BOLD PLANS FOR PONTIAC’S LONG-TERM SUCCESS

Pontiac is a city with extraordinary potential. We are home to hardworking families, diverse neighborhoods, and a wealth of talent. But we aren’t realizing our full potential as a city because there is no strategic vision from the Administration and there aren’t robust, realistic plans to accomplish our city’s goals.

As Mayor, I’ll lead the way and provide the bold vision to move our city forward. I’ll drive strategic action plans that balance immediate priorities with long-term sustainability. Our plans should always outline specific goals, collaborations with community leaders, timelines for city staff, and metrics for evaluating success. In my administration, everyone will have a seat at the table and we’re going to get things done.

Improve our Quality of Life:

  • Our neighborhoods are the foundation of Pontiac. Mayor Mike will prioritize our neighborhood wellbeing and positive growth. This means ensuring safe streets, clean public spaces, and strong community ties. Burned-out neighborhood streetlights need to be replaced faster, damaged traffic signs need to be replaced, and the previously-approved neighborhood park improvements need to actually happen. Prioritizing our neighborhoods also means a major expansion of the limited housing construction and renovation that has recently been taking place. It takes far too long for city government to move proposed housing through the approval steps; meanwhile, surrounding cities and townships have a more streamlined process. We must maximize our progress during the economically stable years, or else we will not weather future recessions or downturns as a city.

  • We must focus our attention to reduce crime, enhance community policing, and ensure residents feel safe in Pontiac. This will involve increasing collaboration between the Oakland County Sheriff Department, local organizations, and community members to create a safer and more secure environment for all. There have been far too many murders in our community and it is not being adequately addressed. We have got to prevent violent crime, reduce the likelihood that a neighborhood will be targeted for crime of any sort by ensuring it is maintained and well-lit, and we’ve got to collaborate with agencies and nonprofits that step in to help heal the wounds and trauma for our neighbors whose lives have been harm by violence.

  • Pontiac can only truly shine once we get rid of litter, improve trash collection, add recycling services, and revitalize neglected areas. This effort will create a cleaner, healthier environment while fostering pride and ownership within our community. As Mayor, Mike will make it a major priority to clean up the appearance along Auburn, Baldwin, Cesar Chavez, Huron, Montcalm, Orchard Lake, Perry, Pike, Saginaw, Telegraph, Walton, Woodward and all our corridors. So many people talk down about our city because of what they see driving through and it isn’t pleasant for us who live here, either. Together we can clean up our streets, restore pride in our city, and improve our quality of life.

World-class City Services:

  • Pontiac must increase access to healthcare, transportation, social activities, and affordable living options for our seniors. We will ensure that every senior in Pontiac has the support they deserve to live healthy, fulfilling lives in the community they helped shape. As Mayor, Mike will aim to expand quality senior-focused housing options within our city. Our city-provided Senior Services and programming should expand, including through community partnerships that Mike as Mayor can cultivate. And, at long last, the large gathering areas at the Bowens Senior Center and Ruth Peterson Center will get a remodel with Mike as our Mayor. Together, we’ll create a city where our seniors can thrive with dignity and respect.

  • Mike is committed to providing our young people with the resources they need to succeed. That’s why Mayor Mike will lead the creation of a dedicated youth recreation center— a safe, positive space where our kids can engage in sports, arts, mentorship, and community activities. This center will not only help keep our youth active and engaged but will also foster a sense of community and provide the support they need to build a brighter future. Past and present Administrations have taken too long and haven’t developed solid plans of action to make it happen. Together, we can finally get the job done – and get it done faster.

  • As Mayor, Mike is committed to bringing Pontiac into the future by modernizing city operations. This means investing in technology to improve communication and make government more accessible and efficient. By embracing innovation, we’ll ensure faster response times, better infrastructure management, and a more transparent, accountable government. Together, we’ll build a city that works smarter for all our residents. One example: there hasn’t been improvements to the broken process for residents to report problem that needs to be fixed in their neighborhood – that will change with Mike as Mayor.

Invest in our People:

  • Pontiac can build a city that not only honors its rich history but also steps boldly into the future. We can leverage our history, our arts, and our culture to be a dynamic destination and to improve our quality of life. We can do it by promoting community involvement, supporting local businesses, and revitalizing public spaces. Under Mike’s leadership we can better leverage the Pontiac Arts Crawl celebration that he created, make the city’s Juneteenth celebrations and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day commemorations better attended, and restore the Hispanic cultural celebrations and parades that previously took place here years ago. As Mayor, Mike will install refreshed Welcome to Pontiac gateway signs at our city entrances. And he’ll expand public art and mural installations throughout our community that celebrate our culture. Together, we will celebrate our city’s history, strengthen neighborhood connections, and create a positive thriving environment for all residents.

  • We will prioritize developing Pontiac's workforce by investing in job training, educational opportunities, and workforce development programs. By equipping residents with the skills needed for in-demand careers, we can drive economic growth, reduce unemployment, and create a more prosperous future for our community. This is achievable through partnerships – and it is also achievable by finally prioritizing this need. That hasn’t been happening, and it’s been hurting the people of Pontiac’s ability to thrive. As Mayor, Mike will call a roundtable of all stakeholders in workforce development and collaboratively build a citywide action plan. And then we need to consistently work to implement and improve those plans. No longer will we shove workforce development to the bottom of the list.

  • We will prioritize developing Pontiac's workforce by investing in job training, educational opportunities, and workforce development programs. By equipping residents with the skills needed for in-demand careers, we can drive economic growth, reduce unemployment, and create a more prosperous future for our community. This is achievable through partnerships – and it is also achievable by finally prioritizing this need. That hasn’t been happening, and it’s been hurting the people of Pontiac’s ability to thrive. As Mayor, Mike will call a roundtable of all stakeholders in workforce development and collaboratively build a citywide action plan. And then we need to consistently work to implement and improve those plans. No longer will we shove workforce development to the bottom of the list.

A Government that Works for Us:

  • By better managing our budget, growing our city’s tax base, and exploring new revenue opportunities, we can protect essential services while investing in our city’s future. We’ll focus on long-term stability, so that our resources are used wisely and effectively, ensuring a prosperous future for Pontiac and its residents. For almost all of 2024 the current Mayor has had no city Finance Director and hadn’t implemented contingency plans to address the gaps – and it has led to a deterioration of finance operations. As Mayor, Mike will make safeguarding our taxpayers’ resources and getting the city’s finance operations back on track a top priority.

  • No city can function well with so much staff turnover. It has been a major stumbling block for the current Administration and it’s not sustainable. For almost all of 2024 the current Mayor has had no city Finance Director and it has led to a deterioration of finance operations. As Mayor, Mike will build a strong team of departmental leaders and project managers that will get real results for our residents. And he’ll support and encourage city staff, working to improve the morale within City Hall. When employee stability and employee morale is stronger, our services and communications with residents will be much stronger.

  • Our city has got to do a better job of updating residents on changes to services, upcoming opportunities, and job openings. We will engage residents in more consistent open forums and survey opportunities to gather input on their concerns, priorities, and aspirations for our neighborhoods. This will help identify issues like safety, infrastructure, or housing that need immediate attention. And our city’s social media presence can greatly improve. As Mayor, Mike will consistently record “Mayor’s Minute” short videos to better connect with residents of all ages. We can also do much better at connecting with our city’s growing Spanish-speaking population; we can restore many of those past Spanish-speaking services that the city once provided. And there still hasn’t been improvements to the broken process for residents to report problem that needs to be fixed in their neighborhood – that will change with Mike as Mayor.