St. Clair Shores voters to elect city leaders on Nov. 7

Voters will elect members of the St. Clair Shores City Council on Nov. 7. Two candidates for each contested seat appear on the ballot. All city officers are elected to a four-year term.

Candidates were asked, in 75 words or fewer, to state their top goal(s) if elected. The answers are printed verbatim. (I) indicates that the candidate is an incumbent.

The office of St. Clair Shores mayor was uncontested.

 

St. Clair Shores Mayor
One candidate is running for one four-year term.

Kip C. Walby (I)
Running unopposed.

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St. Clair Shores City Council
Six candidates are running for three four-year terms.

Jay L. Heck
Age: 55
Occupation: Retired from the Southeast Macomb Sanitary District after 23 years of service
Currently working as a Gate Guard at Blossom Heath Park and Boat Ramp.
Municipality of residence: St. Clair Shores
For how long: 45 of my 55 years
Online campaign information: Jay Heck for St. Clar Shores City Council on Facebook
Education: Lake Shore High School 1986
Specs Howard School of Broadcast arts 1983
Previously and currently held elected offices: No previously held elected office.
Top goals: A few of my goals are to work with the County to continue to work on the health of Lake St. Clair. To work with city departments to keep a balanced budget. Listen to the residents and be a good ambassador for our Great City

 

Chris M. Vitale (I)
Age: 50
Occupation: Prototype Test Technician
Municipality of residence: St. Clair Shores
For how long: 40+ Years
Online campaign information: Vitale4scs@gmail.com
Education: Associates Degree
Previously and currently held elected offices: St. Clair Shores City Councilman
Top goals:  Building upon progress SCS has made in my time on council… The highest number of new homes built in an older city, shortest days-on-market for existing homes, attracting both national chains and small businesses, high ratings for police/fire, improvements at parks and playgrounds. Going forward… Storm water infrastructure improvements, creating a plan to modernize fire city stations. Behind the scenes work on a private investment that will add many jobs and co-op educational opportunities.

 

Bryan Owens
Age: 46
Occupation: Hearing healthcare professional
Municipality of residence: St. Clair Shores, MI
For how long: 46 years
Online campaign information: Facebook
Education: Lakeview High School, Macomb Community College and American Academy of Audioprosthology.
Previously and currently held elected offices: None.
Top goals: 1. Establish a coalition of business owners, landlords and city officials to better review business licensing and allocation of resources to ensure a healthy business community.
2. Ensure timely and appropriate allocation and spending of Federal Funds currently provided to the city.
3. Elevate the needs of the Fire Department with regard to station renovation, staffing and new fire fighter development to reduce equipment failures and fire fighter fatique.
4. Providing a more professional voice on the council when responding to citizen concerns.

 

Linda C Bertges
Age: 59
Occupation: Vice President B.A.S Security Systems, Inc.
Municipality of residence: St Clair Shores
For how long: 10 years
Online campaign information: lindabertges.com
Education: Graduate Our Lady Mercy High School
Lee University: Theology Degree
Previously and currently held elected offices: none
Top goals: By continuously striving to make our city an attractive place to live, work, and play, we can foster growth and prosperity for our city. We are faced with blight and pollution that not only affect the visual appearance of our city, but also poses serious environmental risks to our lake. Cleaning up our streets and waterways is essential, and I will work closely with local resources to continue to identify risk and find effective solutions.

 

Kristine Crook
Age: 40
Occupation: Realtor and Owner of a Disaster Relocation Business
Municipality of residence: St. Clair Shores
For how long: since 2018
Online campaign information: https://www.facebook.com/electkristinecrook
Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts - Interior Design, with education in architecture & building codes
Previously and currently held elected offices: N/A
Top goals: Task force to clean up Lake Saint Clair
• Remodel neglected city buildings; including police, fire, library, pool house and more
• Protect property & business owners rights & assets
• Modernize & clarify ordinances and building codes
• Attract diverse small-business and tap into the economic advantages of Lake Saint Clair
• Affordable housing including new construction and rentals
• Establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
• Serve the will of the community with care and compassion

 

Ronald J. Frederick (I)
Age: 68
Occupation: Recently retired June 2023 from Focus Media - a  National Advertising Rep Firm
Municipality of residence: St. Clair Shores
For how long: 64 years (4 years at college)
Online campaign information: Facebook: Ronald Frederick 4 City Council
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Speech/Broadcasting/Physical Education from Eastern Michigan University with numerous other industry certificates and awards.
Previously and currently held elected offices: Ron has been on City Council since 2005 He previously was on the Southlake School Board and City Councilman in Ypsilanti during College.
Top goals: The Budget – a map for all projects - Police & Fire, Seniors, Parks and Rec, infrastructure, Library, the Lake and more. Properly use these tax dollars wisely to improve all those departments. The ultimate Goal is to make St. Clair Shores the best community to live, work and play. This year I would like to add a person to the Fire department so we have a Marshall & Inspector to ensure safety throughout the community