Mayor faces former councilman for top elected post
Although there’s only one contested race in Fraser’s Nov. 7 election, residents are certain to see two — and possibly three — new faces on the City Council.
In the only contested race, incumbent Mayor Mike Carnagie faces a challenge from former council member Michael Lesich.
Fraser — like most cities in Macomb County — has a “weak mayor” form of government in which the mayor is a part-time official and voting member of the council. The daily government operations for the 14,572-resident community are overseen by an appointed city manager. The treasurer and clerk also are appointed by council members.
Carnagie took over the mayor’s post in 2017 after then-mayor Joe Nichols was removed by the council. He was asked by the council to stay on as mayor, and won reelection in 2021.
Since all council candidates presumably will win their races, The Macomb Daily asked the mayoral candidates for information and their stands on various issues:
1. What do you feel are the one or two major issues facing Fraser?
2. There has been talk of outsourcing some city services. Would you favor such a move, and if so, what services?
3. The recent $15 million bond issue was rejected by voters. Now what?
4. What is the plan for the closed library building?
Mike Carnagie Age: 62 Occupation:
Retired OEM Coatings Engineer, account manager for 36 years; Fraser firefighter and emergency medical technician for 34 years; currently honorary Fraser president paid-oncall firefighter and Fraser
Public Safety Honor Guard commander
Education: Three years college, certified firefighter I and II and fire officer I and II by Michigan State Police; certified OEM auditor, statistical process control and ISO 9000 through Michigan State University; graduated No. 1 Macomb Community College Fire Academy; certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Honor Guard Training Goshen, Ind. training camp
Previous political experience: Currently, the mayor and formerly served as mayor pro tem; Fraser Planning Commission.
Background: Carnagie’s slogan is Family’s First, Fraser Follows. He said from his work as an honor guard commander at events across the country, “I literally have risked my life for the city as some council members and residents have stated. I definitely have given my blood, sweat and tears for the city for the past 34years as a firefighter.”
1: I want to continue to move the city forward in a fiscally smart manner. Continue to put the best employees in the right seat with a work ethic and have ownership and pride in their work.
• Update Fort Fraser and Stephens Park.
• Have our administration and department heads be more aggressive in searching out and applying for state and federal grants and monies to put into infrastructure to ease the burden on taxpayers. Help bring and support old and new businesses in the downtown district. Maintain all current services.
• Continue to bring new business to the city and improve our downtown district with possible tax incentives.
2: Outsourcing can be beneficial and considered in some aspects of the city’s services such as possible grass cutting, property management and or maintenance. Consolidating some recreational activities with surrounding communities that have programs and resources that Fraser does not. A majority of kids today just don’t play t-ball and flag football like our generation. I remember when every baseball diamond was full with little league kids ball during the summer days and men and women’s softball every night.
Outsourcing sometimes does not save money due to inflation and high wages and service as we see today, but should always be considered.
3: Being the last street bond was voted down by the voters, we will look for more state and federal monies to help with our roads and infrastructure from the IRA that the federal government passed recently.
We have completed a large number up major projects and road infrastructure in the city including updating the parks with new play equipment and updated signs.
4: We will continue to work with the library board to come up with the best fit for the city and its residents. If the library officials decide they do not want the building we will most likely put the building on the market and help find a good match that will benefit the city’s residents and downtown dynamics.
Michael Lesich Age: 62 Occupation:
Semi-retired small business owner specializing in
IT, financial modeling, and analysis; currently a part-time accounting and finance consultant to townships and cities through southeast Michigan.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in management information systems as major, minor in accounting. Certified court reporter. Previous political experience: Six years on the Fraser City Council; current vice-chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals; eight years as a Recreation
Commission member; current vice-president of the Eastpointe-Roseville-Fraser Chamber of Commerce; past SEMCOG and Michigan Municipal League representative for Fraser; MML finance committee member; chair of Macomb MACRO coalition of local government officials.
My mother
1: I love my city! I am running to join a team that wants to make Fraser a better city, with improved services and quality of life. As one of seven, I hope to be part of long-lasting positive change that makes people say “I want to live in Fraser.”
2: I don’t know of any talk to outsource more city services. However, we should always look at the services we currently outsource and make sure they are meeting the needs of residents, taxpayers, builders and investors in our city. If they are not, we must find a way to improve or change them.
3: The problem of the poor condition of our local streets is not going away — and if nothing is done they can and will get worse. Council can’t ignore the problem and we’ll have to keep working to solve this. There are no easy answers and difficult decisions must be made.
4: The library building is currently closed for repairs due to a car that slammed into the building during the summer. Future plans for the library building depend on whether the library board wishes to return to the property or go in a different direction. If the library moves somewhere else, we’ll address the cityowned building later.
For the three available council seats, Kathy Blanke chose not to run for reelection and Suzanne Kalka decided to leave office with two years remaining on her term. Current members Amy Baranski and Patrice Schornak are each running for another 4-year term, while Kenny Perry Jr., a Fraser planning commissioner, is also on the ballot.
Political newcomer Sherry Stein is the sole candidate running for Kalka’s unexpired term.