Troy residents to decide council race Nov. 7

In the Troy Times’ coverage area, residents will choose City Council candidates on Election Day. Below are profiles for local candidates, who were asked, in 75 words or less, to state their top goals if elected. An (I) indicates a candidate is an incumbent. The answers are printed verbatim.

 

Mayor of Troy
One candidate is running for one four-year term.

Ethan Baker (I)
Age: 44
Occupation: Mayor of Troy/Attorney
Municipality of residence: Troy
For how long: 14 years
Online campaign information: www.BakerForTroy.com
Education: BA in Political Science, University of Southern California; JD from Whittier College School of Law; MPA from the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
Previously and currently held elected offices: Mayor of Troy (2019-present); Troy City Council Member (2015-2019)
Top goals if elected: There has been a tremendous amount of progress over the past four years. I will continue to prioritize our Public Safety, Parks & Recreation, and Quality of Life issues at the same time as fostering an economic environment that is strong, stable, and continues to grow. I look forward to working hard on behalf of the residents and businesses of Troy to keep our City the best place to live, work, learn, and play!

---

Troy City Council
Seven candidates are running for one of three four-year terms.

Theresa Brooks (I)
Age: 45
Occupation: Physician
Municipality of residence: Troy
For how long: 9 Years
Online campaign information: www.brooksfortroy.com
Education: University of Michigan, Michigan State Medical School, Mayo Clinic Residency
Previously and currently held elected offices: Precinct Delegate, Troy City Council (Elected 2019)
Top goals if elected: Over the past four years serving on City Council, achievements include: increased library funding, public safety investments, enhanced parks, and an ethics ordinance.  We reached these milestones while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Looking forward, I will strive to balance development with resident needs, support seniors, address infrastructure, and prioritize environmental impact. My mission remains preserving what we cherish about Troy while listening and responding to residents’ needs, ensuring that the City of Troy continues to thrive.

 

Hirak Chanda
Age: 55
Occupation: System Safety Engineer at General Motors.
Municipality of residence: Troy
For how long: 24 Years
Online campaign information: www.hirak4troy.com
Education: BS Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, India; MS Engineering, University of Minnesota, and University of Michigan
Previously and currently held elected offices: None
Top goals if elected: I am running for Troy City Council because I want to lead our city in a positive direction. My top priorities include maintaining Troy’s stellar reputation for public safety, increasing initiatives on sustainability and to make our city attractive to businesses and families of all ages. I will work with people with diverse opinions and use my background as an Engineer to make decisions based on logic and data.

 

Ann Erickson Gault (I)
Age: 60
Occupation: Attorney
Municipality of residence: Troy
For how long: 19 years
Online campaign information: Ann4Troy.com
Education: BA, Manchester University (Indiana) JD, University of Toledo College of Law (Ohio)
Previously and currently held elected offices: Troy City Council, 2019-present
Top goals if elected: Council accomplished much since 2019: an ethics ordinance, fully funding our library, equipping police with body cameras and license plate readers, improving parks and trails, passing four balanced budgets, and steering the City through a pandemic. Troy residents believe the City is on the right track, and I intend to keep us on track. I will also work on making Troy a more environmentally sustainable community, maintaining public safety, and preserving green space.

 

Mark Gunn
Age: 63
Occupation: Business Owner of an Insurance Loss Control Inspection Company, Real Estate Broker and an Adjunct Professor.
Municipality of residence: Troy, MI
For how long: 38 Years
Online campaign information: www.markgunn4troy.com
Education: Bachelors and Masters Degree from Walsh College
Previously and currently held elected offices: Precinct Delegate in Troy MI 16 Years.
Top goals if elected: Balancing the demand for new housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure with the need to preserve green spaces and maintain quality of life, Address improving road conditions, managing traffic congestion. Recognizing and seizing opportunities for economic development while supporting existing businesses is crucial for the city’s long-term success. Ensuring that all residents have a voice in shaping the future of the city, fostering inclusivity, and promoting community engagement, building trust, promoting dialogue, involving diverse perspectives

 

Edward Kempen
Age: 56
Occupation: Self-employed / Real Estate professional
Municipality of residence: Troy
For how long: 33 years
Online campaign information: Kempen2Troy.com
Education: MBA Oakland University / BS Engineering University of Wisconsin - Madison
Previously and currently held elected offices: n/a
Top goals if elected: I, Edward Kempen, promise to bring the citizen’s voice back to council by providing openness via regular office hours.  I will review our parks and services personally and ensure they are operating fully.
I will be tough on taxes so we get the most value for our dollar.
I will keep our police, fire, and EMS providers funded and well equipped.
I will ensure that when development occurs it is responsible.
Please vote Ed Kempen

 

Dale Murrish
Age: 62
Occupation: Retired engineer
Municipality of residence: Troy
For how long: 35 years
Online campaign information: dalemurrish.com
Education: Bachelor’s and Masters in Mechanical Engineering
Previously and currently held elected offices: None
Top goals if elected: Sustainable development: Troy has very little undeveloped land; we want developments that fit in with the nearby neighbors, ideally that they are happy with. We don’t want four-story apartment buildings overlooking backyard swimming pools.
Fiscal restraint: I will propose a gradual spending reduction, a 1% inflation-adjusted budget cut each year for five years. That might allow a property tax cut or use the savings for the firefighters’ incentive fund.

 

Edward Ross
Age: 44
Occupation: Troy Volunteer Firefighter; Software Engineer
Municipality of residence: Troy
For how long: Since 2012
Online campaign information: https://edross4troy.com/
Education: B.S. Computer Science (Wayne State University), M.B.A. (International University of Monaco)
Previously and currently held elected offices: N/A
Top goals if elected: We need to take action to prioritize community safety instead of just talking about it. We are struggling to address a shortage of police officers, and we no longer have even a single dedicated ambulance to service our city. The city council’s recent changes to the volunteer firefighters’ incentive system have put our residents safety at risk. We need to give our police pensions and address our shortage in dispatchers. We need affordable senior housing.