Current - Lathrup Village Mayor
Top goals: The most important goal is to bring back civility and a sense of community to the City of Lathrup Village. Additional goals are to move the Southfield Rd project forward and to continue to work with the surrounding communities and the Road Commission, attract and retain staff, work with the businesses in the city to assist with sustaining property occupancy and help reduce blight and build a sustainable relationship with Southfield Public Schools.
Jason Hammond
Age: 52
Occupation: Cybersecurity Solution Sales
Municipality of residence: Lathrup Village
For how long: 20 years
Online campaign information: www.facebook.com/jasonhammond4lvcc
Education: Masters Degree in Information Security from Walsh College; Bachelors Degree in Psychology from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Previously and currently held elected offices: None
Top goals: Lathrup Village needs to hire a new city administrator. I will prioritize candidates with experience working in a city reliant on volunteers and with a constrained budget. I will work with the owner of Annie Lathrup School to find a viable use for the school that is beneficial to residents and the property owner. I will work to improve city infrastructure in affordable ways. I will draw younger families and newer businesses to Lathrup Village.
Dalton Barksdale
Age: 31
Occupation: Engineer
Municipality of residence: Lathrup Village
For how long: 4 years
Online campaign information: N/A
Education: Bachelors of Arts in Computer Science and Mathematics, University at Buffalo
Previously and currently held elected offices: N/A
Top goals: I want to contribute to helping the city council function as well as it has in previous years and help to represent a view point for younger families that are moving into Lathrup Village. I want to help with any budgeting issues and above all, I want to listen to the citizens to help shape Lathrup in the way they want and in a way that will keep Lathrup a wonderful place to live.
Allen Weaks
Age: 74
Occupation: Retired, Marketing Communications Executive
Municipality of residence: City of Lathrup Village, Michigan
For how long: 38 years
Online campaign information: www.VoteKenezMillerWeaks4LV.com
Education: BS Wayne State University
MBA University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Previously and currently held elected offices: Member of Lathrup Village City Council, 2001-2015
Top goals:
- Balance our 2023-24 budget without transfers from Fund Balance.
- Promote from within with an Interim City Administrator named by year-end 2023.
- Restore LV Parks & Recreation department and activities; form a resident committee, benchmark other similar-sized cities’ Parks & Recreation strategies to determine best practices, and relaunch a modestly funded Parks & Recreation plan in FY 2024-2025.
- Strengthen existing community organizations and relaunch Homeowners Association and Garden Club during 2024.
Karen L. Miller (I)
Age: No answer given
Occupation: Business Owner/ Realtor/ Mortgage Loan Officer
Municipality of residence: Lathrup Village, Michigan
For how long: 34 years
Online campaign information: www.VoteKenezMillerWeaks4LV.com
Education: Central Michigan University; Bachelor of Science- Community Development, Emphasis in Public Administration; Graduated Magna cum Laude
Mediation Training and Consultation Institute, Ann Arbor, MI
Trained Domestic Relations Mediator
The Grant Institute, Los Angeles, CA @ University of Miami
Professional Grant Proposal Writing– Program Development and Evaluation,
Professional Grant Writing and Grant Research
Previously and currently held elected offices: Lathrup Village City Council, 2021– Present
Southfield Public Schools’ Board of Education— 1993 to 2001 and appointed in 2004 serving until 2010
Served 5 years as President; also served multiple years as Secretary and Treasurer
Top goals: Over the past 2 years l’ve worked to give Lathrup Village residents a voice. I’ve been transparent, accountable and responsive. I’ve voted no and will continue to vote no on anything that negatively affects our future fiscal health or lacks vision to protect our community. I stand behind my no votes welcoming the opportunity for conversation. I ask tough questions and will continue to hold people accountable to LV residents - the purpose of this position.
Barbara Kenez (I)
Age: 63
Occupation: Interior Designer
Municipality of residence: City of Lathrup Village
For how long: 50+ years
Online campaign information: http://votekenezmillerweaks4lv.com/
Education: BA Interior Design MSU
Previously and currently held elected offices: City Of Lathrup Village Council member since 2021
Top goals: My commitment to Lathrup Village is undeniable. It would be an honor and privilege to continue to serve and to represent you. Goals include:
- Civility and trust in government
- Regular town halls
- Improve website and messaging
- Judiciously spend tax dollars
- Maintain safe and beautiful streets
- Prioritize customer service
- Promote and encourage resident-focused events and organizations
- Improve and enhance Southfield Corridor
As a team, Karen Miller, Allen Weaks, and I will deliver.
Charter Amendment Proposal
Southfield City Charter Ballot Proposal #1
Shall the Charter be amended by amending Sections 5.2, 5.9 and 6.1 to change the city treasurer from an elected to an appointed position, to take effect in November 2025 or upon a vacancy in the office, whichever occurs first?
Charter Amendment Proposal
Southfield City Charter Ballot Proposal #2
Shall Charter Sections 5.2, 5.9 and 6.1 be amended to change the city clerk from an elected to an appointed position, to take effect in November 2025 or upon a vacancy in the office, whichever occurs first?